Lfalex v1.1

[quote name='neepheid' post='1126607' date='Feb 14 2011, 01:01 AM']Nothing on the go at the moment and 5 basses. I don't care - I do intend to get something together this year, but I just like basses, both as instruments and as works of art, so I won't be getting rid of any that I wouldn't get rid of through natural wastage or curiosity.[/quote] Way to go. I'm back in a band again, and have sold a couple, so down to 11, with one more on here/ Ebay and one incoming shortly.. There's at least er....7 that I couldn't sell on for various reasons (mainly due to them being superb) and I am very glad that I've never hastily sold any due to not being in a band. I'd still play at home, so it's not as though they'd not get used.

Excellent that you've got a home made bass you like. I have a slightly left-field suggestion, which comes from my experience. My experience with amps is (essentially) this, and I include it so that you can see where I'm coming from... No amp.. for 2 years! 80w 1x12 combo Trace 1110 150w 4x10 combo (heavy) Trace H122SMX 2x10 combo + 1048h 4x10 extension cab The H122SMX wouldn't fit in my car's boot, so I made an amp sleeve and turned the combo into a head/cab. Added a 1153 1x15. Bought an Ampeg SVP Pro pre-amp for OD. [b]Bought a second-hand QSC power amp[/b] Decided to get A Peavey pre-amp (Bassmax) I've never used it. Really must sell it. Around this point, I'd started using a small multi-track mixing desk (4+4 channels) for practising using headphones. It had enough gain to amplify everything I have enough to make the PEAK light illuminate. LIGHTBULB MOMENT Why not use the mixer into the power amp? BINGO. So- Bass>>> Mixer>>> Poweramp>>> 2x10, 1x15, 4x10 or any pair thereof. Gives 700w into 8ohms (bridged mono) or 1200w into 4ohms Cost? £80 for the mixer (!) £200 for the power amp second-hand £100 for the 1153 (1x15) second-hand the other two cabs I already had, but you'd get a 2x10 for about £150, and a 4x10 for about £250 max. Or £780 for 700-1200wrms, 4+ input channels, each with gain, EQ, level matching etc. and 3 cabs... Whilst I firmly believe that basses should be loved and cased, I can't see thepoint in going mad over trying to keep amps/cabs pristine. They're going to get bashed, no matter what. Sure, keep the electronics dry and safe, but still buy second-hand. If you do go this way, try to get a quality PA power amp - Crown, Crest, QSC, Peavey, Mackie... that sort of thing - they're well made, durable, and will shut down rather than catch fire/melt your gear. Everyone that's used my set-up has been utterly shocked at the power, clarity and flexibility that my rig has offered. Naturally, you can add your own choice of cabinets to suit. They'll actually be the greatest determining factor in your sound (after you, your strings, and the bass...) as the pre-amp/mixer and power amps will all aspire to be relatively neutral, unlike many bass heads which are tailored/voiced to give a brand sound. Weird, but thats my 1.98pence worth...

I guess most people get the Precision Deluxe 5er? Or trade their P5 in and get one. +1 to something other than a single "J" at the bridge. I liked the old P Deluxe with the Big Block HB in it. Better still (also as suggested) get some sort of double-coil with a tap, or even a Series/Parallel/Single coil switch..

[quote name='Paul S' post='1125977' date='Feb 13 2011, 02:25 PM']Just realised this clashes with a gig - Rock for Haven's Sake is on the same day. Although my lot aren't playing until later in the afternoon I am planning on going all day with some family. Bugger.[/quote] I was going to say "I'm in" - but we're playing RFHS, too... Dr Feelgood are opening.. That's about all I know re: Running order. I'll drop in if I can, but won't be able to bring everything I would have. sh*te.

If in doubt, and especially if it's big money, walk away! If you get a chance to play it and it's awesome, go for it- but only becuse it's good. Not because it's '80s...

Arrrgh! Can't Stand Anonymous Naming (numbering policies) How's your average Joe supposed to work out which is what?! I am not a number! I am a free man! (cue maniacal laughter) [/ rant]

[quote name='janmaat' post='1125955' date='Feb 13 2011, 02:07 PM']+1 for the band. If there is no session that needs bass player, than just start one - you play bass, you ARE the band (in the sense that there is no band without bass). just find some local musicians. and as said above: a good bassline is relative to what else is going on in the music.[/quote] Absolutely. I really like to be left until last. All the best stuff I've done has come about from my not being at rehearsal, and then someone would shove me a tape or MP3 and say "needs a bassline". All you need do is listen, and then hum/sing a harmony a few times. Then pick up bass & play... Besides, being in a band afford several unique oppotunities; Playing LOUD! Playing with a drummer Abusing Guitarists...

I must've got lucky with my VMJ, then. I treated it as the previously-mentioned "blank canvas for modding", but found I didn't need to go very far at all. Put a BadAss II (*other replacement bridges are available*) on it and chaned the control knobs for some black schaller brass ones. Re-strung with DR FatBeams, and that's it for me, thanks. Will merrily capture most of Tim Commerford's or Cass Lewis' tone. Played it at rehearsal for a change, and it handed my Warwick it's arse back on a plate, in both playability and tonal terms. I also have an Ash-bodied 2004 MIA s-1 Jazz, strung with DR Sunbeams. Also a lovely instrument, but completely different. Feels like "home" Tried a CV recently, and loved that, too. All this makes it sound like I'm easy to please. Believe me, I'm not. I went through around 30 Jazzes from '71 to current in the old bass centre @ Wapping one Saturday, and ended up liking a Korean Burns Bison best, so gave up!

[attachment=71671:Albarhouse.JPG] Happy as usual.

[quote name='BurritoBass' post='1119303' date='Feb 7 2011, 07:20 PM']Classic. Every home should have one [/quote] Or three.

A P/J perhaps? Still got the thump with that extra bite if you need it? (Go to a shoppe?)

But for the screw-holes from the old scratchplate and a mildly ill-conceived control plate, that actually looks suitably nice. At least it's different, and shows off the 'Ray 5s best aesthetic feature- The symetrical bottom- rather well.

[quote name='Earbrass' post='1114152' date='Feb 3 2011, 05:10 PM']But if they did that, your bass / keyboard or whatever would only ever be really in tune in one key. The whole point of the equal temperament system is to allow us to play [i]very nearly[/i] in tune in all keys. In return for that, we make do with being [i]very slightly [/i]out of tune in all keys![/quote] Or play fretless and be [i]very[/i] out of tune lots of the time!

[quote name='Spike Vincent' post='1108027' date='Jan 30 2011, 12:16 PM']Another bass ( or at least a set of strings) A hard case (trust not those flimsy soft cases) A stand Spare leads Batteries as appropriate Nail clippers and a nail file ( ever broke a nail before a gig?) An extension lead. A towel.[/quote] All I'd add antiperspirant / deodorant to that, but otherwise perfect.

[quote name='bubinga5' post='1109361' date='Jan 31 2011, 12:52 PM']This is very nice..wasnt it owned by a BCer?[/quote] Not sure, but I have one just like it... And I think I'm going to sell it... Anyone?

[quote name='matski' post='1112281' date='Feb 2 2011, 12:58 PM']*ahem* Keanu Reeves....[/quote] Yep. I thought of him. Imagine the response/s if he posted in the introductions section... And now you know why few but the hardiest celebrities (Chuck Norris?!) would post in a readily identifiable way..