Funky Dunky

That Spector Euro is a monster - the dark tone from the EMG pickups is incredible.

[quote name='warwickhunt' timestamp='1406238448' post='2509762'] Folks have mentioned Warwick Streamer LXs but you could find a pukka used SSI for under £1k, which is frankly a steal. [/quote] Those things are pure tone machines. I would LOVE one of those!

Stingray Warwick Steamer LX G&L M2000 these are the three I'm keenest to be taking a look at. Checked out the Spector Euro on youtube......wow.....beast!! I love that dark tone but buying a second hand bass at that money isn't an option ;-) finance and all that....

[quote name='thebassist' timestamp='1406211580' post='2509369'] What he said. I use passive jazz basses with a SansAmp Bass Driver. [/quote] what does the Bass Driver add to your sound? Is it a matter of boost/cut or is there more to it?

Howie - no, I haven't yet but I've opened a thread elsewhere on the forum on that very subject. Again, going purely by youtube video demos, I rather like the Hartke VXL (I so want to say VPL but I've already been rebuked for using a bad word :-p).

Thanks for all feedback so far. I have tried the G&L and LOVED the tones but with a nut width of 44mm it's beastly on my hands. If they made it with a narrower neck, this would be the one. I will have to do my research on Ibaneezers. The Jazz bass in white would tick my Paul Turner wannabe box. I love that dude's playing and tone. The Laklands look nice. Never played one but they stock 'em in Glasgow so I will have a play. Musicmans are the bomb too. I notice there's no love for Warwick here so far. I had considered a Streamer LX purely on youtube demos but they're hard to obtain round these parts - in fact, I don't know of a stockist in Scotland.

Hi guys, looking for opinions on the above, I have a passive Squier with PJ pups but I'm thinking about buying a good quality workhorse as gigging is in my future and I would like to test the water on active basses. Open to all suggestions and recommendations. Have at it, and wax lyrical. thanks Dunc

Wish I could afford an Aguilar!

Thanks for your replies guys. I've looked at some videos of each of the products on youtube and as it stands, I'm no further forward. It's hard to beat the Behringer for value; in fact it's impossible. But for quality, the Sansamp naturally has a considerable edge. I realise that, given I'm using a rig worth £500 and I have the hands of a novice, developing my touch and technique would be a good place to start if I want to sound better, and the answer to great tone doesn't lie in a pedal. I'm merely looking to add a bit of warmth to my current tone. My current sound and my ideal sound have one thing in common - no effects or filters, just fingers, bass and an amp. I want warm, woody, clean and thick. Short of upgrading to a couple of grand's worth of rig, or at the very least upgrading my pickups, I'm not sure of how else to inject those qualities into my sound.

Hi guys, I'm seeking the input of the enlightened. I have a very bassic (badump-tsh) (sorry) rig and I'm looking to enhance my sound/tone. I run a Squier VMPJ into a Fender Bronco, so it's a cheap beginner rig, but half decent.The obvious solution is upgrade bass, amp or pickups, but the first two are out. Pickups are perhaps then the obvious choice, but the market is awash with so many that it pickles my brain. I crave a classic woody Fender tone, and there are so many options I dunno if I could make the right call in a million years, so I turn my attention to preamp pedals. my question is this: how do I use one to enhance my tone, and which ones do you recommend for around £80, new or used? I know Sansamp is a top brand, but which model is best for a bassist who doesn't record and is only just preparing to gig, so for a tonal improvement to my 'live' sound? Thanks Duncan

Good to see RDL getting some love!

Thank you sir, I will try those fellas out then! To the music shop - post haste!

A favourite player of mine for the very same reasons you listed above. His lines are never boring; he always takes the bass for a wee stroll and chooses the most ear-catching notes. I kinda suspect he has bass talents far greater than what we hear him do with the 'Pilots, too. The Talk Show album was worth a listen....I wasn't mad keen on Dave Coutts' vocals but there are some decent tunes on there.

