Marc S

[quote name='TheRev' timestamp='1487185217' post='3237908'] Im sure I've read somewhere that you should have the shortest possible length of cable between your pickup and preamp - something to do with the resistance of a long cable affecting impedance?? ..... [/quote] I'm sure I have read the same thing somewhere (might even have been on here) One of my pre-amp / pickup arrangements is a K&K system (which is great btw). I bought it used from someone on this forum. The said lead is indeed, short. The buyer said he thought that K&K only supplied short leads - maybe this is the reason? Aside that, as others have said, work with the arrangement you prefer Personally, I sometimes prefer to have at least a level control as close to hand as possible I often find I'm just out of arms reach of my amp

Though I've never dealt directly with either before, I do like the look of those Chowny basses, and have heard good reports about them from owners. Scott Whitely seems like he must be a decent sort - I've watched several of his bass lessons, and he always comes across well in those. He breaks down some complex basslines, and demonstrates them very well. Top fella for putting all those high quality video lessons online for free too Really was tempted by a Short Scale SWB a while back too! It's great that Mr Chowny actually phoned you himself too. I guess that smaller and relatively new companies have the ability to do that - Fender have so many customers, it might take a while for them to phone each one directly

I'm not mad on flats, and bear in mind that I play Double bass too - which are pretty much all strung with flats, or something similar I find the tension on them is normally too high. I tried Steve Harris sigs on my fretless, but ended up replacing them with Thomastik Inflelt (TI) Flats, which are incredibly low tension - I mean "incredibly". I do like these strings, but their tension is much lower than any rounds I've ever played, and they do take a bit of getting used to, especially as I don't play my fretless much.... I had some black nylon tapewound strings on my first DB / EUB (which was a Stagg) they were a huge improvement over the original strings, and I really liked the "dark" nature of their sound - so I'm with you on that. Not tried those LaBella's - so I really must! PS. Why was the Precision "unloved"? Did you not like it with rounds? PPS. I once had an acoustic bass (Ibanez) - lovely it was too - but I really liked the sound, when strung with Phosphor Bronze strings - sounded immense! Lovely tone too. A mate had an identical bass, and strung it with steel, then N/S rounds, and it didn't sound half as good.....

[quote name='cheddatom' timestamp='1487149092' post='3237436'] My very first bass was a white musicmaster. I wouldn't know what year but I guess late 70s. I had no idea what I had. I loved that bass....... [/quote] After my first awful Kay bass - I quickly sold that, and bought a Musicmaster, which must have been early 70's. I recently saw the guy who now owns that bass, and I actually regret not approaching him to see if he'd sell..... I hadn't seen him, or the Musicmaster for well over 30 years! I didn't particularly regret selling that bass at the time, or since - but I would be half tempted to buy it back, as it was my 1st "proper" bass

There have been two basses I regretted selling. The first was in my first era of bass-playing. It was an early 70's Matsumoko built Shaftesbury Rick 4001 copy. It was wonderful to play, sounded great and looked + felt every inch like the "real thing" - Only thing was, it needed a re-fret, and I couldn't afford it at the time, so I sold it. Instant regret!!! When I took up playing (after a 20+ year break!) I decided to search for one again. But they're hard to come by, as you can't buy the copies on here and they usually get pulled from ebay. However, I manged to get one after around 8 years of searching, and so glad I did. I've had the "real thing" and those 1970's Japan Shaftesbury's are utterly brilliant The other bass I regretted selling was a Squier Classic Vibe Precision, in Fiesta Red. I had one and loved it, but I didn't really need it - as I already had plenty of basses (too many really), including my superb Fender Roadworn P. I sold the Squier CV, regretted it, but I sorely missed it - more so knowing they had been discontinued.... So I bought another, and though I have way too many basses... I can't bring myself to sell either the Shaftesbury or the CV EDIT: I guess I'm lucky, in that the 2 basses I really regret selling, I have managed to replace.... Double EDIT: I note there are many misguided "Rick haters" on this forum - but I just thought it spoke volumes that a high percentage of the replies on this thread, are from someone who has regretted selling their Rick

[quote name='Meddle' timestamp='1486920065' post='3235524'] I wouldn't mind a Kay 20B, but I would be looking to pay about £50 for one and no more. [/quote] My first bass was a Kay - rick-ish shaped, rather than Rick copy I'd say.... I think I paid about £25 for it back in the 80's..... and sold it for about the same It was truly, utterly dreadful. I'd say they aren't worth £50 even of Monopoly money Trust me, don't buy one - They'd be firewood but the paint is probably full of nasty toxins

I'd definitely still consider coming over if it was a bit further Like the idea of Steven Chowny coming along! I've wanted to try one of his basses, but haven't managed to as yet....

Sorry I've only just seen your question Harleqin74 I use the MXR pedal. It also has a distortion function, with an extra footswitch. I don't use it often, but it's there & it's handy You can set the distortion to a low setting, and pump up the gain..... Not tried one myself, but there's a lot of love for the Sansamp on here. I actually started with a second-hand Behringer. It was under a tenner! And though it's a bit noisy if you set the treble up high - it's not bad at all. It was cheap, so I just keep it as spare, and use it for the odd gig here & there.... Think they're about £25 new - so might be worth it, just to try one out?

Let me know if anyone is indeed organising a Bristol event I'm only over the bridge in Cardiff. Perhaps a few fellow South Walians might like to share a lift too? Keep me in the loop - I'll pop over to it if I can......

