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scrumpymike

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Everything posted by scrumpymike

  1. scrumpymike
    A bit tricky, this. I've had the same bass and my first reaction is to suggest that the Club - or indeed any other s-s electro-acoustic bass - might not be the best choice for the sounds you're after. Next I would say that, on your bass, rounds ARE your best choice and that a move to flats = 'thumpy' and tapes = even more thumpy/dead. You say you're looking for strings that are "better suited for me." Could be that half-rounds are the best compromise or maybe someone can suggest a set of rounds that won't need much playing-in (I only use flats so can't be much help). Could you explain exactly what improvement you are looking for, e.g. is tension an issue? Re the suitability of your nut for heavier strings, if the slots have been correctly cut for the stock strings I'd say that the extra 5 thou' might be too tight a fit.
  2. scrumpymike
    Another TI Flats fan here. Just got round to changing the OE rounds on my new s-s Vox Starstream and the TIs sound and feel really nice. They don't really work on my s-s gig basses which are drop-tuned to Eb though. I use La Bellas on those for their slightly higher tension.
  3. scrumpymike
    Keep saving for the Sandy, IMHO you absolutely will NOT regret it!
  4. scrumpymike
    Played a new (for us) venue last night - the British Legion Club in the old fishing village of Watchet in our home county of Somerset. High expectations as 'Legions' normally have a decent car park and stage. First problem was the sat-nav led me to the car park of a pub called the Star. As there was no sign of the Legion and the Star was in a cul de sac, I decided that road access had to from somewhere behind the pub and set off on a big loop to try and find a way in from the other side. After stopping a couple of times to ask directions, I ended up back at the exact spot where the sat-nav had taken me in the first place. This was indeed the nearest place to off-load and stuff had to be hand-balled the remaining 100 yards to the Club. By now, I've wasted 20 minutes searching the tiny, winding streets around the harbour and am somewhat whizzed off. At least the hoped-for stage is there when I arrive. So, quick set-up and we're straight into Gimme All Your Lovin'. This results in a healthy round of applause and four punters jump up to ask if we can do some more ZZ Top. "Yep, we always finish with Sharp Dressed Man and Tush." The sight of four smiling faces and 8 thumbs held high means that either there's a party of hitch-hikers in tonight or that we're guaranteed an audience of at least four at the end of the gig. As we get into the first set, we realise that the venue's acoustics are great, the mix is perfect, and the band's exceptionally tight tonight. The gig is even better for me as I'm still in awe of the sounds coming out of my relatively new Mesa TT-800 now I've got my head round it. Because of all the covid stuff, mine's one of a very small number of these amazing amps to have made it to our shores so far, and I'm feeling grateful - smug even 😊. The crowd are with us and the first set just flies by. During the break, I spot that the two different groups of people I asked directions from are in the audience and go and have a chat with them. Like most people, they love classic-rock covers and, even though I've enjoyed playing in a number of bands doing all original material, it's the classic rock that really does it for me. The second set kicks-off with Thunderstruck and also passes in a (Jumpin' Jack) flash. When we're all done and dusted, the Club Manager comes over with a big smile on his face and - even more important - an envelope containing our ill-gotten gains. The cash turns out to be more than expected, which is the icing on the cake! It's 56 years since I played my first high-school gig and I can honestly say that the buzz I get from gigging is as strong now as it was back then. On a good night at least 😉
  5. scrumpymike
    Good call! I think my choice would be a PJ. Maybe one day.
  6. scrumpymike
    I can sympathise with Leszek. It's bad enough trying to keep your small business running through the pandemic. The fact that he's got covid with complications himself must make it a total nightmare.
  7. scrumpymike
    Wow, I had no idea it had got that bad. Ordered mine in June '20 and had to wait 6 months - that was bad enough! Re Ashdown, I keep buying their stuff off here (including an ABM600 EVO lV), trying to love it, then trying to just like it - and end up re-selling. Just not for me, which is a shame as I'd love to support a British manufacturer. Also, their after-sales service is second to none. Hope you find what you're looking for. Til then, there's always the JD 😊
  8. scrumpymike
    Dave, just for your info, I've got a TT-800 and an R-400 and have been trying to decide which will be my main gig amp. Given the price difference between the two, that's already a massive compliment to the HandBox and until recently I've been gigging it more often as I just love its simplicity and sounds. Then, while the R-400 was away for repair, I started understanding the full extent of what the Mesa can do and gradually improving how it sounds. Compared to the R-400, its two switchable channels, HPF, Deep switch, O/D Symmetry Control, 2ohm capability and extra wattage do bring a lot to the party - for me anyway. I should also declare that I've been a big Mesa fan for ages.
