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Beautiful bass and a very interesting thread.

I think that is pretty much it. Heavy gauges reduce floppiness aka bad B string

I've also seen these on the interweb, does anybody have any love/experience/comments on the Seymour Duncan and Artec gear as they are more in line with what I was hoping to spend? http://www.thomann.de/gb/seymour_duncan_stc2p.htm http://www.thomann.de/gb/artec_se2a.htm

Thanks people. I'll check out the BTB, and the mwah-tron sounds cool paul 5. I see you are located in the sunny (?) NW...

Hi all you cognoscenti, I'm hoping you can assist me in my quest to find a simple way to turn a passive V/V/T style set up (with 2x J p/ups) on a BBN5 into something that is a bit more flexible than the passive 'tone' control. I did contemplate something like the ACG 02 but tbh it would be worth nearly twice as much as the bass and as my ACG is in build I'm watching the pennies! Ideally is there some kind of stacked knob tone control that I could install (presumably with a battery too) to give me some control rather than just the high cut I have atm? I've seen a few on the interweb but I'm a bit uncertain as to which would suit given that some of the descriptions are a bit unclear. Everything else on the bass is pretty much original, so nice Yamaha p/ups. All help and advice is, as ever. most welcome. Thanks in advance fellow BCers.

Wasn't thinking or purchasing, just curious really!

What are these basses, any info on them? Cheers. [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1960s-Jedson-electric-fretless-bass-guitar-with-hard-case-/160830386241?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item25723cf041"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1960s-Jedson-electric-fretless-bass-guitar-with-hard-case-/160830386241?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item25723cf041[/url]

Just picked up a beautifully refinished and reasonably priced Yamaha BBN5 from jonsebass to try and get into 5ers. Looking forward to getting some quality time with the bass over the weekend [attachment=111857:BBN5 07.JPG]

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1340957457' post='1711905'] .............. However I like the ACG EQ001 because it does something that the tone controls on my rig don't and probably more importantly because it allows you shape the tonal output of each pickup individually. [/quote] That's a much better way of putting it! I run my amp pretty flat as it's not that sophisticated and adjust on the bass as required.

Gauge wise, heavy = lower tension, lighter = higher tension. If you check this link and download the tension chart it will show you the relationships. [url="http://circlekstrings.com/store/Gauges_And_Tension.html"]http://circlekstring...nd_Tension.html[/url] If you assume that the tension across the strings on your bass is roughly equal (and I mean roughly) then to get the bottom E from your A string you'd have to loosen the string to the point of floppiness. i.e. the fatter E string has more tension to get the same note. I hope that makes sense and that I've not been too simplistic.

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1340220228' post='1701386'] Fair enough. I have a lot of fretless basses - in my last band it was pretty much all I played and the ACG pre-amp was far more useful in getting me my sound than any pickup combination on its own. Other than that my favourite pickup for a fretless bass is the Lightwave optical system, but that's probably far too technical for you! [/quote] My first two fretless basses were a Yamaha P/J and a now a Fender Jazz bass (unitl my new build is ready). Once I took the plunge and added an ACG pre to the Jazz, the world changed somewhat! You can get the deep gloomy sound as well as bright and sparkly and all points inbetween. All with flats too. Alan is currently building me a Fretless with his latest ACG 03 pre that I am really looking forward to getting my hands on. Point being, I know that there are quite strident differences of opinion between the active and passive bass community, but the ACG filter bassed pre amps really are something else. If you have a chance you should at least try one.

There's a set of Bartolinis on here for £60 posted, you could always trying making the seller an offer...(not mine I hasten to add).

Echoes - 20+ minutes of sheer bliss

Have just acquired a set of D'Addario Nickel wound singles in 135 100 75 55 40 for a good balanced tension.

Just traded overdrive pedals with Kev, Super smooth, quick and loads of PMs. Really happy with the whole transaction, thanks very much Kev. Highly recommended to all you BCers. p.s. Gotta love this forum. Great people to deal with.

I tried a 5er but couldn't get to grips really so I'm on a fretted 4 and a fretless 4 now. May try again in the future, who knows.

I'm all over it...

I've been experimenting with an ACG 02 pre in my fretless jazz. The filter based EQ is something else and, for me, more convenient than changing my amp settings - which can't do what this little pre amp can do!

Done. Happy to do PMs etc if required.

Also check out Joanne Shaw Taylor. She's a Brummie but you'd never know it from the voice. Also for heavier blues Paul Lamb.

Thanks people. Quick update for you. I got in touch with Roland UK through Facebook as the query function on the website wasn't doing its job. I have secured a couple of new locking clips and 4 replacement foam pads (2 pre-punched and two blank) for £12 delivered. Pretty good price and will slot straight in. There is a couple of weeks waiting time as they are out of stock in the UK so are coming from Japan. I'll try and remember to post the link when I get home. So Roland UK did the job (so far) very well.

I got as far as owning 5, all different but deep down I knew I had favourites and ended playing them more and more. Now I'm down to one fretless and one fretted bass. It was very, very tough to choose between the Spector and the Tanglewater though (for the fretted bass).