Paul S

HJ - how heavy are these? I suspect extremely, as they are mahogany...

Thanks for the input chaps. Well, I have a P-retro fitted to a bass (Thunder Jet, left) and know how that expanded the tonal range when coupled with a Kent Armstrong pup. My main query was really how much was down to the pup and how much down to the pre-amp and it is beginning to look like the Artec isn't such a good idea. Out of curiosity, I saw this in the classifieds here and wondered if it is a good pre-amp? [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=146780&pid=1315942&st=0&#entry1315942"]Spectre Tone Pump[/url]

I don't know if that explains what I am asking - I'll try to expand a bit. Background - I have an SGC Nanyo Bass Collection SB-310, which is the active version. It sounded a little bit thin when I first had it and, following recommendations on here, changed the on-board preamp to an Artec one. Very cheap, easy to do and very effective. Although the basic tone of the bass remained the much same, it seems to have opened up the range of sounds more. That probably doesn't explain it any better - hopefully you'll understand what I mean. Anyway, I have a Fender Precision Lyte which has a completely different sound to the Bass Collection - a sound I would ideally like to keep and expand upon. However, one of the boost/cut pots is defying attempts to be repaired. Getting an original replacement I am told would be expensive if, indeed, it were even possible. So I am thinking of putting in one of the Artec Preamps. As the pickups are Fender ones, not SGC Nanyo ones, I am hoping this would affect the sound in much the same way as it did with the SGC Nanyo bass - would it sound much the same as before but more 'articulate'? Or would it just sound like the SGC Nanyo - would the influence of the pre-amp overule the pickups - in which case there would seem little point doing it. Thanks!

I have a liking for skinny, fast necks - both narrow and shallow. Of those I have tried and owned my SGC Nanyo is probably the best - certainly overall it is my most comfortable and playable bass and the one I use for longer rehearsals. I haven't tried the Ibanez/Yamaha basses that look similar as I understand they don't bring much to the party that SGC Nanyo doesn't already do better. That might be wrong. Although looking completely different, a similar feeling neck for me is that on my Fender Precision Lyte, and also my Fender Power Jazz Bass Special (which beats everything else hands down on tone). I used to own a Fender Jaguar - this also has a very narrow and shallow neck. I believe the Geddy Lee bass also has this same skinny and shallow neck but I've never actually picked one up to try it. But another unlikely candidate is the Epiphone T-Bird Pro - I had one of those for a while and the neck was gorgeous - it's best feature IMO. Also some Peavey basses might be worth looking at - I had a Milestone III that had a lovely fast neck, I think maybe some of the 'better' models do also. But as has been said, if it ain't broke, why try to fix it - if SGC Nanyo does it so well, why change it* * With the caveat that I can't stop keep looking at others either....

Rhythm guitarist does this at the beginning of Crazy Train. It is played like that is some live versions, so I think he thinks there is an excuse.

I think this open grain light sheen finish is superb. There is a thread somewhere that I can't find called something like 'spraying the neck'? where trying to get an ebony finish on a fretboard is discussed. There is some leather stain/polish that brings up the wood like ebony, apparently - and I was wondering if it might do this to the body of a bass? maybe with oil or wax coating. Be easier than spraying to a clutz like me. I guess, as it isn't expensive, the answer would be to buy some and try it out on a scrap of wood.

How about a Sonic Blue scratch plate?

Thanks for that. Olive oil method?

These stickers are quite bright immediately after exposure to light but they do lose the strength of luminescence fairly quickly. Having said that they keep enough going to make them visible on a dark stage, even after my basses have been sat in a case for a while before hand. I believe you can 'top them up' with a little torch or similar - I have never tried as they work well enough for me as is.

Any update re this? Interested to hear how you got on.

I got [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Glow-dark-Vinyl-light-switch-stickers-x-9-/280462619707?pt=UK_Crafts_StickersScraps_Decoupage_SM&hash=item414cdff43b"]these stickers[/url] and used a hole punch to make circles. They stick quite well and only one has come off so far.

Weird one. Played a charity gig at the Haystack PH in Canvey just after the carnival had finished. Started off with a decent crowd that slowly evapourated until by the end of the first set we had maybe just 3 people watching. We almost didn't bother with the second set but decided to treat it as a free rehearsal. Anyway, by the end of the second set we had a small but loud crowd back and weren't let go until we had done 3 encores. A different, more appreciative audience to the first lot, I suppose. My gear sounded great but I played like an idiot and made more mistakes than ever. By contrast our guitarist has just got a new Gibson Flying V and I reckon he got a little bit of Michael Schenker with it as his playing was awesome - our last encore was 'Rock Bottom' and he was absolutely the nuts.

