basshead56

Hi All, Just picked one of these up very cheaply while looking to build a second pedal rig for my upright setup. I got it and a Tech21 Bass Boost Chorus (for my electric bass pedal rig) for about 100 pounds, so pretty damn cuffed! I was hoping to use this as my DI box for shows where I won't have my upright amp (Ampeg B-100R), so running the bass (Baby clone) into my new Korg Pitchblack and into the Xciter. So far, I have tested it out going to the amp via the jack output and I have to say, I am quite impressed with the overall sounds I'm getting. First tried it on my 51 RI P bass with flats into my Mesa rig. So bass to Xciter to amp. WOW, what a beautiful tone. Nice little lift in the bottom without killing the mids or highs and spiking the volume - all straight out of the box! But not the reason I bought it, so onto the main affair - upright. Bass to tuner to Xciter to amp. Firstly, it is definitely true-bypass and there's absolutely zero noise, hiss or hum from this unit. It has even dampened some of the (very, very low level) feedback from the bass and amp setup. First set everything to 12 o clock and it sounds a little muddier than I'd like but it couldn't be perfect instantly! It definitely takes some getting used to and I initially just started by driving the Lo end (I guess instinctively) but it takes a wee bit of a play to get the balance right so as not to colour the sound too much. Otherwise it just gets subby and woolly. After about 40 mins of upping and downing the pots, I reckon i have found the right sound - at least for use with the amp (but again, this will most likely be used only for DI as I love the tone of the B-100R).\ I have set the Lo Tune to 8 and the Lo blend to 5 with the Hi Tone and Blend both around 7. I'm getting some decent bottom end from the bass and the highs are still clear without overpowering everything else. The character of the bass (with weedwacker style strings) is still very much there, but with subtle lifts in the 'boom'. I have a band rehearsal tonight so will report on the DI aspect later, bearing in mind that the PA at the rehearsal space is limited to say the least. I really hope it cuts it, cause I like the idea of slapping this and the tuner onto a Pedaltrain Nano and having a simple, space-saving rig (Hey a VW Golf can only fit so much in). If it doesn't work out, I thought I might spring for a Doctor J Sparrow and use that as the pre/DI, after the Xciter and tuner (obviously with the 'dirt' dialed back a bit) as I love my VT Bass deluxe but can't afford the VTDI at the mo. Cheers Colin

Fair point chaps. Right, well here are a few candids with some of my more retro-looking basses. Haven't had a play with any of the Fenders (bar the 51) yet, but it's Saturday morning and raining outside, so who knows what will happen today... [attachment=184480:20150220_170240.jpg][attachment=184482:20150220_172247.jpg][attachment=184483:20150220_172321.jpg][attachment=184481:20150220_172219.jpg][attachment=184477:20150220_165705.jpg][attachment=184478:20150220_165856.jpg][attachment=184479:20150220_170228.jpg]

Finally, after years of putting it off, I decided I HAD to have this amp. All I can say is WOW! Been using it with every bass in the arsenal for the last two days and no matter what, it needs virtually no tweaking. Vintage tone heaven. Main reason for getting it was for use with my Baby Bass clone and it does not disappoint! Buckets of thick, creamy vintage upright tone. Amp GAS totally cured and all it took was a trip on a little blue rocket

Marketplace here on this very site, my good man - plenty of decent fare for you're budget. If it has to be new, I like the new American Specials - excellent value. As are the original run of the 50's - pretty much the Roadworn basses without the relic job. lovely basses. Haven't tried a Nate Mendel but I hear they are excellent. Love the looks.

I sent an enqiry about that bass on Ishibashi a few weeks back! Damn, you got a sexy bass there! I bet it sounds anazing!!!

