Lfalex v1.1

Status Streamline...

Bizzarrely, playing bass HAS improved my typing ability!

[quote name='big25g' post='1237810' date='May 20 2011, 09:58 AM']Hi Guys, I think its time to change my strings, and am thinking about picking up some coated strings. I have been looking at the DR Peacock Blues but I think they have been discontinued... Are DR's the ones to go with? I like the idea of the colours and my bass is blue so these would go nicely... Also where do you buy from for the best price. £34 seems to be the best price I have found. Thanks Gary[/quote] DRs are generally well respected strings. I don't use the coated ones, but others here do, and I can't recall any issues over and above the usual issues with coated strings; Dirt making them look dull Coatings flaking/wearing off (worse if using a plectrum) They can sound a bit "quacky"on phenolic fretboards. I'm not likely to be putting any on my Status Streamline. On the plus side, they're easy on the fingers. Easier on frets, too, as the coating wears before your frets. Re: Peacock Blue DRs- Have they been replaced by a "Neon" blue model?

[quote name='dc2009' post='1237642' date='May 20 2011, 01:28 AM']OOH the set neck infinity, that is one beautiful instrument. I'm jealous.[/quote] Looks like a twiglet! Plays well and sounds good, though. Are you sure you didn't mean the "other Infinity" with the thru-neck and F-holes? Most seem to favour those (and they cost twice as much...) Edit for - Bought (new) for about as much as a Fender Jazz. No-one wanted it, so I made 'em an offer! Bargain.

Given current s/h values, almost any German Warwick in good condition is worth a punt. I picked up a Fortress MM5 for just over £500, and it's an excellent instrument. Streamers and Corvettes are good. Balance issues and iffy playability when seated have always put me off Thumbs. Dolphins look like they'll be a good bass. Never tried one, but that JJ/J pick-up configuration is excellent. I currently own; '02 Infinity SN4 '97 Fortress MM5 '97 Streamer LX6 Both of the last two have Wenge necks and JAN I. The LX 6 came with Seymour Duncans in as MEC didn't make soapbars big enough at the time.. None of them are ever likely to be sold. All way too nice. The MM5 is a Stingray slayer and a half. With extra versatility to boot. The Infinity is like a super jazz if you tap the JJ, but gets thicker and fuller using the JJ in humbucking mode.

[quote name='Doddy' post='1226017' date='May 10 2011, 11:48 AM']...There is no reason why a bass player shouldn't be able to solo as well as any other instrument,and a big part of that is phrasing.Horn players have to phrase because they need to breathe,but bass players don't-they can just play a barrage of notes... The bass can be,and is,so much more than 'the foundation'.It's all about your attitude and how you choose to apply it.[/quote] [quote name='Happy Jack' post='1226019' date='May 10 2011, 11:50 AM']I don't care if no one in the pub is actually listening to what I'm playing. It doesn't feel like that. [/quote] The people in the pub are [i]feeling[/i] it... I don't tend to solo, possibly only in short exposed bursts, but I'd love to swap harmony for melody a bit more often. But (and it's a big "but") just try finding a guitarist who can or will sit back and harmonise! With regard to phrasing, there's ways around the tendency to deliver a barrage of notes- Write the solo by singing or humming it. That'll force you to breathe and then transfer that composition to the bass. Alternatively, imagine it's being written for strings or horns...

I seem to recall making music by being plugged into an electrical device using a conductive cable whilst standing on an uncovered stage made of scafolding in an open field. During a thunderstorm. Not the best gig ever.

Surely this is why we all need more than one bass. I have one running real low for the scraping/grinding/fret noise (but not buzz) tone. (An OLP MM3) [i]Some[/i] running a regular/moderate action for usual use One running higher than usual action for tonal reasons. (Warwick Infinity SN4) And does it not sound amazing! I try to use sympathetic sounding strings that work well with each bass, then having found what works well with each, mess around with the action until I find something that sounds "spot on", then work around that. Just trying to squeeze the best out of each bass.

Please, someone, give one to Tony Levin.....

And there I was thinking; "At last, a substitute for an E-bow that might actually move a bass string...." Gutted.

