Marc S

[quote name='AndyTravis' timestamp='1468969663' post='3094847'] Bought it... [/quote] That's great! What a bargain If it was nearer me, I'd have done the same - to do it up & sell it on, or just sell the parts to someone else who needs to fix theirs Nice to have a project on the go, especially if it hasn't cost you a fortune Let us know how you get on with this one - good luck

I too have a modular rig. Actually, I probably have too many combinations of amp, and way too many speaker cabs I used to haul big heavy cabs around the place, and whilst I got fed up of lugging large, bulky equipment around, I also noticed that for many venues, I wasn't getting the sound I really wanted either. Some venues, my Markbass 15 extension cab sounded great, some it didn't (and that was much smaller + lighter than my old 2x15") So I now use my flexible rig, depending not only on size of venue, but also on what type of music I'm playing, and whether I'm playing Bass Guitar, DB, or doubling up, with a combination of the two... My Markbass 2x10 cab is usually plenty for most pub venues. For larger venues, I tend to use my PJB 4x5 Piranha cab, or if I don't think I'll need that - I take a further 1x10 cab. I know, it may seem odd, but my Epifani 1x10 cab is brilliant. The amp heads I have operate on the principal that one 8ohm speaker gives me 300W, but when I use an additional 8 ohm cab, I get either 500W or 550W (depending on which head I use). Although having 3 x 10" speaker cabs may seem odd, the Markbass 2x10 and the Epifani together create a great sound, and usually I've plenty of headroom.... In some smaller pubs, I've used the Epifani alone, with either an Orange Terror 500 or my TC550W head, and I have to say, it has been plenty for smaller venues. I also wanted to say, I don't think I ever got a satisfactory sound when playing DB through a 15" speaker. Again, it may be down to venues and or choice of amp head - but it didn't half make the bottom end of the sound rather unclear and un-defined. Interesting to hear what you opt for. Shame you weren't at the Cardiff bass bash last Saturday, as we compared several small cabs and heads. Good luck

Sorry to hear your sad findings, and losing out on a tour Henry. I say this, not being a professional DB player, or bass guitar player mind you But I'm in several bands & duos etc. Personally, I find for various reasons lately, I'm not playing much DB However, a couple of the bands (one I'm regularly playing with) seem to want me to play DB on a few songs or one of 2 sets They're actually attempting to get me to introduce DB on more gigs! Again, they may be thinking of giving one set more of an "acoustic feel", but I think it's largely because in pub bands you don't see many DB players - they want to introduce something different... Interesting question. I await more players findings Hope you pick up another tour soon mate - chin up

[quote name='roceci' timestamp='1468936056' post='3094470'] Seconded. Great to meet a couple of guys off here in the flesh. Not to mention playing some fantastic basses in Gelfin's bassment of wonders! & Marc I'm not selling you your fretless back Till the next one! [/quote] I wish I could've justified keeping that fretless matey - it's a nice one, don't let anyone diss Squier basses till they've tried a few Hope the next meeting isn't too far away - perhaps we should all think about going for a pint afterwards too?

Just wanted to say a huge "thanks" to Gelfin, for putting on the basschat event in Cardiff once again Great to see you guys - wish we could catch up more often. It was useful, just to hear the comparisons between the 3 small lightweight cabs Sorry I couldn't stay long - Like FuNkShUi, I had a gig, and it was early in the evening (and all the way up in Tredegar) Cheers again - hope you enjoyed it too Gelfin

[quote name='LewisK1975' timestamp='1468397530' post='3090599'] I have a Roadworn 50's Precision in sunburst and that has the same neck dimensions as the classic 50s. I really like it, it's actually probably my favourite Precision out of all of those I've had........ Regarding the heel truss rod adjustment - A few of my basses have it and you can usually get enough access by removing the pickguard, doesn't usually require taking the neck off....... [/quote] I'll second Lewis's comments here. I bought a RW Precision from this very forum, and it's my favourite bass I've ever played Though I'm not 100% sold on the pickup - it's just a tad less grunt than my Squier Classic Vibe, which I've put an Entwistle PBXN pup into. (Check out Entwistle pickups - they're cheap + great!) Certainly from a comfort, lightweight & playability point of view, my RW P is brilliant It has, like my Roadworn Jazz (yes, I have both and they're both my favourite ever basses of each model) the neck adjustment at the heel. I have to say, I too thought this might be an issue - but it really hasn't been Both necks are really stable. I adjusted the J neck once, and it could do with a tweak again now With a little bit of the scratchplate filed away, I don't need to take the neck off. The P bass I've not needed to adjust.... I know you said you didn't want any "play them both first" type responses But do just that, and go for the one your gut instinct tells you to Truss-rod adjusting isn't normally something you'll be doing every week Good luck

As others have said - get a luthier to do a fret-dress and a set-up You'd be surprised at how much of a difference this can make If you were nearer Cardiff, I would always recommend Dave Dearnaley He's a top-notch luthier, and has worked on several famous musicians instruments, as well as building his own, custom made guitars - and they fetch quite a handsome price... If the frets are too worn for even a fret-dress, then get that same luthier to re-fret it If it's 100% original but unplayable - then it's either useless or a Deko model for the wall of Hard Rock cafe.... You could always wait a while - do a bit of research, and see if similar instruments that have been re-fretted come up for auction? Compare the prices to unmodified (un-repaired) examples..... It all depends on whether you actually want to play this fabulous instrument Personally, I would never buy a vintage car that didn't work, unless it was to fix it & get it back on the road, where it belongs even if only to drive it a few times a year.... Good luck, and let us know what you decide

