Beedster

There's no ideal set up, just play around with it until it feels and sounds right for the music you play. I like a lot of buzz low down, but some clarity around the octave and above, and set up accordingly.

C

[quote name='Beedster' post='769109' date='Mar 9 2010, 12:31 PM']The only bass above that might go is the '81....[/quote]

... but in response to a couple of PMs, it ain't going anywhere yet

[quote name='wateroftyne' post='770694' date='Mar 10 2010, 05:53 PM']TBH, I could probably get by with the Walkabout head alone. I've used it in some big rooms without PA support, and it's coped just fine...

But, I'm stuck with the MPulse so I might as well use it. [/quote]

I miss the switchable channels and the footswitch on the 600 a lot, but prefer the simplicity of the tone controls on the Walkabout (which sounds silly as I could simply leave them flat, but you know what I mean).

C

[quote name='wateroftyne' post='770657' date='Mar 10 2010, 05:23 PM']Hmm.. all this Walkabout chat...

I'm going to pull mine out of the combo and use it for the gig tonight. It's about time the big'un had a night off...[/quote]

I'm amazed how loud the Walkabout is compared to my old M-Pulse 600. OK, I never got the latter really angry, but even so, the Walkabout at 12 gain and 12 master through my two Bag Ends was as much noise as I think I could bear from a backline, and it wasn't an especially small venue! I guess it's the old watts versus dbs thing, but even so, I dread to think what the 600's capable of when pushed.

Have a good gig Michael

C

Thanks guys. Bob, email sent, thanks. Clarkey, I'll wait to hear back from the distributors before I get in touch with The Gallery (although if you hear anything from them please let me know). Having now decided the Mesa head's a keeper, it was only this week that I realised just how exposed it is sitting on top of a stack of cabs. Although the same was perhaps true of my old MarkBass heads, at least they could be used in their gig bags, offering a little protection, and a little bit of traction against the head also. The Walkabout head is quite 'slidey' atop a cab!

Cheers guys

Chris

Thanks mate, great looking case, and huge!

[quote name='Clarky' post='770580' date='Mar 10 2010, 04:14 PM']Sold [/quote]

Not the first of your ex's to travel John's way Clarkey!

[quote name='Clarky' post='770463' date='Mar 10 2010, 02:44 PM']....you can see it in the Mesa online catalogue on their website).[/quote]

Call me stupid, but I can't.......

Do you have a ink Clarkey?

Anyone know if there's a rack or rack mount kit available for the above? Can't find anything but I might not be looking in the right places. I'd even consider a custom job if the price were realistic?

Cheers

Chris

[quote name='Legion' post='770391' date='Mar 10 2010, 02:01 PM']I'd actually quite like to compare my Pino to your '64 and my Franklin to your '71 - you have the real deals, mine are the copies [/quote]



Has to be done mate. Get a few folks together, blindfold 'em, and give 'em the basses to play through the same rig. Problem is, both my necks are really well played in, so any feedback from the player would be biased by knowing they were playing vintage or modern instruments. Still, perhaps at a future bash we could at least put them side to side and at least get a feel for what the true differences between old and new Fenders are?

C

[quote name='Happy Jack' post='769019' date='Mar 9 2010, 11:30 AM']....a bit heavy....[/quote]

I didn't think so Jack. I used a fretted Stingray in the same session at which I recorded it, and the 'ray was far heavier (and it wasn't pre-EB either). I guess weight is always relative, but I've played far heavier basses.

C

[quote name='Legion' post='769269' date='Mar 9 2010, 02:17 PM']Collection is looking nice now Chris - and 3 is a spot on amount of basses IMO. Was down in Kent recently at the in-laws and wanted to arrange a meet but it turned out to be a flying visit...

Maybe next time

J[/quote]

You know where I am Jase. It would be interesting to A-B the '71 with the Tony Franklin, kinda Pepsi Challenge for vintage versus modern? With the exception of the specific PUPs, they're pretty similar spec'd basses after all?


[quote name='Tee' post='769796' date='Mar 9 2010, 09:46 PM']What kind of music do you play in your band, Chris?[/quote]

Newly formed originals band which is kinda bluesy country soul (interesting line-up, folk singer, blues guitarist. jazz drummer and a funk-orientated bassist). Aiming at a Little Feat & The Band type of sound. Getting there, albeit slowly. Couple of festivals lined up for the summer which will be our first real test. Also just getting into a kinda blues rock covers thing, but that's a little vague at present!

