hubrad

I'm not personally so into the specific models you mention, but this is my thought on any instrument.. If you've found one (whatever the brand, model etc) that blows your socks off DON'T LET IT GO! You'll regret it forever. Find something else to sell or else start saving if you want to seek out a specific model; you'll still have the real bonzer bass to play in the mean time. This is how collections begin

I use Picato Half Rounds on my Overwater J5 fretless.. that is my Rock bass of choice nowadays. I managed to become a Picato/Innovation endorsee (just to declare an interest an'all), but I was already using the strings long before that came along. 'S funny, now I'm using them regularly, I can fully understand why I didn't like them (I tried Rotos about 20 years ago IIRC) when I first tried them. At that time I was wanting a smooth string with the sound of a roundwound; doesn't exist! However in their own right I LOVE THEM for their fat and rich tone. I don't need the extra 'spoingg' of the rounds on that bass and for those gigs. Richer than flats, fatter than rounds.

I've been watching this, and have mentioned it to Overwater themselves. I've just had my THIRD Second Chance Offer on one of the range, this time it's a TO4A. It doesn't seem to matter by how much I missed it, a SCO comes through with a 'new from shop stock' type comment. Judging by this seller's 100% positive feedback I would assume the basses are really there and arriving, so it sounds to me like somebody is pulling a very naughty fast one, IMHO! These are supposedly (I've not managed to play one myself) very nice basses, being shifted on brand new at less than trade price!! Anybody in the know on this? If I'm correct in my assumption this activity can only serve to devalue the brand, both new and second-hand markets.

I'd just like to get my name on the beta testing list!! If you do get round to taking your proto set off....

If it really talks to you, you'll know whether it's worth it. If not, why worry?

The resistor, rather than capacitor, on the 2nd tone pot probably bleeds more mid-bass than treble so it will be a different tone control. As for the bit at the jack socket, I remember seeing that years ago (it's a resistor-capacitor or RC filter) and if it's been done right it has no effect on the tone but decouples you from mains earth. I can't remember exactly how it works, but I thought it was supposed to be on the earth contact to function as a safety device. Bloomin' cobwebs! Maybe someone else has more of a memory of this?

[quote name='owen' timestamp='1320926285' post='1433195'] Sorry, I came over all "MB1" there. [/quote] You'll be needing your coat then..

If you're swinging by W.Yorkshire you're welcome to have a play on mine, usually strung with Honeys. I've also tried the Orchestral Braided, which are slightly better under the bow but softer attack pizz. On balance as a general string I am in favour of Honey Jazz

[quote name='Muzz' timestamp='1320237837' post='1424083'] I'm taking a fricking euphonium next week. Maybe they'll spot that. [/quote] Class! I play fretless almost exclusively, and have learned to ignore the 'I'd prefer a fretted bass sound' comments as generally such comments arise before we even make a note and usually out of complete ignorance of how a bass can actually sound!

Excellent work; many thanks to Hamster and the admin team for keeping 'em peeled!

[quote name='timo' timestamp='1316547333' post='1379583'] Is that because they've got the sticky out wooden bits or is there more to it than that? Mine has the wooden things and that's only 65 is years old, or so I believe anyway. [/quote] Eyup Tim, I can't remember just who told me.. someone around Leeds College of Music I think. They gave me the impression it was a sort of changeover peg going from cello-like direct pegs to more 'modern' geared ones. Like I say, all guesswork on my part so if you know yours is more recent I'll not be disagreeing there!

Not my area of expertise, but I was once told that those tuners are a throwback to pre-geared pegs so probably 100 years plus in age. Where are you in the country? I'd take it to a decent repairer - someone on here will know of one in your area I'd expect - for a proper appraisal of value and neccessary work.

Hi folks, I'm posting this on behalf of a mate's band. The Extremes are looking for a bass player to fill the shoes of the guy in this video: [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TH1rkjxGCmE&feature=share[/media] Contact them via [url="http://www.youtube.com/redirect?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FTheExtremes&session_token=iGARytoj0Q063O448_RVVPWKdYJ8MTMxNjUxNzI0N0AxMzE2NDMwODQ3"]http://www.facebook.com/TheExtremes[/url] Bonus bit is that you get to play with Rich, who is one of my top favourite drummers in the county!

