4000

Internet Forums. Nuff said. 😁

I remember all through the ‘80s being completely unable to use any sort of drive in studios, they just wouldn’t have it. 😂

Try different ones and see what you think. 😉

Minty pickguard on sonic blue is always my preference.

I think this is just a matter of preference. I tend to prefer lower output single coils. I’m not typically a fan of high output pickups or many (most?) actives. FWIW, the comments about the Dart II not having enough beef just reflect my own experiences when playing Jazz basses. Of course YMMV, and many people’s often does. 😉😂 Also FWIW I don’t find Vulfpeck interesting on any level.

I actually thought that it sounded better than the other Jazzes, if a bit ‘nosier’ (not as twangy, which I would normally prefer). I usually think he gets a poor sound whatever he plays but I thought that was ok. Totally agree with Fretmeister about turning the amp up. Lower powered pickups can have their own tonal advantages.

But you can use something entirely different and not sound bland. You don’t have to use a BDDI. 😉

IME it typically makes a big difference. Not necessarily better or worse either way, just different. But you can always compensate to some degree with eq.

I’d be aiming for a relatively straight neck before adjusting the saddles though. 😉

I didn’t try it for recording and I wish I had.

Chris Squire: With a nod to Enwistle as well, and Leigh Gorman of Bow Wow Wow: There are loads of others of course, and I’ll always have a soft spot for this bloke 😉:

I’ve tried a dUg at rehearsal. It sounded tremendous on its own, but as soon as the band kicked in I found it got lost, whatever I did. But then my band is a bit of an oddity sonically, being all-acoustic except for me. Context is everything and the acoustic guitars take up a lot of room sonically.

I’ve seen plenty of basses where the grub screws move over time. None of them had low tension flats. Used to happen with my old P Bass.

I’ve just checked and Zender actually used 35-90, so an old interview says.

I had a BDDI (v1) and didn’t really get on with it. I found it a bit fizzy and struggled with the mids (my old Rics have a natural mid-scoop to start with), although it may just have been me. I replaced it with a VTBass DI and am much happier; I’m aiming more for a Roger Glover Machinehead type of thing though. I really want to try a Leeds.

MK actually uses 30-90, or did in his heyday. Stuart Zender also used 35-95 in Jamiroquai. Wonderful tone IMO. Had to be said though that changing string manufacturer or type will often also make a huge difference, it’s not just string gauge that does.

Like BRX and also speaking as a songwriter, I’d sooner get somewhere in a project of my own, playing bass or otherwise. But playing for someone else then for the simple joy of playing bass, Zero 7, early Seal or Hawkwind circa Space Ritual. For the joy of being onstage with artists that I love and simply contributing, then Sandy Denny, followed by Kate Bush, Fleetwood Mac/ Stevie Nicks, Genesis, ABBA and First Aid Kit.

Also, I (a) can’t imagine her ears are anything like they used to be (mine certainly aren’t and I’m 20 years younger; it only gets worse. My mum, in her ‘80s, is deaf as a post) and (b) it doesn’t matter how good you are if you can’t hear yourself properly. But regardless, it really was dreadful.

Just watched Robert Plant and Alison Kraus. I may be in the minority but I thought it was a breathtaking set, easily one of my highlights. They completely blew me away.

Er, what? Billie didn’t have any backing singers and certainly wasn’t trying to be sexy. Are we talking about the same person? Do you mean Olivia Rodrigo? This is Billie Eilish:

Easily my favourite band of the last couple of decades or so. Every time I’ve seen them - including in Halifax, the night before Glastonbury - they’ve been stellar. As for the “BC out of touch” thing, I’m 58 and think Billie Eilish is fantastic and utterly smashed it. 😉 Saw her a week ago at the O2 and she smashed it there too. One of the best gigs I’ve seen in over 40 years of gig going.

I doubt it’s oak, oak is typically extremely heavy! They usually use mahogany for the body wings.

I’d be interested to know how much it weighs as I’d still like another before I pop my clogs, if the weight was right. Did you just get lighter pieces of mahogany or is it different woods, e.g. swamp ash?