Conan

[quote name='Twigman' timestamp='1341988363' post='1727362'] The P is fat and in your face. The J is thin and weedy [/quote] Er..... no. [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUrH4NrqIjw&feature=related"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUrH4NrqIjw&feature=related[/url] [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmTOAUEZRBo"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmTOAUEZRBo[/url]

[quote name='wishface' timestamp='1341854176' post='1725177'] I have never been able to figure out how they get to be so quick. [/quote] Lots of practice! And, as you say, a relaxed wrist certainly helps. Slap doesn't have to be limited to simply root/octave slaps, pops and hammer-ons. You can play any line by slapping it. In fact that's a good way to practice speed and add to your repertoire. Marcus Miller is great at this... [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qji84EgLEio"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qji84EgLEio[/url]

Sounds like you have a very particular and specific style in mind... which makes it much harder to give you advice! Listen to lots of slap players. Find the ones you like. Listen hard to what they are doing and if possible watch them live or on video. Try to do what they do. This method has always worked for me - but it does take time.

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1341913824' post='1725933'] I'm sure Alex would be able to help. [/quote] This. ^

[quote name='bertbass' timestamp='1341911613' post='1725878'] Baredfaced 69er. [/quote] Or an old Vintage if you can find anyone daft enough to sell you theirs.

[quote name='1970' timestamp='1341914247' post='1725938'] How much more volume do you think I would get? From the range of 'not much' to 'a veritable shedload'? [/quote] Is it purely "volume" you want? As I say, I've never heard of a compact struggling for volume. But where is it positioned? If it is on the floor and you are a tall chap, maybe you are not hearing it properly? Your audience could be getting deafened! From the BF site: "[i]Valve amps are nothing like solidstate amps. Getting maximum power out of them relies on matching the output transformer tap's impedance with the cab's impedance as closely as possible. However, a 4 ohm or 8 ohm cab is actually only nominally 4 or 8 ohm. The actual impedance varies hugely across the frequency range. The more this varies from the nominal impedance, the harder a time your valve amp has producing its full power. It may even shorten the life of the power valves[/i]."

I've never heard of any BF cab struggling to keep up with any amp! Is the cab still quite new? Maybe the speaker needs to "relax" a bit more... As the Compact is rated at 8 ohms, one advantage would be that you would get the full output from your amp. Not that that will make a massive difference to volume though. And you say that the cab is "struggling" as it is?! Maybe there is a fault somewhere? Two compacts is a pretty awesome setup, and probably logical if you already have one. Another option would be to sell yours and get a bigger BF cab with more speakers in it!

[quote name='mcnach' timestamp='1341907608' post='1725799'] I tried their Stingray style pickups a couple of years ago, and I was not very impressed by that, so I haven't gone back to GFS. [/quote] Really? Interesting.... in what way were you underwhelmed?

I haven't tried their J pickups, but if they are as good as their Ps you might want to have a look here... [url="http://www.guitarfetish.com/GFS-JB-Pro-Jazz-Bass-Style-Alnico-Pickups_p_318.html"]http://www.guitarfet...kups_p_318.html[/url]

[quote name='WACOJACO' timestamp='1341906094' post='1725771'] P bass is like salt - savoury. J bass is like vinegar - tangy. P deluxe ....? You work it out! [/quote] Cheese 'n' onion?

There are many old threads on this subject, and many answers! It all depends upon which features your bassist values most. Many people on here will simply recommend what they personally use - which is no real surprise as they probably ended up using that gear after trying lots of other stuff and finding that they disliked something about it.... (or getting fished in by the latest hype or Emperor's New Clothes Syndrome!!). What material do you play? How loud? What is the band line-up? Will she be carrying her gear herself or do you all muck in or have roadies? How big/strong are you? Does she like old-school or modern tones?? Personally, I'd go with a Hartke LH500 and a big BareFaced cab...

