Paul S

I am very tentatively feeling my way with just the one multi-effect at the moment - a Zoom B2-1U. My use of effects is very, very limited and, if it wasn't for one or two tracks with either band, probably wouldn't bother. Probably just as well I guess my best 'for instance' would be one thing I actually want to do. I have my amp set with the EQ level and the pre-shape switched in. I have a particular fuzz patch by way of a 'Muse' type of effect which is ok but on its own is too harsh and you seem to lose a lot of the 'bass sound' - don't know how else to describe this. When I route the pedal via the effects loop I can use a switch at the back to click in what they call 'parallel mode' and use a knob to blend the wet/dry balance. This gives me back the 'bass sound' but with some of the fuzz with it. So it is this that I want to try and replicate in the other head - this blend of wet/dry. Ideally I would additionally like to be able to switch this in and out with a stomp switch - so using my Musa example and when playing Hysteria, the bass starts on it's own with the wet sound - which is fine. But when the guitar/drum come in it becomes lost so I would want like to switch to a blended sound which gives the 'bass sound' back and the added depth. Maybe additionally a wet/dry balance, too, so the levels could be easily matched without arsing about with the pedal - although I have no doubt that may be easier than I imagine, I just haven't found a way yet. I don't know if any of that makes any sense but it is the clearest I can manage. I know what sounds I want, just don't know how to describe it properly!

Showing my ignorance here Dan - if full wet means effect only then, yes, that is exactly it. I don't understand the way the insides of an amp work to know the best way to route it - within the effects loop or just daisy chain the lot from the input jack? Certainly the set up in the Ah-300 head is just what I want to try and replicate - having it available at my feet would make it more useable, too.

I have a Trace Elliot AH-300 12 head that has an effects loop. It is possible, via an in/out switch and blend knob to have just the effects loop sound or, with the switch cut in, the effect sound blended with the post EQ sound with no effect. I think that is what is happening, anyway Whatever is going on, it is pretty useful and gives, for my own particular purposes, a better souund. I also have a Trace Elliot Ah250 head that has an effects loop but none of that other gubbins to combine the effect with the post EQ 'plain' sound. I actually prefer the sound this amp makes but miss not being able to blend the effects. Is it possible to get a stomp box of some sort that would enable you to have click on-and-off-able a/ just the effect sound and b/ a mix of both that can be blended? (c/ I guess a by-pass as well) I am sure it is, but have no idea what to look for.

It fetched £240 in the end, which I think was excellent value.

There's a Westone Thunder III on eBay [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220727014659&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT"]here[/url] finishing in 12 hrs, bidding currently at £165. I was having a little think about this myself but changed my mind. The Thunder IIIs have been going for around £350 just lately so it will be interesting to see where this ends up.

I sold my Thunder Jet for £75 recently so, yes.

[quote name='Krysbass' post='1097467' date='Jan 21 2011, 01:27 PM']Being able to master both styles is ideal. But I began playing with a pick back in the '80's and then switched to fingerstyle. Now I only play fingerstyle. I'd like to be able to do both, but I don't have the time to do the neccessary amount of practice to do them both well, so I'd rather be good at my chosen style than poor or mediocre at both. My choice of fingerstyle is based on my personal view (ie not expecting everyone to agree) that this is more versatile across a variety of musical genres.[/quote] What he said ^^ except with a pick - I started on a guitar in the 70s and I have stuck with pick. I'd love to master finger style but need to devote what time I have to keeping my pick playing right. Doesn't seem an issue for players in bands - you see footage of people like, say, Geezer Butler - who has that trademark finger style right up at the neck - playing with a pick on occasion. No big deal.

I think 'keeping it simple' almost defines the role of the bass guitar. Personally, I don't see the bass as an instrument for complicated soloing or showboating but to be a foundation for the fabric of the song you are playing. Bassist who are busy all the time wear me out, frankly. With the caveat that I say that from a position of technical incompetence

No, Jon, I haven't taken off the bridge. Knowing my luck I'd drop something important - I'm extremely cack-handed when it comes to stuff like this. Gary - what can I say?....

I'm getting a message here about the pup covers... Jon - nothing anywhere as far as I can see on the bridge or tuners. Whatever it is the bridge is nice - I recently fitted a Gotoh to one of my Fenders and I think this is just as good or better.