I've got a US SVT 4 PRO and a US 610HLF - big sound, big heavy gear. Worth it though - headroom for miles. Never had a moment's grief with this rig other than weight (it's all cased). Played a US SVT II and 80's 810 a couple of times and I think it was the nicest tone I've ever had (in my head anyway, maybe I am romanticising it a bit) - Just P Bass and SVT. Played a support slot last Saturday night using the main band's backline, which included a Vietnampeg SVT VR, through a Chinese??? B series 410 - awful, awful sounding cab. Couldn't get a decent sound out of it all through soundcheck, sounded really 'thin' and rattled a bit. Maybe a speaker issue, not sure but I quickly went home after soundcheck and chucked my Mesa Scout Radiator 15 in the boot. I asked the other guy if he minded if I used my cab for our set and offered to let him use it for his. He said go for it but was happy with his sound so wanted to keep using the 4x10 - he didn't like 15's anyway, "too flappy". I plugged in the cab and it was right first time, no tweaking at all needed - I even used his eq settings the way they were for our set too, just turned the volume down a touch. I played our set and the VR was huge through the Mesa cab, amazingly clear, a touch of grit and big! First time in ages I've turned my VT pedal off - no need to simulate an SVT when playing through the genuine article! The other guys went on after us and all but emptied the venue; feedback, hiss, terrible timing (not sure the bass player and drummer had even met before!!!) bass was noisy and in & out in terms of clarity and the singer was a twat! I love the 'Ampeg sound', it's that growl that gets me. I like my Mesa M Pulse for its clarity and the Marshall VBA for sheer old-school valve goodness, but Ampeg SVT's just have 'that' sound. When I get this wedding out of the way I will definitely be going on the hunt for an SVT AV and matching 8x10 (this may take a while!) Anyway, I guess the heavier US stuff is better, at least in terms of cabs, in my limited experience of nowt much else!

I've got a silver sparkle one and wouldn't part with it for anything. Had been searching for one for forever and found one down here for mere peanuts. Always loved Fat Mike's DC and a couple of other fave punk players have wielded them over the years. Missed an original 70's one in Black on Trademe last week for only $395 NZ!!! It was on there for about 2 hours... GUTTED!!!! If only i could get a commie red one... Anyone know where to get an aftermarket pg?

Preamp tubes perhaps? Do you sit the amp directly on top of a big cab?

I'd be quite keen on a $$ in black. Also a Vampyre.

Go for gold!!! Get the biggest, meanest rig you can - as long as transport isn't an issue. I have a few big full stack set ups. 8x10's are great - really love my Mesa. The Ampeg 610hlf is a great compromise - does the job, looks the part and easier to shift about. For sheer hair metal, fake codpiece ego inflation, nothing beats the Marshall VBA 400 atop two matching VBC 4x12's (even better when it all arrives at the venue in flight cases!) sheer overkill!!! But there is no better way to move air and make all the ladies love the low end!!!😝

[sharedmedia=core:attachments:152749] [sharedmedia=core:attachments:152750] [sharedmedia=core:attachments:152748] I had similar thoughts (and taste) but didn't go as far... My Butterscotch 51 RI Precision was nice but i wanted to make it feel a bit more 'lived in' Stripped paint, added slight contour, and refinished with a white blonde finish with a final clear coat over that (beautiful woodgrain showing through). Also relic'd the finish a wee bit around the edges. Added proper vintage wiring harness, new input jack and full cavity shielding (second japanese bass I've had with poor cavity shielding). I thought about replacing the stock pickup with something else, but have decided to leave that for now - really digging the sound. Also added appropriate bridge and pickup covers I also sanded back the finish on the neck. Now it feels amazingly good to play Chucked on some LaBella flats and she's now an old school tone-machine!!! Just waiting on a chrome tug bar to arrive from overseas and the rebirth is complete

[quote name='Lucien' timestamp='1413225143' post='2576096'] basshead56, very nice crop pf basses, and that blue P is a beauty! [/quote] Thanks mate Yeah, I've not really been able to avoid GAS like I thought I might- by travelling to the other side of the world I believe that I have proved, beyond reasonable doubt, that one simply cannot run away from the cursed GAS Just waiting for my container load of gear to arrive from back home and I will have one very large collection indeed!!! Needless to say, Mrs Basshead56 is not looking forward to said arrival! But yeah, the 77 blue P is a true thing of beauty. No matter how many more I've gotten since, I keep coming back to her. Just such a unique sounding and feeling Precision. I am looking forward to A/B'ing it with my Siennaburst and Sunburst 70's P's when they get here, just to see how different the necks, weights and tones are.

two Jags...

