Lfalex v1.1

[quote name='BanditSid' post='866631' date='Jun 13 2010, 11:47 PM']... It's possible that the cables that connect the PCB.s together are the problem, the plugs can give problems when they age. Removing the plugs and soldering the leads directly to the PCB's is the best solution.[/quote] That's what happened to mine. That's how it was cured, too.

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' post='868672' date='Jun 16 2010, 02:20 AM']They do a wheeled shelf thing that is rack sized too. It's the only thing in this pic I still own: [/quote] They're a good fit for Hi-fi separates / DVD players / VCRS / AV amps, too!

I've got some Whirlwind-Branded cables (which look the same as Fender ones) that a mate gave me over 10 years ago. I still have the two 10' ones. Neither have even crackled. The 30' got lost during an eventful outdoor festival gig, but had given a decade of trouble-free service, so I replaced it like-for-like. I also have a Planet Waves 4m. I like the "expanding" plugs and extra shielding. It, too, has been trouble-free. I have worn the gold plating off of the instrument end, though. I do look after my cables- coil them up tidily and loop them though the bass strap and through an amp/cab handle when in use. I don't use any pedals, and I think that makes them a little less vulnerable to damage. I also think that the sort of bands I've played in aren't too unkind to cables - No Grindcore for me, thanks!

"London Calling" - The Clash. Because I felt like it!

[quote name='Johnston' post='866963' date='Jun 14 2010, 12:53 PM']Does anyone know how much input any artist actually puts into a sig model. I've heard stories where the builders look at what the artist is known for, build a few variations and then give them to the artist to say which one. So the artist really just gives the okay put my name on that one rather than state what they want.[/quote] It varies, but in the case of the Attitude, it was heavily based upon the main features of Sheehan's P bass. This instrument is the product of rather a lot of tinkering over the years (mainly by the man himself) to get what he wanted... and the production model (somewhat tidier)

Darth [i]Vigier[/i]... Gotta be Mace Windu... Jango Fett... Someone's cut his head off!

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' post='865523' date='Jun 12 2010, 09:12 PM']Don't need it with preamp valves.[/quote] Which will teach me to skim-read posts! I just read "Ampeg" and "pulled all the valves out"!

Perhaps predictably, this;

Nice job, Bob! You're going to start a new trend! Cue loads of busted amps, burnt cones and solder burns... I did a (fairly) good job of turning a Trace combo into a head/cabinet once. That was fun.

+1 to both previous posts, AND be aware that Alder is not the prettiest body wood, and is seldom used for natural finishes. You [i]may[/i] get the odd 'burst, but that's it. The '75 RI Jazz is Ash bodied. A nice body might be a 2-piece with well matched pieces or even a 1 piece if you're lucky. With an opaque finish, you can sometimes see the glue lines if you look at the back of the body in strong light. Not always easy with lighter colours, but on my black 'Ray 5 (which is another ugly wood- Poplar) and Vigier, they're quite obvious.

To be honest, If I had the time / skill I'd make a "me" signature, starting with a Leo Fenderesque "Breadboard" body with a neck, bridge and strings, nailing various pick-ups into various positions until I found the right combination and then start on the eq systems, then body shape/woods etc.

Dolphin Infinity Fortress (no longer made, unfortunately) Corvette All have longer upper horns that the Streamer or Thumb. The Dolphin is aided by its body-shape. I've never struggled with the Streamer Vs. I own a Streamer LX VI, and that stays put with a broad leather strap.

One high-profile player has had a pretty chequered history when it comes to signature basses; Flea. On paper, the attachment of his name to an instrument ought to be a worthwhile venture for both him and the manufacturer, yet EBMM wouldn't make him one, in spite of the fact that they did for Steve Lukather and Albert Lee (and I can't remember if they did a Van Halen) I know he didn't exclusively use Rays, but they did have a fairly close association. Cue his defedtion to Modulus, who produced the fine (if single-minded) Flea Bass. Then he inexplicably adopted a ('63?) Jazz, and finally sets up his own line of basses, which seem to be of variable quality, dubious taste and somewhat expensive. And another thing... With specific regard to Fender, what determines where a signature instrument is made? To whit; Mike Dirnt : MIM Marcus Miller / Geddy Lee : MIJ (or CIJ) Roscoe Beck : MIA (IIRC) I don't know where their other artist signatures are made, but I can't see any logic! And the same goes for Lakland. Why are some Signatures Tribute series and some not?

[quote name='Rayman' post='865751' date='Jun 13 2010, 10:14 AM']...It's almost like you've bought a small part of them, which in some cases you have, because the artist may have been heavily involved in the design of it. I don't have a problem with that at all if that's your bag. I've done it myself with a Marcus Miller Jazz, and a Geddy Lee Jazz, both superb basses regardless of the signatures. I've also had an Ibanez K5 even though I'm not a Fieldy fan at all, but it was a wonderful bass. I don't have a problem with signature basses at all, as long as you're buying the bass in it's own right, and not because of the signature on the headstock (or fretboard in Stings case).[/quote] +1 I think this summarises my attitude towards signature instruments. And yes, I do own a signature instrument. IIRC it was quite well liked at a Bassbash. I respect Sheehans playing ability, but don't really like his tone much at all. I don't play using his technique/s, nor do I play any of his material. I just sound like a very [i]large[/i] and grunty/ thumpy version of me. In terms of features; Japanese made Yamaha (!) Di Marzio pick-ups (both) A pukka Hipshot De-tuner, not a licensed one Gotoh tuners Novel neck joint which helps upper-fret access and stability - Not that I perform neck bends, but I relish the stability. Phenolic fretboard - easy to clean, and I've got two other basses with them. Scalloped frets - no use to me at all, but not a hinderance either. Sheehan's finger prints as markers - at least they're clear, and guitarists can see what you're doing! Twin ouputs - nominally of little use unless you can bi-amp, but excellent in the studio or if you want distorted top and clean bottom or vice- versa Proper "P" bass neck - which doesn't bother me, but for some may be a make-or-break attribute. This is one of 300 10th Anniversary models. I believe 150 purple and 150 black. Ive played 2 purple and 2 black. This is arguably the best of the lot. Given the current price of the Attitude LTD II on GAK (£1600!) I wish I'd bought the other Purple one when I had the chance! In not so many words, I'm no Sheehan fanboy, but I own one of his signature basses because it is well worth what I paid for it and it's a good instrument.