I do favour the stealth look but, well, I guess the cream covers were original. I bought the P-Retro unit secondhand - had I bought new I'd have gone for black knobs, then probably changed all the hardware too for a completel stealth look. Which would have been pointless, probaby, as the bridge is a good quality chunky thing and the tuners are fine. Jon - would the tuners be Gotoh or a look-a-like? Anyway, I'm still grinning and REALLY looking forward to giving it a blast tonight.

Ultimate here too. Does everything I need from a stand and it folds up and fits in my gig bag ok.

Another endorsement for OBBM. You could tow a truck with the speak cables I got from him and he is an absolute gent to deal with.

I think I will - black is best, I think. Shame the original routing is a little too small for a regular split coil cover. I have a black Westone Thunder - maybe the pup covers are the same as on the Washburn so I will have a fiddle first.

I have a Washburn Scavenger. You don't see too many about - I would say in my limited experience it was the upper end of the JapCrap market, built in 1979/80, probably by Yamaki factory, and IMO has a similar build quality to my two MIJ Fenders. Single split p-bass style pup. And this was a true 'loft find' - only played for the first two years of it's life, kid left home, bass put in loft. It is made of mahogany and very heavy - normally not a problem for me unless my back is playing up (which it is at the moment), 40mm width neck at the nut that just seems to fit my hand nicely. But I have become a fan of the active bass sound. So I thought I would spend a little bit on it to make it more suited to me - it is a good enough quality instrument to warrant the cost. I bought some Kent Armstrong pups, a John East P-retro unit and a set of DR Black Beauties. Then handed the lot over to my usual tech guy as I am a nonce when it comes to this type of thing. Got it back today. Apparently it wasn't straightforward to fit - lots of routing to allow the pot spindles and jack socket to protrude through the bass body. And the new Pup covers were slightly too big so the old ones are back on - luckily the pups fit ok. Would have preferred the black Kent Armstrong covers but, well, never mind. The tech guy says he hasn't fitted a John East unit before and he was well impressed - best onboard preamp he has ever fitted to anything. He even mentioned how good the soldering was! Anyway, my wife was out so I plugged it into a Trace Elliot AH250 head/18" cab. WOW. Playing it in passive mode the new pups have breathed life into it - much brighter and more powerful. But click up into active - woosh. Then click the other pot for the boost - woosh again. I have no idea of the range of noises it will make but it seems at the moment to be capable of all things. Have a rehearsal tomorrow so I should be able to put it through it's paces a bit while my back holds out. Had to tell someone before I burst! Crappy pics - took out the SD card on my better camera and it is elsewhere - bass doesn't look a whole lot different - new knobs and a polish. Charge indicator LED is on the back routing cover. [attachment=69316:DSCN0527.JPG] [attachment=69317:DSCN0528.JPG] [attachment=69318:DSCN0530.JPG]

[quote name='Lozz196' post='1093462' date='Jan 18 2011, 08:41 AM']I've only ever played Muscle Museum, for a covers band. When I heard it I though "how on earth will I play that" but once you sit down and work it out, it actually makes sense where each note is, and isn`t that difficult at all. I suspect that a lot of Chris Wolstenhumes basslines may be the same, in that they sound far more complicated than they really are. Which makes him a very clever bassist.[/quote] Wot he said. I am not a very technical or complicated player and when our band said they wanted to have a crack at Hysteria I nearly backed away from the start. But, yes, once you break it down into bits (there was actually a decent YouTube on this but I can't find it any more) it is actually not that difficult - I have learnt more difficult lines TBH that don't sound as complicated. I play with a pick, too - don't know if that makes it easier or more difficult?! But the easiest way to build up strength and speed is to just keep doing it. Using dumbells and tennis balls, IMO, gives you strength to use dumbells and tennis balls.

Me too, please - another Essex location here, this time Benfleet.

Just hypothetically, I wonder if it might have been possible to resin the strap lock button onto the screw then turn the button like a giant screw head? Don't know if resin glues are strong enough.

Fender Jaguar also has a skinny neck. As in width and depth. Also a Fender Precision Lyte.

Bought Jack's Zoom Q3 - great price, immediate dispatch, well packed. It has been a pleasure!

'Tis my pleasure to be the first to write feedback for zephead - Mike bought my surplus Gotoh-a-like bridge in a rapid. smooth as silk transaction. Have no fears! Cheers Mike.