carlosfandango

yeah I converted a while ago and i'm gettgin along fine with it now. very ergonomical way to play and you can get a really nice tone...it takes a while to get it right though. also, i can now between 4, 5 an 6 string basses withouy any problem as I use the same basic technique.

ohhhh.....a thunderfunk...that sounds like a good idea! I have just ordered a new Shro 410L (it's somewhere in the middle of the Atlantic now according to Shaun from SX music)....I sold my old 410R to Andy here on the forum. Then it got sold on a couple of times and every time I saw it up for sale I almost bought it back! So....I'm toying with the idea of getting another head for that cab...or a pre/poweramp combo but haven't had the time to think about it properly...somehting different to the iAmp I guess……not sure what though……..I read somewhere that Jorg himself prefer Aguilar DB750’s with his cabs……so much gear, so little time (and dosh)

Hi Mark I'd say go for something with an extended low end and highs...e.g. EA Iamp....I used and iAmp500 and later an iAmp800 with my 1210 and it sounded really good as the amp compensated slightly for the mid heavy cab. Not exactly vintage, but the iAmp has a great EQ that will allow you to dial in most tones. I also had good results with an Eden traveller...although I personally prefer the iAmp to the Eden amps. I would imagine that the Mark Bass LM 2 would do a very good job too.

Hi I'm in Henley on thames not far from Slough. Good enough? Carl

[quote name='warwickhunt' post='74718' date='Oct 15 2007, 06:46 PM']Yep, that little recessed slot surrounded by a blue circle adjusts the active output. You can either use it to set the active and passive volumes to a similar level or if you use your bass in active mode all of the time use it to match the level of your other bass (alternatively assuming both Warwicks have the same trim-pot, adjust them both to get a happy compromise). Watch the front end of your amp can cope with any increase in output (i.e. start from scratch with your input gain) and though it shouldn't distort if turned up, use your ears to check that it isn't too high.[/quote] I have mucked about with the trimpot now and it's defo (to use a young mans speak) a freq range selector. It seems to range from 400-2000K or so - Quite useful actually - I set it quite low (300-400). Maybe someone has upgraded the preamp at some point? thx anyway!

OK , here it is.....pheew!

Same here - I really like elixirs (and my wallet too as I don' t have to change that often) and I found that they work really well on my stage 1 5 as they have slightly higher tension that other strings I used i the past (warwciks, Rotos etc)

I did a gig this weekend and used the other bass players amp (a warwick tubepath 10.1).......after a bit of tweaking I set it to flat and it sounded quite ok.....are there any users out there? what do you think? It has some really cool features and specs. It's quite expensive (£1000 bracket) and I haven't seem many reviews....how does it stack up to other tube pre amp amps (Eden, ampeg etc)

[quote name='warwickhunt' post='74267' date='Oct 14 2007, 07:41 PM']Ooops Is there a preamp block like this? This is the trimpot in one of my Warwicks.[/quote] yep, that looks a but like the one in my bass. the layout is very different though...I'll see if I can my digicam out....

OK ....so had another look in the cavity and....ehhhh...rather embarinsing....all the pots are are marked...ahemm.....MEC....not bartolini....so I guess I have bart pups (yes I checked again.. ....and a MEC pre.....no potentiometer for adjusting the active passive output/balance though.

[quote name='SMART' post='73887' date='Oct 13 2007, 06:09 PM']What top Warwick users! Way to go forum members! As Robin Hood is apt to say in his second season on BBC1: 'this way my gang!' Personally love the Warwick Thumb, great natural woody feel, like the wood almost evolved into that bass. Bit of LED history: old SimS put the LEDs in a certain Mr Bruces signature Warwick Thumb.[/quote] Yeah I had a thumb 5 string and I loved the sound. could never really adjust to the body shape and the looooooooooooong neck so I flogged it and regretted it imeadiatly. If I can find a broad neck 5 TN I'd probably couldn't resist it.

[quote name='warwickhunt' post='73735' date='Oct 13 2007, 12:20 PM']Just a quick ask. Do you know for sure that the trimpot in the back of the Warwick is for mid frequency? You are probably right especially if it just has a single mid knob but the reason that I ask is that on all of the 'W' 4's that I've ever owned, the trimpot is to balance the active output against the passive. Have a quick scan around the cavity and see if there is a second trim pot. If there is you will be able to match the outputs of the two basses. As for the tonal differences between the basses you're probably already aware that you'd probably never be able to get one tone to sound like the other even if you fitted identical pups and pre. The wood, mass and construction will impart their own stamp on the tone. If you aren't sorted in the next few weeks I may be able to give you some help. I'm replacing the MEC circuitry in one of my basses for a Demeter, if you want to trial my circuit in your bass I'd 'lend' you the pre and pots. It may give you some insight into whether you like the sound of your pups or if an MEC circuit is for you.[/quote] WOW! That's an offer IO can't refuse. I'm aware of the differnencies but it would be good to try another option to see how it changes the sound. I'm pretty sure that the tri[pot changes the frequency as i actully tried to dial it whilst playing and turning the knob. I'll see if I can find the other pot. many thanks, very useful info

Thx guys

My streamer is a stage I 5 string broadneck from -92. It has barts soap bars and I think it's a Bartolini preamp with volume, pup blend, mid (without centre click) and a dual concentric knob with cut/boost bass and treble. The mid frequency is adjustable via a small potentiometer under the back cover. The bass sounds great but I recently bought a 4 string with MEC and notes a big difference in the sound. The older has a more "woody" and “middy” tone whilst the 4 string has a more "open" and has a completely different high end (which I like much better. It also has a much high output which screws up using both basses live through the same amp as I need to fiddle around with the gain when switching basses between songs…A luxury problem I know! Anyway, although I like the sound a lot I was thinking to maybe upgrade the pups or preamp to make it sound more like the newer bass…a more contemporary sound if you like …..any ideas? Are there any typical upgrades that you know of? all input appreciated. thx!

