Bridgehouse

[quote name='gary mac' timestamp='1489321604' post='3255974'] What a good looking rig. Bet the 64 sounds mighty fine through that. [/quote] Funny story there.. I tried the 74 through it when I got home. It was as quiet and hum free as anything I've ever heard before. Silent. Even with quite a bit of gain up. With the tweeter on full there was a bit of hiss, but winding it down it was super quiet. I was really impressed. Plugged the 64 in and there was some hum. Not a huge amount, but clearly some hum. Oh oh I thought - grounding issue. Out came the multimeter - checked the continuity on the 74 for reference, all 100% perfect. The 64 however - perfect from pots and pups to the jack, but the strings weren't. Hmmmm. There was continuity from the bridge ground solder on the pot to the jack, but not from the bridge and strings. Strings off, and pulled the bridge. It was clear I was the first person to pop the bridge off since new (!) - and there it was, the ground wire bare end had sunk into the lacquer over time and wasn't making a good connection. Moved it, tightened it up and reseated the bridge. Guess what? 100% continuity and absolutely no hum. Clean as a whistle. Sounds superb. You live and learn huh?

Yes, I'll post some review thoughts when I get to use it in anger

Well, following the advice on my 'what combo?' thread, I went to Bass Direct today to try some out. Took about 2 minutes to get totally distracted by the Vanderkley cabs on display. They had the new 1200w 4 ohm 2x10 right there on display. Tried a lot of heads through it - best by miles for my kind of tone was the EICH T1000. Crikey it was articulate. Clean, with gain, boosted mids, whatever - just damned articulate and so much 'pop'. At the wattage rating of the amp, I can run it in bridge mode, putting out the full 1000w at 4 ohms straight into the cab. Got it home. Put the gain on about 3ish, and master on 4-ish. With the 64 P on about 75% volume I could have had pictures and plaster off the walls. Flippin' eck. Best bit? Cab is 37lbs and fits in the boot lovely. Head is negligible in weight - in a nice EICH gig bag. All up about the same as the Mark Bass combo or Fender Rumble 500. Ok, so I blew the budget massively, but I just couldn't resist......

[quote name='ukulelelab' timestamp='1489174768' post='3255040'] let me tip you over the edge : https://www.gbase.com/gear/fender-precision-bass-1962-sunburst-3 [/quote] Already tipped chap - 64 P now mine

[quote name='Beer of the Bass' timestamp='1489084978' post='3254290'] I get confused about what's considered high. I think of my bass as being set quite low at the moment, at 2mm (G) to 2.5mm (E) at the 12th fret. But reading through this thread, that might be considered high? I think double bass has messed up my perception of this stuff... [/quote] That's not high. High is putting your finger on the string and not really knowing exactly which fret it's going to land on 2 seconds later...

Ok. I need to consider amp and cab as well then. Is there any good reason I should look at the more expensive Mesa subway/darkglass etc route, or should I stick with the barefaced cab and standard 500w class D style head?

Yes, you're right - a list of everyone's current rigs If I went cab and head I think I'd rather go more down the line of tone I prefer. If I did that I know I'd end up darkglass microtubes or Mesa subway D800 and then the budget is shot!

[quote name='Bridgehouse' timestamp='1488925370' post='3253052'] I did wonder if a small head and cab would be a better choice, but I suspect this thread would be 12 pages long already if I'd have asked: "Which small lightweight head and cab for under £1k for normal gigging duties with FX loop?" [/quote] Having just said that - without wanting to break the internet with traffic, and by way of comparison, if I did go for a head/cab setup rather than a combo, for under £1k or so, and sticking roughly to the same weight/portability of the Rumble 500/MB 121 - what would you go for?

[quote name='Lw.' timestamp='1488924549' post='3253039'] In a choice between the fenders & markbass the fenders would win every time for me - I thought the markbass sound crap when I've used them (could just be me though). Tbh if it were me I'd get a small cab & head - so many more options for equal size/weight! [/quote] I did wonder if a small head and cab would be a better choice, but I suspect this thread would be 12 pages long already if I'd have asked: "Which small lightweight head and cab for under £1k for normal gigging duties with FX loop?"

Ok, so, suggestions so far are: - Fender Rumble 500 - Mark Bass 121 AC - Mark Bass 151p (but I think that might be a bit too big and heavy...) I think I may have to do some in-shop browsing..

