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Obrienp

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Everything posted by Obrienp

  1. Obrienp
    I’ve had my SM58 pick up my cab off-axis and cause a rumble through the PA. The low cut filter helps (if you have one on your channel strips). On the odd occasion we have had the luxury of a sound man, so I get him to turn my mic up when it is needed (I’m only allowed to do a bit of backing vocals) and mute the rest of the time. The main singer’s SM58 Beta seems more resistant to off-axis interference but they are quite a bit more expensive. I used to use an AKG D5 and that was even worse for off axis interference. The right mic and careful placement can help but it is difficult to avoid this kind of stuff if, like us, you get to play in cramped conditions like most pubs and village halls.
  2. Obrienp
    I hope you are pleased with it. Given everything it has got on it in terms of hardware, that sounds like a very good price. Enjoy!
  3. Obrienp
    You are welcome. I can’t really say how Ray-esque it sounds, as I have only played a real Ray once briefly in a shop. However, the pickup is a full size Ray style brute, so it must be close, although the amount of wood in the body is pretty small, which must affect the tone a bit. That said, I have had some positive comments about the tone when I have used it a blues jam. I take it along to tease the purists who believe a Precision is the only bass for blues. Several people have said that the Starstream really cuts through and is the only bass that is not an indistinct rumble in that particular function room (it’s a very boomy room). I am assuming that means it’s got that Ray mid-presence. I wouldn’t take my word for it though. I would try before you buy if you can. The ergonomics, which come from the diminished size and the curves in the ABS outer structure, work for me but I guess they might not for everybody. The belly cut and the angle of the forearm rest are perfect for me but I am only 5’ 9”. I like unusual as well. I have a Nordstrand Acinonyx (now main gigging bass) and had an Ibby EHB1000 SS, which I only sold to fund the Acinonyx. I also have a Hofner Violin bass. Not everything has to be a Precision, or Jazz clone to be right.
  4. Obrienp
    Both the Music Man SS and the Sterling SS models are overpriced compared to their full scale siblings in any market IMO. They may be a smaller production run but the differential is just too wide to be justified by that alone.
  5. Obrienp
    The passive Starstream just has standard part bin hardware. The machine heads are Gotoh like. They look the ones used on the Gretsch G2220 and the ones on mine function fine. The nut is bone. Bridge as I said is fairly standard Fender 5 hole pattern. Chunkier than the one on the Gretsch and easily replaced with a Fender high mass (which is what I did), although not really necessary. No clues as to manufacturer of the pickup but it looks pretty standard Ray style. The electronics have a push/pull volume to switch between parallel and series mode but no coil tap. Passive tone control. Pots are usual Chinese issue and 250k to my surprise. The neck has a Jazz width nut and and is pretty shallow. It’s really fast and easy on arthritic hands (I like it a lot). The back is finished in a very light layer of satin and the board looks like Rosewood but I have my doubts at the price point. Ergonomics are brilliant. It’s really comfortable standing or sitting and it balances fine on a strap. It really is light too. The fit and finish on mine is good but I can’t speak for them all. Vox originally had them priced pretty high and then brought them down in price. A bargain IMO but you have to like different.
  6. Obrienp
    I used to think that a mirrored scratchplate could only look cool if Phil Lynott was holding the bass but that really works with the blue.
  7. Obrienp
    PM’d you.
  8. Obrienp
    Thank you. Actually that is very helpful for me. The kind of stuff I am playing requires vintage voicing, so I am afraid the cab is probably not what I am looking for at the moment but I am sure it will suit plenty of other people. It definitely looks the business and the weight/portability is fantastic. GLWTS.
  9. Obrienp
    Is posting out of the question?
  10. Obrienp
    Hi. I have been trying to find frequency response, sensitivity and SPL stats for these but there is nothing on the manufacturer’s website, or elsewhere on the web (as far as I can find). Ditto reviews, apart from one not particularly helpful demo on YouTube. Do you have any more info on it? Subjective I know but what is the bass response like and would you say it is vintage, or modern voiced? Thanks, Pat
  11. Obrienp
    Cracking job! I wish my work looked as neat when I do it!
