4 Strings

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[quote name='KingBollock' timestamp='1373415570' post='2137454'] My main bass has a neck through design but it created more problems than it was worth, due to poor design. I could really have done with a way to shim it. It's also a shape that is prone to getting bits snapped off, so that's a worry, too. Though I suppose of that were to happen I could route out a neck pocket in the body and replace it with a bolt on, or if there isn't enough body at that point I could glue one in. [/quote] Sounds like you're the one who needs to go and buy a Stingray first thing tomorrow morning!

Thanks for that idea, very useful, not what I expected. Hifi sort of sound. There's another with a Stingray, not as good a test (nor good a player) but confirms the general gist. I suppose I'd really like to know what it sounds like with dampened strings, whether you can get close to an upright sort of sound.

An upright? Same as a 'normal' pup? Half the volume? Terrible? Any experiences?

[quote name='chriswareham' timestamp='1373405998' post='2137343'] It's currently tuned for drop Bb, with the heaviest four strings from a five string set. I'm going to use strings designed specifically for detuning from [url="http://circlekstrings.com"]Circle K[/url] next time it needs restringing, and I don't think they have any silk windings at all which will look better than the red silk on the current set. [/quote] Another option is Newtone, they'll make strings up for you to spec. I've use their Platinums for a couple of years now, they remember the gauges etc (I never can) and make a set balanced in tension - hence the odd gauges. Have no intention using any other strings since.

[quote name='Truckstop' timestamp='1373325441' post='2136342'] I like the Heebie-Bee-Gees. Truckstop [/quote] "Meaningless songs, in very high voicehehehehes.." [media]http://youtu.be/T-gZKRKNy4w[/media] Fixed

[quote name='KingBollock' timestamp='1373409498' post='2137409'] This might sound a bit daft, but... You could always take a black permanent marker pen to the silk. No one would ever notice. I quite like the blue of the silk on my black bass, but now I've thought of that I might just make them black. [/quote] There you go!

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1373383428' post='2136947'] Ordered a two band, I need that classic two band tone in my life,I just wish musicman had made a five string in the 70's [/quote] You won't go wrong with either. I'll have the same choice to make myself soon, I'm having a custom made and will use one of John's MM style preamps. Let me know how you get on!

[quote name='martin lee' timestamp='1373374245' post='2136812'] My 73 Jazz [url="http://s1303.photobucket.com/user/martinleebass/media/jazz/DSC01762.jpg.html"][/url] [/quote] See, now this is why I like Jazz basses. I don't seem to be able to play them properly but what a good invention!

[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1373369513' post='2136695'] At the risk of sounding like a grumpy old man (which I am, I suppose), a lot of these issues could be solved straight away if the FOH was TURNED DOWN A BIT and the subs were turned down a bit more still. [/quote] Usually its the backline that needs to go down. Mind you, that starts me on another soapbox, the soundman control thing where he wants the backline to be so anaemically and uninspiringly quiet so he has full control of everything with a nice big margin. I have to remind him that he has a sound reinforcement system which reinforces the sound of the band where it's needed. If he doesn't need bass through the foh, then fine, it doesn't HAVE to go through. (This is for smaller venues of course, the real ones that I'm likely to play most often.)

[quote name='Lfalex v1.1' timestamp='1373140155' post='2134135'] Stingray and Trace Elliot ah300smx / 1048+ 1048h or 1548... Very 1990s, but good enough for the Levin, though. [/quote] Yep, this is a classic! > Actually, wasn't the AH250 the one to have for some reason?

[quote name='Jonnyboy Rotten' timestamp='1373358226' post='2136516'] She is a beeeeaut! [/quote] Definitely black! Can't you find strings with appropriate silk windings?

[quote name='neepheid' timestamp='1373364000' post='2136622'] OK, time out. It's one thing to have a celebratory Fender thread - god knows it's happened before and it'll happen again. But when the "headstock fell off because I breathed on it" anecdotes and random but specific piss taking of other brands start appearing then that's when I hold up my yellow card. It's one thing to be happy with what you've got, but it's quite another to scoff at what others hold dear. [/quote] 'Twas tongue in cheek, I'd love a Gibson bass.