I have bought from this guy in the past - [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/saddle-bridge-height-screws-allen-key-/170672870834?pt=UK_Guitar_Accessories&hash=item27bce555b2"]iggypig on eBay[/url]. Not very dear. I can't recall what size they were now but they fitted both Fender and Japanese basses I had - I bought shorter ones than stock so that I didn't keep catching my hand on them.

Thanks for that. I'll see how the postage works out for the others, if I can find something to bulk up the order - if not these will surely do the job. ta.

They look just the job - to see a sub-£10 set of earphones listed in the top 10 with sets that cost £200 is pretty impressive. And that's an extremely kind offer - thank you! - but I reckon I'll get 2 pairs at least and shouldn't find it hard to add a couple of other bits and bobs. Ta.

As per title. I always break them - chuck them in the gym bag and they get abused, sweated, sauna'd and steamed - so no point getting HI-FI. ta!

[quote name='lowdown' post='1325928' date='Aug 3 2011, 05:38 PM']What Carnival ? Garry[/quote] Canvey carnival, which is back this year - [url="http://www.canveycarnival.co.uk/"]website here[/url] with the route, road closures etc in case you find yourself hemmed in and wondered what was going on.

Bought an EBS Unichorus pedal from Phil in what has to be one of the easiest transactions I have had on here. Good bloke to deal with - good comms, pedal was well packed and posted off as soon as funds had cleared - arrived next day in tip top condition. Very pleased - thanks!

[quote name='lowdown' post='1325821' date='Aug 3 2011, 04:19 PM']I see you are on the Essex Riveria, i am over on 'that Island' Now thats a good reason to up the medication[/quote] Ah - 'there'. I am a brave boy these days and venture over the border every Tuesday to rehearse. I forgot my passport once and was turned back but usually everything is fine. In fact my next gig is at the Haystack on Saturday - evening slot after the carnival! [quote]And I wouldn't let a lack of experience hold you back from contributing. I know absolutely* nothing and it's never stopped me smile.gif[/quote] Notice I didn't disagree....

[quote name='bluesparky' post='1325286' date='Aug 3 2011, 09:59 AM']I've bought and sold a whole bunch of things on here and i've met some jolly nice people in the process too. I don't really have much to add to what the main regulars have to say. There are many people on here who are experts in all fields who usually post before me so i do the on-line equivalent of nodding and raising eyebrows in agreement, i.e. saying nothing. I could simply post "hmm, i agree" all the time but i'm sure it'd waste everyone's time!!![/quote] I think this sums up my view, too. I don't have the wealth of experience that others here have to contribute so, unless I have something in particular or relevant to say, don't just post for the sake of seeing myself on the internet. But I think having a low profile can have it's downside - people seem less inclined to get stuck into a discussion that I try to start or just overlook posts that I make. In a thread recently I added my tuppence-worth, no-one commented. One of the high profile, 'pro' players made much the same observation and it the discussion carried on. Not saying that everyone should have an acknowledgement to every post they make but it does sometimes engender the feeling that there are cliques here. Either that or I need to up my medication

[quote name='Lozz196' post='1325653' date='Aug 3 2011, 01:51 PM']Lastly, I`d read reviews of the pair together, and they sounded so good, I just had to do it. Damn GAS![/quote] That's exactly why I am interested, too I have rehearsed and gigged my BF Compact now and, in terms of volume, would guess it can handle pretty much any situation. But if I were being totally picky, a little more top end would make it just perfect. I could live without it but, well, do I need to live without it?...

I'll be interested in reading your review. I ask this out of curiosity and with no agenda - why did you feel the need to add the midget to the stack - did you feel the compact wasn't able to do what you needed by itself?

If you have no issues with your back, storage space isn't an issue and you want to maximise how far your money goes then you can pick up used Trace Elliot gear on here for next to nothing. Pro-quality for entry level prices. 300W head with a 15" cab plus a 2x10" and you have a 'proper' rig that is versatile enough for any gig - and quite probably change out of £500.

Maybe it depends upon the vintage - all my TE speaker cabs had both jack and XLR sockets. The TC Classic 450 has a centre socket for jacks in the speakon socket so you should be ok either way - I used my old jack>jack until the BF arrived, then speakon<> speakon.

Medium, with an extra large bassface. I thought goatee beards were supposed to hide double chins? [attachment=86001:rfhs11.jpg] I was watching these vids the other day and noticed this bassist had his bass slung in a rather low and almost parallel to the ground kind of way: but in the same set he plays something a lot (!) more complicated and wears it much higher So presumably the first position is purely an affectation, which seems pretty silly IMO. Anyone know who he is BTW?