leroydiamond

Check out the Tecamp Puma 500. Honest wattage and modern tone. Also it is a plug and play amp with a very intuitive EQ. The Tonehammer is a very different beast, has oodles of power but is rolled back on the highs and is more about vintage tone. As always, if at all possible try before you buy

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1401135343' post='2460509'] I have found that a good strap helps quite a bit, and by far the best I have found is this one : [url="http://www.levysleathers.com/product;cat,818;item,545;Bass-Guitar-Straps-MSS2-4"]http://www.levysleat...r-Straps-MSS2-4[/url] They are expensive, but they really are much better that anything else I have tried. It's the only strap I have found that really helps with a heavier bass. I know that Geddy Lee uses a similar extra- wide Levy's leather strap on his Jazz Basses nowadays , so he must be feeling the weight more with the advancing years, too . [/quote] Cheers for this recommendation. I have been through the usual array of Straps (Comfort, Mono, and a variety of leathers) but have settled on the Duo strap, as it just takes considerable weight off my left shoulder.

Ok lets get down to brass tax here. Is it any easier to play YYZ on this bass ?.

[quote name='mrtcat' timestamp='1401087363' post='2459799'] Oh that's terrible. You have a fender CS bass with a perfectly aligned neck. Send it back immediately - it must have slipped past the qc radar. [/quote] I am well aware of Fenders qc or lack there of. I Imported a new Fender U.S. Jazz, sight unseen in 2010 and it was a dog. The frets were hanging over the edge of the fretboard, which rendered it pretty much unplayable. I have seen several CS models and some were stunning, some not so much. However when Fender get it right they can make a terrific bass IMO, but of course they should be getting it right every time. Regarding the OP's issues, I am of the opinion that he should not have had to readjust the bass' neck alignment at the neck pocket. If it had not gone right for him, he may well have infringed the conditions of warranty and be on sticky ground now, but thankfully this is not the case.

Thought I had bought a dud set as when I strung up my bass the strings sounded tired and lifeless. Tried a second set and the same thing.

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1400955065' post='2458580'] I too have got a seriously knackered shoulder Leroy , probably mainly due to strapping on properly heavy basses like Ibanez Musicians and Wals from the age of twelve , but the hard facts are that some basses are, by necessity, on the slightly heavier side. For most ordinary guys, anything under nine and half pounds is usually O.K and not excessive . [/quote] Same story with me. I reckon the crappy straps I used in the past have as much to do with screwing up my shoulder as the heavy basses. Totally agree the nine and half pounds is a perfectly acceptable weight for a bass. The last bass I pulled the trigger on was a beautiful Fender CS custom classic. A real beauty it was and only 9 lb weight. However despite my best efforts I found it too heavy and it left me in considerable pain after gigs so I had to sell it on. I still think about it

The one good thing about having a screwed up shoulder is the it seriously limits GAS for basses. FFS I am having to use a Gruvegear duo strap with my 7lb Sadowsky!. These Duo straps feel more like a harness than a strap initially, but necessity requires perseverance and I am pretty glad someone came up with a reasonably successful way of dispersing the weight of the bass over both shoulders.

[quote name='hiram.k.hackenbacker' timestamp='1400942716' post='2458405'] The Geddy weighs 9.4lb and the Pino weighs 8.4lb. It's my first gig tonight with the Pino and I'm more than just a little bit excited. [/quote] It must be a nightmare to figure out which bass to take with you

[quote name='Telebass' timestamp='1400920397' post='2458120'] Sense at last! The only duff Fender I ever had was a Jazz. A '68 Jazz. What a dog. [/quote] and for me 2011 Fender which was a total joke. (Imported it from the U.S. sight unseen). The Frets were hanging over the edge of the fretboard and playing it would have shattered my fingers. From what I hear QC at Fender is still an issue

[quote name='Paul S' timestamp='1400920542' post='2458122'] I find these difficult to use when everyone in the room is making a noise - it seems to pick up from everything else and get confused - have you found this, Mark, or have I got it placed on the wrong bit of the headstock? But, otherwise, at the moment I am bass>lead>amp (with tuner going into the back). I do like the simplicity of this set-up. Means a single trip to and from the car for rehearsals, too. [/quote] I have a Snark Tuner that is vibration sensitive only, meaning it only picks up the vibration from the headstock. If memory serves me right there is/was also a Snark tuner on the market with an onboard mic (I stand to be corrected) which may be picking up back round noise. But if its a vibration only tuner, it should only pick up information from your bass when positioned on the headstock. For what its worth, I ditched my effects years ago, use a quality micro head and neo cabs and could not be happier.

