Woodinblack

Hmm.. my 1605 has an excelent B string, I would say it is as good if not better to the EHB. I never really bought into the idea that there was an appreciable difference between a 34 and 35" scale bass when it came to strings, If there was that difference would dissapear at the first fret. Its hard to compare the necks. The neck on the EHB feels more solid somehow, probably because of the lack of headstock, or the fact it is physically bigger than the SR.

`tools maybe, the manual is the same manual that comes with everything. The thing is, it has a genuinely different bridge, how hard would it be to make a manual for it? Anyway, now I did the truss rod up a little and put the string hight down (way down) and it plays fantastically. And I also discovered it does actually hold in a hecules wall hanger, but I don't think I will be putting it in one!

Continued: I go to adjust the bridge. Turns out noone of the 5 allen keys they give you fit the adjustment for the string height. Also, it comes with a book, which has its model on the front. It is in 10 languages or so, but doesn't cover this type of bridge or really even mention basses. Thats a bit poor isn't it?

Right, had a chance to have the first play. Overall view, I love it, its great. Its light and it sounds good. I say that because the observations sound negative, mostly they are not. I really don't like the locking jack. i have never got the point of locking jacks, I have never liked one, and this one is fairly stiff. I can't take the jack socket out with one hand, which means I need to lay the bass over, giving the chance to bash the head. Luckily there is no headstock! What are they thinking there! I think at some point it will annoy me enough to get rid of the locking mechanism. The tuners, they are fantastic. They are so smooth and responsive, nothing like the ones on the hohner b2s I have had. Gearing is quite low, so you can get them pretty spot on. Neck. Its really big for me, seems bigger than it is, in all it is 7mm wider where it joins the body than the SRs. The neck seems deeper too, but it doesn't actually measure different. Either way pretty big. Plays very well - although it still has high action at the moment from the factory, will use one of the many keys it was sent with to adjust that later, when I can work out how. The bridge is quite complicated looking. I will need to work out how to move it sideways a bit - the strings are miles apart, not like an SR. Sounds. Sounds excelent as you would expect with the nords, although seems deeper than the 2605 (which is the one nearest to me to check against) although not a huge amount difference. The preamp is very different from the recent preamps with the mid control, so much more like the older preamps that they had. The mid control is strong enough to do a really strong wah effect. The treble control is the only one that works with passive mode, although that is for others reference, its not something that matters to me. Notably though, the tone goes down more in passive than active. In active the treble up is good and not as scratchy as the SR2605 can be, so I am guessing its a different frequency. Also I noticed, that sitting in the same place with both basses, the 2605 picked up some electrical noise with the treble full up, where the 1505 didn't. Bass goes from no bass to where did my speaker go. Extremes that are beyond use really! As I have seen someone mention, the back strap position is near the top, so if you are standing with it and you wear the bass high (which you kind of need to, its not a low bass) it pulls it out, due to the cutaway on the top. It would be better if it was a bit lower. Fit and finish is good, none of the problems from the horror stories on the net about these, it looks as well put together as you would expect from a £1k+ bass. A wierd one. In the plastic bag that comes with it is a ramp. I have never really used a ramp so I tried it out on the bass. First, although it is made of wood, it isn't blue and stained, which seemed a bit wrong, it is black, it has stickers on the bottom to stick it on. However, it isn't totally parallel to the pickups on both sides, and it is quite low. And it is a bit of a 'where is this supposed to go' sort of shape. Not sure I will be using it much! Now my dinner is ready so I will play it some more tonight!

I watched the talk that the guy from sandberg made about relics at one of the bass guitar shows. They have one guy who does the relics, and they are done individually by hand, and he is the only one who does them. I am neither hot or cold on relics, but some of the sandberg relics look pretty amazing, shame they don't make necks that I can use or I would have one. but yes, like anything, to do it properly is an art. Also working out a back story of why something is like it is, rather than just a copy. One of the sadest relic finishes I find (and I think it is because they are mass production) is the flea jazz. First time you see one, it looks great, second time you see one, it looks exactly like the first. So much so you can look at a flea jazz and work out if its finish has been damaged or not!

Yes, I think it explains their European popularity!

