Paul S

[quote name='DanH71' timestamp='1497543278' post='3319017'] Cheers Paul, But what is the access panel? Is it the chrome plate on which there are the tone and pickup volumes? [/quote] That would be it. If you post a picture of your bass that would help a lot.

You don't necessarily need to solder. Open the access panel at the back, find the pickup wires, take a picture of which one goes where, snip them and then use a screw terminal for rejoining the new pickup wires.

I had one done for a Shergold Marathon bass. Stock neck was 44mm at the nut and I managed to find a NOS Marathon neck which I persuaded Andyjr1515 to turn his not inconsiderable talents to. That meant I still had a Shergold neck but a slim one. Worked a treat. But for a Fender I don't see the point.

I bought an AKG D5, seems to suit my voice (ie deep rumbling noise) better than a Shure.

Of the lighter ones I have owned the heads I currently enjoy are Orange Terror Bass 500. It doesn't have a great variety of tones in the bin but I really like what it does - not everyone does so caveat emptor. Insanely loud, old school rock amp. Second place goes to Quilter Bassblock 800. Around the size of a box of matches, 800W, easy intuitive controls that make it impossible not to dial in a good sound, with an interesting break up once the gain gets increased a touch. I'd put those two above the Mark Bass, Genz Benz, TC Electronic, Eden, Ashdown, Harley Benton (= Promethean, Red Sub) heads I have had.

I have used both. Compact is more about rich bottom end, ok on it's own but designed to be used in conjunction with a Midget. Supercompacts are a more balanced or focused fuller range sound.

I have two supercompacts and find one is fine for nearly all the gigs I do. Mainly I use both if I am feeling decadent or one venue that had a large stage.

As an aside, I always thought this bass line reminded me of Riders of the Storm... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_MqvYipkrs

Another Simon and Patrick user here. I got a used one on eBay in good nick with a hard case for not a lot - I think around £200. Sounds lovely - too good for my cowboy chords, anwyay. Guitarist in one band who owns a Martin reckoned it was good vfm, which is quite a good endorsement.

TE Twin Valve? You posted an enigmatic comment on a zombie thread.

Jim bought my hipshot tuners in the very simplest of transactions. Travelled a way to pick up, too. A pleasure doing business!

Hohner B2 cricket bats were always my nemesis. No so much now I am more used to them - they are just so handy to carry around as a back up so I persevered. At first, 2 octave scale plus no head meant that my subconscious mental map of note positions was all over the place. Always seemed something of a lottery which notes I would actually be playing as my hand never seemed in the right spot.

[quote name='BassApprentice' timestamp='1496155774' post='3309186'] Keep your eyes peeled for the Squier Musicmasters. They have the 50's style single coil P pickups and are pretty well made to boot. I have one (my first bass) and it does the old school sound brilliantly! [/quote] This. Squier 'Vista Series' Musicmaster. Knocks spots off a Fender Musicmaster. Lighter, punchier, adjustable bridge, proper pickups. Different vibe to a Mustang. There is a lot of love on here for the Squier VM Jaguar shortscale but I have never played one.

I found the Fender Rumble 500 combo untameably middy for my liking (I like the scooped Trace Elliot preshape!) so that probably fits the bill ok.

Couldn't agree more. My BB425 (ahem, for sale in the classifieds..) is amazing for the price. The BB5000 I have replaced it with is superlative, plays and sounds so good.