Never bring a backup bass but now you have got me thinking maybe I should

[quote name='hiram.k.hackenbacker' timestamp='1400834779' post='2457323'] Sorry man, that wasn't my intention. I had always admired the Pino and had hoped to get one some day if it ever came up on BC. As you know, they just don't that often. Completely unexpectedly and right in the middle of my wait time for the Geddy, I became aware of the Pino for sale. Literally as new, but less than the new price. I knew I couldn't let that pass and was lucky enough to be able to play before pay. I fell in love with it straight away and the rest is history. Damn thing still had the hang tag on it! [/quote] A Pino and a Geddy!!. Congrats dude and enjoy. Any idea what these babies weigh?

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1400773381' post='2456874'] I've no idea what the O.P paid, none of my business, but they have just got one in Guitar, Guitar and it's up for £3500. [/quote] yea it's a bit of a cheeky question, but curiosity is getting the better of me. Super looking CS and am really happy that everything has worked out for the O..P. I know all about getting that once in a lifetime bass and having the rug pulled from under me as soon as I picked it up .

How much £ did it set you back?

Go with your gut. With the money they are asking for CS basses, everything should be perfect IMO and the dealer should insure that is the case before it gets into the hands of the customer IMO.

[quote name='spongebob' timestamp='1400603678' post='2455382'] Nice to see 'Burn' getting some love. Certainly the sound of a band reinvigorated. Always loved 'Come Taste.....' as well. Different, but a little bit funky too. Just amazing how all this happened 70-75. When big bands today take 6 months to tune thier floor toms, Purple would have managed 2 abums and about 6 world tours! Got to love the improvisation of the live stuff as well - another big selling point for me as I love bands streching out. Another aspect of 'rock' acts of a time now gone. Perhaps this is why pretty much any 'rock' bands I love all finished in the era I was stumbling around in nappies! [/quote] Ah you have connection with Mayo! That's my home county. Purple were big in Ballina in the 70's

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1400589291' post='2455156'] Completely understand why you would use them! It's probably the way a lot of music stores are going to try and go. [/quote] Don't get me wrong, I am all for shopping in the high street, spending local and quite regularly pay over the odds for goods in the local store, just to keep the dosh circulating in my own locality. Heaven knows this country (Ireland) is throwing enough money at German bondholders, without me helping to fill another German bank account. But when it comes to getting my hands on the top brands in the Bass world, I have little choice but to spend my money with Thomann and their like

[quote name='KevB' timestamp='1400592488' post='2455215'] Wouldn't think Blackers would be remotely interested and Coverdale's voice is probably worse (in comparison to what it was in its heday) than Gillan's these days. Hughes is still in relatively fine fettle and with the demise of Black Country Communion would probably be up for a final big payday. Paice is quite happy doing what he's done most of his career - be the drummer in Deep Purple! [/quote] Its 'Deep Purple' by name only in my book and i agree that Coverdale is well pat his best, though he always gets lots of hot ladies at his gigs, which might be a good enough reason to have him on board

[quote name='bassman7755' timestamp='1400590181' post='2455167'] IMO purple were losing their identity by this stage and in hind sight you can clearly the emergence of the whitesnake sound (e.g. mistreated) and the rainbow sound (e.g. stormbringer). I still like this stuff but it somehow just isn't "proper purple". [/quote] Point Taken but 'Burn' is a sensational album IMO

Any thoughts on the notion of Blackmore, Paice, Coverdale, and Hughes coming back together and doing it one last time?. They are all still fine performers and if they knocked their heads together they could still put on a stellar show.

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1400587271' post='2455114'] To echo what Leroy has said, the simple fact is that everything is a time and a place, and Deep Purple's time ended nearly forty years ago. They were a great band back in their day- in many ways, better than anybody gave them credit for at the time- but the reality is that what made them Deep Purple ceased to exist back in the mid-1970's. Everything else has been a very pale shadow of that. Nothing can take away from what an extraordinary band they were though, and the transcendent power of their best moments is, quite rightly, the stuff of legend . [/quote] Nailed it.

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1400582842' post='2455056'] That seems completely fair to me. Those Tecamp amps are tempting! [/quote] Totally fair. I have hung on to the Tecamp Puma and with the TH500, I have everything covered (both purchased from Thomann). Tried a GK Micro and it is not my thing so back it went. They are great to do business with. There is not a music store for miles around here that stocks a fraction of what is available form Thomann, so it is a Godsend that if I need anything, I can order it, have it delivered to my home within a couple of days and use it for up to 30 days knowing that there is a no quibble return policy. Yu will not get better than that. plus I reviewed some of the equipment I have purchased from them on their site and they send me a 40 euro voucher off my next purchase. Where will it end with these guys.

[quote name='bonzodog' timestamp='1400573620' post='2454973'] +1 We have just bought a pair of these. Very clear sound and amazing value for the money [/quote] How would they come with putting a kick drum and bass guitar?