Stingray5

[quote name='Krysbass' post='537172' date='Jul 10 2009, 01:00 PM']I rarely use my Thunder III in active mode, since I prefer its passive tones. But the active circuitry stays on as long as there's a jack plugged into the bass - the active/passive switch is just a bypass, so I just got into the habit of unplugging. I think the active circuit has to stay on because if you switched the power on manually you'd hear a thump through your amp. If the batteries are on the way out I find I get plenty of warning from the bass's tone and I always carry a couple of spare PP3's. I have to replace the batteries every year or so - Westone claim around 200 hours' use per set.[/quote] You may be right. Now maybe I'm being thick here (not hard for me ) but I am able to use my Thunder II basses, in the passive position only, without any batteries being installed. So is that still using the active circuitry?

[quote name='Hot Tub' post='536263' date='Jul 9 2009, 10:43 AM']TBH, what I'd really like is a little miniature switch for ON/OFF. That way the bass can be left plugged in all the time. I mean, how hard can it be? Why don't the manufacturers do this?[/quote] My two Westone Thunder IIA's (see sig photo) both have active/passive switches. In fact, all my basses are active aside from the Jazz.

[quote name='ashevans09' post='536129' date='Jul 9 2009, 12:20 AM']Ah! Those things eat batteries! One of the reasons I've switched back to cables, can't afford it lol.[/quote] Yeh, I'm not averse to going wired when needs must. But the less spaghetti around my feet, the better! And when I have room, I do like to run around a bit...

If you happen to forget to unplug, make sure you at least have a good quality alkaline battery in there such as, as previously mentioned, a Duracell Plus or Ultra or similar. Even left plugged in, I would expect more than 2 days use (unless of course the battery is at the end of it's life!). I always keep a couple of fresh batteries in my gig box too, along with a battery checker. (My wireless battery pack goes through far more 9v's than my bass ever does).

[quote name='Sean' post='533112' date='Jul 5 2009, 04:16 PM']headstock as requested... Full length one when the light is right.[/quote] Yeh, that's nice! Love the look of the inlays - what are they?!

Lovely looking bass, Sean. Just to complete the 'porno' aspect, any chance of some neck/head shots? And maybe a nice full length one too (oo-er missus!) -- provided you have enough digital film left in your camera!! Cheers, Steve

[quote name='lowdown' post='532330' date='Jul 4 2009, 11:12 AM']Then i think it would read... 'Stevie Wonder [b]IS[/b][u][/u] a genius' Garry[/quote] Oh alright, then - I'll give you that! Guess I was trying to make the point that, for me, Stevie Wonder is beyond just [i]mere[/i] genius... Thanks also to Bubinga5 and ~tl re BBC iPlayer repeats. Cheers, Steve

Rats - missed it! Hopefully, iPlayer will have it. If MJ was considered a genius -- and I am a fan -- then what does that make Stevie Wonder?

I'm co-dictator in my bands!

[quote name='Machines' post='531348' date='Jul 3 2009, 07:35 AM']I think Musicman dropped the build a bass when they revamped their site.[/quote] They did, indeed. '...Used to etc...' was the clue in my post

[quote name='YouMa' post='531191' date='Jul 2 2009, 10:37 PM']Omar,theres nothing like this,simple and beautiful.[/quote] Yep, nice bass line - I've just recently been teaching that one. Plus, in answer to the OP -- 'With Or Without You' (U2). Reeeaaally simple... Steve

Used to be able to do that at the old Ernie Ball/Music Man website, called 'Build Your Bass' or something like that. Body colour, neck/headstock, pickguard could all be selected. (Predictably though, not the hardware).

[quote name='Rich' post='531040' date='Jul 2 2009, 08:30 PM']I love the Tune 6-string in your sig. It's one of the most boutique-looking production basses I've ever seen. Gorgeous instruments. One day, I [i]will[/i] have a Tune WoodBass. [/quote] Thanks, Rich. Yeh, it's a nice player for sure; very comfortable neck and action for a 6'er. Not bad for 250,000 (Yen, that is ) I also would love their Wood Bass - very nice too! Cheers, Steve

[quote name='OldGit' post='530714' date='Jul 2 2009, 03:20 PM']Not a King Bass? [/quote] Aaaargh - can't believe I missed that! Nice one, OG...

[quote name='leschirons' post='530363' date='Jul 2 2009, 10:41 AM']i seem to remember reading they were Fender men in the 16th century.[/quote] I do believe Ann Boleyn was a bit of a bass player herself. Rumour has it she played a Status -- headless of course! <groan>

Interesting to see you have a Wizard Thumper on your re-issue P bass. I'm just looking at their stuff for my Jazz. (A couple of Hammers maybe, or possibly the 84's. Not sure yet). How you getting on with yours? Cheers, Steve

33 is no age. Please add my sincere condolences. Steve

[quote name='Stylon Pilson' post='523393' date='Jun 25 2009, 10:44 AM']That's because he's a drummer, and drummers don't like playing to a metronome or click track, because it shows up the imperfections in their timing (not that they should be ashamed of small deviations in tempo). However, as a bass player, your job is synchronise your timing [i]to perfection[/i] with the established beat, irrespective of whether it's being set by a drummist or a metronome. S.P.[/quote] +1

Classic Marcus. Nice.

Looks interesting. I'm just thinking of swapping out the pups in my USA Jazz from the standard pups currently fitted. I wonder if this might be an alternative. I'm keeping this one passive. Cheers, Steve. p.s. - how are the bairns this morning?

Been RMI'ing for as long as I can remember and used to practice with the 'William Tell Overture' (da-da-dum, da-da-dum, da-da-dum-dum-dum, etc) and the Theme from 'Bonanza' (dum, da-da-dum, da-da-dum, da-da-dum, da-da-daaa-daaaaa, etc) Now, how dum can you get? (Ok, don't answer that! )

Unfortunately, if he's genuine, the OP has dug himself a bit of a hole with his initial comments, my first reaction also being that it was a wind-up. If it's not a wind-up, then -- to the OP -- you could do better than taking note of some very sage advice here. Not least the part about not writing in [i]txt spk[/i] -- yuck!!! On the other hand, how do we even know he/she is 15? Maybe its a 30-year-old guitarist spy come to stir up a bit of fun for his pals on some GuitarWrist-Action forum or summink....!!! Cheers, Steve

That's one seriously good looking and sounding bass. Good clip too, showing nice tones for finger and slap styles. Tasty! Cheers, Steve

As mentioned earlier, I also saw the Dweezil gig on Sky TV and would love to have seen it live too. I have to say I was fortunate enough to have seen Zappa snr back in 1981 at Hammersmith Odeon when he had Steve Vai, Vinnie Collaiuta, Scott Thunes, etc. with him. He also brought a very young Dweezil onstage to play a couple of tunes. The lad was pretty good even then!!!