henry norton

MusicMan! A Sabre (if you can find one) or a 3 band Stingray is plenty versatile in my opinion. 700 quid will also buy you a nice MIA Jazz which'll do everything your hot rodded MIM can but will have a quality feel and kudos you won't find so easily on an 'overseas' Fender.

A 2" speaker from a portable radio probably won't do but if you've got a reasonably sized speaker you know the resistance of (probably a 4, 8 or 16 ohm), the power handling isn't such a big deal so long as you don't turn it right up. I used a 100 watt Marshall valve head into a pair of HI Fi speakers once, and it sounded pretty good! Valve amps are actually quite tough (electronically), but it won't have all the safety features you'd find in a modern transistor based amp and no, you should never start one up without a speaker loading.

I used to have an unmarked, but found I got to know the little details and nuances of the ebony and started using those to reference my intonation if the light was OK. I also had one or two (neurotic singer songwriter type) people moan during sessions about the 'mwaw' sound seeming out of tune. I now have dots on the 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th and 12th positions. I've still got that cool looking and mind opening expanse of plain wood but also a reference for basic positions.

Just curious but what type of board do you prefer; lined, marked (with harmonic positions where the fret would be), or good old plain unmarked? And why, of course!

[quote name='Zach' post='647027' date='Nov 6 2009, 11:32 AM']I've got small hands, and unless you're trying to play something mental like portrait of tracy, it doesn't really matter.[/quote] Actually the bulk of Portrait of Tracy is played on false harmonics between the 3rd and 5th frets so even relatively tiny hands could stretch to that. Don't be put off just 'cos the self proclaimed "best bass player in the world" wrote it Oops, forgot to say; If you're near a decent music shop then go and try some - there's nothing like hands on and don't get too worried about scale length - even a 36" scale isn't difficult to play if the bass has been set up properly. Ibanez are good but I'd definitely try a few different types (4, 5 string, long, medium short scale and active, passive), so you can build a picture of the features you really want on a bass. Even if you're in the sticks it's worth a day trip to the city. 400 quid will buy you a good new bass or a very nice second hand one so wave the cash under their noses and don't be pushed into buying the first one you try. Good luck and enjoy yerself!!!

There do seem to be active and a passive players on the forum. I like both but do think that most players would benefit from playing a single pickup, passive instrument regularly to improve their technique and tone. It might have been that your original actives were a bit c##p....

[quote name='The Burpster' post='645940' date='Nov 5 2009, 08:31 AM']Just get one that's made of decent bits and put together well, and we'll sort the sound out when you get back...... They are eminently pimpable..... (I'll get mi soldering iron warmed up!)[/quote] Agreed. I tried a MIM P a week or so ago and it was put together really nicely. The pickup wasn't too bad either but it was the standard model, not the special.

Mahogany for the body if you want it to be close to a real TBird. I assume you're thinking of maple & ash because they're heavy and will go some way to counterbalancing the neck but bear in mind if you make it too heavy the weight could cause you more grief than the neck dive will. The Hipshots should help allot though. What pickups are you thinking of using???

[quote name='Musicman20' post='637364' date='Oct 26 2009, 10:17 PM']Whats your budget?[/quote] My budget is somewhat dependent on whether I sell my Marshall (and how much I get for it), but I probably wouldn't go much above 500 for a head or maybe 800 for a combo, something like that. I guess now the LM3 is out there are a few more LM2's on the used market? Good number of replies BTW, maybe the forum name should be changed to 'the MarkBass Appreciation Society'

Yeah they said I should try a head through a separate cab or two. There are so many heads to choose from though, I don't know where to start.

Been to the Bass Gallery today and tried a MarkBass for the first time (a Jeff Berlin combo). I'm very impressed and am now thinking about selling my 4x10 valve combo in order to acquire one of these. I particularly liked the mid scoop and the speaker simulator - for the most part I left the eq flat. I'm not sure about a combo version but I definitely like the amp. I haven't been this impressed in a long while.

