Bottle

Gonna follow this thread with interest. Always wanted a P-Bass with an MM pickup (think Sandberg California PM), this looks like a really good route to having tone nirvana! Let us know how it goes Ian PS any thoughts on how you're going to wire the MM pickup - series, parallel, coil tapped?

Hi Guys Well, where do I start? Have been helping a friend record a new CD this weekend, and she had asked me to provide a bass amp and cab for the session bassist to use (the studio only had a Hughes & Kettner combo, which had seen better days!), so I obliged by bringing my EBS cab and GK head along. Bit nervous as I've not really gigged the set up properly yet, so had my fingers crossed . But I needn't have worried . Seriously impressed with how easy it was to get a great tone out of the set up, makes me glad I'd opted for the GK head (thanks to Darren @ The Bass Merchant)- it's a cracking little beast. First time I've really had the setup at anywhere near gigging volume. The studio had several rooms and cupboards off of the main recital hall, so we were able to set up the cab and head in isolation, which helped a great deal. Mic'ed up the cab with an AKG D112 drum mic, and took a DI feed out of the bassists' Sansamp BDDI pedal. Got some great comments from the bassist and guitarist, and the recording engineers - all were impressed with the GK head matched to the EBS 4x10. So really happy with the outcome, and it's going to be an awesome CD - just listening to the rough mix in the control room I was completely blown away by quality of the recording. So one happy bunny - looking forward to bringing the cab and amp to the Bass Bash in October. See you all there! Ian

Cool stuff, Alex Looking forward to seeing some of this stuff at the Bass Bash. Had GAS for the Shuttle head (A/B/C'd an LMIII, a Shuttle 3.0 and a GK MB2-500 with my EBS cab, GK won me over, but would be interested to see how the valve pre on the 6.0 works - IIRC the 3.0 is a FET pre, didn't get on with it for some reason). Not really had a chance to stretch the legs on the rig yet - not been gigging for a few weeks, but I'm excited about going to the Bash (my first!!). Just hope that my Genz Benz GAS is not re-ignited, then I dunno what to do - really don't want to move the GK on yet Keep up the good work - best of luck with the Midgets

[quote name='MacDaddy' post='579585' date='Aug 24 2009, 09:33 PM']Blues name generator. [url="http://www.outliermusic.com/jokes_bluesname.htm"]http://www.outliermusic.com/jokes_bluesname.htm[/url] Apparently I'm [i]Blind Fingers Jones.[/i][/quote] I'm now to be known as Happy Fingers Davis (oo-err missus )

[quote name='silverfoxnik' post='579856' date='Aug 25 2009, 09:12 AM']Hi Folks Quick question: how many of you would like to have someone doing set-ups at the Bash? We have a couple of good people in mind but need to gauge strength of interest first before confirming... Thanks Nik [/quote] Will be up for that - it's one area of bass maintenance that I'm unsure about, and would need some guidance Ta, Ian

+1 for the Line6 Studio 110 (I use the Lowdown 110 for practice/jams/small gigs - and it's pretty good through a PA as well) Secondhand would be your best bet (as mentioned above). HTH

Crikey - no idea what first influenced me to pick up the bass, but could probably point to Paul Weller for inspiration - love the basslines on Wild Wood and Stanley Road - think it was Damon Minchella on both albums (but I believe Yolanda Charles also did some session work on Stanley Rd IIRC). Really liked how the whole ensemble fitted together, with the bass really underpinning the songs without being intrusive. Also remember seeing a short documentary on bass luthiers - I think it may have been Yolanda (again) having a custom 5-string made, can't remember the maker though. Muse (Chris Wolstenhume) has also been a big influence About eight or so years ago I got talking with a mate of mine who'd built his own P-bass copy - so decided to give it a go, however didn't have the discipline to keep at it. Once I started going to a church here in Cambridge about two years ago, I got inspired to pick it up again, so took lessons from a local tutor and got back into it - plus the GAS is incurable now, already planning what I want to buy next year (Fretless 4-string MM/J Pup'd Fender, maybe also a hybrid MM/P tuned BEAD - one of the first threads I read here on BC was Tait's Taitycaster build, could be a plan). Anyway, I've been inspired by all my fellow BC'ers, and I'm looking forward to meeting some of you at the Bass Bash in October Take care

