Sean

5 minutes ago, Phil Starr said:

Just packed the car ready for an early start. I'm only bringing nine speakers this year. 

Are you bringing a BC112 by any chance? 

If you are, I'll leave mine at home 😉

I used a few sets of Black Beauties and another coloured coated variant some years ago and they were fantastic for about one rehearsal and 2 gigs and then they just suddenly died. I haven’t been anywhere near DR as a brand since. I remember playing them for the first time on a Spector Euro 4 LX (with an East Preamp) and thinking “wow” but then at the following gig I thought there was a preamp problem but it was the DRs that had just given up being zingy. 

I’m in.

Yesterday I was swapping pickups in my Valenti P and noticed a big difference in the build between the two P pickups. 

I've changed the pickups in the Valenti a few times just to have a change from time to time.  What I've been chasing this time is high end grit and sparkle without losing any bottom end. 

My go-to chap over the last couple of years is Lee Laverack of Laverack Guitars, who makes Toltec pickups. He's based in Leeds. I bought a pair of Toltec J pickups a couple of years ago and they blew me away. 

Earlier this year I asked Lee to make me a pair of J-based splittable humbuckers for the BB1300 and worked his magic way above and beyond. The original Yamaha pickups weren't great but the bass is a peach and he did it proud. In the early stages Lee likes to understand what you're looking for in the sound, so likes a chat to establish what you like and don't like in a pickup. 

I've been playing the Valenti a lot lately and have found that it doesn't sound like I want it to these days. It's a PJ and I used to play it in a rock covers band, with two guitars, playing it mainly with a pick. I decided to have a conversation with Lee and see what he could do. 

At this point it's worth saying that Toltec pickups are very competitively priced compared to other handmade UK boutique pickups. The custom made (to my spec) P+J set I've just received cost the same posted as a P from other UK boutique makers' standard products. 

Here's the Toltec P (2) compared to the HotRod Thumper (1) that I took out. You can see it's much taller. The sound and character of the bass has changed completely. Lots of top-end and sparkle. it's a tall bobbin, overwound with higher gauge wire to bring out the dynamics and reduce the compression. 

It'll be at the Bash tomorrow and at the SE Bash next month. 

3 hours ago, itu said:

Were there any kinds of arrangements or just dixieland? 

Pretty much like the records. 

Solid drummer.

Good audiences. 

It gives a good insight into who you're replacing and in this case, who he replaced. Lots of videos going back years. 

My #1 takeaway was on what bass to use at the audition, or rather, in my case, what not to use. 

Well, after yesterday's exploration I think checking the band's social media and any YouTube videos should be towards the top of the list. 

I also got some trusted 3rd party input. 

What I saw/heard yesterday:

1. How the band ends some of the songs.

2. How close or not close to the originals they play the songs. 

3. How your sound might fit (or need to be tweaked).

4. Areas for improvement and what you could bring to the band. 

Stunning. 

7 hours ago, neepheid said:

Well, just to add some balance to the discussion (or maybe just stir the pot ) - I think the natural Z7 is the worst looking one of the bunch.  Last year when the Z7 was introduced I got my first choice (burgundy) and my second choice would have been white - because I wanted the ebony fretboard.

Those clever product managers, eh? Making them in different colours for different tastes. Cunning. 

On 23/09/2025 at 15:29, Sean said:

Thanks @warwickhunt. I got given £37 in vouchers this morning as a thank you from a client so will have another look. I use the EXL170-BT set (45, 60, 80, 107) on the Eb-standard Spectors but am willing to shift gauge a bit for that kind of bargain. 

 

I ordered 2 sets of 12s just before I got my 12 @£22 a set each. They were pictured as a twin pack but arrived as two separate packs. All legit, the players points went on no issue. The packaging was a bit crushed and I think they’ve probably been around a while but the bags were intact. 

I've just got half way through re-stringing the 12 and the pair of ee octave strings are missing from the pack. Check your packs. 

This is the second packing error from D'Addario in a month.  

Does it come with the bag?

It is said that these are very close in quality, playability, sound to a Stingray. All those MM basses are really off my radar so,  what's the verdict with these Z7s? Are they up there with the ATK as a "Stingray Killer"?

It's back to £52.

What's going on? Dynamic pricing!

The B12L will be getting gigged on 5th Nov.

I'll be singing and playing two cheap trick classics with a couple of friends at The Vic in Swindon. 

HX patches done, I just have to learn the lyrics properly 🤔

33 minutes ago, dave_bass5 said:

Can’t see that price at my end. Still showing £65

It's showing as £65 again now.

Currently £52 delivered with Amazon Prime. 

I've got a set of HotRod Nightrain P+J handwound, UK made pickups by Eternal Guitars.  

This pair is meant to recreate the Duff McKagan tone from the classic GnR era. 