I could be wrong but I think I've heard Pyramid Gold strings have purple silks. I'm wrong allot though

As with most things it seems to be the law of diminishing returns. 4 times the price probably won't make it 4 times better but there's a real kudos to playing a US built instrument (even a not so good one), and that makes it nicer to play. Maybe it is in the details like slightly smoother pots, better finished frets and more attention to blending the body sculpting, stuff like that that lifts some instruments above others. If you're hammering out E, A & D with a pick, through a distortion pedal and the bass hanging around your knees a cheaper bass might do you fine, but if you're into the detail and playability of your bass then the extra money is worth it.

By 'split coil' I meant the later classic Precision pickup shape, which has a flatter, squatter shape and (usually) more windings giving it less treble and more lower middle in comparison to the original 'true single coil' pickup on the 51. I would tentatively say the original single coil has a more modern tone in that it's clearer and more trebley compared to the split. To be honest, I'm no expert and I like just about all Precision varieties. If I was in your position I would get in contact with Barfuss and ask him how his product compares. He might have some sound samples.

[quote name='Delberthot' post='633645' date='Oct 22 2009, 07:32 PM']Having used the Fender stock pickup, quarter pounder & Lollar I can say that the Lollar sounds unlike any other pickup I have ever heard before. it could do what you would expect a high end P to do but it was the fullest, gnarliest, richest, clearest pickup I have ever used on any bass and when I actually convince myself to part with the $110 + postage then I'll get myself a split-coil one. When I bought the one for my warmoth, the exchange rate meant that I had it delivered for about £60 but it would be a lot more now.[/quote] The single coil Precision is a more 'hi-fi' pickup than the split coil anyway IMHO, brighter and clearer. So the Lollar is even more so than the Duncan?

I wonder how much it would cost if they decided to put the system in a Wal again.

[quote name='lozbass' post='632414' date='Oct 21 2009, 03:45 PM']+1 - there's not a lot of affection around here for mid to late '70s Fenders, but I'm not sure that a lot of the negative opinions have much foundation in experience (however, I could be very wrong). I've owned a few such basses and all have been excellent - if basic - instruments following a good set-up. I currently only have a mid '70s Jazz - it's monstrously heavy, but has a stunning classic Jazz tone (from burp and honk through to a gut-thumping, smile-inducing slap). I suspect strongly that the mass of the body has something to do with the inherent tone and sustain of the bass. Playability is fabulous too - super-fast and ultra-low action and not a buzz anywhere.[/quote] IMHO allot of the animosity regarding 70s Fenders is due to Tokai, Squier and Greco makng very close replicas of the earlier (like pre CBS) instruments to a very high standard during the late 70s/early 80s, whilst there were some slightly questionable quality and design issues surrounding the US originals (bigger headstocks, 3 bolt necks). It doesn't make the US versions bad and there's still that kudos surrounding the 'made in USA' transfer that gives them that extra.....'magic(?)' I should imagine quite a few complaints have come from people who've never actually played one.

[quote name='lowended' post='632631' date='Oct 21 2009, 07:09 PM']Hellooo everyone, Im here looking for a great pick up for 51 p bass... People talk about rio grande..., duncan antiquities, the great lollars, and a very few of them use to love Fralins in that bass... Thats what I was wondering to buy but I ve found this web: [url="http://www.barfuss-pickups.de/page6.php"]http://www.barfuss-pickups.de/page6.php[/url] they are cheaper than the rest and maybe are a great deal...somebody of you know something about them ???? thanks mates[/quote] Guten Tag! He certainly seems to know what he's doing, although when you factor in exchange rates etc. Duncans and Rio Grandes aren't much more (Duncans are less than 60 Euro from Thomann). However, if you're in Europe it is always good to use a 'local' producer as they can often tailor the pickup to your exact requirements. It might be worth contacting him to find out more about his service and whether he would be happy to have a pickup returned to him for tweaking/modifying. Let everyone know what you choose.

