Sean

I've never been a huge fan of Musicman instruments but over the past couple of months I've played four Ball Family Reserve guitars and basses and they were all absolutely superb. I've tried two Stingrays both of which sounded warmer and "hotter" than any Stingray I've ever tried before and the quality of them was first class, the flame tops just breathtaking (not that I've seen many shabby EBMM). The two guitars I played were ridiculously good; one was a Petrucci model and the other a double necked Silhouette. I would say they were easily as good as any PRS guitar I've tried. Does anyone have one? Anyone tried them? here's one of the basses I played (cheers Dave) And here's one of the guitars (Cheers Johnny)

[quote name='Clarky' post='683409' date='Dec 13 2009, 09:14 PM']a mahoosive Mesa stack, powered by a couple of Mesa 400 heads.[/quote] Got called downstairs to see this and my eye went straight to the stack. Nice. His voice is a bit ropey and his hair made him look bizarre but he's still out there doing it. Why was he there? Has he got some new product to sell? He certainly didn't need the fee

I use 45 - 105 + 125TW (I think). I have thought about going to 40 - 100 but that'll be months away with these things, they still sound new after 6 months Theoretically they should be less tight. If you try this, let us know what you think.

[quote name='andyonbass' post='679857' date='Dec 10 2009, 06:24 AM']I loved the tone of my euro 5, but found it a tad neck heavy and a real stretch to the low frets. Anyone else find this?[/quote] My Euro5 is really light, well it's the lightest Euro5 I've ever tried and that's probably due to it being Alder/Poplar. I think the stretching is down to the fact that the top horn is a bit shorter than some basses and so it hangs slightly further away from you. I looked at this last night and can't say I noticed until I got intrigued by your post.

I now have an EMG 40P in the neck position of my NS5XL. I tried this with a the DC at the bridge and it sounded very big and meaty. I then A/B'd it with the Euro4 for a couple of hours (proper practise, no noodling :snob: ) and late last night decided to try an EMG 40J in the bridge position. It now sounds as close to the Euro4 as can be possible and it is now without a doubt as good as it could sound. It was incredible before, now it's perfect. I've always been a fan of the P/J configuration and the EMGs in my Euro 4 are my favourite pickups ever so to get these replicated in the NS5 has made me very happy indeed. I'll post sound files at the weekend.

[quote name='RussFM' post='679991' date='Dec 10 2009, 10:31 AM']If it was me, I'd be after a Spector Euro! [/quote] That's lovely. Very Rawk.

[quote name='The Goatreich' post='679960' date='Dec 10 2009, 09:55 AM']I really want to try out a Spector Euro 5. I think they could potentially be the replacements for my Ibanez. They're the main axe of the person I look up to the most in the extreme metal bass playing world (Alex Webster) and I think that says a lot for them and what I'm trying to achieve. Any good stockists in the South Wales area that anyone know of?[/quote] If you want to come Risca and try my Euro 5 on Saturday afternoon at our rehearsal room you are more than welcome. It has an EMG 40DC in the neck position and an EMG 40J at the bridge and a U-Retro preamp.

[quote name='Crazykiwi' post='679871' date='Dec 10 2009, 07:17 AM']These are my two current NS5CRs:[/quote] Are they 34s, Steve?

[quote name='whynot' post='679619' date='Dec 9 2009, 09:55 PM']I've an almost new lefty Spector Euro LX5 on it's way to me for a very good price. I notice a couple of people have mentioned changing the preamp but what is the main reason for this, mainly down to the lack of mid frequency control ?[/quote] Mostly because the stock preamp is so-so at best and the East one is a brilliant piece of kit that not only gives you mid-sweep mid-boost/cut but also complements the EMGs beautifully. Don't take my word for it, listen to the samples above - it's a no brainer. My Spector NS5 is the best bass I've ever played; it's a 2001 build and it's really nicely played in - not that a bass of this outrageously good quality needs much playing in. For me it's only a gnat's rizla better than Peter's redwood one (to my taste) but like Homer, I too dream of Peter getting bored with his so I can have the glory that is his Redwood NS5. If the boat comes in next year, I'm going to order one; an NS5 with a 4 headstock, oiled with black stain finish, EMG 40 P5 and EMG TW and a U-Retro + battery indicator. I get my head turned regularly (Bass Day was a classic example) but when I come home and plug in the glory that is like the 1st of the 9th + the 617th + Michele Mouton's Quattro S1 I realise that this is the daddy of all basses. The singer in my band only ever compliments my sound when I'm playing a Spector - she just hears and doesn't see what it is, she knows nothing about makes and models of bass, she just knows what sounds sexy and what sounds like a workaday bass. Time for bed

[quote name='jonthebass' post='676074' date='Dec 6 2009, 08:11 PM']The SPB-3 is not thin sounding at all, just a scooped mid sound. It's basically a very modern sounding P pickup. It's great for rock, punk, metal, etc. In contrast the A51 in my P bass with flat strings absolutely nails that woody, thumpy P bass sound to a T. It replicates that Clash London Calling sound perfectly. I think it will be fine for what you need...[/quote] I have the P that Jon had and I agree, the Stealth is perfect for all those traditional P sounds. Great with flats.

