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Fionn

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Posts posted by Fionn

    Basses with close string spacing

    in Bass Guitars

    Posted

    [quote name='3below' timestamp='1395868316' post='2407508']
    Said it for me, exactly as above but with Corvette Rockbass fretless 5. Not yet moved it on though... will be a bargain for someone.

    I was amazed that with 40+ years playing (bass, guitar, double bass) the few mm difference has thrown my playing. I just gave in and got German Corvette 4 string fretless :)
    [/quote]

    You do know that you can adjust the string spacing on a Warwick bridge, aye?

    Basses with close string spacing

    in Bass Guitars

    Posted

    A question for the community ...

    What basses do you know of that have a relatively tight string spacing at the bridge, or are fitted with a bridge which allows you to adjust spacing?

    I'm just asking because string spacing at the bridge has become critical to my comfort and technique, and I'd like to know which basses are designed as such. I only ever realise quite how much it affects my playing when I pick up something like a Fender. Are those 19mm? The strings feel miles apart.

    I play an old Aria SB, which has a spacing of 16.5mm, and a Warwick with an adjustable bridge which I have set to 17mm. That's about perfect for me. Nut spacing isn't so critical. the Aria has a 45mm nut so the strings run almost parallel, whereas the Warwick nut is 38mm (or thereabouts).

    Band breaking up, what now? play or practice?

    in General Discussion

    Posted · Edited by Fionn

    If playing with others is working for you, then I'd strive to continue doing that. I found that when I was in the early stages of the instrument, that playing in bands gave me motivation, inspiration, the vital context within which to really appreciate how the instrument works, and the input/playing/ideas of others can be good for making you think outside the box. My playing has always improved faster in band situations than otherwise.

    If you think the band is worth resurrecting, then give it a go. If that's not possible, maybe try to retain as many of those familiar musicians as possible for a new band ... or join something completely different ... or start something yourself? However you do it, keep at it :)

    If you want to improve as a bass musician I would say that working on theory and technique was advisable, whether you're currently playing bass in a band or not.

    Warwick machine heads.

    in Bass Guitars

    Posted

    I reckon that the angled tuners are great, both aesthetically and as an ergonomic consideration.

    [quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1395043389' post='2397894']
    It took me a good couple of months to get used to the angled machine heads on my Warwick Star Bass, and I'm still not 100% comfortable with them when changing the strings. TBH I find the whole paddle-shaped headstock completely ugly and if I had the cash to get it done properly the bass would be off to a reputable luthier to have it changed to something more in keeping with the look of the rest of the bass.
    [/quote]

    I love the paddle headstock. The design is neat and it suits a Streamer, Dolphin, Corvette, Fortress, Infinity, or a Thumb Bass Perfectly. I know what you're saying though. The Star Bass is so far removed from the traditional Warwick vibe that they maybe should have thought it all out a bit differently .... Send the Star Bass back to Warwick and get them to attach something more appropriate to the neck! The same could be said for the Vampyre, grrr!!! ;)

    NAD - MarkBass CMD 121P

    in Amps and Cabs

    Posted

    [quote name='Mornats' timestamp='1395100580' post='2398827']
    I set the volume to what sounded "bloody loud" to me stood in front of it and it sounded absolutely pounding loud and clear and punchy and just right. It was great. Then I find out that volume is on just shy of 3 out of 10 with the input gain just under halfway. Wow!

    I asked someone in the audience if the bass was too loud and they said it just sat right in the mix.

    So I'm a happy chappy. I don't even think I'll need an extension cab if I've got PA support in bigger venues (if only bigger venues would invite us lol!)
    [/quote]

    I too was blown away with the live impact of the combo alone, although I'll definitely get the extension cab. Not because I'll need it all the time. I just want control over my sound in as many scenarios as possible with this kit. I'd prefer not to use PA if I didn't have to. I don't like being completely at the mercy of unknown sound guys.

    Envelope Filters, what's hot at the moment?

    in Effects

    Posted

    Regarding synthy filtered fuzz tones, aye, the MXR works really well with fuzz .

    I've got my filter before the compressor in the chain (to milk the dynamic input), with my fuzz after the compressor for a nice smooth and even fuzz tone. I find that when the MXR filter and the fuzz are used together in this way, the tone is very synthy and usable. It's the best method that I've found for a useable and good-sounding synthy filtered fuzz tone.

    Envelope Filters, what's hot at the moment?

    in Effects

    Posted

    [quote name='Sibob' timestamp='1394936490' post='2396942']
    My go to filter for a really useable sound is the MXR, really flexible but really musical too.
    I'd be interested in trying out some other more esoteric filters, but for pure workhorse solid filter sounds, my vote is the MXR
    [/quote]

    This.

