mattbass6

Hello fellow BC’ers. This may be a little lengthy, so apologies in advance. I dearly like some advice, if you don’t mind? I have been playing so much over the past 12 months, and everything has been fine. I use Vigier Excess 5 basses which are pretty high tension, and no problems at all. Recently I bought a guitar for my current album, just to lay demo ideas down until the hotshots didn’t their bit. I’m not the best guitarist, but I can play i.e. this is not my first rodeo recording guitar parts. Anyway, about 4 weeks ago my ring finger on my left hand started to ache. I didn’t think much about it, so just played through it. Last weekend I realised I might have sprained it. I realised that because I normally warm up on a bass, I don’t think about “playing”. However, when I play guitar, play chords, use a plectrum which is not natural to me, I have to concentrate more than usual and I may apply extra tension to the guitar to get it right. Since I figured it may be a sprain, I have strapped my fingers up, rested them, taken ibuprofen etc. They are definitely better, but it has woken me up. Has anyone else ever had this? What did you do about it? Should I look at lower tension strings? Should I look at a bass that has relief in the neck? The Vigier’s have very, very little? Any advice, shared stories etc would be greatly appreciated. This has genuinely worried me as I have so much to do, and I’m at the beginning of an album cycle, and one that is very important to me. Thanks for reading, and thanks in advance. Cheers, Matt

After the last tour I did, I realised I was listening to the bass more from the side fills, and FOH speakers. I was already debating going fully down the IEM route, and that tour convinced me. I sold my bass rig yesterday and I had no regrets, I will now buy a wireless system, and a Back Beat pack to complete my IEM setup. Can't wait.......

I wholeheartedly agree. I've been using class D amps for a number of years, but back in December I was at rehearsals and there was an SVT 8x10 that I had to use. Man, it was amazing. It took me back to when I had a Hartke 8x10 and a 1000 watt head. Sheer joy! All the dynamics were there, and there was a real punch that I hadn't felt in years. I was recently on tour with a well known artist and used his cabs, which were absolutely stunning. He had 4 4x12s, and the sound was monstrous. Unfortunately it's so impracticable unless you have a road crew and good storage, which this artist clearly has. I'd happily make a switch to the good old big rigs, but reality dictates that for ease of use and space, IEM's is the route I am taking. However, I will be keeping an amp so if the opportunity arises to play through a big rig, I'll have that option to do it.

^^ This ^^

That is very interesting to hear. I shall go investigating the OPB3. Thanks fir the heads up ⭐️

I had the original 2x10, and it was SO heavy for such a small cabinet. I have to be honest, I wasn’t a huge fan of it. Really, to get any real tone, you need to push the cab but it really couldn’t handle the low B too well. You would really need a 4x10 but the weight of that scared me half to death. The cab also had to go back due to an issue with the tolex. It came loose, unbeknownst to me, and sounded like a speaker had gone. Darkglass knew what the issue was, and solved it without a problem. A great company but, the cabs didn’t work for me. I sold it to recently. I’m going IEMs. These new cabs look interesting, weight wise. I’ll be interested to see how people get on with them. I also like that they have done a 2x12 version.

I had a few of Mk 1 TRB6. 3 of them were unbelievable, and I have no idea why I sold them. Gutted. There was a black one that was one if the best basses I have played. Idiot 😳🙄

It looks amazing mate, and I have to be honest, the 605 is the one I’d go for. As you say, a lot of bass for under a grand. I’d want something I didn’t have to mess about with, as my Vigier’s will always be my goto basses. As I said to Dave, above, I think I need to find one, try one, and see how I feel. Appreciate your help, and so grad you love yours. Let me know how you feel once you have changed the pre-amp ⭐️

Thank you Dave, for the information. They do look the part, and I bet they feel great but the electronics were always my concern at that price point. Interesting about the ‘B’ string as well. I think I need to try one. Appreciate your input ⭐️

I couldn't be happier with my two Vigier Excess 5 basses, they are truly the best basses I have owned/played, and they will always be my "go to" instruments but, I have huge GAS for a Yamaha TRBX505 and/or 605. I've had 5 Yamaha TRB6 basses over the past 15 years (all gone now), and loved them, but the craving for another Yamaha is rather large. Has anyone played/owned/sold one recently? What did you like about them? What didn't you like about them? If you have sold one, why? I love the look, and I like the fact they have a 34" scale length, unlike the TRB1005J basses. Cure me of my GAS, please.......

I’ve been looking at Stranberg basses recently, so these really interest me, and especially at the price point indicated earlier in the thread.......