[quote name='dave_bass5' post='68006' date='Oct 1 2007, 09:41 AM']I agree. im not knocking Sandberg really, just relaying my one and only experience with them. In fact all the cheaper Sandberg's looked perfect in the shop but this was the only 5 string they had and i really did want it but not for £900 with that neck. probably a one off.[/quote] Ican't belive the shop still had for display! they aren't exactly doing them self a favour.....why are there so many morons in the music retail business????

[quote name='dave_bass5' post='67993' date='Oct 1 2007, 09:07 AM']Ah yes, thats the one i tried. It looked really good in the Black/grey sunburst and the MM style pup. Very Mad Max sort of thing. Wish i had got that but like i said the neck was rubbish. Im sure it was a one off though.[/quote] hmmm....both my Sandbergs are impleacble in terms of build quality but they are a couple of years old now (one is a customer shop). I heard that Sandberg has trippled their production capacity due to the high demand so maybe they have had some quality problems lately? that would be a shame becaus the basses are really great

My Sandberg California PM5 Customer sounds a bit like a Stingy but has the added sound of a pbass pup (plus of course a quite unique sound with both pickups engaged 50/50). Another alternative is the Sadnberg Bullet in J/J config - fantastic bass that would give more fender jazz type of sounds and complement the MM really well. Another bass to consider would be a Warweick Streamer Stage 1 or II.....great basses that would broaden your "tonal palette" The JO5 sounds very vintage 60's fender (unless you put a pre amp in it) and sounds really great.

[quote name='minty fresh death' post='67680' date='Sep 30 2007, 02:56 PM']The California I used didn't have any noticeable neck dive? I've noticed that after listening to alot of lakland MM+J pup configs, that it doesn't cut through the mix very well... it's to soft and smooth. Perfect for slow paced blues...etc but not punk, metal and the like? What do you guys reckon? [url="http://www.lakland.com/multimedia/ac_5502.htm"]http://www.lakland.com/multimedia/ac_5502.htm[/url] Check out the Lakland Joe Osbourne and Daryl Jones, both in a similar price range.[/quote] I agree. I use my 5502 mainly for jazz, funk, blues, pop etc.....for heavey metal you need something with more "bite" IMHO FWIW

[quote name='gilmour' post='67664' date='Sep 30 2007, 01:58 PM']Carlos I really liked the Sandberg Califonia 5 (JJ pups) but found it had really terrible neck dive, other than that I was really taken with the instrument. How do you find yours?[/quote] hmmmm...I never thought about that actually so I guess I never seen that as a problem. I hang my basses fairly high (not under my chin tho... and use a quite broad strap so maybe that sorts i? That said, I do fell that other 5ers I use are better balanced e.g Lakland 5502 (exceptopnal balanced bass) and Warwick Streamers

Hi I've got two Sandberg California PM's. On e is a custom shop 5er in banana/custard yellow with red tort and the other is a "standard" 4 string in bleu metallic and a vintage white/green pick guard. As far as I’m aware the electronics are identical (Delano Pickups and a Glock 2 band preamp) They have the same basic sound but actually sound different - the 5er is more dark and “meaty” and the 4 string has a brighter tone that lends it better for slap. I also have a 70’s Fender p-bass, a Music Man stingray and a several Warwick’s so her is a a quick non-scientific a little comparison based on my memory and experience and not A/B-in g the basses: Sandberg vs Fender P-bass: - In passive mode with the P-bass pick-up soloed (with the treble tone control doubling as a passive tone control) you can actually dial in a very authentic P-bass tone. Roll of a bit top end and you have a great tone that lends itself for greasy funk, rock and blues. The tone is slightly “growlier” than the Fender and it has a better top end definition. With the pre amp activated you can get a very “modern” p-bass sound….a bit like a Warwick Streamer Stage One but with more midrange. Dial in some more low end and you get a tone that works well for dub and reggae. - The neck is slimmer and more “modern” than the 70’s fender I have which is quite chunky IMHO. It reminds me more of the profile of the late 90’s Fender I had (that Beedster dubbed “Kylie”) than and older Pbass. Sandberg vs MusicMan - My Music man has the 2 bad EQ and actually sound very different that the Sandberg… it’s hard to replicate the vibe of a 25 year old MM! - IMHO the Sandberg is more “aggressive” sounding and a lot more versatile as the EQ is a bit more efficient. The Sandberg has got a wicked slap tone and it also quite easy to dial in a very convincing “Jaco-esque” tone that cut through the mix for soloing Sandberg vs Warick Streamer Stage 1 (p/j config) - The Sandberg is again a bit more “forward leaning” when the Warwick tone is a bit more “contained”. l I think the difference is how the basses project midrange especially the low mid. With both pickups activated 50/50 I’d say that the Sandberg is definitely “fatter”, but the Warwick goes deeper and has better top end clarity. - Both basses are very versatile and have a modern tone that helps cutting through a dense mix. I tend to use the Warwick at gigs with function bands and the Sandberg at “rock/funk” sessions. - Neck profile is much slimmer than at least my newer Warwicks - I also us a five string -92 Warwick Streamer Stage 1 with Bartolinis but that a completely different story…much darker and “organic” sounding than the 5 string Sandberg and on the whole an awesome bass as it’s got a very distinct tone that the Sandberg can’t do at all.