JapanAxe

I picked up a pair of DiMarzios (can't remember which model) on eBay a while back. Vast improvement over the sound of the original Squiers, no hum, and better string balance (courtesy of adjustable pole pieces). On the downside they were a tight fit in the existing cavities, and easy to install out-of-phase by accident. I prefer a single volume control too, but couldn't get a blend pot to work ad I liked, so went for a micro switch pickup selector (£10 from WD).

Recently bought my first fretless and it had a dead low E string. I've always used Elites on my fretted bases, so got the same gauge Elite flatwounds for the fretless. There is zing available if I want it, but likely not enough for tweeter-lovers!

[quote name='paul_5' timestamp='1304020885' post='1214187'] I also write a lot in Sibelius, which is nowhere near the cheapest software, but it mans that when I've finished writing a guitar line I can TAB it (I Know!) for the guitarists in the band, and print it out, so that they can lose it. [/quote] I use Sibelius First. The cheapest way to get the genuine full version of First is to buy it bundled with M-Audio Keystation 32, then sell the titchy keyboard on eBay! You can print to pdf and email the results to your band mates. They will still play it wrong though...

+1 to smaller manufacturers chipping in on this forum. The opportunity to chew the fat with the players (like Fender's reps did in the 50s) far outweighs any concerns about product-pushing imo.

If you can manage to be a decent guitarist, decent bassist, and average singer (ahem ), it is certainly easier to get live work!

[quote name='sbrag' timestamp='1348843172' post='1819041'] Treblerock is a good shop bit not always that much bass gear but i did buy my bb1100 from Steve treble when the shop was on Jacobs wells road about 20 year ago. [/quote] They had an Eden head in there when I last visited, but that was quite a while ago.

Hi Steve, hope you won't hold it against me that I live in Swindon (though not a native)! My avatar pic was taken at an event in the Passenger Shed at Temple Meads. The missus and I go shopping in Brizzle 2 or 3 times a year - I leave her in the shopping centre, then go off round all the musical instrument shops. She also likes Clifton, so that gives me an excuse to visit Treblerock...

Hi folks, I originally joined this forum 10-12 years ago, but did far more lurking than posting. Three computers and at least as many email addresses have come and gone in that time, so it was time for a new account! I took up bass in 2000, having been a guitarist for many years before that - ok, you may leave now! Originally I just wanted to play bass on home recordings, then a friend asked me to play on a gig that was only 6 weeks away, so I had to learn quickly. Some guitar skills are immediately transferable, but it took me a while to crack fingerstyle playing. Any guitarist who thinks they can automatically play bass is deluding themselves! I played bass for several years in [url="http://www.monkeydolls.com"]MonkeyDolls[/url] (indie/rock covers), Smiley Mac (little big band), and stood in with various others playing mainly pop and soul. I haven't had a regular bass gig for about 3 years now, having gone back to guitar, though I do the occasional dep gig on bass. I currently front (as guitarist/songer) a country trio called Diamonds & Dirt. My long-time kit arsenal consists of the following:[list] [*]Fender Precision, fiesta red (CIJ) [*]Squier Silver Series Jazz, black, DiMarzios (MIJ) [*]G&L Tribute L2000, swamp ash [*]Ashdown ABM-C500-115 combo plus ABM-115-300 extension cab [/list] I have used pedals in the past, but not any more. My interest in 4-string things was recently reawakened by the acquisition of two other items:[list] [*]Yamaha BB400S fretless, black (MIJ 1984) [*]TC Electronics Classic 450 [/list] I have just ordered a Barefaced Compact to go with the TC head. The TC is unfeasibly loud through the Ashdown cab, so I am expecting the Compact to outgun it! I have attached some pics from my MonkeyDolls days. I believe this qualifies me to weigh in with ill-informed opinions on any topic on which I care to comment... [attachment=119540:GraemeAleHouse.JPG][attachment=119543:Bass_w_MD.jpg][attachment=119544:g_bass2.jpg]