Agreed to all above, the fretless P tone is it - much nicer than either J pickup. If the Ebay thing doesn't work out you could always go the Jaco route and defret one. I ended up making a fretless ebony neck for mine which sang much better than the original fretted maple. If you can find a maple fretless though (and have the dosh for one), there's nothing quite as nice.

Silica gel is really for long term storage and transport in what could turn out to be 'questionable' circumstances. Damp shipping containers, freezing cold airfreight holds, draughty lorries. Once it's in the comfort of your own centrally heated home you can chuck it (unless you live in the rain forest or on a ship).

Is it OK to like both? I like zingy rounds [i]and[/i] flats. Unfortunately this means I really want two of each bass I play (fretted, fretless, short scale, semi). Now, what about coated strings eh????

[quote name='ivor fender' post='629756' date='Oct 18 2009, 08:52 PM']Please see attached pics of my JV '57 Precision Bass that I've decided to sell to a good home. Any advice on best way to advertise / go about this appreciated Thanks again everyone for taking the trouble to comment!! [attachment=34688:Copy_of_...Bass_025.jpg][attachment=34689:VJ___59_P_Bass_004.jpg][attachment=34690 :VJ___59_P_Bass_006.jpg][attachment=34691:VJ___59_P_Bass_008.jpg][attachment=34692:VJ___59_P_Bass_01 5 .jpg][attachment=34693:VJ___59_P_Bass_016.jpg][attachment=34694:VJ___59_P_Bass_017.jpg][attachment=3 4 695:VJ___59_P_Bass_018.jpg][attachment=34696:VJ___59_P_Bass_020.jpg][attachment=34697:VJ___59_P_Bass _ 021.jpg][attachment=34698:VJ___59_P_Bass_028.jpg][attachment=34699:VJ___59_P_Bass_036.jpg][/quote] That's near identical to my one although it now has a DiMarzio P and a Schaller J in the bridge position. It's not in as good nick either. Are you sure you want to sell this lovely instrument????

[quote name='BurritoBass' post='629092' date='Oct 17 2009, 11:09 PM']The double bass is the best instrument I have ever owned, bar none. I wanted one for 15yrs which I can't say about any of the other instruments I've owned. However it is horrendous to cart around and it confuses 99% of soundmen. Your decision is definately a head verses heart decision and I can understand it. But I sympathise too.[/quote] Thanks for the replies and yes it is a head versus heart decision although space and transport aren't the big decider once you take into account amps, cabs, gig bags and stuff. In some ways losing the fretted, fretless, short scale, amp, cabs etc. would make things simpler - just a DB sitting in the corner is very tempting but I've had to decide between one and the other and the bass guitar just won out. It's a close thing though, soooo close.

[quote name='Beedster' post='628105' date='Oct 16 2009, 06:08 PM']Many thanks for the advice guys, spent some time with Martin Simms yesterday and Poly it is. Can't wait to get it back Chris[/quote] Phew! Definitely the right choice there. Fretless maple is [i]defined[/i] by the smooth, glassy board and I don't think you'll get quite the same feel any other way.

The time has come - I've played bass since the age of 17 (nearly 23 years), I've played double on and off for the last 19. I've now decided there is only room for one instrument in my life as I can't afford the extravagance of having essentially two different instruments and the associated paraphernalia around the house. I'm in the middle of a barn conversion, looking after 3 kids, running a classic motorcycle and trying to learn a new language. It frightens me to even think about it... Life's getting a bit complicated now so I've decided to give up on the DB completely and concentrate on electric (it won't wake the kids up if I practice with headphones and can be hung on the wall, out of the way from jammy fingers). I feel like I'm closing the book on a big part of my life doing this and I feel rather sad but also somewhat liberated. I don't mean laughing at people struggling with DB's on the tube but more like I can walk allot further along the bass guitar path if I know the double bass isn't there to lure me away. It's a weird feeling though, good and bad.