  9. scrumpymike
    Dohhh! Sorry Woody, just realised your post was in response to my earlier one - so you already knew what my rig is. Must learn to read EVERYTHING! 😐
  10. scrumpymike
    Mine too.
  11. scrumpymike
    A very tasteful custom build, I really like that! GLWTS.
  12. scrumpymike
    No, just the neck pick-up.
  13. scrumpymike
    Loved my D800+, loving my TT-800. GLWTS
  14. scrumpymike
    That's gorgeous, and this is the best s-s P bass out there. Recently sold mine and may come to regret it.
  15. scrumpymike
    Agreed. Had one of these and they are amazing value for money.
  16. scrumpymike
    If you really are a committed Fender P-bass man, it's worth pointing out that I don't think you'll ever match those distinctive, industry-standard tones with any s-s bass. You may get pretty close though depending on what other kit you have. All I can say is that I love the range of sounds I'm getting from my multi-pickup s-s basses strung with La Bella flats through my Mesa TT-800/Barefaced SC3 x 2 rig.
  17. scrumpymike
    Blimey, that's quite a list of things to address! As it happens, I can answer most of them from experience, so here goes. Maybe worth mentioning first that my s-s love goes back to the start of my playing career, when I was just naturally attracted towards Gibson basses - thanks mainly to Andy Fraser and Jack Bruce among others. At that point, I didn't even know there were different scale lengths, so it was a pure stroke of luck that the first bass I bought was a Watkins Rapier that happened to be short scale. So, to your first question. You've pretty much answered that yourself based on the obvious physical differences down to one thing being shorter than another. However, the only things that HAVE to be shorter are the fretboard and the neck. The other things you need to think about are: the body - this can be shorter too (as the bridge is closer to the top of the neck) if you want the shorter reach to the fret (and all the other frets of course 🙂). If you do decide you want your s-s bass with the back of the bridge assembly very close to the bottom edge of the body, you'll have to think about strap balance. This is determined by the positioning of the top strap button and the ratio between body weight and headstock weight. Best case = top button at the F12 sweet spot and the heaviest body you're comfortable with. Worst case = top button south of F12 and lightweight body. An interesting example of this is the Gibson SG, which has a fairly heavy body and a top button on the heel of the neck. In this respect, lightweight tuning machines are your friend. In my case, I've got short-ish arms and fingers and medium-ish hands. So, my custom-made gig bass is designed to give me a short reach for my fretting hand and, having my preferred (large) Fender-style headstock, has a compact body (based on the Fender P Lyte) and lightweight tuners (see below). Re the choice of off-the-shelf basses (including some discontinued), there's a MIC s-s Fender Jazz up on here (OK if you don't mind a body that's on the heavy side and only 19 frets) and a Jaguar (OK if you don't mind neck dive). My pick of the P-style stuff currently available new is undoubtedly the Sandy Lionel - I've had one and I couldn't fault it (as Adee who bought it on here agrees). I've also had the SBMM s-s Ray, which is massive value for money if you like the 'Ray vibe. American owners on Talkbass who are familiar with both versions say that in practical terms the ownership experience of the SBMM is so close to its 'full-fat' brother as makes no difference. Don't know about the Banshee but looks interesting. Re strings, your choices should be adequate if limited Hope this helps.
  18. scrumpymike
    Michael Gillett took the idea of an electro-acoustic bass and re-invented it. These rare and exotic things are in a league of their own. I still have my two fretted Contours - a standard and an ST. GLWTS Frank!
  19. scrumpymike
    Certainly will!
  20. scrumpymike
    Here's a link to mine - they've also got the single Humbie version at the same price BTW. Vox Starstream A2S
  21. scrumpymike
    Posted this a couple of weeks ago and 10 forum members liked it. So, some of you may be interested to know that Vox UK have some more FS on their website at the knock-down price I paid for mine, namely £799 as opposed to the original RRP of £1400. Now I've had chance to get to know mine properly, I can tell you that these are well worth £1400 and are therefore an unbelievable bargain at the discounted price. This is MIJ quality at its best, witness the pic showing the edge binding I forgot to mention in my original post. And I can confirm that IMHO the Aguilar pick-ups ARE fantastic.
  22. scrumpymike
    Dohh! Always did get the male and female spellings (Leslie/Lesley) mixed up.
  23. scrumpymike
    Love mine too, these really do it for me. GLWTS.
  24. scrumpymike
    Lesley just bought my s-s Atelier Z and it was a pleasure dealing with him from start to finish. No hesitation in recommending this forum member to others.
  25. scrumpymike
    Had one of these that I gave to my son. Fabulous basses! Sting used to record with a fretless one when no-one from Fender was looking.
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