EliasMooseblaster

[quote name='clauster' timestamp='1501928731' post='3348273'] I am planning on coming along. [/quote] Splendid - I should be fairly easy to spot on account of the bass guitar hanging off my shoulders! [quote name='Mykesbass' timestamp='1501927053' post='3348250'] Don't forget it is Pride this weekend - shouldn't affect the end of town you're in too much, but may take a little longer getting in and parking up. See you later. [/quote] Good point, thank you - the venue did warn us that the roads might be busier today. See you later!

'morning folks, one last bump before I saddle up a bass and mosey on down to Brighton.

Now that I'm on a one-in, one-out system with regards to basses, it seems to be accepted that I would only expand the armoury for a custom build. The trouble is, the actual build would probably depend heavily on whether or not I stayed with my current band! So: everything to the left of the slash is if I stay...everything to the right is if I go! [b][u]Style[/u][/b] Long-scale SG // Early Precision shape, i.e., more "slab" style, a bit like a Mike Dirnt or a Schecter Model T - but with a slightly longer cutaway on the treble side Four strings in both cases. [b][u]Woods[/u][/b] Body (inc finish) – Mahogany "wings", either cherry red or burgundy translucent finish // Ash, either cherry red or blonde translucent finish Neck – mahogany-walnut laminate, through-neck construction // maple, bolt-on Fretboard – rosewood // rosewood [b][u]Hardware[/u][/b] Machine heads/tuners – elephant ears for my big clumsy hands / ditto Nut (material and width) – Tusq, 1.65" // Tusq, 1.75" Frets – 22 // 22 Pickups – Two good T-bird pickups (Lulls, perhaps?) in traditional T-bird IV positions // reversed P-pickup, either an SPB-2 or a Fender '62 Pre-amp - none // none Controls - VVT, 3-way pickup selector // VT Pickguard (if any) - black-white-black // black-white-black Bridge – Hipshot Supertone // BBOT with through-body stringing Strings – Rotosound Swing Bass Nickel-plated, 45-105 // ditto Other - trem arm? In which case I'd reconsider those bridge choices...and maybe a Hipshot D-tuner on the fourth string. As you can see, I'm a little indecisive...

[quote name='tom1946' timestamp='1501844846' post='3347730'] I'm still trying to find nirvana with pickups, my main P bass has an SPB-1 in it and[b] as usual[/b] the bottom E string is still sounding err numb. I can't get any power from it, the other 3 strings are fine and I find myself avoiding playing an A or a G on the E string. [/quote] Your use of "as usual" has piqued my interest with this one - is this problem common to all your Precisions, or just your main one?

[quote name='AndyTravis' timestamp='1501662121' post='3346236'] Review to follow [/quote] Can a watch be good for metal?

[quote name='KevB' timestamp='1501662699' post='3346257'] Both the Beatles and The Stones essentially started out as cover bands, I'd be amazed if the Who didnt do some covers in thier early years too but I'm less familiar with their history. [/quote] Indeed they did! Their "thing" was loud and aggressive covers of rhythm'n'blues songs - supposedly the first song Keith Moon played with them at his audition was Bo Diddley's [i]Roadrunner[/i]. As they got more attention, Kit Lambert encouraged Pete Townshend's early writing efforts, but when the time came to choose the songs for their first album, there was a lot of dispute about the balance of original songs to covers. Roger Daltrey is said to have been particularly keen to stick with the R'n'B/Motown material that still made up the bulk of their live set.

[quote name='Mykesbass' timestamp='1501008228' post='3341770'] Will try and make this. [/quote] Marvellous; would be great to see you if you can make it!

[quote name='BluRay' timestamp='1501144036' post='3342751'] Plus one. For punk-type gigs, the CTM 100 is the way to go. I can't imagine that the LB / CTM30 would be sufficient (f you have heavy hitting drummer and a couple of noisy guitars), but the 100 has it covered. :-) [/quote] I gig with a 100 for exactly those reasons! The core tone is indeed wonderful - and whilst it's true you can't really "sculpt" a tone with a passive 3-band, the shift/shelf switches make it surprisingly versatile. (Not that I have any need/want to deviate far from that core tone...!)

