Deedee

They are rather wonderful. I couldn't be without mine!

Thanks for the response. The reason for the question was that I was going to tackle it it the other way around I.e. Start with preshape 2 and then tweak that instead of tweaking preshape 1. Preshape 2 has always been a go to if you are struggling to cut through (it sounds crap on its own but will be heard through anything). This has only been brought on by one of those rehearsals/gigs that we all have from time to time where you set up as you always do but you just can't get the right sound. I used to use preshape 2 all the time, just using the EQ balance on my SMX amp to brighten where required. Since then I've moved on to just using the graphic or a mix of the graphic and preshape 1. It was this setting that just wasn't working the other night. Anyway, played a set last night at a gig with loads of other bands on. Listened to several other bassists playing various amp/cab combinations and they all sounded muddy or lost in the mix to me. So I set up just with the graphic (preshapes off) going through my BF Super 12 and it sounded awesome. Great comments from loads of people afterwards about how it was the best bass sound of the day. I even let the guy on after me use my rig, which he did and he didn't touch a thing on the settings. So, in a long winded way I'm saying that I think I'm now back on track with my sound after a midweek wobble!

One for the old skool Trace lovers this. Does anybody have an image of what the old Trace Pre-shape 2 would actually look like on the 12-band graphic?

[quote name='Japhet' timestamp='1467194182' post='3081758'] Mine has quickly become my 'go to' bass. I put a set of La Bella flats on it and a set of Custom Shop 62 pickups in it and it sounds lush now. [/quote] +1 for the Custom Shop '62 pickups. Awesome!

Beautiful. I must admit after years of being a Stingray man, I too am really enjoying that 'plug & play' simplicity of a decent Precision.

Are there any decent concert vids of The Smiths?

[quote name='Aqstyp85' timestamp='1466348002' post='3075131'] My Little TE porn! Still looking for a V4 Combo, Vtype 1528 and Vtype 1084 :-) [/quote]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?app=core&module=attach&section=attach&attach_rel_module=post&attach_id=221862 😳 Wow. That's pretty much all of my gas quenched right there.

[quote name='Delberthot' timestamp='1466239938' post='3074315'] I had a Peavey TNT150 many moons ago and loved the sound but due to the sheer weight, and this was when I was 18, I ended up trading it for a Trace 7210 combo and never really went back to try Peavey again. [/quote] Blimey I remember my TNT 150 being quite weighty, but I'm sure my Trace 210 combo weighed the same as a small car!

Very nice!

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1464620384' post='3060850'] However, compliance or elasticity - i.e. how the string 'feels' - may be affected by other factors such as round-core or hex-core construction, steeper break angles, length of string beyond nut or bridge. Meanwhile the tension must remain the same. [url="http://www.liutaiomottola.com/myth/perception.htm"]http://www.liutaiomo.../perception.htm[/url] [/quote] Ok, I say 'slacker', you say 'compliance or elasticity'. Either way, they make the same strings feel different.

Interesting question. I was told that the angle of the head I.e. the angle it leans back away from the nut certainly makes a difference to the tension, so perhaps a reverse headstock would do the same. I've certainly noticed differences between basses even when they are all 34" scale. I use exactly the same strings on my Precision as on my Stingray, but they certainly feel 'slacker' on the Stingray. In fact I'm just in the process of ordering the next gauge up for the Stingray to try and get them feeling more alike.

Post Gig Update!!! Took the SH out for its first outing with its new Custom Shop pickup last night. All I can say is that I'm a very happy boy :-) Played it through my Trace Hexavalve and the sound was clear, punchy with absolutely no issues cutting through. Unlike last weekend with the SPB1 pickup in, there was no need to employ the VT bass pedal. I just played it straight through the amp all night. The best way I can describe the difference is that it still retains the distinctive Precision sound, but it's thicker, less scooped and very consistent across the range. Think of it as a P that you don't need to accept any compromises with. The best compliment I can pay it is that during the gig when I swapped over to use my 3 band Stingray for a couple of songs, I had to add some boost to achieve the same consistent sound/volume across the strings that I'd had with the P. All in all, a highly recommended mod 👍

Well the Custom Shop pickup is in the SH Precision and first impressions are that it certainly does have a little more bite and tonal range than the SPB1 that was fitted previously. I'll reserve judgement until I've tried it at gig volumes on Friday night but so far, I'm impressed :-)

I've had a B3 for a couple of years now and wouldn't be without it. I'm not a huge user of effects but in a covers band it's nice to know that the options are there if/when you do need to reproduce a particular sound. A multi effects unit with a DI and tuner is a no brainer. My board (a small but perfectly formed pedal train mini) consists of a B3, a VT Bass and my wireless. The tuner on the B3 is great too. An online search will quickly bring up links to online forums showing lots and lots of patches that other users have spent time setting up and tweaking. Highly recommended :-)

I opt for for a mixture of the two. A lightweight Barefaced Super 12 gives me all the power and thump I need in a relatively small package. I pair it with either a Trace 250SMX head (12/13 ish kgs) or my heavyweight Trace Hexavalve (lots of kgs). Either way, the sound is awesome 😉

Well I had the opportunity to crank up the volume and try the bass out at rehearsal last night and very nice it sounded too. It gave that classic P tone perfectly, but did admittedly become a little lost in the mix. After a bit of amp tweaking things improved a lot and then finally by adding a bit of bite with my VT Bass pedal it sounded immense. So, decisions, decisions. Do I stick with the current pickup combined with the pedal etc, or do I try an alternative pickup which may still need a bit of external assistance to cut through 🤔 Sod it - Custom Shop '62 pick up in its way 😀