[quote name='JMT3781' post='769875' date='Mar 9 2010, 10:46 PM']i love that the oldest bass is the least beaten up

unless i'm getting confused... it is late[/quote]

No, you're spot on, it's in extremely good condition. One of the reasons I bought it was that it still has a lot of playing left in it. Its condition is also important in investment terms if I do ever need to sell it. Close up you can see the years of wear, there's a bit of buckle rash and the finish is starting to deteriorate, but apart from that, it's pretty good for 45 year old.

[quote name='henry norton' post='770192' date='Mar 10 2010, 11:33 AM']But what happened to your maple fretless?[/quote]

Still have the neck, although I've listed it for sale in 'Other musically related stuff' (http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=80016&hl=). I was just getting to the point where I had too many basses, and the differences between them were getting smaller and smaller. The '71 above has everything I could need in one fretless bass, and has allowed me to let both my fretless Jazz and fretless Precision go (I rarely used the neck PUP on the Jazz, and always felt the Precision needed a little more bite than I could get from the P-PUP alone). How's your maple fretless neck coming on?

Can you post mate?

Guys, can't thank you enough for all the input above. I've just bought Le Chat Noir's Sansamp VT, partly because it seems a good starting point but also because I need a solution sharpish - I've an audition upcoming and they've asked that I go through the house rig. Given I've spent many months getting my tone just right with amp/speaker only, this presents the possibility of showing up to be confronted by a mid-80's solid state Carlsbro', and whilst my fretted would be OK, my fretless needs some warmth to really sing.

I'm really interested in some of the boxes talked about above, and nearly bought an EBS valve thingy until I realised that it's about the same size as my head and rather undermines the whole small rig high portability thing! I like the look of the DHA stuff also, but as Clarkey pointed out in the other thread, mains power is a PITA sometimes.

Re getting the tone in question, my Mesa head needs no help, it has valveyness by the ton. The Micro SVT is great at low levels but I think could do with warming up at high volumes, it seems to lose some sweetness of tone when pushed. Much as it will drive, I'm always worried when that little LED stays on the whole way through a gig! I'll let you know whether the VT makes the grade.

Cheers

Chris

Great decision Clarkey, and a great bass. I find vintage fretless basses even more variable than fretted, and on that basis even more satisfying when you find one.

Looking forward to some vintage P-Bass comparisons when we next hook up.

C

[quote name='Jamesemt' post='769792' date='Mar 9 2010, 09:44 PM']I've got a brand new unfitted Gotoh 201 which I'd like to swap for a traditional looking bridge for a Precision.

Preferably a heavy duty bridge but must look traditional. Nothing flimsy though!![/quote]

Hi James, I've got the 203, new and in the box. Perfect for a Precision. Straight swap?

Chris

[quote name='Clarky' post='769425' date='Mar 9 2010, 04:52 PM']Tech21 VT bass pedal is the jobbie

Great replication of a range of (Ampeg-based) valve sounds from thick, warm and rounded (ooo err missus) to overdriven

Does NOT though double up as a DI (unlike Sansamp or MXR M80) so its just a stomp pedal ...but if thats what you need its really very good[/quote]


[quote name='Low End Bee' post='769428' date='Mar 9 2010, 04:54 PM']Or the plain old Sansamp does the job.

Must try one of these VT jobbies soon for a comparison.[/quote]

Thanks guys. Sansamp DI didn't really work for me, seemed to expand the tone a little but couldn't get the sound I was really after. Clarkey, does the VT do the Motown fatness and warmth? You know what I'm playing and what it's going through!

At the moment I'm liking the idea of one of the valve stmopboxes (e.g., Dave Hall, EBS). I'd really like to know whether they have the edge over the cheaper boxes. I'd also like to be able to turn on and off easily, or switch between tones if needs be (i.e., stompbox). Not really looking for a DI, but if the right box also doubles as a DI, well, that wouldn't be a bad thing would it!

C

Chris

Looking to get some valveyness through my Ampeg mini rig, especially for the fretless (the fretted seems OK TBH). Don't really need distortion, just fat warmth. I've looked at the EBS Valve Driver and similarly priced items but doubt I'll get the chance to A-B any. Any recommendations? I'd prefer to buy from the UK if possible
Cheers
Chris

[quote name='TPJ' post='769247' date='Mar 9 2010, 01:59 PM']PM'd[/quote]


[quote name='Moos3h' post='769275' date='Mar 9 2010, 02:26 PM']That'd work - perhaps meet at the legendary Jarman Park in Hemel? All the fast food, bowling and fighting you can eat/play/take!