[quote name='Jean-Luc Pickguard' post='568160' date='Aug 13 2009, 04:47 PM']Just an idea: I don't know if there are many players going that don't already do their own setups, but If anyone wants a free setup on their own bass while learning how to do it as a one to one tutorial including trussrod tweaking, bridge & pickup adjustments and possibly neck shim, I'm happy to do that - maybe we could have a setup bar if there's much demand & anyone else wants to throw their hat into the ring?[/quote] [quote name='MacDaddy' post='568395' date='Aug 13 2009, 08:51 PM']while I would never turn down a decent free set up, I do actually want to be able to do it for myself. I know the basics, but applying the knowledge under the eye of someone who knows what is meant to be happening would be invaluable.[/quote] +1 for both. Recently re-strung my 5-string, and it needs a little TLC, so would welcome the opportunity to really understand how to set up my bass properly. And I'm sure there'll be a pint (or three) in it Cheers, and see you all there in October

If you're looking for a cheap-ish interface to get you started, there's the M-Audio Fast-Track Pro, which I currently use (there are other interfaces around for similar money and performance). It's a USB interface and comes bundled with Pro-Tools 7 M-Powered, but should work fine with Reaper. I use Audacity which is free, and great for recording ideas and basslines etc. Can export to WAV/MP3, and allows playout of recorded tracks whilst recording new tracks. If you're then looking for multi-tracking live instruments all at the same time, an upgrade path would be to get a FireWire interface that supports maybe 8 inputs (MOTU would be a start) Decent vocal mic - ubiquitous SM58/Beta 58 would work fine, then buy a condenser mic + pre when funds allow. Decent stereo pre's, I would look at TL Audio etc. HTH, Ian

+1 for the fast-track pro - good interface. Needs some care setting up, especially if you're using Windows (XP). Should plug straight into a Mac without too much hassle, although it's recommended that you install the drivers anyway to make use of all the features. What application did you have in mind for the box? Works well into Audacity, very low latency. Haven't really tried it with the bundled software (IIRC it comes with Pro-Tools M-Powered and Ableton Live M). Fine for dual mono or stereo recordings - have had good results with my Rode NT4 microphone as well as recording/practicing with bass direct. Still haven't quite figured out how to use the SPDIF inputs at the same time though, also haven't tried the MIDI interface either. Good luck, and let us know how you get on Ian

Wow! A very interesting thread to stumble upon. Tried my new combination of cab + head at gigging volume for the first time yesterday (EBS 4x10 and GK MB2-500). First set with a quiet drummer was OK - didn't crank the volume too much, seemed OK with my Ibanez with passive J P'ups. Second set with our regular drummer (loud!!) - had to crank the level up so I could hear it properly, and it sounded much better. Still, would have been nice to soundcheck with our regular drummer first so I could sort out the EQ and to try it with my active 5'er. I think it's all very well trying stuff in a shop or front-room at reasonable volumes, but really need to try at real gigging volumes for deficiencies to come out. BTW tried a GB Shuttle 3.0 (not the 6.0), which doesn't have a valve pre, and a LM3 - wasn't impressed, couldn't dial in the tone I liked, really wanted to like the MarkBass, but it wasn't for me. Would like to try out a Shuttle 6.0 (maybe I can hold on till the Bass Bash? ) Anyway, YMMV Ian

