Conan

[quote name='Telebass' timestamp='1400220528' post='2451881'] Nobody should be using multi-kW PAS in small venues. Even one with a really loud drummer doesn't need more than 300W per side, no point in DI-ing below about 200 capacity venue. Never understood why people lug such mounds of kit about. [/quote] The whole point is that the drummer ISN'T loud as he is using an electronic kit! So the on-stage volume can be kept very low. On the other hand, a decent PA with plenty of headroom will allow the drums to sound good out front... It also means that on-stage monitoring can be far quieter - whether that be floor wedges or backline. So as long as the OP has reasonable monitors, a large bass rig on stage may well be superfluous. It all comes down to what kind of monitors the drummer is using. If he uses IEMs, then the stage volume will be virtually nothing (except guitars). But if he likes to hear himself LOUD, through a big monitor, then you are back to square one really - and the bass rig becomes vital.

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1400147465' post='2451130'] And you think my thoughts and comments partial..? [/quote] On this, yes. And your point is?

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1400157628' post='2451277'] Yes, same brand of string, same bass, same amp and same cab. DR Lo-Riders, 45-105 Medium - changed to 40-100 Lite. [/quote] Cool! Interesting too...

BTW, "practise" is a verb, and "practice" is a noun... And question 6 (I think it was) should maybe have an option along the lines of "I don't care about the equipment provided, as I always bring my own". That would cretainly have been my response.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1400151164' post='2451192'] I recently changed to 40-100 after many years using 45-105 and experienced an overall improvement in clarity and definition. [/quote] Same brand and type of strings? On the same basses using the same amps and cabs? Could the improvements you noticed be down to slight changes in your playing due to the different gauges? There are so many variables. I'm not doubting you BTW, just looking for other possible reasons why our perception of tone might be altered... This is an interesting thread, and it is making me re-think the reasons why I use the strings (and gauges) that I do. Which is a good thing!

[quote name='Weststarx' timestamp='1400155337' post='2451244'] Changing your string gauge to something different to what you've used for years will probably have an effect on your playing more than anything - It will take some getting used to the different feeling of the thicker or thinner strings and probably make you feel uncomfortable as your not used to it. If you need more 'meat' to the tone just fiddle around with your amp settings. [/quote] Good post. It is interesting that some of you have come to different conclusions than mine. But that doesn't make me incorrect! I have noticed a significant "change" in tone when using different gauge strings (of the same brand). Maybe talking about an "increase" in tone is inappropriate, but as we all know, describing tone in words is subjective at best and impossible at worst...

Lost boobs? I thought this thread was going to be about mastectomy. As a part-time surgeon, I only clicked on it from a professional point of view. Disappointing... (I'll do the survey later... )

[quote name='bassman7755' timestamp='1400147958' post='2451132'] gauge wont make much difference in output anyway. [/quote] Sorry, but I don't agree. I've tried a LOT of different brands and gauges in the last few years, and my experiences show that gauge DOES make a difference to volume and tone. So does brand and type of metal mind... but even when changing from, say, DR hibeams in 40-100 to the same string in 50-110 I noticed a discernable increase in both volume and tone.

IME, you do get more volume and more "tone" from heavier gauge strings. What are you using now? I went as high as 50-110s a while ago, but found that I was having problems adjusting my action. Great tone mind... but in the end I stepped down to 45-105 gauge which is, for me, the perfect compromise between playability and tone.

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1400079278' post='2450534'] What is it about the 1970's spacing that irks you Geoff, is it the slightly tighter, more aggressive tone? Do you play a lot with the bridge pickup soloed? At the risk of stating the very obvious, if you are using both pickups on together or the neck pickup, needless to say, the influence of the rear pickup positioning will be minimal. Put a better way, what and why is it that you prefer the '60's positioning ? [/quote] [quote name='brensabre79' timestamp='1400081170' post='2450569'] The issue many have with 70s spacing is that the extra 1/2" makes the bridge pickup just a bit thinner sounding. I notice quite a difference between this and my 60s spacing American Std Jazz. [/quote] Second post pretty much answers the first - but not entirely. For me personally, it is also about the physical positioning of the bridge pickup. I often play with my thumb anchored on the BPU (OK, maybe not ideal from a technical point of view...) and on a J with 70s spacing that position just feels a wee bit too close to the bridge. The strings don't have quite as much "give" in them, and (as you both alluded to above) the tone is slightly less full than the 60s positioning. They are small differences, but they become noticeable on my main bass. The thing is, I love pretty much everything else about the Geddy sig basses - especially the Jap ones with their immaculate routing, fabulous finish and build quality. I just wish I could move the BPU a whisker towards the neck! The slight lack of tonal depth was apparent in the Marcus Miller too, but can be compensated for using the onboard EQ. The Geddy doesn't have this option. Yes, I like the more "growly" tone that the Geddy (and, presumably other 70s Js) get - but I prefer the more full and rounded tone that I seem to get from the 60s spacing - at least in the music that I am currently playing. It just sits in the band mix better. There seems to be more in the lower midrange frequencies with the 60s spacing, and I like that in my current sound. Maybe I'm not explaining this very well, but I know what I mean! Didn't get the chance to swap the necks over last night as I took advantage of the good weather to mow the lawn before rehearsal. It was getting so long that we kept losing the dog in it... Will swap 'em over this evening...

