dave_bass5

Ooh, cool story.

I remember back then everyone was talking about the NTMB as the obvious upgrade, I think the 55-02 had it or the USA model. The Gallery had a used one so put it in for me. Never got around to changing he pups but i definitely would have. Can’t complain though, i gigged it for at least two years solid.

Thats the same preamp i upgraded to. I also had a toggle switch put on the bass itself rather than use the internal one. I cant actually remember what it did. Was it mid freq adjust? Either way, it was a nice upgrade but didn’t really change the tone of the bass, just added more EQ options.

I finally got to try these out yesterday. Very impressive. The tone sounded really good using various guitars. Didn’t try a bass though. The Stage mode is good, as is the other psycho acoustic mode. I always play at home through headphones, so used to it, but the Boss made it feel that there was some distance between you and the source. It didnt just sound like it was coming at you in both ears, but more that there was a definite source if that makes sense. So yeah, very impressive, other than the price still.

I spent all afternoon playing my old Korg N5 today, and was impressed with how easier it is to play compared to the Reface. It also sounds much better than it does at rehearsals when my keys player uses it. Ill be using my Q/Strip with the MODX, i think the right EQ goes a long way with keyboards and PA’s, especially cheaper ones. And i have just ordered the MODX6. Should be here on Tuesday. Can’t wait. Anyone want to buy a load of basses lol.

I agree. A good pre amp wont have a lot of character, its just there to amplify what the pups are feeding it. Obviously worth EQ you can change the tone of them, but its best to start with one you like IME.

I’m not sure if I’ll bother too much with the Reface for band use, but for home use I think ill use it a lot for ideas and recording in to my ipad. Much more convenient than getting the big synth out and setting that up. Ive been using Cubasis 3 since i got the Reface, and love the soft synths in that.

Nice post. Couldn’t agree more. The more you do it the better you get, in theory. I played keys back in the late 80’s, early 90’s. Even then i was only just passable with the Piano/organ stuff, but i enjoyed using the sounds as and when needed, rather than playing all the way through. Back then it was either a DX7, JP8 or M1. The M1 had the depth that the others didnt and i loved adding the incidental stuff. Really wish i had concentrated more on Piano though. i agree, a brass sound or organ for example need to be chosen on how they fit in, and not just go to the firs tone. Also need to be played in the correct register. My keys play will quite often play brass stuff an octave higher than he should do, and it sounds really twee and piercing. If nothing else the MODX has a good enough piano or two for me to just lean the basics again and then progress from there. I know the rock Organ stuff will be difficult, but fun gettin got grips with it. I’m not really interested in editing at this stage, the stock presets seem to have all i need for the band stuff, and ive been offered one of the expansion packs for free when i get it. My other worry is to be restrained and not do full 7min symphonic intros with vocoder etc for songs like Mustang Sally and Stuck in the middle 😂😂😂 Think this is partly a mid life crisis, but at least its not a red Ferrari 😂

The first time i ever came across a Sandberg was a Cali PM5 in black burst. This was in the bass centre and I almost brought it. I thought it had such a rugged look. I think that was the first time i ever considered a bass that I had never heard of. Ended up getting a very plain and boring black Lakland 55-01.

This is the problem we have. I own a Korg N5 which is quite old, but good enough for the basics. Ive not played keys in a band for at least 20 years, so my playing skills are very, very low. We take it along to rehearsals for him to use, but he also has one he uses at home. He comes straight from work on the bus so i dont mind taking mine. He just plugs in and plays, with no real structure to what tones he uses. Quite often he leaves the mod wheel on and everything sounds extra cheesy. The whole thing sounds like you described, although he is quite a good piano player. It just gets frustrating for me to have the vision of what could be done, but not able to put it in to practice. Since getting the Reface DX last week ive realised that although I’m not much cop at the moment, I enjoy playing keys, and away from the band i can write some songs. The plan is to replace him at some point, when i get good enough, or we both play keys. Problems here is he will still have the cheesy sounds. I just dont feel confident in taking over, although its early days and i do have time to practice a lot more. Ive spoken to my guitarist and he thinks it’s good idea i do keys, but we have agreeed I won’t do any solo’s. Probaly going to order it on Monday. Only going for the 6 though.

Thanks. That was going to be my next question. Although i know its a great all rounder i was wondering if its a good choice for the usual club covers. The piano’s sound great (I love the Montage pianos), strings, organ and brass are covered, and of course it has the Super Knob 😂😂. Our keys player is a better player than i am, by a long way, but lacks the sounds and experience of playing keys in a band. I quite fancy giving it a go, but I’d also be happy just writing on it at home.

Ive fallen in love with this synth, although i dont have it....yet. Just wondering if there are any owners on here, and if so how it works live I can see me going over to playing keys again if i get this.

Thats a shame. its a really, really nice bass by the looks of it. I loved my Duck Dunn's, really regret selling them.

Very nice. Mine wasnt really mine, it was on loan to me for about 5 years. Lovely bass though. It was the first proper big name bass i ever played.

Didn’t notice any 😂😂

Think i had a fretted version of that.

Note really on topic, its not really all black, but these strings go so well with black basses

Lovely. i love the shape.

Years ago i have lovely Blazer Bass. I was ok, just playing with mates from school. I was asked to join my step cousins band, but after two rehearsals he asked if he could play bass. I didn’t mind as i was still at school so didnt have much time to keep going over to his. Ive never saw the bass again, and he passed away about 5 years ago.

Yeah. although PJ’s have been around for years, you cant miss them now. Still dont use that rear pup lol.

Oh nice, i had something very similar in the 80s. Mine was blue burst, which is still my fav colour today (hence loving my Sandblasted P).

Oh yeah, that looks nice. I love the black and chrome contrast.

I wonder what it would do look like on stage, especially is it was painted with Ventablack. That would look either so cool, or silly. Id love a suit made out of ventablack material. .

We can sit and eat it on the step 😂😂

Haha, dont worry, I wrote that in my first post and haven’t be banned yet 😁.