Just to lower the intellectual tone for a moment (I'm good at that!)... What exactly does BBOT stand for and who coined that particular phrase? I'm guessing it is "Bent Bit Of Tin", but that would be a guess indeed. My GL jazz features a Badass II. Why would Fender fit them as standard if they added nothing to the sound? Or is it simply because Geddy's original '72 J has one on? In which case, I wonder why he fitted one if it makes little difference other than to make a J sound even more scooped... I need a cup of tea.

My cheap J copy sounds great with Hammers in. Crisp and crunchy, but still sounding full and rich. Tone is very subjective and difficult to describe in words, but I'm happy! The original pickups certainly weren't short on output - in fact they were very hot indeed and rather microphonic! I didn't replace them to get a boost in signal, but just to make things more balanced and "musical". I bought the Hammers second-hand on here for £60 - which is a good price - but even brand new they are reasonably priced. To the OP: Next time I'm up in Edinburgh (about three weeks time) I'll bring the bass and you can have a try.

[quote name='LawrenceH' timestamp='1338908354' post='1680890'] The danger with the markbass stuff is IMO misunderstanding the VLE/VLF controls - [/quote] Not to mention the VPL...

Bingo!

[quote name='silddx' timestamp='1341584769' post='1721411']However the main issue with your bass is the fact the strings are not aligned correctly, you have the classic Fender three bolt crap neck pocket where the neck is slightly angled to one side so the G is almost hanging off the neck and the E is half an inch in. I think I'd get that sorted before anything else. [/quote] I see what you mean... but is that not just the angle that the pic is taken from?

[quote name='silddx' timestamp='1341584769' post='1721411'] Well, firstly, Fender instruments are almost made to be customised so do what you like with it. Also, I use the stick on vinyl blocks and they have fooled everyone I've shown them too, including some eminent BCers, so don't diss them before you've seen them.[/quote] This. That is all. They really do look good and I defy anyone to tell the difference without an in-depth examination (as long as you put them on straight What is there to lose? If you don't like them, just take 'em off again!

Not sure exactly what YOU mean by "lightweight", but at your budget you'd be limiting yourself by insisting on the low mass option... If it has to be a combo (and I'm not sure it does), then you can't go far wrong with Trace Elliot. They get a hard time on here for reasons that I don't fully comprehend - but they are a lot of amp for the money. Take this one for example... [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/180526-trace-elliot-715-combo/"]http://basschat.co.u...liot-715-combo/[/url] No? Then there are loads of other classy options here: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/forum/20-for-sale-amps-and-cabs/"]http://basschat.co.uk/forum/20-for-sale-amps-and-cabs/[/url]

[quote name='daz' timestamp='1341582978' post='1721349'] My Hartke [b]LH500[/b] is the bees knees, and louder than an earthquake. [/quote] Another plus vote for the LH500 here! Loud as a bugger but lovely and clean (which is what I like). Could possibly be a bit stronger in the mid-range, but it is a lovely simple amp to use and you will struggle to get an unusable tone from it IMO. If you want grit/dirt/overdrive - get a cheap Behringer Samsamp rip-off. I tend to leave that distorted stuff to the guitars.

[quote name='Jack' timestamp='1341576808' post='1721168'] Starting to wonder if I should have gone S12 now. This wait time is the worst...[/quote] If you need a BF fix you could pop round and try my Vintage!

I have seven of the thirteen - which surprises me slightly. A pretty eclectic selection there, allowing for some rather obvious choices! Shame the recent Rush offerings (i.e. after 1993!!) can't replicate some of the masterful songwriting exhibited on some of those thirteen albums...

[quote name='geoffbyrne' timestamp='1290878383' post='1039007']DRs.[/quote] How long are they? I know they have no silks, but at what point does the string get thinner (particularly important on the B and E strings)?

If your drummer changed to a different brand of cymbals, drum heads or sticks and didn't tell you - would you notice? Really?? But if he noticed, and it improved his playing pleasure, it would benefit the whole band. If you like the upgrade, it is 100% worthwhile!