    You can get a real wet vocal thing going on, and it's as responsive to the dynamics of your playing as you like. It's no tone-sucker either. It holds its weight in the mix with as much of your essential dry signal in there as you please, without compromising the effect. Super flexible.

    If envelope filters were cheese, the MXR would be the funky blue stuff .... Quacktastic!

    Selling an amp on Gumtree

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    [quote name='permafunk' timestamp='1394891143' post='2396348']
    Am I being unreasonably paranoid?
    [/quote]

    Aye, pretty much.

    There are horrible b@st@rds out there, for sure, but it's a sad world when we cower in fear and assume such guilt of our fellow man in the street.

    best bass combo between £300 and £500

    in Amps and Cabs

    Posted

    [quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1394964990' post='2397078']
    Agree re Genz, if you can source one for that money they look to be real bargains. Also agree re Markbass, there are a couple on here at present, around the £500ish bracket. Quality gear, great tone, great volume, and easily portable.
    [/quote]

    Everything he said

    Markbass CMD 121p and alternatives.

    in Amps and Cabs

    Posted

    [quote name='spaz91' timestamp='1394744870' post='2394801']
    1. Does the small cab size make it sound boxy and thin?
    2. Is it hand portable, in your opinion?
    3. Though the official website strictly prohibits it, is it possible to replace the amplifier with a different model?
    4. Is 12" really enough speaker coverage to play with a drummer?
    [/quote]

    1. No. It sounds fat and punchy.
    2. Yes, Incredibly light and compact for such a meaty thing.
    3. Yes, but I can't imagine why anyone would want to. The amp is excellent.
    4. Yes, absolutely. I play with a LOUD drummer and two LOUD guitarists, and the combo delivers clarity, depth, and presence of sound, with plenty head room to spare.

    I

    What does it mean to 'outgrow' cheap but good for the price basses?

    in General Discussion

    Posted · Edited by Fionn

    [quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1394625285' post='2393383']
    I guess the day you 'out-grow' a cheap instrument is the day when you realise that the problems you are having with the cheap kit are problems.
    [/quote]

    I would agree with that.

    Ideally, a player would be discerning enough by that point to make the right instrument choice according to what they understand and feel is good v's bad. It's wrong to assume that expensive = good. It's true to say that many an expensive bass has been "outgrown" in favour of a cheaper bass of higher quality.

    Best Bridge for Super Sustain?

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    Regarding the O.P ... If super sustain is what you want in a bass, then maybe consider an instrument with a neck-through body construction. Bolt-on basses offer less sustain, and bolt-on basses with neck shims even less so. High-mass bridges do make a difference, as does a brass nut for open notes. Certain wood types transmit greater sustain also. It's a fair point that folk make about fretless' though ... The finger with which you hold a note will dampen sustain anyway.

    If you're happy generating big sustain elsewhere in the chain, this can be well achieved with a compressor. Fretless, or otherwise.

    Sold

    in Basses For Sale

    Posted · Edited by Fionn

    [size=6][color=#ff0000][b]Sold: Pending Payment[/b][/color][/size]

    Adulterated [b]Westfield[/b] P-bass copy:

    Maple neck with rosewood board, no fret wear, fully functioning truss-rod, straight neck, 3-ply scratchplate, generic chrome hardware. It has a ply body which was originally sunburst and quite horrible, so I primed and refinished it in a kinda funky orange. I also removed the "Westfield" branding from the headstock and refinished that with shellac. I re-soldered all the wiring too, so all the electrics are solid. The strings are new, albeit of uncertain origin.

    The thing that has struck me most about this bass is the high output. It is significantly louder than my active Warwick. Quite astonishing really. Tonewise, it sounds ... erm ... Precision-esque.

    If anyone on here wants it they can have it for £50 + postage, although I'd prefer to trade it for something.

    [b]Trades: [/b]tuner pedal, pedalboard, or some interesting effect pedal.


    Tone: it's in more than the fingers

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    [quote name='brensabre79' timestamp='1394196833' post='2389024']
    I think it has often been said on here, and other places in response to the following sort of question...

    I wanna sound like (insert artist). I bought his signature model bass, I got the same amp he is pictured with in Bass Nerd magazine, I'm even using the same strings. But it doesn't sound anything like him. What am I doing wrong?
    [/quote]

    If, by accident of technique, he was doing that thing right, he'd approximate (e.g.) the "Steve Harris" tone better with the gear that Styeve Harris uses, rather than his dads old EB-1.

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