[quote name='stevie' timestamp='1400096216' post='2450779'] Conan, I've just taken you off my Christmas list. No more bottles of best malt for you, laddie! [/quote]

[quote name='stevie' timestamp='1400076903' post='2450507'] Yup. You just wind them up and off they go! I love it! [/quote] Whatever floats your boat...

Thanks for the responses guys! In true Basschat fashion, very different advice! I've owned and played lots of Jazz basses. Mostly Fender, but a few derivations and copies too. The necks vary massively IME. I don't like the chunky ones (even though that is the type that my fretless J copy has). The neck on the Marcus Miller was very nice, but not as good (for me) as the Geddy. The neck on my MIM standard J is OK too - just not as nice as.... well, you get the idea. I don't have a lot of cash to spend, so if I was to buy another J bass (with slim neck and 60s spacing) I would have to sell my Geddy first. I sold another GL a while back and have regretted it ever since - the CIJ ones are seriously good basses (IMO), and the only two things I would change about this one are the pickups (for EMGs) and the pickup spacing (which is not so easily done). I think I might have a tinker before tonight's rehearsal and see if the Geddy neck fits on the MIM body. I think both are four-bolt attachments, so apart from the time, nothing will be lost. I'm not too bothered about a water-tight neck pocket fit - so long as it feels and plays nicely. Although if I keep losing pocket-change in there I may have to re-consider...

[quote name='ern500evo' timestamp='1400076422' post='2450498'] Here we go again!! [/quote] Sorry. I couldn't help myself...

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1400075579' post='2450482'] I wouldn't personally place much weight in a standard music mag review. [/quote] Yet you believe stuff you read on[b][i] here[/i][/b]?!?!

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1400074545' post='2450468'] WE NEED MORE NEGATIVITY ABOUT BAREFACED CABS TO REDRESS THE BALANCE!! [/quote] That Alex Claber is [i]useless[/i] I tell you. I bought a second-hand Big One a few months ago. It is probably about five years old. It has been well used. One of the wheel housings on the bottom was cracked (shoddy materials, obviously). So I e-mailed Alex asking if it would be possible to buy a replacement and how much it would cost. Not only did he [i]reply[/i] (when he should have been busy building cabinets), but he agreed to send me a replacement wheel [b]FREE OF CHARGE!!! [/b] The guy clearly has no idea how to run a business, and the words "customer service" mean nothing to him. Waste of TIM All of the above is true, by the way.

[quote name='stevie' timestamp='1400068928' post='2450385'] His is virtually the only sane voice on this thread. [/quote] Cool! So the rest of us are insane because we don't hate Barefaced products? Not sure I fully follow your logic on that one... Not that I particularly care either, mind.

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1400070255' post='2450406'] I read this thread title as meaning you wanted to put a preamp in your bass to make you sound like discreet... I think he plays a P bass, get one of those instead... [/quote] That is just a ridiculous response, that adds nothing to this thread. Besides, everyone knows that Discreet plays a Hayman these days...

[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1399926377' post='2449110'] Dave Wilson's work is second-to-none. He's a perfectionist. [/quote] I'm thinking of a refin (solid colour) on one of my J basses.... what kind of ball-park figure would we be looking at if he did the work?

[quote name='lukeward2004' timestamp='1400001956' post='2449813'] , im not a huge fan of single speaker cabs[/quote] Just out of interest.... why?

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1400065680' post='2450335'] Like I said... I just post an opposite view. [/quote]

[quote name='stevie' timestamp='1400068928' post='2450385'] I certainly hope he won't. His is virtually the only sane voice on this thread. It's starting to become like a JW prayer meeting in here. [/quote]

Do active basses have "a sound"? I had a Marcus Miller J with an East J retro in it. It's core tone didn't sound different to a passive J - but there was just "more of it" if you know what I mean. My Status is an active bass, but it doesn't sound like it does because it is active... The design and the graphite might also have something to do with it...

OK, I admit it - I really like Jazz basses! There is just something about the ergonomics, the look and the tone that works for me. That said, there are so many different models and styles (not to mention Countries of origin) that I am a bit perplexed... My favourite neck (by quite a margin) is the one attached to the Geddy Lee signature model. But, after owning two Geddies and a Marcus Miller, I am coming to the conclusion that I prefer the sixties pickup positioning. What I would really like is a Geddy neck on a different body (but still with a Badass II bridge) - but Fender seem to have so many different neck attachment solutions that it might not be straightforward... So my quesion is: Will a Geddy neck fit into a J body with sixties spacing (without modifications)? I also like the tone of EMG pickups... but that is a simple fix!

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1400065680' post='2450335'] Ok, we get it, you like the thing, but to post about the delivery date and the excitment and build up to it all... jeez..give me a break. And then along comes the next one and the next one... But if you are asking me to be silent... then I wont be doing that.[/quote] There seems to be a bit of double standards here. You want all the NCD threads to stop (although why you keep reading them is beyond me, unless you enjoy your self-appointed role as Chief Spectre at the Feast) but you have no intention of drawing in your own horns. OK, we get it - you don't like the things. No need to keep recapitulating your (one) negative experience [i]ad nauseam[/i]. BTW, nobody is asking you to be silent.