ChickenKiev

It's a done deal then.

Thanks lol. I think my mind was made up with to begin with really. I was always going to put a decal on there, but I just wanted to make sure I wasn't going to get told off if I posted the results of my customisation on basschat .

I've always viewed the idea of a capo on a bass to be quite interesting. I once tried it when I was sixteen using one of my dad's capos from his acoustic guitar, and it worked, but I'm not sure on the practical uses unless you're doing chords or, like a person said above me, drone notes in different keys. I say go for it and try it and let us know how it works. I wouldn't bust my balls trying to find a bass capo though, I'd just buy any old one and see if that works for you. The one I used was a Shubb-style mechanism.

..I'll just ask anyway, and if anyone can link me to a previous topic then it's all good. Okay, so I'm planning on starting a custom bass project within the next two months. I am going to take a MiM Fender Jazz bass and change a few things; be they for the benefit of the sound of the bass (new pickups are always an option) or just for aesthetics and personal preference. I was planning on picking up a reverse-style neck from somewhere like Warmoth. So this leads me to my question, if anyone can tell what's coming: Okay, I was eying up Fender decals for the potential neck, and was wondering if this is allowed really, or am I going to get in some serious crap from my fellow musicians if I put a Fender decal on an unofficial neck? One thing I'd like to add before I hear peoples' opinions. Please bare in mind that I will never ever sell any of my basses, this custom project included, so don't worry about me tryin to rip somebody of on eBay or anything. I just want to know if it was acceptable to decal a fake neck or if its just one of those unwritten laws between respectable musicians . Cheers, Kiev.

I would normally agree with the statement that demos shouldn't have effects, however this is the only exception to that rule. I think overdrive BELONGS on this bass for sure.

[quote name='TomWIC' timestamp='1365937826' post='2046143'] It is indeed. It's a fantastic bass for the money, still in need of a good setup as I mainly play in Drop C, but I've been playing a lot of stuff in standard tuning on it and it's a beast, the Gibson pickups make a huge difference. It's lighter than the bolt-on Thunderbirds I've owned, the only thing I'm not sure on is whether I want to change the hardware to chrome. I'm a huge fan of Thunderbirds anyway, so I may be a little bias, but when I compared it to a Gibson in my local music shop, I failed to notice any difference in sound or build quality, other than the fact there's a 'Made In Indonesia' sticker on the Epi. [/quote] I'm a massive fan of thunderbirds too. I guess that the reason you have it in Drop C is that you play metal? Have you had the chance to play any gigs with it yet, and if so how did you find it? I hear that newer mudbuckers have a hard time cutting through a mix, making the bassist little more than a stage accessory.

[quote name='Minty' timestamp='1365937570' post='2046140'] Ha thank you very much! I do indeed play punk & hardcore. [/quote] Yes!

I'm not educated about these at all, but I'm really intrigued about the body style and pickup choice. I'm just wondering, what exactly IS 'cabronita'? Never heard of that term in my life. I'd love one of these in shell pink.

I can't help but think of ZZ Top when I see this guitar. Looks cool though .

[quote name='Minty' timestamp='1364403138' post='2026029'] Here's my '61 Jazz replica I made out of Fender parts... 80's Japanese Fender E-series body, routed for P-bass pickup in the neck. Fender MIM Jazz neck refinished in nitro. Wizard Big P/J pickups. Tuning pegs and control plate from a '62 American Reissue. Gotoh 201b bridge plate and Gotoh 203b saddles. [/quote] I said this in the Jazz thread, but I have to state again that this bass is amazing. Probably one of my favourites I've seen on this site actually! It just has 'it'. Even the little details like how the pickguard has gaps from the previously housed j-pickup that would normally make a bass look horrid just adds miles of character to this. Please tell me you play punk or hardcore music. I'll climb out of this bass' arse now .

Why not consider this? [IMG]http://i1158.photobucket.com/albums/p611/jamesyjamesyjamesy/7C8F0A14-09FD-4687-8B66-ADA7EE870608-976-000000B54B78282D_zps686f7bfd.jpg[/IMG] New from Fender this year. It's quite interesting looking if you ask me. EDIT: okay, maybe not. I just checked the price tag for one of these. *faints*

Those are lovely and I would love it if they did an official Fender version, but I could imagine them to be as heavy as hell, unless they have chambered bodies. I've actually had a concept for a true true 'telecaster bass' like these for years (was considering going to Warmoth for the body and sticking a Fender Precision neck on it) so I'm glad these things now exist. I'm just happy that Fender are FINALLY trying some new body styles besides the Precision and Jazz (the Jaguar doesn't count in my opinion!).

[quote name='Minty' timestamp='1364403285' post='2026032'] Can't afford to buy a custom made scratchplate right now, so I routed my old one for the time being! [/quote] Don't buy a new one. It looks brutal as is!

My question is exactly that really. Would there be any point in using the Steel Leather Bass Enhancer from Electroharmonix AND a compressor (say like a Boss NS-2) at the same time in the same rig? From what I've read, the Steel Leather pedal does the opposite to a compressor, and is said to make the bass 'stand out more in a mix during live playing'. That statement doesn't really sit with me anyway because to me EQ is the key to sounding good in a mix. I dunno, it sounds a bit like bollocks on paper, but I've seen a few YouTube videos and it sounds pretty nice in practice. The idea I had in a pedalboard is to have the compressor at the start of the chain, and the Steel Leather at the end. Will the two work together on a pedalboard? Or is there really no point in me getting one?