It's an Eternal Thumper P pickup and an Eternal '84 J.

These are very rock-oriented pickups and sound huge. I'm selling because all I seem to have is really hot pickups in everything. I'm replacing these with more vintage, much less hot pickups. 

These currently sell for £255. They're not sold as a Nightrain these days but you can buy them individually:

https://www.eternal-guitars.com/product-page/jb-84-jazz-bass-pickup

https://www.eternal-guitars.com/product-page/pb-thumper-precision-bass-pickup

The original design of these pickups was done by Andy at Wizard pickups who sold his designs and equipment to Eternal. 

3 hours ago, Cosmo Valdemar said:

The bridge/knob placements in those pics suggests it isn't just a case of how far into the body the bridge is set. The body shapes may have varied over the years.

Lots of measuring and comparisons over the last hour or so, and I can say that the bodies are as close to identical as I can measure and perceive. The differences in bridge positions translates directly to the difference in overall length. The LXs are almost an inch taller than the NS-4CR.

Edit: I would like to point out that I've played/practiced 6 hours today. It's not been all forensic analysis measurement fun; I've got an audition to prep for 😉

Geekery Corner - Spector European Edition

With the new arrival yesterday (NBD thread to follow when the sun is out in the Shire) I had a penny-drop moment. 

Now, we’re all familiar with this lovely poster of the history of European-built Spectors and most of us know the differences off by heart but I spotted a significant difference between the models [it is significant if you spend your time wondering about Spector minutiae 🤓] yesterday that I thought was worth noting because it affects what I call the “hanging geometry” of the instruments and although no one has officially confirmed it to my knowledge, I think I’ve deciphered what “LX” really stands for and it’s not “Luxe”, “Luxury” or anything like that. 

Get your latest prescription goggles on and have a look at this:

The 2001-2003 Euro series has a longer neck! The bridge is further North (pickup terminology) on the Euro. The nut is closer to the player on the earlier model. 

Then we move on to the Euro LX series and that bridge has migrated North again! 

Here’s some real world examples from the herd this morning...

First up are two Euro 4 LX examples

Then a Euro

Then an NS-4CR

I reckon “LX” must be “Long X-tension”, “Xtra Long” or something like that. A Euro LX is not a step up in “luxury” compared to a Euro, it’s mostly different wing construction. 

The question here is, why? 

@woolf thank you, Graeme for a great buy and such an easy transaction. Great to meet you and hopefully see you at a Bash in the not to distant future. 

Another BassChat win all round. 😀

1 minute ago, Rexel Matador said:

Yep, LHZ is the plan. I might also put the soapbar shaped EMG P & J pickups in too and stick the DCs in another bass. By the time I'm done with this bass I probably could have bought a used US one with exactly that configuration for the money I'll sink into it, but where's the fun in that?

I've got the soapbar P+Js plus the LHZ in my Euro 5 LX. It's a peach.

I liked the DCs but they're bordering on overwhelming and I like a bit more breathing space that the PJ config gives. 

I had a '01 NS5-XL years ago that I put soapbar P+Js in. The original pre packed up, so I put an ACG/East preamp in it. That was a very good combination and gave me a really versatile Spector. Nothing like any of the ones I have currently. I gigged it a lot. I sold it to raise cash for something. Gone forever now. 

That is one of THE classic cabs of all time. These have a following and fan base of their own. 

It would be helpful if we had some insight and comment from @agedhorse before this goes into the operating theatre for major irreversible surgery. 

Re-tolexing it and respraying the grill is easy, spares, as far as I'm aware, are available or equivalents easily sourced. 

I think @Beedsterwill be able to add perspective too. 

Lovely figuring. 

I like that colour combo. 

I have a Darkglass pre out of a '24 Euro LX if it's of interest but I recommend the LHZ. I've bought 6 of them. 

Two of my big valve amps are in The Amp Hospital at the moment so I've had to take then off the list. 

1. Rich - Trace Elliot TE-1200 amp, Barefaced Super 12T cab, earplugs , Shuker custom 5, Tanglewood TRB-CE acoustic bass gtr.

 

2. Woody - Rickenbacker 4004-L5, maybe Sei Flamboyant, Same old basschat 12" with some amp, other stuff TBC

 

3. Pinball (tbc) - some interesting basses

 

4. Stubsy - Joyo BadASS, GRBASS AT212 slim - only 50W but that should give 120dB at one metre 😇. (or I bring my TE 1110 combo). Some fun pedals. Perhaps the AVII 1960 precision, the Sire P10 and maybe the Fender Performer and something unexpected...