Oooohh, will be my first Bass Bash (Yup, I'm A BCBB Newbie!!) Would love to come - it's a couple of hours drive, but this is the closest one to me. Interested in the workshops. 01. Silverfoxnik: Roscoe Beck V, Wal Pro2e, BC Rich Eagle, Fender Jazz V Deluxe, plus my recently acquired Eden Metro Rig 02. Merton: Status Retroactive, Mikey's Singlecut Fanned-Fret Prototype, LH500 and Barefaced Vintage 03. OBBM: StRay5, MB F1, UL212, something else. 04. Hamster: BFM Omni15 tallboy, Barefaced Compact, Fender P with Thumper & Villex PTB 05. Alex Claber: '87 Warwick Streamer, RIM Custom 5 with 36" scale and Q-Tuners, Avalon U5/QSC PLX3002, GB Shuttle 6.0, Barefaced Compact, Big One, Midget, Midget T, maybe Big Baby. 06. Johnnylager: Spector Euro 4LX, KSD Jazz, LH-1000, Barefaced Big Juan, DHA Custom Shop VT2-Twin-EQ-Bass with Tech Tube valves & whatever other effects I have at the time. 07. Happy Jack: Lightwave Sabre VL, Hofner 500/1 (1964), Hofner 500/5 (1959), PJB Bass Buddy + headphones. 08. MacDaddy. Custom Shuker (hopefully!) and possibly Hamer Blitz or Iceni Zoot. 09. Stingrayfan: G&L Tribute L2000, Yamaha BB614, Hartke LH500, Warwick 4x10 10. Chris B 11. Cetera: Pre-Kramer Spector NS-2, Wal Mk1 Fretless, Fender/AllParts 70's Jazz, Tech21 Landmark600, GenzBenzNEOX212T 12.Andyonbass. ACG Recurve, ACG J-Type, Pair of BFM Omni 10.5's 13.Waynepunkdude Fender Jazz, SX P Bass, DHA-DI-EQ & Ampeg SVT 5 Pro 14.Jakesbass Alembic MK5 Deluxe, German Blockless Wonder 1880 Double Bass (and the '78 Jazz if anyone wanted a go) 15.51m0n (& Plux if he's not gigging): Bergantino AE410, MarkBass sa450, Focusrite Compounder, Roscoe Century Std V, (If Plux isnt gigging) Berg HT210, HT115, Hartke LH500 16. Floyd Pepper - Markbass LMK, Bergantino HT112 & EX112, Stingray '91 2eq, Lakland DJ4, Stagg EDB, Epiphone Jack Casady and a Fender '54 RI Precision 17. davidmpires - Markbass F1, Barefaced Compact, Spector Euro LX 5, T-Bass by Status 18. molan - MTD 535, Spector NS5XL, Zon VB4, Alembic Rogue, Traben Bootsy Signature (!!!), Epifani UL502 & some Berg AE1x12's + who knows what else I may have by then 19. Platypus - Alleva Coppolo Jazz 5, Celinder Jazz 4 fretless, Tecamp Puma 1000 + a cab of some sort. 20. Prosebass - Current Builds at the time, Hofner S7B, Laptop , sequencing software , + amp and cab 21. Monz - Stingray 5 (la bella flats) Matamp GT200, Simms-Watt PA 100, Matamp 8x10 + Whatever else I have bought buy then 22. Alien - Schecter Stiletto 4, Peavey Grind 6, Hartke HA7000, Alien Audio 2x10 + other toys. 23. EssentialTension: Lakland Skyline Decade, Fender Tony Franklin Fretless Precision (and who knows what else) 24. silddx - Warwick Corvette $$ 4, Warwick Corvette Standard Ash active fretless 4, POD X3 Live, (I am praying I won't have it by then, but I will bring the Kopo Lina fretless 4 if I do!) 25. Phil_the_bassist: MMSR5 w/JE preamp, Sandberg Cali JM, Steinberger synapse5 w/ extra pup, various fuzz pedals and envelope filters, whatever amp I happen to own by then. 26. Stingray5 - My StingRay5, StingRay fretless and Tune TWB-6 plus any other basses in my signature pic if people let me know. I also have an Aria AMB-50B acoustic bass if anyone fancies a go? Could also bring my GT6-B. Plus ('cos it's small) a BLX-80 combo. And some cans...? 27 Urb - 1 x Sei 5 String Single Cut - 1 x Sei 4 string Jazz bass - EBS and Boss pedals 28 dave.c - Spector Rebop 4DLX EX, Spector NS2000-4, Gibson SGZ,Hartke LH500, Hartke Hydrive 410 29 WalMan - Wal Pro1/Custom conversion, G&L L2500 US, MarkBass CMD121H, Epifani 1x12 (not the neo one but I can't remember the initials just at the mo), Bass Pod xT Pro, Marshall SuperBass 100 head 30. Bottle - Ibanez ATK-305NT, Gallien-Krueger MB2-500, EBS Pro-line 4x10

