lanark

[quote name='Doctor J' post='949548' date='Sep 8 2010, 03:57 PM']When you run at full volume on a passive bass, essentially you're letting as much of the signal through as possible, as if there were no volume control at all and it's fine, your amp can handle it no problem. Instruments with active EQ, however, have a EQ boost funtions which can dramatically increase the output of specific bands of frequencies and can sound unpleasant to the ear, I'm sure everyone has heard the Stringray all-on-full sound more than once. Some active circuits come with an output level - usually found on the circuit board, which can cut or boost the general output level of the active circuit by quite a lot. If you've ever heard someone move from active to passive mode with a huge drop in volume, that's what you're hearing. Distortion isn't quite as desirable in bass as it is with guitar so decent bass amps, unlike guitar amps, generally have an input level control as well as an output level control as onboard active circuitry is quite normal in the world of bass and can accomodate passive and hotter active signals without distorting. The input level controls just how hot a signal is allowed into the preamp. Most amps will come with a clip light (or a needle on Ashdowns for example) where you can gauge when the preamp is starting to distort - as a rule of thumb I usually keep it just below the point of clipping. If you're still worried you can lower your pickup down, away from the strings and it will result in a quieter output.[/quote] Cool. So with my passive basses, I should turn it right up and and control the volume from the amp.

I know it's not recommended that you run your amp on full volume, but what effects does having your pickups set to full volume have? Would there be distortion? Or should they go to full volume all the tiime unless you're balancing pickups to get a particular tone? I know this is probably a daft question, but I've found nowhere that answers the question for me yes or no, so I figured I'd ask here.

[quote name='Rosh' post='804317' date='Apr 12 2010, 10:33 PM']I may have to drive upto to Manc, I'd pay a tenner to see Rourke![/quote] Just don't wear your Morrissey t-shirt.

[quote name='Rasta' post='948998' date='Sep 7 2010, 11:40 PM']Well, well, well....i believe the hype. I scored a cheapish second hand Squire CV 51P bass...i'm blown away how well it plays...even as stock! Jammed it this evening at 'my other' band and wow what a incredible, well made, simple yet sexy bass.....very happy. Think i may have to try the CV jazz now when i save some pennies. Sadly i was a little dissappointed with a recent VM Squire that i had but the CV seems leagues ahead in terms of of build quality. I'm a Squire CV convert....another to the list. [/quote] I'm looking forward to getting mine sometime next week (CV Jazz that is). Twill be my very first (and possibly very last) brand new guitar.

Played an open air gig at the York Peace Festival on Sunday. Went really well, stayed dry, wasn't too windy, people were up and dancing and the crowd demanded two encores. Can't be bad.

[quote name='Josh' post='731927' date='Feb 1 2010, 06:10 PM']It's simply down to playing on a soloed bridge pick up with the correct approach and adequate E.Q. The most agreeable example of the Jazz growl is almost everything Jaco played on: Who's got the better growl is purely down to personal preference, but as for a guide to what the Jazz bass growl is I think most of us would agree Jaco is the best place to start.[/quote] I don't know about growl but Jaco, whereas I obviously appreciate his skill and technical ability, epitomises everything I don't like about virtuouso instrumentalists. It's all "look at me, look at me" and almost entirely masturbatory. In fact I'd go as far as to say that Weather Report contain pretty much everything that puts people off jazz.

I'm not likely to get one anytime soon, but I was wondering if there were any good quality kits out there to build your own guitar? Sometime to get to grips with all the soldering, and stuff before taking on something major. Or would it instead be better value to pick up a broken / non-working guitar for next to nothing and tear it to pieces as a first project?

Well, I'm going to have to stop worrying. Trawling You Tube videos I found this classic clip of Fruko with Joe Arroyo from about 1979 and Fruko is definitely playing a classic Jazz. So I'm taking that as meaning a J is definitely ok for salsa.

I wouln't really say that I'm wanting to exactly replicate the P sound, just that I don't slap and I want fat warm bottom rather than a twangy clinky top. After all, I didn't really know that the P sound was before I bought the Affinity Precision I have at the moment. It's just a case of getting the best warm lows I can out of the Jazz. It's probably post-payment nerves. If I have the guitar in my hands I could experiment myself.

