discreet

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1441705529' post='2860965'] Some linseed oil would soon darken that down. There, I'm being helpful aren't I? [/quote] Yes, thanks for that! Don't worry, I'll think of another excuse. Err... it's not a P Bass - how's that?

A bargain for sure and probably worth the petrol money from S London. However I'm looking for an excuse not to get it, so I'll say the fretboard is a bit light in colour. Phew!

Yes I've used both and I've used both as 'always-on' preamps into a power amp. Both are good, but for this purpose the VT Bass wins hands-down. It has more output than the BDI and as you suspect, the mid control is worth its weight in gold, particularly if you're using it as a pre - that's the only mid control you're going to get! And as you're also looking for 'that' Ampeg sound, again the VT Bass is the winner here, being (in my opinion) the best Ampeg sim out there. This is definitely a case where you will get more for your money. Having said that if your budget is restricted, the BDI can be modded to provide a mid control, there are threads about that on this forum. I'm not saying the BDI is a bust at all, it's fantastic in fact, but the VT Bass would be much better for the purpose and sound you have in mind.

Well this thread passed me by entirely. So I'm in! Hayman 4040.

[quote name='Low End Bee' timestamp='1441639447' post='2860478'] You mean perception is not reality [/quote] Quite. And even when you click on 'Tech Specs', there is no mention of frequency response.

Looks great, but TC seem to be under the impression that driver size has something to do with frequency response. You'd think a top pro gear company like this would know that isn't the case, wouldn't you?

I'd just by a new cable from our own obbm on here - worth it for the 100% peace of mind.

[quote name='AndyTravis' timestamp='1441566890' post='2859919'] Well, I could... Or I could throw a load of wah and slap octaves on it and take the cash... [/quote] Exactly. Take a marrow as well, just in case.

[quote name='Maude' timestamp='1441564564' post='2859880'] ...if I was suddenly buggered with a marrow by something dressed as Batman my first thought wouldn't be 'ooh that's funky' [/quote] Then we are obviously very different people.

I think it's totally unreasonable - unless you're getting ten grand, or something. Presumably you've already worked out your overheads and time and calculated how much profit you make per gig - this is a [i]lot [/i]of extra work. Either I'd tell them to stuff it, or up your original quote to make it worth your while. The 'octaves and wah' idea is worth considering, though - most people genuinely have no clue as to what 'funk' really is, and wouldn't recognise it if dressed up as Batman and buggered them with a marrow.

[quote name='Firey Jack' timestamp='1441547601' post='2859683'] 15" cab dont help this [/quote] Driver size has no bearing on frequency.

Don't boost the bass. If anything, boost the mids. Boosted bass will up your volume but won't give you any definition. Try starting from scratch - turn off all FX, compressors and the like, set your EQ to as flat as you can get it, then turn up the gain to where you're getting a good signal without distortion - then set your overall level with your master. If your singer still complains, turn down the master slightly but boost your mids. It also helps to get at least one of your cabs up to head height so you can hear what you're doing without being too loud. Or possibly use a stand. I use an angled stand to point my cab to my ears, but I only use the one cab. Check the guitarists EQ too - they need to cut their bottom end - if they're encroaching on your frequency territory it's going to be a problem. Down around 80-120Hz or so you only really want to hear the bass and the kick and not much else.

'Yes, I've crapped in the urinal. What are you going to do about it?'

[quote name='lowdown' timestamp='1441538865' post='2859572'] Sounds like he was ready to bust a blood vessel. [/quote] Lip up, fatty!

It's all about the punters and I doubt they would care much anyway. By that stage in the proceedings it's really not an issue. Did a NYE gig in a function band at the Grosvenor in Park Lane and we had to wait until the death there, but that's a bit different.

[quote name='barneyg42' timestamp='1441532367' post='2859484'] http://youtu.be/fBJxyGDfRWY [/quote] Now that's a BIG improvement.

Truly terrible. He is quite obviously a drummer.

[quote name='Number6' timestamp='1441489515' post='2859281'] I always use Loctite screwlock on the saddles too.....good stuff! [/quote] Yes it is, and I'm surprised it's taken me this long to discover it. Should be in everyone's gig bag.

Thanks for the suggestion and I'm glad it worked for you! But I checked that fairly early on, along with any other screws and fixings I could think of. A combination of new saddle screws, intonation screw springs and Loctite Blue seem to be working for me, at least for now.

Vintage: Proper hefty bass sound with bass played as it should be, as part of a rhythm section. Rugged and manly. Hi-Fi: Widdly-widdly twangy cutlery-drawer-down-the-stairs in your face inappropriate slappy solo nipple-rub for gaylords. I await the backlash with pleasure.

[quote name='bubinga5' timestamp='1441447105' post='2858931'] with all respect, its still a flat wound tone no matter how many flat wound tones you can get from it.. i don't want to be rude to any flat wound players out there, but the voicing of a bass seems to be canceled out by flat wound strings. maybe I'm missing something. yes i probably am. i tried a set of La Bella flats on a jazz bass i used to own, and i just didn't see/hear the point.. sucked the life out of the instrument. a subjective point of course. [/quote] I'd say a Jazz sounds better with rounds - without them it's harder to get the classic Jazz-growl. But flats work very well indeed on a P Bass and are great for live work, they have a fundamental that complements the natural low-mid aspect of a P, sit very nicely in the mix and have good definition. If I need more options I get them from my Zoom B1on. I can get a very convincing round-type hefty boing and twang by judicious use of a pick and by selecting a patch I've made which features (among other things) the SVT amp sim. Most unlike the traditional flat tone and saves me the bother of taking two basses into the shower.