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1373359344' post='2136545'] +1 That's the usual way. If you're concentrating on the low mids (which is where the bass should be IMO) then the kick goes underneath. [/quote] Not for Motown, soul etc. Depth charge bass drum sounds are the enemy. Different for different music, if you're playing rock you'd want the depth charge but, normally, more middly bass in which case, yes, you'd swap. The point is to avoid the sound man trying to mix both with the same frequencies and to think about where they should be placed. They are often eq'd in isolation so first a full satisfying kick drum sound, then a full, satisfying bass sound, then a full, satisfying keyboard sound etc all being added to the same, now very muddy area. Then he can't hear the bass drum so he turns it up. For me, one of the keys to good mixing is to consider why I can't hear something and, usually, to turn something else down or to isolate frequencies to separate it out.

[quote name='BetaFunk' timestamp='1373319725' post='2136229'] Well that's that sorted. NEXT!!!!!!!!!!! [/quote] [size=4]"You can never trust a Gibson, they get it wrong"[/size] [attachment=138660:Gibson-EB-Bass-Satin-Ebony.jpg]

[quote name='Prime_BASS' timestamp='1372961250' post='2132222'] Fair enough but but still limited to very few models. [/quote] Actually, for the record it was the same bridge on the US Standard Jazz I just sold too, hadn't noticed. Must be on quite a few Fenders. The modern Fenders are quite sophisticated with their carbon rods at al.

Not an easy choice. I've just come back from rehearsing with it, it's a killer sound. I suppose one of the things is the 2 eq stands out in the mix without help. BUT, you don't get that little boost should you need it. If the East preamp fits with push connectors instead of soldering, I wonder if John would let you try one for a couple of weeks. I dearly love this bass!

[quote name='BetaFunk' timestamp='1373326479' post='2136360'] What system do Fender use? Exactly. Thread closed then. [/quote] You mean we should avoid bolt-ons because Fender use them?

[quote name='chriswareham' timestamp='1373321480' post='2136260'] And finally, a recent acquisition. Short scale, and very enjoyable to play. Probably going to part with it in the near future, since I want to buy a copy of a well known bass that begins with R ... [/quote] See? I didn't even know they made a bass Electromatic! Its great! (imo much more worth than even a copy of a bass beginning with 'R' but I'd do nothing to discourage their purchase.)

[quote name='mcnach' timestamp='1373325155' post='2136338'] At least I think so, because all too often they were an indistinguishable rumble and I had to use my imagination to fill in the gaps. Often, the "bass" actually came from the bass drum and you could just about get a hint of pitch definition if you focused hard enough. Grrrr. [/quote] Exactly, which is why I said I have an issue with the drums more than the bass. I friendly chat with the sound man works for me, I want the bass at the bottom and the kick drum above it. It's so important.

[quote name='lee4' timestamp='1373291936' post='2135716'] This was the first thing that I did.I now have lots of holes to fill on the bass! [/quote] Didn't work then!

Thanks all, jury's out for me on whether the 2 band eq is better or otherwise than the 3 band. I loved my 3 band, if I was getting lost in the mix I'd up the mid, and out I came. I luuurrrve the neck on this one, it will be the basis of my custom bass.

[quote name='CHRISDABASS' timestamp='1373294478' post='2135758'] Actually using large (M8) bolts and threaded brass inserts creates a neck to body joint that is hard to beat with just a bit of glue! Also there is a lot more work in a proper BOLT on neck then there is in most set neck designs. (all IMO of course ) [/quote] As long as the inserts hold in the holes better than the normal screws.

And then there's this, 1980. Bought from a BCer a little while ago now, it's a proper 'Ray. Slim neck, low action, punchy sound and in excellent nick. Been no.1 bass on and off, as it is now. Bought as some recording found the sound of my long time singular Jaydee to be wanting in body. It has never disappointed. [URL=http://s1341.photobucket.com/user/4Strings1/media/Pre-EBStingray_zps5207e124.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/o760/4Strings1/Pre-EBStingray_zps5207e124.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

Here's mine: Christian soul https://www.facebook.com/EchoMusicUK?ref=hl and the Motown Sisters http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNA0QeAFUM0