The logo now matches my T-shirt!

[quote name='apa' timestamp='1316023106' post='1373557'] Oh and since everyones puttin thier four peneth in............. NO Fretlines is the only way. Looks so dam sexy too A [/quote] Abso..lutely!

The headstocl pic looks to have MN7.... as the serial no.. can 14 years old be described as 'Vintage'? I think there's another discussion going on as we speak...

[quote name='fatback' post='1373236' date='Sep 14 2011, 02:03 PM']This is hugely important imo. If the dots on the edge of the neck are not on the 'fret' positions, get stick on paper dots and put them there. You could use a marker to dull down the original misplaced dots. Those dots are very very useful, especially when you're gigging and moving about the stage. You'll never regret the fretless. Your ears will improve immensely. Just make sure you learn to play with the correct left hand technique or you won't get reliably good intonation. And practice at least some of the time without looking at your hand. And that's the downside of fretless imo. if you are out of tune, you're worse than useless, you're a major liability. Intonation is all. [/quote] Intonation definitely helps, but as with any bass rhythm is king! You can be a bit out of tune if you're totally in the groove, but if you're out of time no level of intonation accuracy will save you. Good idea with the dots, mind.. you can rough-navigate by the side dots and let your ears get you into the right place. After a while muscle memory kicks in, so as long as the first note of a run is right you have a very good chance of staying on the path.

[quote name='gothpugs' post='1372617' date='Sep 13 2011, 10:14 PM']Went to see the bass, tried it, loved it and had to have it! ..... ...... I love the way it feels, and instantly took to the playing style, so much so that I'm selling my old bass in favour of this one, ....[/quote] RESULT!!

I'm totally biased, inasmuchas I picked up fretless first. If anything, I find fretted bass harder! Where in Yorkshire are you? You're welcome to pop over and try mine.. work south of Bradford is the most social for turning a decent size amp on!

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' post='1371211' date='Sep 12 2011, 10:45 PM']I have a router. Just this sorta thing isn't ideal first router project. Once the workshop is together, gonna get involve with the pickup holes and such.[/quote] Absolutely.. try fitting it in a spare plank first, get your chops(!) together before attacking a real instrument. If that's a good price (not looked tbh) then at least you have everything you need once you're ready.

Get hold of a router and learn to use it! With a bit of practice and a steady nerve (plus eye and ear protection!) it's very satisfying...

[quote name='far0n' post='1355898' date='Aug 30 2011, 07:27 AM'][url="http://www.bassfrontiersmag.com/nordstrand-mm4-2-pickups"]http://www.bassfrontiersmag.com/nordstrand-mm4-2-pickups[/url] Here you go... if you click on the pictures, one of them's the wiring instructions. I've wired mine in both series and parallel just to see the difference and series has way more bottom end but less highs. Quite boomy in fact. Parallel is far more focused in the mid-range, with extra highs for good measure.[/quote] Brillig - thanks for that, Faron!

...and another :-) [quote name='jakesbass' post='1370092' date='Sep 12 2011, 08:47 AM']I honestly couldn't think of any... I was trying for constructive criticism but found there wasn't any I could offer...[/quote] Likewise. Possibly a slightly heavier set to try, but as an experiment rather than any real need. I became an endorsee for Innovation, but only well after choosing to use them for myself. Good on you Daf, IMHO the only thing that Innovation/Picato lack is brand awareness; I believe Strings and Things, the parent company, are finally having more of a look at this.

You need to go and try one.. if it does something good for you then it's your call as to whether it's worth the money. If it does nothing for you, then why worry? I use a similarly priced cable called Cream.. subtle but appreciable difference, works for me!

[quote name='far0n' post='1350123' date='Aug 24 2011, 12:15 PM']It's ok folks... sorted. I was missing the wiring diagram out of the box but managed to find a review of the MM4.2 pickup with anice pic of the wiring setup. Phew... panic over ![/quote] Where did you find the review? They don't put a wiring diagram in the box, as they assume you're directly replacing a MM pickup.Frustratingly they won't even supply such a thing when asked - handy for the projecteer, NOT!