JamieBenzies

I have recieved my Levy's strap from Gareth through smooth communication and a helpful attitude. Thanks very much, now my back may enjoy a small amount of respite Jamie

[quote name='2x18' post='694211' date='Dec 27 2009, 12:24 PM']Yes --- My personal preference is the Gotoh. ( The Hipshot is useful for the string spacing adjustment tho. ) Will.[/quote] What is the string spacing on the 201? I can't find it anywhere. Thanks

FX? Multi-FX? or you can go down my route and find yourself a bassoon...

I have gone ahead and used the wire wool, it works an utter treat! In fact I liked the change so much I then went on to treat my Ibanez with the wool too. I can now feel the neck in a more comforting way, the neck doesn't feel at all sticky and I can zip up and down it with so little resistance I may as well be playing air guitar! It's awesome. Thank you so much everyone, this has really made a huge difference! Jamie

[quote name='2x18' post='694108' date='Dec 27 2009, 08:45 AM']I have basses fitted with Badass 2, Hipshot, Schaller and Gotoh 201 plus standard Fender bridges. My current favourites ( on a P-Bass and a Jazz ) are fitted with Gotoh 201 and Badass 2. When I fit another bass with one it will almost certainly be the Gotoh! Will.[/quote] So even over the much more expensive Schaller and Hipshot bridges you think you prefer the 201? If so that's good to hear as 201s are available for around £40 as opposed to the £100 for the other two.

It's a wonderful surprise to come back to so much good advice after only one day! I think I'll try the general fine wire wool idea. Thanks very much everyone!

Over the last week or so I have been pumping out lots of posts regarding the changes I am making to my Yamaha TRB5 fretless. Now, when I played a Stingray a while ago I suddenly realised one factor that for me makes the bass a whole lot more playable, is the lack of varnish on the neck. Too me i feel this makes a huge difference and really sets my hands at ease... odd I know... So I was wondering, how could I DIY the varnish off my bass neck without risking unnecessary damage? Has anyone else ever done this? Thanks everyone

[quote name='captainhaddock' post='682871' date='Dec 13 2009, 11:15 AM']Has anyone ever fitted a aftermarket pre-amp in a Yamaha TRB series bass! If so did you have any problems/what did you fit? Any thoughts would be very helpful! Cheers[/quote] It's pretty easy! The only massive difficulty with TRBs is the pickups which are slightly bigger then everyone elses...it's rather frustrating. But yeah if you look for a preamp that comes with 5 pots it's quite a good starting point (unless you don't mind drilling new holes or anything like that). A few days ago I went ahead and bought myself the John East U-Retro 5 Knob Deluxe bass preamp, as the name implies this is a good fit and not to mention apparently sounding excellent. If you want I will write again when I have installed the preamp.

If you are willing to spend a little bit more try looking out for old Yamaha TRB basses. They often go for around the £300 mark and are really excellent basses for that kind of money... I still don't really understand why they sell on so cheap, the still retail at about £700! Just do a forum search on this site alone and you will see what I mean though. Good luck! Once you fretless there's no turning back :brow:

Hehe... My family got a load of 6 string funked up madness earlier while they were trying to watch a film 2 thin doors away. No mercy .

[quote name='The Burpster' post='692799' date='Dec 24 2009, 09:27 AM']Two Makes.... Schaller or Hipshot. Both very high Quality engineering and Uber reliable. I'd have anything out of either of thier catalogues.[/quote] I know Gotoh make excellent machine heads, but do you know if their bridges are well rated? If so these ones on Ebay seem quite reasonable: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/GOTOH-201-BASS-BRIDGE-5-STRINGGOLD_W0QQitemZ120460769008QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Guitar_Accessories?hash=item1c0c0576f0"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/GOTOH-201-BASS-BRIDG...=item1c0c0576f0[/url] I think I will stick with the more renowned with the trusted bridge makers if this isn't so good though. Thanks!

