EBS_freak

[quote name='EBS_freak' post='1071787' date='Dec 29 2010, 02:42 PM']The one I posted is of a Martin. My friend has one and they sound sublime, especially when plugged in. OK, they don't feel as comfortable as a standard electric bass (mostly due to the depth of the body) but they are great. I can understand why you want to avoid that. By reading your posts, to be honest, it sounds as though your mind is already made up. Go find yourself a 2nd hand NS and have a dabble. If you don't, you'll always be striving to go there no matter what you are currently playing. I would try and seek one over a Stagg as you know - a harder to play instrument is going to hinder your learning process.[/quote] ...and then buy a fretless Fender.

[quote name='ThomBassmonkey' post='1071785' date='Dec 29 2010, 02:39 PM']I've only had bad experiences with the cheaper end of acoustic bass guitars. Even the few ok ones I've played, I just found myself thinking "it's like an electric, but it doesn't play or sound as good." so I want to avoid them really. I was more thinking about if the extra money for a 2nd hand NS is worth it for someone new to EUBs (bearing in mind that I'm confident that I'll get on with EUB fine as an instrument, just unsure if there's a big difference between the two that would make the NS worth picking up) rather than the Stagg, also wondering if anyone's played the Kala U basses, I've only seen a few videos of them and never in a band mix.[/quote] The one I posted is of a Martin. My friend has one and they sound sublime, especially when plugged in. OK, they don't feel as comfortable as a standard electric bass (mostly due to the depth of the body) but they are great. I can understand why you want to avoid that. By reading your posts, to be honest, it sounds as though your mind is already made up. Go find yourself a 2nd hand NS and have a dabble. If you don't, you'll always be striving to go there no matter what you are currently playing. I would try and seek one over a Stagg as you know - a harder to play instrument is going to hinder your learning process.

[quote name='ThomBassmonkey' post='1071764' date='Dec 29 2010, 02:21 PM']I've played DBs a few times before and found them very easy to get on with. It takes me a minute or two to get used to the spacing between notes then I'm away. Just to clarify, yes, it's not actually acoustic work. Generally they're gigs that involve playing to seated pub guests, we play a slightly different set to our electric one that's centred more around the slightly slower numbers, no distortion etc. Our guitarist uses an acoustic and the drummer a kajon (sp?) so I fancy something that fits in a little more with the look of being acoustic.[/quote] If you are confident then yeah, go for the inferior (ha ha) instrument. Otherwise, (and if you want to keep the acoustic vibe 100%) play safe and get something like this -

[quote name='David Nimrod' post='1071754' date='Dec 29 2010, 02:16 PM']What [i]were[/i] they thinking..? [/quote] If you were responsible for naming that bass... and thinking that you could get away with it... wouldn't you?

[quote name='Chris2112' post='1071748' date='Dec 29 2010, 02:08 PM']Furthermore, you see loads of EUB's for sale when someone buys one thinking they'll be able to take to it fairly easily before discovering it's a completely different (and IMO, inferior) instrument. I'd only go for an EUB if you're serious about dedicating time to learning it properly and most likely getting tuition as well.[/quote] Not inferior. Different.

[quote name='endorka' post='1071745' date='Dec 29 2010, 02:04 PM']I'm inclined to agree - unless you have previous double bass experience, there is a lot of learning in these instruments. Since you used scare quotes around "acoustic" I assume the ensemble you are playing with are treating the term with a certain degree of, ah, shall we say, flexibility? In which case a P or J bass will be sonically just as appropriate as any acoustic bass guitar or what have you. Of course, when it comes to acoustic performances, sometimes people go for the visual aspect more than the aural, in which case these instruments may be more appropriate. Jennifer[/quote] Somebody on the same wavelength What I would say to theOP though, if you are trying to get it visually right, probably best to go for a trad burst or natural finish rather than something like candy apple red A mate of mine (currently playing with notable band) got the gig on the understanding that he dropped the fancy basses and went with a Fender P. A lot said for simplicity sometimes - a lot of commercial bands like the familiarity of a Fender bass.

[quote name='gub' post='1071736' date='Dec 29 2010, 01:57 PM']I was just reading a thread where the action was described as being about the thickness of a pound coin at 12th fret . so just popped up stairs and stuck a pound coin under mine at 12th and its tight on my old ibanez roadstar and a little loose on the aria pro 2 sb 1000 , so was wondering is this a good low action or would you get something like a penny under a really good one ?[/quote] Mine is a between a 1mm and 2mm... and I play with a really light touch. Most people can't get notes out of my basses. I could take my basses a smidge lower but a little excitement at gigs would mean excessive fret clank. Not all basses can go this low due to the bridge not dropping low enough or the dusty end of the neck being set too low (not a problem with bolt ons because you can shim but a but of an issue for set necks or thru necks) To be honest, I'm not a fan of measuring action... it's more about setting it where it feels comfortable to play... and this can change from bass to bass and as mentioned above, strings and scale length. Play on a 32" scale with a low action and it'll feel faster than anything else. If you can get your action to the width of a penny, I'd say that's a low action... doesn't mean it's a really good action though because even if the instrument plays, it may sound lifeless.

Just get a P or a J fretless. Makes life a lot easier.

I depends if you think a Ray is a Ray if it has more than the traditional single H.

For hifi, EBS 4x10 no question. The secret is in the tweeter. Try one out and you'll see what I mean.