Haven't had a chance yet, I am still working. PLuged it a little at lunchtime, but tonight is when I am going to get to try it!

Sadly, manowar. Not my fault, someone suggested it

Very much so, but from the point of view of being in the cutlery drawer!

Indeed - or take one of the GKs apart and remount the poles a bit further apart. As I said earlier, I have a friend that likes taking these things apart, here is something he wrote down about it https://chriskingblog.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html

TBH - I had nothing much against slap until I visited the first london bass guitar show a few years ago!

So, snoozing in bed as you do when you work from home, you don't start until 8:30 and it is quarter past 7, I was a little surprised that the door bell went off. In fact, I was a little surprised to just be, but then that is normal at that time. Rushed downstairs trying to work out how to put a tshirt on, while not being able to see, I opened the door to full sunlight and a man dropping off a large box. I put it downstairs, thought about going back to bed but didn't. I thought I would leave it until i could see. Strangely, come 8, I still couldn't see, eyes are itchy and I can't focus, no idea why, but couldn't leave it longer so I opened the box.. Initial thoughts were they sent me a guitar accidently, the box was so small and so light (in the massive bax box). Opening up was a guitar gig bag, and a bag of parts (didn't know what, alen key and some black things, still couldn't see). Got the bass out. Its beautiful colour (I think) although it was a little dusty, I think it was made in december last year (serial number starts 191204). it weighs nothing, like nothing at all. comfortable to hold, action is a bit high for me out of the packet, b string not that lively but it has string wrapped round it that I couldn't get off with my current eyesight. Plays very well though. Don't even notice that it has crazy wide string spacing (ie, not the 16.5mm that god ordained). Neck basically the same as my 2605 wood wise, but with a stumpy thing at the top. Knobs a bit stiff, haven't plugged it in yet, there are people still sleeping, so that wouldn't go well. First impressions very good.

Turns out I have a GK-2A, which is here So I would say that the bridge spacing of that is 53.5mm? As the bass VI has mustang spacing (I think?) of 56mm, I would say this would be pretty well spot on

They were a faff to find but yes, the GK-3 goes from 9mm to 12mm apparently. Hang on... dumb blonde (what do you mean its grey, its platinum blonde!), I have a GK3, I will see if I can find it

You sure it isn't the pickups being not the same? there is no reason to downgrade a preamp as they cost pennies at the manufacturing level to make, and an poor quality one is no cheaper than a good one. And no, I wouldn't expect an active bass to be any louder than a passive bass unless it had a fault or you had a low impedance amplifier.

Not surprised. Noone wants to hear U2 songs!

Agreed - it is widely acknowledged* the SR1605 is actually the best bass ever made * by me.

I think the War Room EP was the best one they did. Not that keen on the 10 remixes of the same song ones! Would certainly like to see them live.

100% with you on this one

Or more what used to be (and luckily I don't think as much) wrong with music shops.

you can just split the cable, or if you want to be fancy.. https://www.joness.com/gr300/UX-20.htm

Just going on the info on the net, not having one or any special knowledge of these things. 1) You can apply processing to just some strings, the old GK you could apply effects to individual strings but not different effects to different strings. the manual is here though, so should say: https://static.roland.com/assets/media/pdf/SY-1000_reference_eng01_W.pdf 2) unlikely. Again the manual will say, or maybe the VGUitars website would be a good place to ask 3) you can on the Vb-99 so would seem odd if you couldn't on the SY 4) not sure if it is an editor - there is software for it on the boss website. I remember the GR55 had a better 3rd party editor 5) the only digital audio output, yes. and 6b, don't know. 6) there are a few companies I have seen over the years that make custom pickups. There is a japanese company that does customs. Yamaha do one, as do fishman, don't know what their spacing is. doesn't the GK actually cover up to 12mm anyway? I am not sure. My friend does, but not commercially, as it is fiddly and he gets bored easily

I think it is nice as an accent, or in a song, but it is harsh and tiring to listen to when used all the time. Pretty much like talking in capitals would be! I would also say it isn't the hardest technique to master, it is just another techniqie.

To be fair that gives you quite a few songs! I think I would try the replacing the truss rod thing, just because I have no idea how to do it, I am not very good, but don't have much to lose!