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1501006917' post='3341756'] I bought a new (used) bass today - Precision, natch - and the amp the guy had for me to try it through was an LB30, connected to a matching 1x15 cab. Tell you what, if I ever ditch my punk boots and start up a Motown band the LB is the amp I`d want for it, assuming it would be loud enough of course. Beautiful tones through that amp, made the bass I was buying sound great, way different to my regular assault on the ear-drums for sure. [/quote] Don't rule it out for punk, either - back off the bass, turn on the mid-shift and push the treble, and unleash your inner JJ Burnel! Granted, it's probably not loud enough for a full-on punk gig, but it's an absolute delight to record with.

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1500996532' post='3341616'] Would you give the same advice to the guitarist? [/quote] Probably...unless your covers band is (i) mostly doing prog-rock or shoegaze covers (when a lot of effects might be necessary) (ii) playing a lot of Soundgarden or Sonic Youth (lots of weird tunings) (iii) playing Police songs (some people might notice the lack of chorus on the guitar) ...I'd have thought you could improve the flow of the set a great deal if your guitarist can tackle most of the set with a few basic tones.

I'm sure I've heard a recording of them playing Breaking the Law before - dare I say, I thought it had a bit of an edge over Priest's original version!

Just a quick bump, as this one is rapidly approaching!

[size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]"[color=#000000]We make dreams reality, that's what we do", they say.[/color][/font][/size] [size=4][color=#000000][font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]"Not all dreams are good ones," I say.[/font][/color][/size]

[quote name='basski' timestamp='1500638838' post='3339266'] This was purchased by the chap I bought it from yesterday and it was one of the end-of-line clearance one from Andertons. It wasn't played much (in fact it was immaculate, still had plastic film over the pickguard). The balance is great. The positioning of the P pickups is same as for Fenders and the bridge humbucker adds a nice trebly punch to the mix. The bass is passive but the pickups are very responsive and loud. Did not yet find one thing I didn't like about it. Oh Yea, the colour ... I never fancied the basses of this colour finish, probably because it looked quite dull on the pics... however I can't stop looking at it now. With some sunlight the colour looks gorgeous, also thanks to the glittery finish. [/quote] Must admit I quite like the colour! This thread is very badly timed...my guitarist friend suggested a trip down to Anderton's tomorrow for a bit of window shopping. My bank balance will not thank me.

[quote name='thegummy' timestamp='1468766900' post='3093178'] Thought I should mention here that the tone pot is crackly and can't be fixed with contact cleaner. In fairness I have found the quality of the body and neck, the frets, the bridge and tuners to be all high quality and well put together. It's just in the electronics I've found problems. Will need to look into how to replace the tone pot when it's wired up with that stupid phase switch thing. [/quote] Could this be the fact it's end-of-line and has probably been gathering dust and/or moisture in a warehouse? I expect a few people are bored by now of me banging on about how much I love my Diamond P/J (aka a Model T) but I've found the same thing - it's an exceptionally well-made instrument and a joy to play (though the wide, flat neck was quite a contrast to my other basses). I got mine back in 2012 and I've had no problems with the electronics. I've not tried any Shukers or Marusczyzks to make a similar to comparison to basski's above, but when I was shopping around I thought it held its own really well against the US Fenders I tried, and definitely felt a cut above the Mexican ones. [quote name='basski' timestamp='1500629809' post='3339189'] Just got this Schecter PJJ. Best value for the money bass I ever owned. Comparing to the much more pricier Shuker and Maruszczyk Jake 4 basses with this pickup configuration, the sound is as good if not better. The build quality also appears to be excellent. [/quote] That's GORGEOUS. How well-balanced are the two pickups? (I've only got a single J in the bridge position on mine!)

[quote name='markdavid' timestamp='1500549975' post='3338615'] My understanding is that they are slightly longer scale, 34.5 but they advertise them as 34" scale although I am sure ther was a 30" short scale variant around briefly too [/quote] Might have to go and measure mine, now you mention it - I'm not sure if it's just the way they sit on a strap, but my T-bird and SG both feel like they're a longer scale than my Fender-style basses! And yes, there was indeed a run of short-scale Thunderbirds. Never seen one in the flesh and I don't know how popular they were, but they do exist!