[quote name='Crazykiwi' post='678754' date='Dec 9 2009, 07:58 AM']Have you fitted those Wizard soapbars Sean?[/quote] Yep. They're back out, though. Nice pickups but very different from what I wanted. I thought they'd be perfect for someone's Ibanez SR or Lakland 55-01 especially if they took advantage of the coil taps. Shame I haven't got anything to transplant them into.

I have three - all with East U-Retro preamps and they sound huge and that big sound is very addictive. The Euro 4LX I have is an absolute monster, there are some clips [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=67071&hl=spector&st=20"]here[/url] and some photos and good words [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=51601&hl=spector"]here[/url] and loads more [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=60841&hl=spector"]here[/url]. Build quality of Spectors is top notch, just can't fault them. I've just ordered an EMG 40P5 for my NS5 to make it sound a bit more like the Euro4 but that's for another thread another day... I keep meaning to do some nice photos of them all together but the light is rubbish lately

[quote name='Davemarks' post='675856' date='Dec 6 2009, 04:52 PM']Hey guys - I've got the tracks up on my site for the latest style file column. [url="http://davemarks.com/?page_id=1012"]http://davemarks.com/?page_id=1012[/url] It's a wicked sounding funk track - I'm really pleased with how it turned out :-) I'd love to hear back from any of you who download it to see what you think.... d[/quote] Looking forward to hearing it. I used the article to practise my reading and recorded some of the parts against some funky drum loops so once I get home (from the IT Nazis at work) I'm going to compare the two. Has anyone submitted a video of themselves playing it yet? I think I'd be far too self conscious :blush:

[quote name='Davemarks' post='643771' date='Nov 2 2009, 07:48 PM']Hey guys - Sod's law. I worked really hard over the last few weeks to get the backing track for Skattershot ready and wouldn't you know, after getting them up on deadline last monday.. my site gets a massive bug and crashes. For those of you who'd like to get hold of the audio files, just click on this link and you can download the full track and a backing track for only £1! [url="http://store.payloadz.com/detail_html.asp?Id=760719"]http://store.payloadz.com/detail_html.asp?Id=760719[/url] I'm working hard to get the site back up and when it does, I'll have the transcription of the bass solo, along with a video lesson to teach you the parts to the song. Let me know what you think of this new format for style files and also, if you like the tune... d[/quote] Good stuff, Dave. It kept me amused whilst staying in a hotel somewhere in Suffolk the other week. It's a good primer for a genre of music that many of us overlook.

Unfortunately, I'm not going to be able to make it today Sorry, guys, something came up that I just couldn't get out of.

[quote name='niceguyhomer' post='667314' date='Nov 27 2009, 01:18 PM']As regards the hat - if I put a baseball hat on, I look like I'm on one of those outings where someone should be holding my hand.[/quote] Al, really earthy stuff, man, I like. Screw the baseball cap idiocy, you're a Brit and over 40, get a plain flat cap, a Pork Pie Hat or a trilby (believe me, they would suit you) and then get back to rockin' the joint. Good luck with it fella. Fabulous hats worthy of any bassist available from [url="http://www.hatsandcaps.co.uk/cid/7OQNVC79IKYQQOVTO1ZP6RS0VPSGXXKP/Mens-Hats-Cmens_hats/"]here[/url].

Great bloke to deal with, very helpful and friendly. Total customer service.

Jeff is a great band bassist and brilliant all round muso. He seems to vary songs from time to time live and try new ways of playing old stuff. His sound is perfect for the band and he seems to have a revolving door of about a dozen of so basses but seems to have played a P throughout the new album. I reckon his playing has improved and grown every tour and he seems much tighter with Matt Cameron than he did with any of the other drummers. I've been a huge fan since Vitalogy and listen to nothing but PJ Official bootlegs when at the gym.

[quote name='GreeneKing' post='663739' date='Nov 24 2009, 02:01 PM']Sean, nice avatar, I'm jealous.[/quote] Bev is an absolute babe and her show is fantastic. I got to meet the guys and they are supercool but Bev is my new bezzie mate! I reckon we could have taken it further but I had to go home! Big Woohaah to Dave Marks too for his workshop at Bassday - absolutely brilliant. Go to his website and donate.

[quote name='jake_tenfloors' post='663261' date='Nov 23 2009, 10:24 PM']Took you a while to realise who it was through sean [/quote] Touche!

Hi Jay. Welcome to Basschat, it's a bit busier than the TC forum and loads more friendly

I had an SR-16 and it was the industry standard for years. Most drum machines are very similar in the way they work and interface with the user. The thing that tells me that Alesis got it right with the SR-16 is that the SR-18 I now have interfaces with the user in exactly the same way. For practising songs and doing exercises I use the drum loops on my Korg Pandora 5, though.

[quote name='jwbassman' post='663138' date='Nov 23 2009, 08:30 PM']His bass sound wasn't great either (very loud and very muddy). He looked mightily relieved once his half hour was up.[/quote] To be fair to Randy, he was on the East stand asking about upgrading his Marcus 5 within an hour of finishing his set - he was having some serious non-love with his preamp I guess. He was soon to have to have the revelation... He came over as very serious but a really nice guy.