Valve Biasing?

[quote name='Flex' post='864770' date='Jun 11 2010, 10:42 PM']bridge is 2 piece with thw W stamped on the lower part.. in gold as well. Is the price about right for a Corvette $$ buck in navana black?? Thanks for your input guys [/quote] Given that all else is good, £500 seems okay, given that some retailers are selling them for up to £1k. Nirvana Black, (Wine?) Red and Natural seem to be the stock finishes, as most examples I've seen are in those colours. As for the hardware, the bridge sounds authentic enough. If the tuners don't bear the "W", then they're not original. That said, if they work okay, is it that much of an issue? If it is, ask the vendor to reduce the asking price a bit as a result.

[quote name='TRadford' post='864622' date='Jun 11 2010, 07:26 PM']They should have the warwick W stamped on the circular bit with Germany underneath , cant tell from that photo.[/quote] That's true, and no, when I zoomed in, I couldn't tell either. Is the REST of the hardware (Bridge/string retainer and control knobs) gold as well? If it isn't, then something's been changed. From memory, the "standard" $$ Corvettes all seem to have chrome hardware. This could've been an odd one or a special order, though.

I find few necks that I can't adjust to given a bit of time with them. 35" Scale is more problematic for me, as my muscle memory (or whatever kind of habituation you subscribe to), reckons the frets aren't in the "right" places! My hands are a bit bigger than average, but my fingers aren't particularly long. I just work away at it. Yes, I can play a slim/medium neck a little quicker than a 6-string, but there's not a lot in it. If the bass is that good, it may be worth the effort to plug away at it.

I like the look of those Birdsongs. 5 strings, too.

[quote name='velvetkevorkian' post='861942' date='Jun 9 2010, 11:34 AM']Someone on TB posted a blind AB test between a Variax on the Fender Jazz setting and an actual pre-CBS Jazz- the consensus was, if I recall rightly, that the Line 6 sounded better to most people.[/quote] Which means that my 2004 MIA Jazz must be uber-wicked. I went out with every intention of buying a Variax Bass. I got on fine with it in terms of playability and feel, but had the shop let me try a Stingray, Corvette and Jazz just for comparison. Every one of them sounded better than the Variax, even when it was at its best. The Jazz was SO good, I bought it. I did quite like the 8/12 string (Hagstrom/Hamer) modelling on the Variax, though.

[quote name='johnnylager' post='861575' date='Jun 8 2010, 10:18 PM']Might be worth noting that hot sweaty hands and extended periods in talc'd latex gloves, is a short road to latex allergy - trust me, I'm a nurse. With occupational latex allergy brought on by extended periods in talc'd latex gloves. What happened to wiping your hands and strings on a towel?[/quote] My issue isn't so much the acidity (as far as I know) so much as the [i]quantity[/i] of sweat that my hands produce! I DO have a golfclub towel that I hang on the side of my rig - but I need to dry my hands between each song! They might be good in a studio - because of the string noise reduction and damping improvements - as it's quite a critical environment.

A good bass is a good bass, irrespective of the colour. For this reason, I have a purple bass and an orange bass (among others)

You'd have to check the potentiometer values, and they [i]may[/i] not have the right number of terminals on them, and some may have pull-up switches fitted, too. It's unlikely that they'd all be suitable. With regard to MEC EQ treble centre frequencies, I seem to recall the 2-band is 2kHz, and the 3-band is either 6 or 8 kHz (which does seem kind of high). Don't ask me about the bandwidth, though...

[quote name='silddx' post='857541' date='Jun 4 2010, 06:30 PM']They would rip and stick like glue mate. The silk works perfectly.[/quote] Actually, they worked a treat (I suppose) kept all the sweat inside, which wasn't too bad as they've all got a light dusting of talc inside. Rounded the tone out a bit. No real loss of feel except it felt more like playing flats rather than rounds. Big plus- Absolutely eliminates string noise (high frequency squeaks) and really helps with damping. I certainly wouldn't describe my fretting hand technique as noisy, but you certainly miss it when it's gone... They'll only last one session, though, and you look like you're just about to give someone an internal exam, too...

[quote name='BigRedX' post='856390' date='Jun 3 2010, 06:32 PM']... I've broken every string on my bass including low B! However this has been considerably less common since I stopped using Rotosounds or Elites and switched to better strings.[/quote] I've broken two "G" strings. 1 Rotosound 45 and 1 Elite Stadium 40. The Roto went when a case lid unexpectedly fell shut as I was putting the bass in it. The Elite was brand new and went as I first tuned it up to pitch- at the point where it first touches the machinehead after the nut. I reckon it was a duffer. Neither was at a gig. Other String brands used? EB Slinkies, Elixir, DR (Sunbeam/Fatbeam), Ashdown and Warwick (Yellow, Red and EMP) Never broken any of those.