You say you don't want a Squier, but have you tried the Classic Vibe Jazz? It is immense! Many who play them prefer them to MIM's or even US jazzes If you pick one up secondhand, your £400 budget would leave you plenty of cash left over, to spend on beer, or some great pickups Just cos it says "Squier" on the headstock, don't discount it I already have 2 Jazzes (a Roadworn and a Flea sig) - otherwise I'd be looking at a CV Squier EDIT: Don't know if it's still available, but I'd go for this! http://basschat.co.uk/topic/297714-squier-classic-vibe-jazz-bass/page__p__3232512__hl__squier__fromsearch__1#entry3232512

A few months back, playing 70's, 80's, 90's mix of rock, punk, pop, ska & reggae, A woman who had been on the dancefloor for at least 5 or 6 songs came up to me and said; "Can you play something I can dance to?"

I have a Kala, and I think it's great. I got it for open mics and folk club, where I couldn't take my double bass. It sounds huge, though the E string is a tad quieter (not hugely quieter - just a bit) I love the sound of it. Though the very short scale nature of it can take a bit of getting used to, especially if you have just been playing DB Re the rubber strings;- I formerly owned an Ashbory, and had Thundergut strings on that. Now lots of people prefer the Thunderguts, but I didn't get on with them at all. In fact, I didn't really like the Ashbory very much. I prefer the Kala. It is only used occasionally, but I wouldn't sell it, as it's such a handy sized instrument, with a big sound. Audiences are often amazed at the sound it produces. On 2 occasions, other bass players have been present when I played the Kala, and both have since gone out and bought one, after hearing mine

Glad it's worked out nicely for you Thanks for letting us know how you got on. It's always good to hear someone has sorted out problems etc Glad you're enjoying your new bass

Isn't the houndogs bassist a basschat member? Think he might be, but can't think of his name....

[quote name='Dropzone' timestamp='1486467792' post='3232003'] If I were said bass playing in the band, I would prefer to know sooner rather than later...... [/quote] As others have already said, if you're not in this band, I don't think you should be involved. If they've asked you to do so, it sounds like they don't want to handle sackings themselves. Asking your advice is fine, but once you've given your advice.... leave it there.... Re the above quote - absolutely! If it were me, I'd want to know asap. It sounds to me like they want to keep this guy in the dark as to his future, get someone else in, then sack him, when it's convenient to the band. I'd be well miffed, if I'd just done a tour, or series of dates through spring & summer, only to find I was good enough yesterday, but not for tomorrow... and that while I was gigging with them, they had already planned my replacement. Yes, bands and members have to evolve, and this guy should try to keep up. But if he can't, he needs to be told. Who knows, perhaps a bit of a nudge might help him improve? It has happened many times before. I can't quite get why the band thinks he's good enough for their current and imminent dates, but why he won't be able to learn & grow? Also sounds like the keyboardist, who is the current bassists' mate, is in a very difficult position

The body on my Eminence is very small, compared to a truly acoustic DB. When playing it unplugged, it's obviously a lot louder than a stick bass, but much quieter than a DB. It also doesn't have much "bottom end" tonally - however, when amplified, it does sound very like an acoustic DB (with a bit of EQ'ing) and there seems to be plenty of low end oomph, in the amplified sound. It has a Gage Realist pickup fitted, and that works pretty well - but I do like the sound I get from my Shadow pickup & pre-amp (the Shadow is also a piezo). EDIT: Yes, I have two pickups fitted Tricky to say how big a body you'd need, but some sort of acoustic, resonant chamber is going to help. My other DB is a David Gage "Czech Ease" which, while being an acoustic DB, has a smaller body than other 3/4 DB's. It sounds beautiful, but is rather quieter than other acoustic DB's. So if you want the full-bodied, full volume sound - you have to opt for a larger chamber.... Of course, if it's a smaller chamber - that's what amps are for

Me on bass (Fender Roadworn Jazz). recorded in Kings Road studio Cardiff. Nick Thomas-Lynch, and the video to his recent release "On The Road". Video filmed around Cardiff - city centre, Castle grounds & Llandaff fields etc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMRHQ6qHJck&feature=youtu.be

Gangsta Folk

This looks amazing! Great finish, colour & grain. I like the headstock & logo. Also like the contrast of the colour with the maple board I'm surprised that the HB looked such a great piece of wood to begin with. Looks better quality and construction than the price might suggest - which can often be the case with some of today's "budget level" instruments... Fantastic work sir

Modelling & hobby shops should also stock fine files. Chose a small, fine file, and take your time - filing a small amount each time, then re-checking, to make sure you're not going too far... Not tried a Graphtech nut myself (unless a bass has one in already) - but I would go for the best one you can find for the money. One from ebay might look like a bargain - indeed, it might even be a bargain, but you aren't going to know how good it is till it has arrived. Years ago, I tried to fit a bone nut, and I didn't have the right tools - and it snapped! So take care with the material of your chosen nut Most of all - great news on the bass. If you paid a good price for it, then it will have been worth setting up and modding to your own spec. As you've said - it must feel a bit more like it's "your own" Re fretless bass and flats / v rounds - I'm not a huge fan of flats (despite also playing flats on a DB!) My fretless is fitted with Thomastik Infeld (TI) Flats, and I really like them. They're very low tension, for flats. Some flats players don't like them, as I think some find them a little too low tension. However, I and many others get on with them - if you haven't tried them, see if a friendly local BC'er will let you try theirs, or look out for a bass bash near you (The T.I.s are rather expensive new) Cheers, and let us know how you got on with the nut