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' post='692673' date='Dec 23 2009, 11:13 PM']Kinda depends on the sound you are after. Heavy bridge is all about sustain and harmonics, but if its fretless, probably not what you are after.[/quote] What alternatives to sustain and good harmonics is there that is considered beneficial to your sound? I thought in any case that's what you are after?

I am doing up my old Yamaha TRB5 fretless and the time has almost come for a new bridge. So, I was wondering, what actually defines a good bridge? What factors improve your sound and how? And finally has anyone got any first (or 2nd?) hand experience of a good bridge that they can recommend me? Many thanks! Jamie

[quote name='bubinga5' post='690737' date='Dec 21 2009, 03:59 PM']Yes i have the U Retro in my Sei jazz....tis very good..very comprehensive...sounds awsome coupled with the Bartolinis in it..[/quote] Thanks for that, I have gone ahead and bought the U-Retro 5, should be arriving tomorrow to brighten up the day.

[quote name='XB26354' post='691931' date='Dec 22 2009, 10:47 PM']Apparently back in the days when he wore the bee top he used to sing "500 Miles High" in the original key sung by Flora Purim [/quote] He used to cover Chick? I have new found respect for the man!

Hello everyone, I am on the hunt for a new preamp for my Yamaha TRB5 fretless after deciding through various reviews and forums that the pickups are less of a problem then then pre. So far I have had a look at the U-Retro 5 Knob Deluxe by John East and that seems fairly promising with the whole tonal variation incl/the active passive functions. It's also convenient as it has the same amount of tone knobs as the TRB. Does anyone own one of his preamps and know how good it is? Any other suggestions? Thanks Jamie

I'm after my first double bass, if anyone is thinking of selling their's in the Devon area then please drop me a message. Despite this bass being my first bass I intend it to last a long time and so my price range goes quite high. However this doesn't rule out cheaper basses, which I would still definitely consider. Just drop me a PM with any offers! All offers will be appreciated hugely! Thanks Jamie

I think that names are necessary if they somehow derive from the equipment's name. For example I call my lead singer's synth keyboard 'Synthia' (which I'm pleased to say has caught on, even after being caught drooling on her...don't ask), the other fine example is calling my Trace Elliot bass head 'Tracy' but that's just obvious... I'm yet to think of anything fitting for any other gear, but I'm sure with the amount of time spent alone and in recluse from Christmas this year I will have some good'ns :brow:

[quote name='urb' post='675971' date='Dec 6 2009, 06:46 PM']Yeah that'll be that really souless, crappy singing, really awful bass and voice duet - I hate that too... No idea why anyone would enjoy that at all [/quote] I couldn't agree more! Bobby Mcferrin is just so stale and souless (apart from in 'Don't Worry Be Happy' of course, that's a well funny song). (beaut of a bass by the way)

[quote name='7string' post='673790' date='Dec 3 2009, 11:57 PM']Over-rated should be defined as whatever you think it should be. Personally, I reckon that Jaco, Wooten, Marcus Miller and Richard Bona are all over-rated. I have Jaco's solo album and I've heard Heavy Weather. Didn't do anything for me I'm afraid. The Beetle (VW) sounds the same everytime I hear him. I have the Yin Yang CD and some Flecktones stuff and play them every now and again. I end up turning it off after about 5 minutes. Marcus Miller has a great tone with his slap style but then the compostions are all a bit vanilla. I've heard that Bona makes people cry with his playing, but personally does nothing for me. Each of these guys has a legion of fans and is highly respected it's just that their music doesn't move me at all.[/quote] [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iimMKWF7SK0"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iimMKWF7SK0[/url]

Oh yeah.. and Stu Hamm anyone?

Everyone who mentioned their dislike for Jaco just listen to the last track of Heavy Weather named 'Havona', his playing in that is excessively good and his solo is simply beautiful. If you don't like that then... you don't like it, and fair 'nuff!