I've had a look at a Rusty Box. Very very nice. I might get that AND a Darkglass B7K and use them both at the same time

Aye yeah, plus I think the Phoenix is made of Maple or Basswood with a bolt-on neck, so it's a different animal completely to a real Gibbo. Never knew the neck was the same length though. I suppose it's an optical illusion. Okay I'll place the split-P in the middle then and squish it next to the bridge-position soapbar. And I definitely want it to sound like a P . Hopefully it'll be like a Precision+. Maybe like one of those Precision Deluxes I've seen knocking about.

Okay, I'll bare that in mind when it comes to demo/EP time with the band. I'd have to sit with the band while making my sound anyway to make sure it cuts properly. Another quick question, although it has already been partially answered, but what if I added multiple preamps to my rig? For instance say a Rusty Box + Darkglass B7K + the bass' onboard preamp? In theory I think the Rusty Box, B7K and the VT Bass V2 will give me the unholy trinity of sexy metal grunty distortion. Still no issues in terms of destroying amps?

Alright thanks, I'll definitely give it a go if i decide to pick one up! I do hate sounding like a complete novice at this stuff, but I suppose there's no time like the present to learn all of this!

Right, so I've spotted a bass I really want. It's an ltd Phoenix 204. So basically a Thunderbird clone. I was curious about something if I decided to replace the pickups. Does it matter where the pickups go on a bass or can they be put anywhere? From my understanding there are certain hotspots on a guitar or bass in terms of pickup placement, will it sound like arse if I do something like this: [IMG]http://i1158.photobucket.com/albums/p611/jamesyjamesyjamesy/7AB8DE96-A654-4294-9529-97ED342B7098-500-00000112D182DB1C_zpsb24190c9.jpg[/IMG] Obviously there is string spacing to take into consideration too as I believe the ltd has a much longer scale length than a typical Precision. That's why I placed it more towards the neck in my crappy Paint mock-up as on a Precision the split pickup is more central on the body. I bet you're all wondering why I wouldn't just go and pick up a Fender Precision, right? Well for one, I just don't think they look as sexy (despite their phenomenal sound I want something that has that something special in the looks department), but from what I hear from many people, and my fiddlings with an Epi Bird at my local music shop, Thunderbirds sound muddier than a muddy thing. So this is kinda my theoretical solution. But anyway, any feedback would be cracking. Kiev.

A quick question, but what is the reason for having covers? I'm assuming its just a place to rest the palm of your hand while playing, is that correct? Whatever the reason I think it looks pretty damn cool on specific basses (like on a juicy Rickenbacker!). I definitely say slap it on your Jazz and then they can be a true pair!

I don't have the Live version, but I have the jellybean shaped one so I can vouch for that version (not sure if they're exactly the same but with the live being the pedalboard version or if Live has more presets). I don't change effects during songs or even between songs. I mainly use pedals to create a specific sound and then leave it until I get bored, so the ol' jellybean is perfect for me. I would consider getting Live, but I honestly think having a chain of different pedals is much more appealing aesthetically than having one chunk of hardware, and I'd rather pick up pedals that are really dedicated to one specific task and do that one task really really well than have a multi effects pedal that is just average at everything. That being said there are some lovely presets in that thing, maybe if used with other pedals could forge sounds of sonic orgasm. I havent really touched my Bass Pod since I've started getting into the tech-heavy side of bass, so I'll have to get it out for a play (bit rude). That being said I've currently lost the power supply for it so that might not be possible just yet.

Okay so I'm wanting to build MY sound for a band I've just joined and so I'm starting to get a checklist together for which pedals that I would like to include in my rig. The band is hardcore/metalcore, so naturally my checklist includes some different overdrive and distortion pedals, a preamp and a tuner. One thing I'm missing is a compressor. This leads me to my two questions. The sound of distortion/overdrive I'm going for is a grinding-clanky sound that could really cut and have presence between two downtuned metal guitars as supposed to a 'sludgy' distortion that would just bog everything down into arseness. I'm a little worried that adding a compressor to my rig would flatten everything and turn my gorgeous sound into a lifeless mess. Can anybody set me straight on that? Would adding a compressor kill my dynamic, clanky distortion? My second question is if adding a compressor is a good idea, can anyone recommend one? Any feedback would be amazeballs. Kiev. Oh, it's also worth a mention that I'll be playing using a pick, using heavy gauge stainless steel strings and a brass nut for some yummy open string goodness during the heavy parts.

Alright, thanks everyone for the help. I think that answers all my questions..for now!

Would I be able to use an Ampeg SVP Pro with my Hartke 3500 head? Sorry I'm probably sounding like a complete and utter noob-nugget right now..

Thinking about it, I might end up with active EQ in three places; bass, pedal, amp. Hm. Fingers crossed I'd just have to work with all the EQ settings until I get something that sounds decent. As for the amp, it's a Hartke 3500 head, and I love it. It's already sounding lovely but the sound I want can only be achieved with some careful pedal selection I think.