Sibob

Made a quick demo of my Guma Antique build for your delectation: https://youtu.be/RFd51bJM5l0 1983 Squier JV Jazz, played with a pick, into the Ditto, then into the Antique, out into a Focusrite iTrack Pocket. Si

[quote name='ordep' timestamp='1483585882' post='3208499'] [IMG]http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd127/ordepresplandor/BE1CD9D4-FE89-48D7-BA0B-3270AEC5F56E_2.jpg[/IMG] the family along with their 80's and techno loving cousin on the right. [/quote] Ah you bought my old Maruszczyk? . Knew you fell in love with it at the Herts Bash . How are you finding it? Si

There's a lot that can make a high C sing or sound awful, scale length, fret size, string gauge, electronics. Personally I really don't like C strings on medium-jumbo frets (which most basses tend to have). I had a Fodera 5 string which was 33" scale and small frets, and that 26 gauge C sounded fantastic. The argument above which states that Cs are pointless because you can get "most of the notes on a bass anyway" is odd, especially because the same thinking can be applied to low Bs lol, you can also get 'most of the notes', you're only missing 5 extra notes in both examples . What does of course matter is context, I love having a high C 5er, great for chordal work & studying. You can obviously do that on a low B 5, but you either accept you're a 4th out in the same position, or that you'l quickly run out of space playing material in the same key as the high C bass. Ultimately, I had more use day to day for a low B, for transposing keys on gigs and retaining low notes, Bs, Cs & Ds etc, so I reverted to a bass with a Low B (which doesn't suit small frets IMO) Si

I agree, you may as well go straight to the interface from your bass (assuming the interface has an Instrument input), then just use a amp/cab sim VST for the rest. I recently recording an album with my Precision direct to my Focusrite Clarett and it sounded brilliant, didn't use any VSTs other than a little compression. Si

I wouldn't say they're that expensive, they seen comparative with other custom built basses. Si

Taking a 5er from B-G to E-C is easy, the most amount of work is changing the nut, and that's not always completely necessary. It's not a 'delicate' job, and if a luthier can't do it.....they're not a luthier. However if you want a bass that comes in that configuration to start with, try the Ibanez Volo: http://www.ibanez.com/products/u_eb_detail.php?year=2016&cat_id=2&series_id=53&data_id=70&color=CL01 Si

Finished my Guma Antique. Fair warning....the enclosure contains swears, but are quotes from the South Park film.....so morally we're cool. Sounds good! Happy with it [url=https://postimg.org/image/h9eedwmr3/][/url] [url=https://postimg.org/image/uetwk0gmn/][/url] Si

[quote name='Deedee' timestamp='1482952439' post='3203737'] With this in mind, I'm obviously very happy with the Squier/Fender P string spacing, but what about the Stingray 5? Am I correct in thinking that the string spacing on that is far narrower than the Stingray 4? If so, is the spacing on a US Sub 5 any wider? [/quote] 99% of 4 strings (be it a Stingray or whatever) have a 19mm spacing at the bridge. Most Fender/Squier 5s (if not all?!) will also be 19mm. ALL Musicman 5 strings are 17.5mm spacing at the bridge, meaning they'll feel quite different. Si

Mike Newell on here bought a Fodera copy from Ali Express and it was a heap of junk, so will be interesting to see how this pans out. It's a little difficult, as many people want to 'try a 5 string' (or whatever feature it is you're exploring), but understandably not spend a lot of money to do so. However, judging it on a £170 plank thrown together may not give you the best experience......so consider something else before giving up on 5s if this experience fails Si

I play the bass that is best for that given gig/session. Ultimately, 4 is home for me, but I've been going between 4s & 5s since the early 2000s, so am perfectly happy playing a 5 if the situation calls for it. Because I can easily get low Ds, Cs & Bs etc on a 4 using an octave pedal, 9 times out of 10, I'm only playing a 5 for one reason, if I'm unsure what singer is on a gig, and therefore what keys the songs are in that night. Changing positions on a 5 is infinitely easier to me than transposing on the fly on a 4 (a good exercise, but on a paid gig is often not the place to 'try it out' with tunes you might not know 100%). If I was going to own one bass, it would likely be a 5 string Precision (or a Fodera with a split coil in that position ), but luckily I'm able to own a nice vintage Precision, because let's face it, works in 99% situations, and have a great 5er for the situations that call for it Even on a gig that I usually use a 5er on, I recorded the album on my '71 Precision, and for the couple of low Eb & D notes dotted around, I simply tuned it down and dropped in single notes But whatever feels best to you, and suits the gigs/situations you're in! Completely take the point that for a lot of pit/sight-reading work, 5s & 6s are often best for easier positional playing! Si

[quote name='progben' timestamp='1482418800' post='3200410'] Those Focusrite interfaces look great. Are they compatible with Windows PCs or is it Apple only? [/quote] Our Clarett range of interfaces are compatible with Windows PC & Mac, as are our Scarlett range. Cheers Si