Work together on something, based on something she likes. Perhaps she could play the melody and you play harmony? My daughter is learning flute (not bass flute, I fear) I've still found a lot that I can pass on to her with regard to scales, timekeeping, delivery and phrasing. With both of you playing the same instrument, I'd hope there would be even more you could pass on (including Primus)

I wouldn't learn a whole album. I'd treat each track on it's own merit. I employ a similar methodology for putting MP3s on a player. If it ain't good enough, it just doesn't get put on there. To date there are only 2 albums that get listened to in their entirety; Tori Amos- Boys for Pele Jellyfish- Spilt milk Nary a filler track between them, but I'd say at least third of the tracks on both do not use a bass guitar at all anyway...

Looks like I'm [i]Turbo[/i] un-cool, then. 4 of mine; Warwick Infinity SN4 Warwick Fortress MM5 Warwick Streamer LX6 Status Streamline

Feeling Brave? Your very own garage. Or Shed. Or someone elses! DIY is the way to go.

Well... Bongos are pretty damn fine-sounding, and they've got Basswood bodies. Even if the bulk of the tone is down to the pick-ups and electrics, at the very least, the Basswood body doesn't hold it back..

GSOH? That helps! Welcome to BC!

You'll be unlikely to find sensitivity figures quoted for 1w/1m for 50Hz. It'd make a lot of cabs seem quite poor. Unfortunately, the standard seems to be 1kHz. For the same reason, you'll rarely see a trace for modulus of impedance issued by a bass cab manufacturer. I suppose you could always carry out your own measurements, but I don't think the retailers would like you pumping out 50Hz sine-waves in their shops!!! Remember that the cabinet is very much a victim of i) The environment it's being used in ii) Where it is placed in that environment iii) EQ iv) The partnering amp v) The bass you're playing and how you're playing it (with emphasis on pick-ups and EQ again) Perhaps altering some other variables could help a lot before you invest in a monster cabinet?

[quote name='Johnston' post='1217035' date='May 1 2011, 11:20 PM']But then do you go for Cross ply, radial or even Belt Biased . Road, competition, Dunlop, Good Year the list is endless. What is the best tyre for metal anyway ??[/quote] Steel-studded snow tyres, what else!

(Considers options) I could do this; Bass -> 4track mixer -> Trace head and QSC power amp. Slave my 1x12 80w combo from the Trace line out. Drive 4x10, 1x15 and 2x10 cabs from various amps. Has promise. I think the combo [i]might[/i] get a bit lost.

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' post='1215844' date='Apr 30 2011, 02:37 PM']That's what the new classic ray5 is, Also new ray 5's like mine have the Alnico pickup that all 4's have too.[/quote] The original 'Ray 5 pick-ups were AlNiCo pre '92, too.

Personally, I delight in taking what is perceived as the "wrong" instrument to some gigs. Often with unexpectedly good results. It's what you play and how you play it that matters. Not what you play it on.

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' post='1215415' date='Apr 29 2011, 11:15 PM']Been looking into magnesium alloy necks, significantly lighter than aluminium, and stiff enough for racing car chassis/bell housings. If you are on fire enough for your bass to be on fire, you have enough problems, but I'd still stay clear of headstock pyros.[/quote] Stiff, yes. Also more brittle. Sure, it depends upon the specific composition of the alloy. You'd just have to be careful with material selection. That said, the "nice" Ferrari Dino 246 wheels were Magnesium Alloy. Forged by Campagnolo (the bike component manufacturer), BTW.

[quote name='paul_5' post='1215228' date='Apr 29 2011, 07:04 PM']US made Ampeg SVP PRO blackface. lovely piece of kit. Also MXR M80.[/quote] My US made Ampeg SVP PRO blackface is a lovely sounding piece of kit. Except it mutes itself whenever it feels like it. No-one has (as yet) found out why.. Or how to fix it. Best piece of kit? I've got some whirlwind cables that are over 15 years old and have never snapped,crackled or popped. Otherwise, my PX4D.

Also of note is the fact that it's not a modern plastic [i]wheelcover[/i]. One made from an inch-thick slice of alloy wheel would be phenomenal (and durable!) Jack socket through the valve hole, naturally...

I filed slots in the BA II that I fitted to my Squier VMJ. I've posted how to do it- it's in the (previously posted) link to the badass sticky in "repairs and technical". It can't be all bad. That bass plays superbly.