JapanAxe

Time to weigh in with my BB400S. An ugly-looking beast, but plays like a dream and sounds sweet. Barely a ding despite being 28 years old! Oh and cheap too... File uploader is screwed, so here goes with a link: [url="https://www.dropbox.com/s/pgflzdk7kbxvovv/BB400S.jpg"][/url]

Also cheapo foam camping mats (from all good cheapo shops).

[quote name='artisan' timestamp='1354103512' post='1882018'] agreed,i'd really love to see her in her birthday suit [/quote] Tough, her birthday isn't until June

Good for you mate!

[quote name='viss1700' timestamp='1353185670' post='1872632'] My new Vanderkley 310MNT lightweight cab; 3x10 inch with bullit; only 23 kg In combination with my MPP-1 and Lab Gruppen FP2600 thr best rig i 've ever played. [/quote] That rack doesn't exactly look lightweight though!

Tell me more about this 'crumpet with jam' - this is not a step I've ever taken when joining/forming bands.

+1 to that! I started with a Boss ME8B (IIRC), then had auto-wah, phaser and overdrive, then just overdrive, now - nothing!

By way of constructive criticism, try playing the run E-D#-D on the A-string with 3rd-2nd-1st fingers rather than all with the same finger - the latter approach can become jerky at higher tempi.

[quote name='Chrismanbass' timestamp='1353689727' post='1877549'] to my shame it was merry christmas everybody by slade ahhhh the joys of being in a function band around this time of year [/quote] Yep, have to dust that one down for Christmas Eve.

[quote name='lloydage' timestamp='1353752755' post='1878057'] We're a blues rock / garage rock band. The Stooges meets Dr Feelgood. [/quote] If the Stooges met Dr Feelgood in a bar there would be one hell of a fight. No wonder you couldn't hear yourself!

Does this still work if you have a Jazz AND a Precision? Do they have to be actual Fenders? Do Squiers count? What about cheap and high-end takes on these designs? Not so simple is it!

When I play guitar I take out a 15W 1x12 valve combo. In a trio this is plenty - there is no need for PA support on the backline or drums and it is easy to achieve a good balance. In the 7-piece soul band I sometimes play with, the 8th member is our sound man, who takes a mic or DI feed from everything and creates the FOH and monitor mixes. These days there is no need (or excuse) for monster stacks at the small venues most of us play. Even at mega-enormodomes there are other ways to get the sound you want! I expect those guitarists deserve one another...

Likewise. OK if I am at home with WiFi, otherwise very slow on mobile!

Fender are happy to put their name (i.e. Fender, not just Squier) on the Modern Player Jazz, which is [s]made[/s] crafted in China...

No advice to offer about the direct-to-amp hum without being able to check out the amp in person. For the pedalboard, it sounds like the earth on the power supply transformer is connected to the signal earth, giving you the earth loop we all know and [i]don't[/i] love! The solution is to keep the safety earth connected to the transformer primary, but break the connection to the secondary side of the circuit. I had this issue with a Harley Benton Power Plant - to fix it I just needed to break a track on the circuit board. This left the safety earth connection intact, so the metal enclosure is still earthed via the mains cable, but left the 9-volt outputs 'floating'. WARNING: Don't attempt any mods like this unless you know [b]exactly[/b] what you're doing!

I too have spent a good few bob with GAK! [quote name='drTStingray' timestamp='1353166959' post='1872325'] I bought a Markbass rig off you in the last year. However when I visited the lack of Warwicks (nil) and also Musicman (I think there was a Ray, a Ray 5 and a couple of SBMM) basses on display was alarming - far too many Fenders I'm afraid - nice as they are it's a bit of a turn off for a casual visit - just my opinion!! [/quote] There's quite a few Musicman basses on your website, but it's important to have a good selection in stock for real live comparison. [quote name='ikay' timestamp='1353172764' post='1872423'] Godin A4/A5 SA? Would be interesting to be able to demo synth access. [/quote] Loads of Godin guitars on the website (nothing wrong with that - I have 2 solid electros myself!) but where are the Shifters and A-series?

I have a couple of gig bags with rucksack straps, and the big danger with them is smacking the head of the bass when going through ornery people-size doorways. Otherwise it is great to be able to carry bass, lightweight amp and cab in one trip from car to venue!

It would be useful to know what is wrong with your sound at present. Not enough body?Distortion? What speakers are you using with your Mac?

[quote name='Inti' timestamp='1353102286' post='1871762'] Actually yes. There are LOTS of factors behind a bad sounding bass. And there are several EMG models, never thought it was the whole brand that was flawed. But I forgot...you were trying to be fun or smart there. Hi five. [/quote] Fun I hope! I don't have an axe to grind for/against EMGs, I started the thread to get people's opinions on them, as I was a bit wary of buying an EMG-loaded bass 'blind'. On the one hand I'm not surprised to see that responses cover the whole possible range (yours being at one end of the range Inti!), on the other there has been a lot of useful comment, particularly about the operating voltage. I was originally looking to replace my old Squier with a nicer Jazz, but having put back the original pickups and heard it through my TC/BF rig, I'm keeping it! At the moment I'm thinking EMGs are probably not for me, but if I happen to try an EMG-loaded bass that says 'take me I'm yours', who am I to argue!?