I've always got good results from a Behringer DI-100, despite the low cost. Not bad for 25 quid

[quote name='Zoe_BillySheehan' post='556245' date='Jul 30 2009, 03:30 PM']Its the drill song! wooo lol[/quote] Oooookay - quite impressive tho' [quote name='Zoe_BillySheehan' post='556245' date='Jul 30 2009, 03:30 PM']i am SO excited.. everytime i see new footage.. i get more excited haha Z x[/quote] Please contain yourself Miss Zoe - we're British, don't yer know!!! . We're not supposed to get excited about anything (can feel a Fast Show moment coming on) Well, enjoy the show anyway!

So, So tempting.... I'm in Cambridge all day on the 12th September....gonna be difficult to get to the SBE for 7pm.... Loved the YouTube clip....wtf was with the cordless drills?

[quote name='GreeneKing' post='553229' date='Jul 27 2009, 09:23 PM']I'm lucky in visiting Colchester about once a month and The Bass Merchant is brilliant too.[/quote] +1 Went there for the first time on Saturday to try out some new heads - staff were really helpful, service was great (bearing in mind that it was a Saturday and full of kids trying their best Slash impressions on Guitard Hero) - needless to say got my shiny new Gallien Krueger. No experience of London bass shops - not sure it's worth the hassle, Colchester's only an hour away from home One happy Bottle

Hey Zoe Just listened to the track.....Awesomeness!!! (Cue WW inspired "We're not worthy!!!") Forget Tal and her Sadowsky, just loved the rich tone you've got going there! I've taken one look at that track and gone "Eeeek", but then I've only been playing seriously for 18 months (bit late coming to the bass-playing party), so hoooge amount of respect due there for giving it a shot. Only hope I'm anywhere near as good in 5 years time (if I haven't completely b****red my fingers up by then) Keep at it, keep posting and don't let the detractors get you down Take care Bottle

[attachment=28019:DSC00175.JPG] Still a work-in-progress - just bought the EBS cab off of 'thedontcarebear' - super job Spec's in sig - running the EBS cab from the PA power-amp (still GAS'ing for a new head)

Went to a jam night at the local (Five Bells in Burwell). Wasn't exactly chocka, and no PA, but a few guys turned up with a drum kit and guitars, and we had a couple of hours just noodling. It's the second time I've been, and it's been great to just jam, and get up and play - been hitting a bass-playing slump recently, and needed some inspiration to keep me going. Plus an attack of GAS Ian

[quote name='JBassist' post='522679' date='Jun 24 2009, 03:47 PM']btw on the switch on the atk what does triad and attack mean[/quote] The Trad setting (switch towards the neck) puts the pickup into Single Coil mode with a hi-cut filter. The Bright setting (switch centred) is the same but with the filter disabled. The Attack setting (switch towards the bridge) forces the pickup into humbucking mode. There's an excellent diagram on the Ibanez website which explains how the triple-coil pickup works HTH Ian

I've also got the 5-string version. It's a very nice bass to play, string spacing on the 5'er is a little too close, but great tone, and bags of sustain if you string thru-body. I'll also echo Simon1964's comments about how heavy and chunky it is, but YMMV The active tone controls are good, a little hissy with the pickup selector switch in Single-Coil mode, but lots of scope to dial in the tone you want. Give it a go and see what you think! Let us know how you get on HTH, Ian

[quote name='silverfoxnik' post='494757' date='May 21 2009, 11:06 PM']Nice set-up....[/quote] Sweet rig. I have exactly the same power-amp (Pro-Sound PS1000, lemme guess - bridged 500w into 8Ohms? )