[quote name='Marvin' timestamp='1488913425' post='3252913'] There endeth the thread [/quote] I see. It is indeed on the shortlist. Is there anything else I should take a look at before I pull the trigger and just get one of these?

I'm currently using a Helix for most of my duties. I'm about to order up a FRFR (FR800) from Barefaced to use live, but I'd also like to get hold of a combo to have for backup and knocking around, etc. - Up to £1k but preferably a lot less! - Lightweight - Enough volume for most normal gigging situations - FX loop so I can shove Helix through it as well Mostly P bass going through it so looking for classic thumpy P tone. What would you recommend?

[quote name='chrisanthony1211' timestamp='1488663537' post='3250947'] When I get some good quality photos up I'd be interested to see the comparison. [/quote] Let me know - I will take a pic of just the guard and post it...

Actually, 106.5mm

106mm

Don't worry chaps, I don't mind you hijacking my thread with tort porn - after all, my 64 does have a fine piece of genuine tort on for you to compare and contrast

[quote name='fretmeister' timestamp='1488647595' post='3250782'] I've been thinking about a 5 string Precision for a long time, but a Yamaha Attitude Standard 5 came up on ebay so I thought I'd have a punt I got it during the week and although it needs a proper set up I used it at rehearsal this morning. This is the bit that's annoying - it cost less than 10% of the bass I usually take with me (a Marleaux), and it sounded fantastic. It sat in the mix like only a P can do. I didn't even use the other pickup selections - just stuck with the P into my M900 with a little bit of grit for warmth. It's got a huge sound with a nice grindy quality to the mids (not surprising as it is from the Attitude line), and the low B is really strong. It is now with my favourite local luthier for a full set up (might need a little neck shim), and I'm wondering if it might end up being my first choice. It's a little heavier than I usually like, but it's well balanced. Anyone else got one? [/quote] I've just ordered a multi pack of stewmac bass shims - shaped and unshaped - if you need one then you can have one.. they are .25, .5 and 1 degree each shaped and unshaped. I'm going to put the .5 shaped in the 64 P, but if you want one of the others then let me know...

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1488621609' post='3250484'] Can we see the pics, pleeease? (But probably not in this NBD thread)... [/quote] Oh, that's ok - I like a nice bit of tort too! (Can't you tell!)

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1488570012' post='3250218'] Proper tort is just so SWEET. None of the modern stuff has that deep 3D celluloid loveliness. Very nice bass, I can just imagine what it smells like. [/quote] It smells just like you imagine it would The case smells like old vinyl and G Plan furniture..

[quote name='Sibob' timestamp='1488555398' post='3250011'] It's all about the Chromes right, have some on my '71 Precision and they're brilliant. Beautiful '64 though! I almost bought a '59 once and bottled it........wish I'd bought it Si [/quote] Chromes just do something on a P that's difficult to put your finger on. TI's seemed a bit, well, meh really. La Bella's were ok, but still not quite there.. Chromes just really brought out the sound of a P for me. YMMV of course

[quote name='Geek99' timestamp='1488470326' post='3249241'] Oh dear - now I need a screen wipe Lovely relic job there [/quote] Must have taken someone ages to get it to look that authentic.. but I'm disappointed that they didn't use much power sander on it

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1488464952' post='3249192'] Shed colour loooks ok to me [/quote] I've got used to it...

I've spent some time with it today. First off was setup. I've put some D'addario Chromes on it - I really like them, and they have kind of become strings of choice for now. Needed a truss rod tweak, obviously, but letting it settle and setting saddle height and intonation to match, I've got a rather staggering .006" relief and action of 5/64 E up to just over 3/64 G with absolutely no buzz. I'm quite amazed. Despite a 7.5" radius, the width (44.2mm) and straightness just makes it feel so flat and level. It seems to like the Chromes a lot. Playing through the Helix and an Ampeg patch it's a touch thumpier and deeper than the '74 P I have, but it's also got a bit more crispness at high mids and in the treble. It sounds a bit wider, fuller and even a bit more 'stereo'. Everything seems stable. The tuners are remarkably agile for the age. I swapped the '74's for hipshots as they were a bit sticky, but these are smooth and hold tuning well. Will let it rest over night and revisit tomorrow to see how it's stabilised.

Oh, and don't worry - I know the A and D string spacing is off in these shots - I'd only just put the Chromes on it, and after these shots it got a proper setup so karma is now restored and string spacing fixed