I don't know about you guys and who you are playing with, but I couldn't keep up with the rest of the band a single 10 or a single 12... and I don't play in loud bands. For me, the 2x12 is the new 15. If I was looking to buy a combo, it would probably be a 2x12 or a 1x12 with the ability to add another 1x12. Depends upon your budget really, but to echo others on here, for a small setup, I would be investigating Genz.

[quote name='algmusic' post='1071232' date='Dec 28 2010, 08:23 PM']I'm not as keen on their amps though.[/quote] Nobody ever says why? What exactly is it that you don't like? The price?!

In terms of actual driver weights, there isn't a great deal of weight saving in it... it's mostly due to the choice of wood in building the cabs which saves the weight. As Shep says, the Proline Cabinets are heavy duty - but in reality, there isn't a lot in it. I also prefer the look of the Proline cabs over the Neo cabs. I would disagree about there being nothing in it with regards to tone. As an owner/ex-owner of a range of Proline and Neoline cabinets, all the Neo cabs have been moved on in favour of the Proline cabs. The Proline cabs have a much meatier sound across the EQ spectrum and a much tighter bottom end. For me, the Neo 15 doesn't compare to the Proline 15 and there is an even bigger gap in the 10s. In general, I found that the Neos were always a little bass shy and despite their higher power handling, they always gave up and struggled before the Prolines did. In reality, the power of the cab is meaningless - it's how well the speakers perform with what they are given. Any speaker would run into distortion and fart before coming anywhere near it's power handling rating. I could make a speaker with a barbwire coil if you wanted high powerhandling... wouldn't mean it's any good though. Efficiency and volume without exceeding xmax is the key. Other cabs boast of enormous power handling from a single speaker... but what's the point if you need a 1kw amp to drive it all? Hardly efficient - and who really should need that sort of power for just 1 cab? Anyway, back to the point. The downside to the Prolines is the weight... which is why I opted for a modular set up - four 2x10 cabs at 8 Ohms (special order from EBS). All the tone in small, manageable packages. I take only the required number of cabs needed for the gig. Works for me. As for Neos, I think the 2x12 is the best setup. Two EBS Neo 1x12s doesn't equal an EBS 2x12. The EBS 2x12 cab is huge sounding in comparison. It was a modular setup I considered but it didn't work. I still prefer the Proline though - but with that, comes the extra weight. My fave single cab remains the 4x10 Proline... but oh the weight! What you should do is audition the cabs to see what works for you. It may be a tradeoff, it may not... but consider the following - 1) are you going to be lifting it? are you OK lifting it? 2) could you hear the difference on the gig? 3) could you hear the difference on a recording? 4) do you want to spend the extra on a Neo given the answers to the above? Do you think Neo is better? Do think it warrants the extra money? 5) do you want higher resale (EBS cabs lose their value greatly on the used market... neo less so than proline) should you ever wish to sell? There are no wrong or right answers, just ask yourself them before making a decision. As for reliability issues, EBS had problems with their early Neo 10inch speakers wheres the motors would get stuck rigid. These have probably been now all sorted as any which were problematic would have been replaced. If buying used, the easiest way to generally spot a newer cab is the bigger knob on the tweeter adjustment, the green RoHS sticker (on the plate on the back of the cab) and the "curvier" handles on the side of the cabs.

[quote name='Chris2112' post='1068653' date='Dec 24 2010, 12:03 PM']My eyes... [/quote]

[quote name='Chris2112' post='1068643' date='Dec 24 2010, 11:54 AM']I think he's all about the 1980's... [/quote] I think this is more his bag...

Nice. It's a looker alright.

I last heard he had been down the Gallery and ordered a new S(l)ei.

Aims for 2011 - To get my jazz bass project finished. To pick up my new GB Spitfire Then decide on a fretless 5...

[quote name='Adrenochrome' post='1067638' date='Dec 23 2010, 11:35 AM']Guitards [/quote] Harmonica players. They seem to change instrument every bloody song

[quote name='chilievans' post='1067592' date='Dec 23 2010, 11:06 AM']Due to the fantastic weather that we've been having I thought that I'd have to wait till after Christmas for my shuker jazz. I've just got off the phone to my local delivery depo and even though they won't be delivering it too me they said I could collect it. As soon as work is over I'll be on my way to collect my new baby. Can't wait[/quote] Good news. Remember to bring it up to temperature slowly before opening the case!

[quote name='agoulding' post='1067269' date='Dec 22 2010, 10:02 PM']I was also. Sat next to the blubbing mother. Pft. Cool gig mind[/quote] I was at the perching at the bar at the back with Matt - bass player for Sunday Girl. If anybody saw us, he's the good looking one, I'm the ugly one! There was a young girl who had obviously had a "pass out" from the parents and had taken advantage of the bar. She was in a bad way. The audience for Ellie was a lot, lot younger than I thought it would be. Lots of teenie boppers around.

[quote name='bluesparky' post='1067544' date='Dec 23 2010, 10:24 AM']I'd love one, but i've a feeling my OCD would get the better of me and i've had to keep polishing it between songs![/quote] If you're a slapper, be prepared for a scratched up not so much mirror finish...!

It all seems to make sense... yet seem so pointless at the same time. Umm... can't get past the looks but it may be a good instrument to be on for those mammoth practice sessions. Having said that, you really should be playing on the instrument you are used to playing... So yeah... not for me.

[quote name='warwickhunt' post='1066781' date='Dec 22 2010, 01:55 PM']You're all thinking the same things as me and as for manufacturers 'guesstimates' which from personal experience can be as much as a lb or two either way; my Lakland Skyline JO was a classic case. Now if we can find someone who actually owns one... [/quote] I'll keep 'em peeled.