[quote name='Grahambythesea' timestamp='1499891987' post='3334409'] They were probably a bass that was designed for guitar players converting. [/quote] If I recall the history I've read, it might be more accurate to say that they became popular with guitar players who were converting! It seems that guitar manufacturers quickly converged on one of two different scale lengths - 34" or 30-1/4". I'm not so sure about the latter, but I've heard it widely said that Leo Fender's decision to go with 34" was somewhat arbitrary. In any case, whilst Fender turned out 34" models almost exclusively, Gibson stuck resolutely to a 30-1/4" design. I don't know if this was driven by the tone, making the instrument easier to play, or just to differentiate themselves from Fender, but any long-scale variants tended to be exceptions in Gibson's bass catalogue, rather than the norm. Until they released the first Thunderbirds, anyway.

[quote name='T-Bay' timestamp='1500046219' post='3335358'] That is utterly gorgeous! [/quote] +1. If that were any pointier, I'd be all over it like weapons-grade herpes. Beautiful specimen!

This custom build thread might be one of the best-looking SG-style basses I've clapped eyes on...at least as far as I can tell from the photos http://basschat.co.uk/topic/289254-jack-bruce-ish-eb3-sg-bass/page__st__450__p__3222965__hl__sg__fromsearch__1#entry3222965

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1499886624' post='3334357'] My point, none of us should use this "punters can't tell the difference" as an excuse for "shoddy" performances. Blue [/quote] I don't think we do. At least, I would hope none of us do! I would say it's more a way of reassuring ourselves that, even if we did drop a few bum notes in one or two songs, or one song felt a little lacklustre, it didn't derail the set and the audience enjoyed it. For a single, individual gig, they are the bottom line, and a good audience response can make the difference when it comes to being booked again - judge, jury and executioner all in one, if you will - so if we dropped a few clangers, "but the punters didn't notice," then we probably don't need to beat ourselves up too much about any imperfections. ...which is different from "what's the point in practising/rehearsing? The punters don't know the difference." That, on the other hand, would be arrogant and bone-idle, and I think most groups would come unstuck if they tried to gig with that attitude. So I don't disagree with you, [i]per se[/i], but I would argue that it's maybe a little more nuanced than some of our day-to-day conversations on here might suggest!

So who among you lives in the vicinity of Brighton? Now keep your hand up if you enjoy some dark blues-rock with a bit of a prog leaning. If your hand is still raised, then we have just the thing for you: Cherry White are coming to The Revelator, a splendid new blues bar in the middle of Brighton. I do believe this one's free entry, but booking a table might be advisable - see http://revelator.pub for details. [attachment=248974:revelator5Augv1.jpg]

I am still terrible at updating this. Oh, well. Here's one of the best shots from last weekend, at the Dereham Blues Festival. This was taken at our second show of the weekend, in the beer garden of the George Hotel. [attachment=248973:DerehamGeorgeHotel.jpg]

[quote name='alembic1989' timestamp='1499552731' post='3332193'] Thing is..it's not a pj combination. The humbucker is a large Schaller vintage humbucker..similar to the Di marzios of the 70s..kind of mud bucker -ish [/quote] Is it a similar arrangement to a Gibson EB-3 type bass then? I usually find with those that your best bet is to bring in a bit of the smaller bridge pickup to clear up some of the muddiness of the neck pickup; or run the bridge on full and blend in the neck until you get an Andy Fraser-like tone.

Thanks for the heads-up! I must admit I'm not overly surprised - always felt it was a "when" rather than an "if," largely because I don't think I know of anybody who's felt it was worth paying for a premium account. Sounds like they're going the same way as Entertainment 7Twenty...

When I first started buying bass strings, the Rotosound 45-105 sets were labelled "standard gauge," so I assumed that was indeed the normal way! I have tried a hybrid set after I got it by accident (45-100, I think) but I couldn't really feel much difference. Even when I ventured into different string brands, 45-105 seems to have been the most common set to come by, so I've just stuck with what's familiar and easy to get hold of, I guess.