Etienne

I've tried several compressors over the years, and the only one I liked enough to gig with (Aphex Punch Factory) was nicked by some opportunist scumbag a couple of years ago- I didn't like it enough to replace it though- it must have been fate! Steve makes a good point about playing dynamics- to play with a solid, consistently even tone and volume across the range of your instrument without the aid of compression is one of the most difficult things to master as a bassist. It's equally challenging to be able to control the volume of your bass, from a whisper to a roar, without touching the volume knob on your bass or stepping on a boost pedal! Compression is a very useful and musical tool, but I think it's really important to have your sound together with the barest minimum of processing (or even none!). It takes a fair bit of practice and effort, but it's so satisfying when it starts coming together... It really IS all in your hands! I should say at this point that I am no expert here- I'm still working hard at all this stuff myself! Good luck to anybody else going down this path!

The shop on Slater St. is called the GAS Factory- one of the chaps who used to run Micro Music is to be found there. It's mainly a guitar shop, but also deals in boutique pedals and Blackstar guitar amps- I've seen the highly-regarded Fulltone pedal range for sale in there in the past, including the Bass Drive pedal, so worth a look! Also check out Frailer's in Runcorn town centre- It's primarily a guitar, mandolin and banjo specialist, but always has a few tasty 2nd-hand basses around. I found my stack-knob reissue Jazz Bass in there!

[quote name='pbass67' post='489056' date='May 15 2009, 04:44 PM']Hello Etienne Have sent you a PM Ta Paul[/quote] Replied Paul!

Another +1 here for using the neck pickup on a fretless- I use the P pickup on my defretted Yamaha BB414 and love the sound! John Paul Jones used a fretless maple-necked sunburst Precision with Led Zeppelin IIRC- you can see him tearing it up live on the Led Zep DVD, on 'In My Time Of Dying' (Earls Court 1975, Disc 2). I think he's got it tuned down a whole tone (DGCF) to work with Jimmy Page's open-tuned Danelectro... incredible playing from both of them!

If it's a GS112, then the badge should be fixed on with strong double-sided adhesive tape. You can remove the badge without damage by heating it up gently with a hair dryer- the heat will loosen the adhesive's grip enough for you to (slowly and carefully) peel the badge away from the grille. You should then be able to reposition it wherever you want! Hope this helps!

[quote name='steve-soar' post='463500' date='Apr 15 2009, 10:54 PM']Hi Etienne, any chance we can get together and A,B,C this with my Glockenklang and Tech Soundststem cabs? I live in Birkenhead.[/quote] Hi Steve, of course we can! It may have to be in a couple of weeks when I've got a bit more spare time though... PM me your number and I'll give you a bell mate!

I've just borrowed our guitarist's late-70's silverface Bassman 50 valve head for a few days- had a quick play with it hooked up to the Compact earlier this evening, running my US Jazz (with Nordstrand NJ4's) straight in. WHAT a sound! With the treble and bass knobs up full (and the Deep switch off), I'm getting this lovely grind tone when I dig in, yet with loads of punch and thickness too. I don't even have to crank the volume particularly high to get it either! I'm definitely going to have to try this set-up for recording... Right, I'm off to try it with my old Squier JV P-bass next!

+1 for Gig Skinz- I use the small bag for my Shuttle. There's loads of storage space inside them and they're built really well too...

I must say that I really like the sound of both Michael! I play a defretted Yamaha BB414 myself and always use the neck (P) pickup for my sound- gives me that lovely woody pseudo-DB growl that you also prefer. If I had to choose, I'd definitely keep the '71 mate- you know you'll be kicking yourself the next day if you sell it! You can always pick up another TF relatively easily if you sell that one... A few years ago, I traded in my lovely black '77 Jazz Bass for a G&L ASAT at the old Manchester Bass Centre- I still haven't fully forgiven myself! Stick- don't make the same mistake!

It was great to meet you too Al, and thanks for letting me try out the Genz- you're a gent! Thanks Mark for the easy deal on the Jazz pickups- hope they've breathed some new life into that ailing instrument of yours!

Probably, but I'm with you on that one Liam! Both great players, but I prefer Ben Kenney's style, sound and facial hair!

Yes, have exposed the badge in it's full glory- in time for those photos earlier!

My Compact arrived this morning! I unwrapped it earlier this afternoon after finishing work, and have had a quick play through it already (at low volume, mind!)- sounds pretty good so far! A comprehensively-written manual/information pack was included, which I've just had a look through- very interesting! On first impressions, the cab seems solid and well-constructed. There's just one minor issue to rectify (which I'm going to PM Alex about), but on the whole I'm very happy with my new purchase! On the rear panel, there's a single high-quality Neutrik Speakon connector in the top-left corner, which will be easy to access when setting up on a gig. The Compact really does feel very light to pick up, and balances superbly on its single side-mounted handle- I reckon that I'll be able to one-trip this from the van with the rest of my gear no problem! Here's some pics... [attachment=23530:DSC00063.JPG] [attachment=23531:DSC00062.JPG] [attachment=23532:DSC00061.JPG]

+1 for Bass Direct. Mark is a very bad man!

Can't wait to fire mine up with my Shuttle! Unfortunately, as I'm no longer in possession of the Genz Benz NEOX-212T cab that I had on trial from Niceguyhomer, the shootout that I had planned between it and the Compact won't be happening... nevermind! Instead, I'll be posting a 'first impressions' review of Alex's handiwork in a few days time, followed by another 'real-world' review a few weeks later, once I've played some gigs with it!

Alan is an absolute star! I traded my pair of Aguilar GS112s for his Genz-Benz NEOX-212T a few weeks ago. Alan assured me that we could work something out if I didn't get on with it for any reason, and was true to his word! When I realised that the Genz was a bit too much to handle up the stairs to my flat, I called Alan up. He offered to collect the cab, sell it on himself, and to sort me out with the cash for my Aggies once a deal was done. Can't say fairer than that! A lovely guy to deal with, whether on the phone or in person (but most BC'ers already know that! ) Thanks mate, and I hope that your latest rig is finally 'the one'! Etienne

Will just bought a speaker cable from me- very quick payment... top guy!

Thankyou both!