  12. Obrienp
    I should imagine that it is because the split pickup, like the P bass pickup, is effectively a humbucker and therefore expected to be quiet. I agree there is no excuse for not shielding the control cavity. I always shield the pickup cavity anyway: belt and braces. That Mustang looks like a good candidate for copper tape shielding, which works better than graphite paint IMO. You might also want to check the grounding if it is very noisy. I join up the shielded cavities with ground wires and then take that to the ground on the output jack. Make sure the bridge ground wire is working properly too.
  13. Obrienp
    I agree. I play for enjoyment more than anything else but there are plenty of people who earn their living from music. If we play for nothing, we contribute to the devaluation of live music and undermine other musicians’ ability to earn a living from playing. As we all know, the money has largely gone out of recorded music and playing live is all that is left for most bands.
  14. Obrienp
    There have been some adverse comments around the forums. I have the Vox Starstream H1 (passive) and it does the ‘Ray thing pretty well for less than a Sterling SS and everybody notices it at a gig (if you like that). Mine is very nicely made. Only real issue with it is not being able to fit the usual culprits in strap locks: you have to use those rubber washer things. Otherwise it is extremely light, ergonomic and balances OK on a strap. I love the look of those genuine EB Ray short scales but the money they charge for them is just gouging the punters in my view. Even the Sterling’s are over-priced compared to their 34” offerings.
  15. Obrienp
    I’m surprised that this hasn’t been snapped up already! Mine has become my number one gigging bass since I got it a couple of months ago. Three hour gigs are no problem with it and it sounds fantastic. Those pickup combinations and tone switches give you an instantly available range of useable tones. It’s just brilliant. GLWTS!
  16. Obrienp
    Know what you mean about the speed in ceilidh music. I dept in ceilidh band, primarily on guitar but also some bass. Some of the pieces had three chord changes a bar, which really worked my chord changing speed on guitar. The other thing is that tempo is often sped up during a dance, so you go from fast to manic and have to hold on for about 10 minutes.
  17. Obrienp
    Thanks. Had to look up the Performer. That is one rare beast! Only made for 2 years in the 80s according to Wikipedia. I hope it sounds as good as it looks. I am very tempted to save up for one of those GRs but I like the sound I am getting from my 2 OBC112s with the Terror too.
  18. Obrienp
    Got to ask: what is that bass? Supplementary question: how are you finding the Terror Bass/GR Slim combination?
  19. Obrienp
    Had a 3 hour gig in a pub this afternoon. I was a little nervous as it was about 3 weeks since our last one and I thought I might get blisters but tried the superglue trick (the gel in fact). No blisters afterwards, so I am definitely going to do that again. Gig went well. Lots of compliments from the punters and a “drop us an email when you want to play again” from the manager, so all good.
  20. Obrienp
    It looks like a great bass with some excellent upgrades. I am not so sure about the depth of the neck, as shallow seems to work better with my arthritis. I will certainly keep it in mind for when I get some more cash together but I suspect you won’t have any trouble selling it.
  21. Obrienp
    Sorry, my original post wasn’t very clear: I have a few 30” basses that I bought when I decided to sell my standard scale instruments. One of those shorties is an Acinonyx, which is nearly 31” . This got me wondering whether I can: a) manage a 32” with my arthritis; b) whether there is any advantage to the slightly longer scale. Like you say, the best way is to try one.
  22. Obrienp
    Thanks but this isn’t helping my GAS 😀. The strategy is to try a medium scale: I have offloaded all my 34” basses in favour of short scale because of arthritis in my left hand. I am now wondering if I could manage a 32” . To avoid making an expensive mistake, my strategy is to try out a cheaper medium scale like a secondhand Ibbie Mezzo and if it works OK, go for something like a Maruszczyk. Unfortunately, even a Mezzo is in doubt at the moment because of the previously mentioned financial hit. I am having to hide my credit card!
  23. Obrienp
    Awesome! Sounded fantastic! Pretty cool pics too.
  24. Obrienp
    Thanks for the info on Maruszczyk ordering folks. Unfortunately, recent unexpected expense means it is not likely to happen for a bit but it is good to know how to go about it.
  25. Obrienp
    As a matter of interest did you order direct with Maruszczyk/Public Peace, or through Bass Direct? Just wondering what is the best way to do it from a cost/lack of customs hassles perspective.
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