Not brilliant pics, but here's my one true love. Meet Heidi... 77 Precision. Refin in LPB with gold flake, SPB-3 pup, mirror pg and a set of nicely dulled DR Neons. Refin and pup mod was done before I got her. I bought it the week before I came to NZ - it was waiting for me here when I landed Simply the best Precision I own/have owned. Excellent tone, not too heavy, well balanced, beautiful neck. A true gem and an awesome way to start my NZ collection If there was a fire, this is what I'd save

[quote name='chrismuzz' timestamp='1412283299' post='2567572'] If anything, they went TOO far with their customer service. This is amazing. Hats, shoes, and underpants off to them [/quote] +1 That shows serious commitment to customers! Good on'em!

[quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1411334688' post='2558595'] I have two of those cabs - ironically you can't use two of them with the Micro VR head as it makes it produce nasty popping/cracking noises so I use them with an Orange Terror Bass instead! [/quote] Never noticed that with my Micro VR and 2 cabs. Is this a common problem then?

Hi Guys, Recently seen one of these: http://www.decibel11.com/Hot-Stone-Deluxe-Power-Supply.html Looks like I could use a current doubler on 12v side of the 1st and 2nd outputs to gain enough current to support the 550ma or so that is required by the awkward and thirsty MB Super Synth that plagues my otherwise Utopian board! Also, this would power supply unit would give me the 1 extral 9V outlet that I am short to add my new compressor Anyone know if this would be a safe option?

Second hand 2008 - present American Standard Jazz gets my vote!!! Simply the best in my experience so far. Build quality is superb, flawless finishes and man, can they sing! And the 2012 - current models have Custom Shop pups in them! Had a few Jazz basses over the years and then moved almost completely to Precisions only. Got lucky last year in a trade and ended up with a 2011 Am Std Jazz and overall, I swear it is the best bass I've ever owned. It is stunning to look at, hold and play. It's light, the neck feels perfect and it has so much growl! I imagine if it had the word Sadowsky on the headstock it would easily command three times the price and that seems to be the only difference that I can find find between the two (based on the handful of Sadowsky models I've been lucky enough to try). Who knew Fender could make 'super-Jazz' basses themselves?! I read on another forum recently: "The Jazz is like a sexy young mistress, but you always go back to your loyal wife, the Precision!" don't know what to make of that really. Can't we all just get along... Try some Japanese Jazzes too - there are some great ones out there. Haven't had too much experience with any of the new Squier CV/ZVM Jazz models but i hear they are excellent! Try the marketplace section on this site, won't cost you four zeros...

Anyone A/B'd the older cow paint one v the newer white one? Is there a difference?

At least it wasn't the Southland version of Kiwi (the only real unique kiwi accent) - everything with an R gets four extra R's - eg "You Durrty Flurrt in yourr Purrple worrk shurrt" - it's brilliant! It's like a load of Irish and Scots on valium, so no different from home then... Every day down here is another adventure

Sorted. Current Doubler (Green TRex cable -7quid) sorted the issue. Downside, I now have no space on the FuelTank Jnr for any new 9v pedals I add. Will get a daisy chain. haha

[quote name='UglyDog' timestamp='1407499482' post='2521170'] Invercargill? That's Burt Munro country, isn't it? [/quote] The very same! I've given up the Roses of Tralee for the sounds of hoons on their motorbikes on windswept Oreti Beach! haha Chur bro, as the kiwis do often say

[quote name='Prime_BASS' timestamp='1404541253' post='2493532'] The MIJ jaguar has the 70s spacing, the MIA version I think is 70s but I haven't seen one in the flesh. The squier versions range, since they come in short scald too. Hope that helps. FWIW, I loved my Japanese one, excellent build quality, preamp is a bit crap though. [/quote] Love my jJapanese one too. Noticed on the Fender site the Deluxe (CIJ) series Jags have diappeared. Perhaps now they are part of the American Standard series they no loner produce them in Japan