carlsim

I seem to have an abundance of these I'm afraid, very grateful for the offer though...

That would be great - are you able to post? I can organise and pay for collection by Hermes if that helps....

You absolute diamond... it really would go to a good home hopefully inspiring the next generation of poor, out of work music producers who give up and work at B&Q.

Hi fellow basschatters... I am after your old tat or anything you might have laying around that you don't want. Basically, I teach at a 6th form college and deliver the A level Music Technology course. I am trying to put together a bunch of 'historical artifacts' related to music technology. Microphones, effects, old multitrack machines (ADAT, DAT, MD etc.) mixers etc. Anything that you may have poking around at the back of the garage which has long since been forgotten about. Broken is fine, as some of it might be pulled apart for demonstration purposes, happy to pay postage and can organise collection if local. I have been given some stuff so please don't get annoyed if I say thanks but no thanks. The idea is to have a table full of old tech which I can use in class. It is surprising how many young people have never seen a tape deck! I would be willing to find some money for the right bit of kit within reason. So, if you have anything you would like to donate, pop me a PM or reply on this post. It really will be going to a good home and worthwhile use. Cheers! Carl.

Last nights gig... played a 4 string bass for the first time on a gig in 20 years... always play 5... only did it as I was considering buying one. Now - not so sure... so much more work on the hands, i forgot how much more versatile that extra string makes a bass. What to do...

But what if the bass you absolutely wanted was only available as a 4???

As i suspected, a range of comments with me none the wiser! I have a gig tomorrow night and am borrowing a 4 string sterling stingray (the cheaper copies) to see how I feel. I know I can adapt to a 4 string with no issues, my biggest worry is will I miss the low B... will report back.

That is my concern exactly...

Posted this on another thread but didn't get much response so am trying here... I have always been a 5'er kinda guy... can easily adapt to a 4 and have done many a time but every bass I remember owning (apart from my first 57 reissue precision) has been a 5 string. I have a Sei Jazz 5 which I love to play and I currently have cash burning a hole in my pocket after a recent sale. Nothing on the classified grabs my attention. I have always loved a Stingray... I have lost count how many SR5s I have had over the years and every time I sell one, I get another a bit later because I miss 'that' sound. when it has been a while, you plug one in and say... "that's why I have a Stingray!" My current gig type doesn't really require that sound, however, I still want one. Basically I know of a 4 string Old Smoothie for sale with someone I know and as the Old Smoothie is less zingy than the modern Stingray, I am seriously considering one although I wonder if I will miss that low B. I do use it, but I reckon I can do without it. Or could I? Anyone been in a similar predicament? I'm so torn... the Old Smoothie looks and sounds great, it's a playability thing for me. Will I lose that adaptability I have with a 5? I know some people will say it's personal preference, just wanted some opinions before a pull the plug - or don't!

I have always been a 5'er kinda guy... can easily adapt to a 4 and have done many a time but every bass I remember owning (apart from my first 57 reissue precision) has been a 5 string. I have a Sei Jazz 5 which I love to play and I currently have cash burning a hole in my pocket after a recent sale. Nothing on the classified grabs my attention. I have always loved a Stingray... I have lost count how many SR5s I have had over the years and every time I sell one, I get another a bit later because I miss 'that' sound. when it has been a while, you plug one in and say... "that's why I have a Stingray!" My current gig type doesn't really require that sound, however, I still want one. Basically I know of a 4 string Old Smoothie for sale with someone I know and as the Old Smoothie is less zingy than the modern Stingray, I am seriously considering one although I wonder if I will miss that low B. I do use it, but I reckon I can do without it. Or could I? Anyone been in a similar predicament? I'm so torn... the Old Smoothie looks and sounds great, it's a playability thing for me. Will I lose that adaptability I have with a 5? I know some people will say it's personal preference, just wanted some opinions before a pull the plug - or don't! Carl.

I will second this - Andy was a diamond throughout and did everything he could to rectify the situation.

Bought Andy's Sei recently and despite some initial confusion with specs Andy did everyy in his power to get the problem sorted. An honest and admirable BC'er who I would wholeheartedly recommend to anyone for a positive transaction.

As the buyer of the Sei, it wasn't an issue with the j-retro itself, for me the format of the setup was something I couldn't get on with (primarily the lack of pup blend in both active and passive modes) - anyway, Andy was a top bloke and we got it all sorted. I would like to reiterate what Andy says about John - I had numerous discussions with him about fitting the uni pre and he gave me loads of advice as well as supplying a modified version to fit the Sei. Anyway - its a great bass, amazing preamp and John is probably one of the nicest guys to deal with out there. As someone else earlier mentioned, he is da bomb!!

@Maxillius just bought a Maruszczyk bass from me and was a pleasure to deal with from start to finish. A well recommended BC'er! Carl

I trialled the idea with an alto speaker, worked well but the QSC is another league altogether. I would imagine RCF, Yamaha would also give similar results. Don't compromise - if you are doing it, do it right.

I have just gone down this route and and am well happy. I run a EBS microbass 2 into a QSC 10.2 and I must say that the sound is the most natural, even and well produced sound that I have had for a long time! (I have been through Genz, MarkBass, TC, ETC.) I use it at quite a large venue and it really delivers, and it has loads of power!! Far more than I will need. I do prop it up on an amp stand as well and it has the added bonus that I can run my vocal mic into it and use it as a vocal monitor as well, using the thru output to go to the pa. It doesn't compromise on the bass sound at all. I don't know how it would fair if you played in a rock band with just backline, but if you go into FOH, and just need to monitor, this idea is second to none. A preamp pedal of some sort in my view is important for sound control. The 10.2 does have onboard EQ but would be a fiddle mid-gig. That to me is the only compromise. I was skeptical, but I am converted. No more bass specific amps for me! End of the day, it what works for you and this works for me.