My yearly update. This is how I'm finishing 2016, and I anticipate the whole of 2017. L-R: 2016 Lakland Skyline 55-01 - The 5 String 1971 Fender Precision - The One 1983 Squire JV Jazz - The YOB Jazz Again, sorry for horrible lighting. 2017 is going to be fun Si

DiMarzio Model P + UltraJazz Si

[quote name='Tuco' timestamp='1482254863' post='3198964'] I fancy trying my luck with one of these... I'd say I was intermediate (at a push lol) So the drive kit is the B3k? What's the pumpernickel ?? I think the prices are fair tbh [/quote] Not sure about the Pumpernickel without looking, compressor I think?! Drive is B3K Antique is Vintage Si

Just purchased a Skyline 55-01 which I'm very happy with so far, great neck. Electronics are early days, might swap everything out, we'll see. A couple of tiny finish defects that I imagine wouldn't ever be present on the USA models, but for the price, its a helluva bass. Si

[quote name='Japhet' timestamp='1482252296' post='3198912'] Excellent choice. Lakland punch way above their weight on their cheaper ranges and the 55 01 has probably the best 5 string neck I've ever played. Love mine and it's such a versatile instrument too. [/quote] Yes already I can tell the neck is very comfortable. There's a couple of little touches I like too: - Always liked Laklands oversized neck dots - The dots on this are made from what looks like maple (or similar, Ash etc) Si

[quote name='bubinga5' timestamp='1482251418' post='3198898'] What is the spacing on these.? [/quote] 17.5mm......same as all MM5s Si

Still hoping for Bona/Palladino/Spalding/Pastorius (Felix obviously) Barenaked Ladies' Jim Creeggan would also be a great call, fantastic player and writer! Obviously budget is restrictive for american players, but still, I can hope Si

[quote name='scrumpymike' timestamp='1482234587' post='3198636'] Trouble is if they come back with full order books we could be waiting til summer [/quote] I simply mean for people who are going to email and then possibly have an issue if there's a little delay in reply etc . Si

For all of you 'I'll email after the New Year' guys & gals......bear in mind that NAMM is in January (19th-22nd) and so Adrian and the crew may be slow to respond through the month. I imagine it's a massive undertaking to get them and their stock from Germany/Poland to LA and back again. If you're waiting, I'd probably wait until start of Feb Si

[quote name='pete.young' timestamp='1482230295' post='3198578'] Not having this thread as a sticky is a right pain! Allt his talk of soldering surface mount components for the B3K/Vintage clones has me wondering if it's possible to socket the ICs for these designs. Anyone tried this? [/quote] There's no sockets for SMC to my knowledge, however some will have them on a daughter board and then (using header pins) insert the daughter board into a standard through-hole IC socket. Still means you have to solder the SMC, but allows you to use either through-hole or SMC with your board depending on what's available. Si

Owned a few 5 strings, here are my thoughts: Bass Collection 355: First 5 string about 15 years ago probably. Great bass, probably wouldn't go for the aesthetics/body size now, but the neck was fantastic, sound was good too. Fender Jazz USA Standard: I was playing a 4 string USA Standard Jazz, and I wanted a 5 string which was basically the same....which this was. Nice neck, lovely bass, although I'm not convinced about passive 5 strings, despite there being some of my heroes who play passive low Bs (Richard Bona, Anthony Jackson etc). Sounded good though. Yamaha 615: Sold the Fender and simply wanted a cheaper 5 as I had fewer gigs on it. Got hold of this for £180 I think. Helluva lot of bass for the money. Really good stuff, although didn't like the preamp, easily changed though. Fodera Matt Garrison Standard: Sold most of my non-essential bits and pieces to buy this, best 5 string I've ever owned, ridiculous quality, feel, workmanship, sound....everything. Would absolutely own another. Simply sold it as I had a baby on the way and wanted to be proactive rather than need to sell it at a later date and struggle. Xotic XJ-1T: This replaced the Fodera as a cheaper 5 essentially. Really really nice 5, the best Low B 5 I had owned (the Fodera was a High C). Really good quality/finish, sounded great, nice weight, Xotic are really helpful as a company. Would own another. Lakland 55-01: Buying a house and so wanted to free up some cash from the Xotic, sold that and bought this, again as a cheaper 5. I've owned this for about 3 days, so very early days obviously. Already I can say that it's neck feels fantastic, the fit/finish is very good (although not quite on par with the Xotic, £1500 price difference though). May change the electronics for something more up-market seeing as it came in way under budget, but we'll see after a few gigs. In conclusion, the best 5er was the Fodera, hands down. Beautiful to play, listen to, look at etc. Financially restrictive though obviously. Best value has to be the Lakland and the Yamaha......so I would check them out as your first point of call! Si