I emailed D'addario with a question about these strings and they didn't answer it, they sent me a link to a page on their site which didn't outrightly answer it either. My question is this: Do these beasts make a heavier gauge feel slightly lighter to play, or vice versa? I feel like Super Light are a teeny bit too flappy and Light are a bit too stiff and my hands fatigue quickly. I need a gauge in the middle!! Persevering with the Light gauge has not yet paid off and my hands end up aching, but Super Light play easily and are tremendous for slap but are just too darn flappety for fingerstyle playing. Can anyone recommend a solution (other than "man up" or "give up" please!)

[quote name='ML94' timestamp='1393146764' post='2376542'] Just get your thumb to bounce back off the string and don't over do it remember economy of motion as Victor calls it. Also when you've done that , double thumbing next [/quote] This technique will quite possibly be what pushes me to meltdown!

[quote name='51m0n' timestamp='1393150827' post='2376610'] Ithankyewverymuchlittlepaperboy.... [/quote] Eerie Indiana?

[quote name='51m0n' timestamp='1393005387' post='2375230'] Does you thumb come to rest against the string after you strike it initially? Sort of hit the string bounce off then come back to just touch the string. That can cause a harmoinic to ring.... [/quote] This. This is totally the problem. I sat down and slapped as I normally slap, paid close attention and lo and behold, there it is. When I was quite deliberate in making absolutely certain that my thumb did not return to rest on the string I had just slapped, the harmonic did not sound. When I slapped slightly more haphazardly, as I normally would....."BUNG!! *hoooooo*" This is brilliant as I have identified the problem, but also kinda gutting as I now have to go back and alter my thumb attack so that the harmonic doesn't sound. In other words my slapping is back to square one and will be very very slow. Nonethless, thanks all for your feedback and advice. I have some work ahead now!

[quote name='ML94' timestamp='1393097012' post='2376224'] try not to put your finger on the fret line and rather in the middle of the fret so you won't be fretting a harmonic. [/quote] It's there when I slap an open string, I can slap the E with my left hand in my pocket and I still get "BONG!! *hoooooo*"

Hmmmm.........interesting point 51m0n. I will sit down with my bass later and have a close look at that. It may be the case. Will post my findings tonight, but I feel you may be onto something with that theory.

Thanks for all the input guys.....the hairband idea does appeal, but I'm still kinda of the opinion that something is wrong with my thumb! As far as the 5th/7th fret theory is concerned - I get the sympathetic harmonics even when there is no left hand fretting or muting involved :-(

I have bother with what I think is sympathetic overtones - specifically when I slap, I get a harmonic ringing, whenever I slap an open string.. I've made various adjustments to my technique and of course tried slapping at numerous different positions over the fretboard, at the edge, further back etc etc but still these pesky blighters continue to ring out on slapped notes. Is my technique that far wrong (The slapped notes sound like they ought to apart from the addition of these damn harmonics) or should I invest in a Gruvgear Fretwrap or something? This is seriously doing me fookin tights in!

Really Jonesing for a 5 string Fender Jazz bass at the moment. I got it bad!

I like the idea of a PJ, it gives the option of thump AND slice and that appeals to my tonal sensibilities. I bought a Squier Precision VMPJ and to my ears the balance is fine but the pups are ceramic amd that is a wee bit of a letdown. I say go for it dude. The idea of a MM pup at the bridge is hugely appealing, but I'm not much into hot-rodded looks, Im quite fussy about things looking aesthetically clean but this is your bass so go after what you want. Adding a preamp would bring it to life big-time, but do it the way you want it and that's my advice. We want pics if you go ahead!

Ah right. Apologies for my complete cluelessness. I'm looking for a thinner string than my current 0.45 gauge Fender roundwounds, but with greater tension. Me no likey da buzzy.

Skej, did you have heavier strings and then change down? What differences have you noticed with lighter strings?