It sounds to me like you might be playing some venues where you would rather not risk theft of, or damage to your precious P bass. I've owned several Precisions, my current favourite is my Roadworn P (which I've PJ'ed). It's the best P bass ever, but that's just my opinion What I can't get over, is just how much one basic design can produce such variations, in terms of weight, comfort and playability.... However, there are some venues I play in the South Wales valleys, where I'd rather not take a bass which is worth £1k new So I have a Squier Classic Vibe in Fiesta Red (which I also PJ'ed). It's an absolutely fantastic bass for the money. It's a tad heavier than my RW P, but it's great quality and very playable and comfortable. The Squier CV's are made in the same factory as the Matt Freeman P's, and though I've not played one of those - I've heard great reports about those too. If I didn't have my Squier as "reserve bass" I'd be looking at a Matt Freeman.... I know it probably sounds a bit paranoid, to have a substitute or reserve bass for "certain venues" and I should probably just sell the CV and take my Fender RW to every gig - but in truth, I like to take the Squier out now and then anyway, for a change.... And I must say, I love it For the money, it's the best quality bass. I had one, loved it, realised I probably had too many - so I sold it, and instantly regretted it! .... So I went out & bought another Had it PJ'ed and decided I'm not going to ever sell this one... If you can find one for around £250 second-hand, I promise you'll never regret buying it. Hell, when new at around £400 they were a bargain!

Jazz AND Precision - well, P/J Actually, maybe just a P/J ... but better get a Jazz as well, just in case...

I don't have the Squier CV Jazz. But I did replace the pickups in my Roadworn Jazz, for a pair of old secondhand DiMarzio pickups - I got them cheap, after placing a wanted ad on a local facebook group The pickups are amazing. They have a lot of punch, yet still sound vintage Good luck in your search

Try a Fender Roadworn Jazz. They're based on the '62 J - And they're absolutely stunning. I'm sure it would be great to own a truly vintage Fender - but I'd be too afraid to take it out anywhere, for fear of theft or damage

Hi, I have a shadow pickup on my eminence (as backup to the David Gage which it came fitted with) It was bought 2nd hand on here, and wasnt expensive. Sorry, I can't recall exactly how much.... Its pretty good too, it boosts my output a lot, although its a tad more noisy than the Gage pickup I also bought a Behringer pre-amp pedal recently, as someone locally was selling one cheap - I thought I'd try it, on bass guitar this time tho - not on DB / EUB. Again, the behringer gives me quite a few tonal options, and quite a boost in signal level. Its also quite noisy, and quite heavily "toppy" so careful eq'ing is needed. I use it for gigs sometimes, but wouldn't perhaps use it in the studio. That said, I gave only a tenner for it. They're about 25-30 quid on ebay, so may be worth a try for your budget.

I used to have a Markbass CMD102P. I must say, I don't play slap bass that much But I do now & again. Mainly when jamming, and the odd couple of notes or riffs when gigging I was always pleased with the amp. Never ever cut out though.... So I know it's a different amp - but just thought I'd add my own experiences Also, I tended to use a mixture of active and passive basses too..... I mention that last point, as In once played a gig as part of a support band We used the headline bands' backline, and the bass head clipped a heck of a lot, if I had the output of my active Ibanez set quite high To combat this, I had to turn the volume down on my bass, and up on the amp It surprises me to hear that Markbass gear would have this sort of issue A mate had an older version of the 102 combo, and I know that tends to clip when he plays an active bass through it Maybe get your amp checked out? Let us know how you get on, and best of luck with your issue

I play with a pick on some songs, and without on others Personally, I quite like the tone when playing with a pick - again on some songs Others I'd rather play with my fingers, because that's what suits the song When I started playing, I only played with a pick - it was fast, furious punk back then JJ Burnel and Paul Gray were my fave players, and as others have said, it didn't do them any harm But I learned to play without a pick, purely because I was frightened about dropping a pick mid-song, and having to faff about digging out another. Then I learned that some songs just sounded, or felt better to play with fingers an no pick Ignore the snobbery (I actually don't think it's that bad, on here at least) Just play what is most comfortable for you, and what suits the style of music you are playing .... but if you can, learn to play with and without. If I can do it, I'm sure you can

Hi Boanerges, I'm really sorry to hear of your health problems in the first instance. But I'm appalled by the behaviour of the guy who has ripped you off Hope you can get your bass back, and I hope you're doing well with your health issues PS. Do you have an address for this bloke? I'm sure the Police could trace him..... Take care, I hope your bass is returned, and I hope this rip-off merchant is caught

I've got a Roadworn Jazz too. It's a wonderful bass - so lovely to play. Feels great and sounds the part. I wanted to try some different pickups in it too - just for curiosity's sake really, I suppose On trawling the ads on here, and on a local facebook group, I found a guy selling some old (1970's or 80's) DiMarzio J pickups Fitted them, and was blown away! The original pickups sounded great, and had a vintage tone about them. But the DiMarzio's are even better It's still got that vintage Jazz sound, but a much bigger output, and quite some punch too. Of course, it may not be easy to get hold of a set of older pickups - put an ad on here, or keep an eye on local facebook music groups? I got mine pretty cheap too - and I'll be sticking with them Have you could also considered a preamp pedal? That way, you don't have to mod the bass at all I bought myself a Dunlop MXR - the one with a built in, separately controlled distortion effect Really pleased with it