LITTLEWING

HEY, HEY!!! I took all the advice and did everything, bananas, fruit drink, exercises, warm-ups, breathing, relative hand/neck position and it worked a treat. Not a hint of cramp, no embarassing odours and I can now ride a bike, swim and do all the things I was afraid to do before. No, seriously, as with all activities it all makes sense. If you're going to play for two hours pressing down thick lumps of wound wire onto a hard wooden fretboard with your fingers, just get ready for it. Simple as that. Thanks again guys.

Wow, thanks chaps. Glad I'm not alone! I'll try all those before I do next Friday and Saturday's gigs.

Hi guys, not sure which section this should be in, but once in a blue moon my 'neck' hand index finger will cramp up in a fixed down position for a minute while playing a certain pattern during a long song. It goes after the particular riff is done, but it's damn annoying. I'm 54 years young, probably doesn't help, but it's embarassing when you're trying to give 100% and you fail for those few moments! Any ideas - more fluid intake, bananas (potassium), drop that particular number?

THAT'S where I'm coming from ! Over time, surely the 'board is being naturally worn away. I can't see for the life of me how squashing it into a round shape can be right. Also, what's the chances of the wood expanding again slightly under certain conditions ?

Okay chaps, call me stoopid, but I was under the impression that a very small amount of 'board would have to be removed to imitate natural wear. The idea of screwdriver shanks and spark plug sockets compressing the wood to form a 'round' sounds a bit odd. I was looking at a blade of sorts to actually shave the edge to make a smooth roll ?

I've had a Yamaha RBX375 for a few years and recently acquired a 775 which has an infinitely more playable neck in the fact that the 'board egdes are either rolled or has beautiful time-worn wear. How would I go about rounding the edges of the relatively sharp 'board on the 375 ? Apparently the frets shouldn't be rolled, merely smoothed with 0000 grade wire wool. All hints and tips greatly appreciated.

Just to add my 10 pence worth, I've owned an RBX375 for a couple of years and recently bought a 775 from a fellow 'chatter (obviously lost his marbles) and I would have to say that the neck on the 775 is incredible, rings like a well tuned piano and easily p****s all over a Fender P or Jazz. If I lost it somehow, I'd search high and low 'till I found another one. NICE !!!

[quote name='icastle' post='1201678' date='Apr 16 2011, 11:14 AM']Nothing wrong with that - it's exactly what it's supposed to do. In simplistic and technically nonchalent terms, a passive bass works by cutting frequencies and an active bass works by boosting frequencies.[/quote] Cheers for that. I have an RBX375 which has separate bass and treble eq's, I just wondered if the 775 was intended to to anything else that I was missing out on. NOT that it needs it. I have to say, it's the best bass I've owned to date.

Just out of curiosity, someone mentioned a fault with the Yamaha RBX 775 when it came out a while back. I've just acquired one, and when swithced to active the volume does volume and the tone does tone but with more oomph. Is this what it does or is there something more to be had ? I'm not complaining, it sounds bloody awesome even in passive mode, and that neck - soooo gawjuss !!

Jus to add my ten pence worth, I recently acquired a Vintage Stingray and yes, they do make rather good guitars and if their 'Ray is anything to go by I can't wait to get a real one. That fat burpy growl is just beautiful. and if that's what the crowd hears then that's alright by me. The only thing is, getting a long cable and going FOH during rehearsal is fine for getting that initial balance, but everything changes when the place is full of bodies soaking everything up. As far as I'm concerned, if it sounds good in our 'playing area' then all's good with the world for the next two hours. As for one's bass sounding different, we all play our own way so that's nothing to go by. Go play, enjoy !

[quote name='JTUK' post='1110562' date='Feb 1 2011, 06:54 AM']I get my local studio to make mine up and he uses the same cable as he wires all his stuff with. I am happy with that quality and the prices. I'd be tempted with the above recommendations. I am not tempted by most stuff from most shops. Get quality leads[/quote] Hey, listen very carefully. I vill say ziss only once.... OBBM (www.bassic-bits.co.uk) the ONLY guy for cables......end of transmission....

[quote name='Lfalex v1.1' post='1111498' date='Feb 1 2011, 07:36 PM']Have you tried going to a nearby (bass) amp stockist with your Ripper and giving it a whirl through various different gear? I have encountered a similar syndrome but to a lesser extent with some of my gear. In particular, my Ampeg SVP-Pro flatters my Fender Jazz and Fretless 'Ray 5, but not my Yamaha or Status. My Vigier sounds phenomenal through anything. Dunno why. It just [i]does[/i]..[/quote] Yep, gotta agree with the shop thing. Every guitar has a favourite amp which complements it. My Yammy RBX375 sounded pants thru my Peavey 300 combo, but good thru the TNT 150 and awesome thru my Ashdown Mag head and 2 x 15" Hartke. My Squier p-bass was pure Entwistle in the 300. It's trial and error I'm afraid, but when you find the right setup you'll be laughing. Bit like a woman, but don't get me started....

Just to add my ten pence worth, I was using a cheapo speaker lead from my Ashdown Mag head to my Hartke 2 x 15" cab, and didn't realise until I bought a VERY nice cable from a Basschat guy called OBBM how much difference a quality link made. Don't think twice, if you've got a non-descript floppy old lead, get a proper one today. £13.50 for a very impressive looking 1 metre cable with quality connectors and an even more impressive leap in clarity is money well spent. Honestly, you won't look back.

[quote name='Jam' post='1097161' date='Jan 21 2011, 10:00 AM']Yeah I've never had any problems with sharing with anyone, but you never know, one day someone might say no and I'd be scuppered! I've heard good things about Ashdowns, will keep my eye open! Cheers dude. Also, nice tshirt, Down are such an underrated band.[/quote] Personally, I can't rate Ashdown high enough. I have a MAG300 EVO II (307 watts) into a 2 x 15" Hartke cab and with a versatile amp and superb cab you won't look back. You'd be lucky to blow up a Hartke, ther're just about bullet-proof and the sound is awesome for the money. Also don't forget a decent amp to cab cable. There's a guy on here called OBBM. Great prices and even greater cable.

[quote name='LITTLEWING' post='1098211' date='Jan 21 2011, 11:21 PM']If they were gold plated coat hangers, then yes !! On a few member's recommendations I've ordered a 1 metre jack to jack cable from Dave at bassic-bits (OBBM). Soon as I've tried it I'll put a review on here.[/quote] OMG!!! All fall to your knees and hail OBBM. I just got an amp to cab lead for a bargain £13.50 and it turned my Ashdown head into an Ampeg in one swoop. This simple cable opened up the voice of the amp and made my Hartke 2 x 15" wish it was never born. Forget all these fancy makes and glitzy websites, Dave at bassic-bits is da man. I might just make up a T-shirt......

If they were gold plated coat hangers, then yes !! On a few member's recommendations I've ordered a 1 metre jack to jack cable from Dave at bassic-bits (OBBM). Soon as I've tried it I'll put a review on here.