[quote name='chris_b' post='946046' date='Sep 5 2010, 12:04 PM']Why did you buy a Jazz if you wanted a Precision sound??[/quote] It's not so much wanting a Precision sound as that I'm used to a P sound and I've got it to work (with the sponge mute and flats), but the Jazz just felt much nicer to play. It's only since I've agreed to buy it that I'm getting the jitters that it's going to be all twangy and slappy.

I've just put a deposit on a brand new Squier CV Jazz and am going through the "did I do the right thing?" period. I'm used to the low P-bass sound, with flats and a sponge mute, but the Jazz was SO nice to play (especially as I'm small and have small hands) and sounded great too. My question is whether it's possible to approximate (or improve on) the low booming sound I was getting from my P-bass on this jazz if I want to? I'm getting flats put on as part of the setup and I'd like some pointers on how to get the Jazz to play with less zing and more oomph. (I play in a salsa band if that's any help with this question).

[quote name='dave_bass5' post='945401' date='Sep 4 2010, 02:05 PM']I also thought they were XL's when i got mine but i was pointed to a large thread on TB explaining what was going on. I look forward to hearing what you think of it as im still very tempted to get one.[/quote] Now that I've put the deposit down on what will be my very first brand new bass, I'm in that worrying phase - have I made the right decision. I'm used to a big boomy P-bass sound, wiith flats and a sponge mute. Although the Jazz was really easy to play, will I be able to get anything approximating that low end with the Jazz?

[quote name='dave_bass5' post='945279' date='Sep 4 2010, 11:07 AM']Nice one, im sure you made the right choice. Just be aware those strings are Fenders, not XL's. Made by the same company (D'addario) i believe but they are definitely Fender strings.[/quote] Ahhhh - my mistake. I think someone on a nother thread about the CV line had said that the stock strings were XLs. Anyway - I normally hate roundwounds and even I could get on with the ones on the display bass I tried out, so I reckoned it woudl be nice to have them in case I decide to swop them back for any reason. Should be coming in a week or so, so I'll let everyone know when it arrives and post pics. Doesn't have to be the end of this thread though - someone else has to stick up for the VMJ. I liked that one too, actually, but it didn't quite feel as nice.

Okay - I succumbed and now have a lovely white CV Jazz on order. MOR Music in York will conduct a full set-up when it arrives and are even going to change the strings to flats for no charge (AND give me the stock strings in case I want to change back to the XLs it comes with). So, for £299 I have a lovely bass a setup that would probably have cost me £30 and a set of strings that would have cost me about £25 too. Take that GAK!

Thanks for all the suggestions, guys. Every post just brings up a superb song. Wow - although I always kind of at heart prefer the grit and fire of Stax, the sheer consistant magic of Motown was unbelievable.

As the title says. I love JJ's style, but they're all so complex - every repeat seems to be different. So where would be a good entry point to plug in to the great man's style before buying the whole Shadows of Motown book / cd / dvd etc?

[quote name='jimbaby' post='943375' date='Sep 2 2010, 01:49 PM']Hi Thanks for the prompt and informative replies guys, just the job. Regards Jim[/quote] I've managed to snap the internal wiring on my Squier Affinity P-bass before now. I learned that if you're tightening your loose jack socket, don't just turn the nut - use something to keep that socket right in place cos it's dead easy to turn the screw thread enough to break everything inside - and every time you touch your volume pot the band holds their ears.

[quote name='jim_bass' post='941055' date='Aug 31 2010, 03:32 PM']I tried both the CV and VM Jazz when I was looking and found the CV had a much nicer feel. I love the feel of the neck - really well finished. I picked mine up on here for about £200 second hand.[/quote] Damn - nothing cheap ever appears when I want to buy it!

Love the contrast between the black strings and white body and scratchplate. Very nice indeed. Has anyone tried fitting bridge and pup covers to this thing?

Mormusic in York have just quoted me £299 including a full setup, for the CV, with a two week delivery time. I'm trying to get a good deal on a set of flats (as GAK are still quoting £260 inc delivery), because I'd really want to support such a great shop, but that £40 difference is a lot.

[quote name='absolutpepper' post='940921' date='Aug 31 2010, 01:25 PM']CV all the way. I have a CV James Johnston and a VMJ Fretless and although the VMJ is still really nice the CV is in a higher class in terms of fit, finish, sound and quality of construction. But....play em both and pick for yourself.[/quote] Yeah - I've played the CV and loved it ... a lot. I haven't found anywhere nearby that has a VMJ in stock though.