Feel free to PM me when you're next about?

Cheers,
James[/quote]

Both replied

And to the party comes.....

Details in 'Beedster's Gear' in Gear Porn

[attachment=44487:CIMG0624.JPG]

[quote name='Clarky' post='769076' date='Mar 9 2010, 12:03 PM']Very nice Chris. P bass heaven! So is this definitely Journey's End? [/quote]

Well, it's a bit like women really isn't it. You always say she's the one...

Joking aside, I've come full circle to get back here. A lot of basses, gear, rehearsals and gigs have re-confirmed the tone and functionality I'm after. None of the above gear is 100% perfect, but they're all the best balance given money, taste, and needs (well, the '64 is a bit more than that obviously). The only bass above that might go is the '81, I love it but it's very contemporary sounding for a vintage instrument. I love the pre-amp, a real surprise given my previous experience of Fender electronics, but, well, you know....

Time will tell eh!

C

[quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='769067' date='Mar 9 2010, 11:55 AM']Nice setup, Chris. When did you get the '64? Nice colour, btw [/quote]

Link to '64 back story here [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=68151&hl="]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=68151&hl=[/url]

Link to '71 back story here [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=54801&hl="]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=54801&hl=[/url]

Yep, LPB has kinda grown on me. First gig with this a very enthusiastic chick came running up to me whilst I was still on stage and said "Your bass is awesome". I thought she was referring to my playing so made some kinda "oh, I'm not really all that good, it's a whole band thing" noises. She replied "I was talking about the colour"

C

It's been a long journey....

Basses:
'64 Fender Precision (June, my birth month). All original. Custom colour. La Bella DTs. Plays like butter. Sounds like velvet
'71 Fender fretless mongrel. Modified for J-PUP & ebony board. Lindy Fralin PUPs front and back. TI Jazz flats. Plays like butter. Sounds like velvet. Bit of snarl from the back PUP
'81 Fender Precision Special. Mostly original. Pimped. Active and proud of it. Strung with Fat Beams, does everything I need the other two don't do. Weighs in at 10lbs. The gold/brass hardware accounts for most of that!

Boxes:
Big gig rig: Mesa Boogie M-Pulse Walkabout head & 2 x Bag End S15-Ds. 300w of West Coast valvey goodness into two of the most efficient & tight 15's ever. Magic. Loud.
Small gig rig: The highly surprising (and tall) Ampeg Micro rig. Micro VR head plus 2 x SVT210AVs. Mid heavy in this configuration (but boy can you hear yourself on stage), bassier side-by-side on the floor. Either way, surprisingly powerful and toneful for 200W. Oh, and I can carry the whole rig, and two basses, in one trip!

Lovely bass this. I thought it was a '72 but was corrected by Mr Bassassin who pointed out it's not possible to state that with certainty with Ibbys of this era. I think the upshot was it's 'early to mid-70's'.

This is a great fretless for a beginner. Why? Because although there are fret markers on the side of the neck - and unlike most FLs at each fret - you still have to place the finger on the board using a combination of visual correction and hearing. Whilst you're learning, the lines are a huge asset, once you've learned, they no longer get in the way. It also prepares you for what happens when you play lined fretless on a poorly lit stage!

For those of you who think a fretless Precision wouldn't work (i.e., would prefer a Jazz), think about sticking one of John East's new P-Retros in this and you'd have an extremely versatile and vintage fretless bass for under £500.

Clarky, any decisions yet? You know my views.....

Chris

[quote name='Moos3h' post='768240' date='Mar 8 2010, 05:25 PM']I'd have the case if there's a way we could engineer a meetup? Do you head over hertfordshire way at all matey?[/quote]

Hiya mate, you're in luck as I travel up to Berkamsted once per week. Happy to meet between you and there?

[quote name='Jerry_B' post='768261' date='Mar 8 2010, 05:40 PM']Are the fretless necks lined or unlined?[/quote]

Both unlined

[quote name='Higgie' post='768377' date='Mar 8 2010, 07:26 PM']I'm guessing the maple will have faint lines as it was originally fretted. The P one is unlined I think. I'm sure Chris will be along soon to clarify![/quote]

Higgie mate, for once you're wrong! The maple is a factory unlined fretless. I'd like to say rare, but in the 70's they weren't especially so. However, having owned three such necks in the past I can say with some confidence that they're rarely in as good condition as this, Martin Simms did a great recon, it will have years of playing in it before it'll need any work, even with rounds.

Chris