 

5. Sean -  Laney Nexus Tube 400 [oh jeez], GK MBF500, GK Fusion 550, 2 x LFSys Monaco, 2 x Japanese Market Spector Euros with LHZ-03 preamps, Valenti #005 Super P with Hotrod Nightrain PJ pickups that are coming out immediately after the bash and will be for sale, Yamaha BB1300 (rarity with pickups rewound by Toltec), my small but well-appointed pedal-board (Origin Cali 76, Origin DCX, Aguilar Chorusaurus, etc). Plus whatever I might be selling at the time.

 

6. Rosie - likely I'll bring my upright, set up for bluegrass/folk/jazz if anyone's not played upright before and fancies a go

 

7. Phil - BassChat cabs, maybe some sort of shootout?

 

8. MikeD - Laney Digbeth, Zilla 212, Dingwall Combusion, Revelation PJ, pedals, try to finish home made bass🤞🤞🤞🤞

 

9. neepheid - G&L CLF L-1000, Yamaha BB1200, Sire D5, Sire Z7, Greco LGB-700, Reverend Triad, Epiphone Les Paul (not so) Standard, Epiphone Thunderbird '64, Squier Jaguar H (with Ibanez CAP double humbucker from ATK200/800 etc), Gear4Music rat bass (with Lace Aluma-P), £150 giggable bass challenge, 1 or 2 amps depending upon space...

 

10. Jabba_the_gut - Note sure what stuff yet........10. Jabba_the_gut - Status 3000, Status 4000, Stingray 4, USA Sub 5, Markbass Tube, some pedally bits inc Valeton GP5 cheaply thing

 

11. Wolverinebass - Grainger Hades, HX Stomp, GK Fusion 1200s.

 

12. Japanaxe - Precision(s) & Dingwall(s), DIY 100W Bassman head if finished by then(!) as people seemed to like my B15 clone, At least 1 other amp (see sig)

 

13. JohnDaBass - Fender Imp combo, Fender Mike Kerr Jaguar, Fender Stu Hamm Urge 1, HB ThunderStang, Squier Paranormal Rascal, Mark Bass Bronco ( very yellow), Ashdown Capri ( very Pink)

 

14. Geek99 (tentative) - sire v7 5 string (rapidly becoming my favourite bass ever), vintage est96a (punches above its weight as judged by basschat midlands massive and Stub Mandrel), Tc electronic bh250 and A cab that was dragged out of the sea    (Possibly) but only cost £10

 

15. chienmortbb - Fender Aerodyne AJB65, G4M pretend aerodyne, Sire Narcus M2 (possibly for sale. Ashdown Restoglide 800 and Bugera Veyron  1001M, LFSys Monza cab. Possibley a number of accessories for sale.  I might have to rrim the list as I am due an op shortly and am not allowed to lift anything for 6 weeks. You will notice me as the bloke with no trousers.

 

16. Richard R.  - Brawley 4 and 5 string basses,  Ashdown ABM C300-100+15"extension, Roland V-Bass COSM system pedalboard plus HB Musicman fitted with hex pickup, headphone amp, raffle prizes. Hopefully my son and his Ibanez. Definitely trousers.  V-bass system and bass possibly for sale.

 

17. Scrumpymike - Gillett Contour ST; Harley Benton MV-4MSB Gotoh BM; Rascal Mervyn-Lyte (Fender Rascal re-bodied a-la P Lyte by Andy Jr); Sandberg California ll SL TM 4 SHORT with recent Aguilar upgrade; Vox Starstream A2S; Ampeg SVT-7 PRO; Fender Rumble 100 combo;

BF Super Compact Gen 3; LFSys Monaco.

 

18. rwillett - Depending on what space @neepheid leaves me in the car,  Fender Jazz, 3d printed headless, 3d printed jazz & 3d printed six string (if I finish them both), Jazz Bitsa, Matching Westone 1A Guitar and Bass, Mustang Bass, Gnome Pro V2, some sort of large speaker that was donated. Possibly a Strat and.or Tele to provoke sharp intake of breath, Tonex and Mod Dwarf. If he brings too much, either he's sitting on the roof bars or I am 

 

19. Mottlefeeder - Yamaha RBX765: 5-string '80s solid body. Ibanez EW205: 5-string ABG. Ibanez EHB1265MS: 5-string fanned fret, headless. Hohner B2AV: 5-string active cricket bat. Home-brewed briefcase - battery/mains 175 Watts through twin 5 inch speakers. Eminence Basslite 10 in home-brewed cab *2.  Ashdown Mybass Mk I (500w). Warwick Gnome. Vong HPF/LPF pedal.

 

20. CHYC - BC112mk3, BC110T, GSS 06b400mkd, Ashbory, Warwick fretless, double bass. 
 

https://origineffects.com/product/bassrig-super-vintage/

A real peach of a bass. I've got one (same colour) and love it. It speaks with so much authority and the B is brilliant. Fit and finish is top notch. GLWTS