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drat I love a new set of strings... Also, any VT Bass owners looking to utilize their VTs as preamps, you might want to head over to putnamguitars.com and look at some of the mods Mike is offering. He's offering DI+Ground/lift mods already, but he's soon offering to rewire the VT into a 1U rack chassis for those wanting to use it as a pre and take it off the floor. Edit: Looks like he's already offering it. Standard, deluxe (ground/lift, DI, phantom power), deluxe + 250w power-amp, and deluxe + 500w power-amp. Scarf fucked around with this message at 15:56 on Jan 19, 2010 |
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Jan 19, 2010 15:53
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I've only ever used the Boss TU-2, and not had any problems w/it. They generally make good poo poo.
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Jan 19, 2010 16:07
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Can anyone recommend a good padded guitar strap? I've been using the same lovely nylon one for years now and lately my shoulder has been hurting after practice.
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Jan 19, 2010 16:28
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Bourbon posted:Can anyone recommend a good padded guitar strap? I've been using the same lovely nylon one for years now and lately my shoulder has been hurting after practice. Neotech and Levy's are pretty popular choices. But Levy's can get pretty expensive. Just find something that's padded and has plenty of length. http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/product/Neotech-Mega-Bass-Strap?sku=367528 http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/product/Fender-Neoprene-Bass-Strap?sku=361216 I have an old fender leather padded strap that I like, but its about worn out. Edit: And if you're ballin' and got cash to burn, look for a Moody Scarf fucked around with this message at 16:40 on Jan 19, 2010 |
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Jan 19, 2010 16:37
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I love the wide Planet Waves straps and the Comfort Strapps.
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Jan 20, 2010 05:24
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I really really really like it when I can impress a soundguy with the sound of my rig immediately upon turning it on. We had a show last night at a new (to us) venue a couple hours away. Typical originals-show deal... multiple bands, no real take, anyone they see as good will get invited back for solo shows on the weekends. Show up to load in and they've got backline equipment already set up, but we were told we were more than welcome to bring our own gear if we want, as long as we can make load-in/out pretty quick. No problem, I can do setup/breakdown of my rig in about 5 minutes. I wheel in my Ampeg rig and start prepping my stuff off to the side of the stage. I continue to help my bandmates carry stuff in, and one of our guitarists comes up to me and says the soundguy really wanted me to play out of his backline rig, an SWR/Hartke stack... the two brands of bass equipment I despise more than anything else on the market. Luckily my guitarist already told him that I'd much rather play through my own equipment. Fast forward to setup/line-check. I crank out a few notes and he just goes "Whoa... that sounds awesome." And there was much rejoicing.
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Jan 21, 2010 15:44
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Out of curiosity, what's wrong with SWR? I for one loved all their amps I tried out.
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Jan 21, 2010 16:54
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Jan posted:Out of curiosity, what's wrong with SWR? I for one loved all their amps I tried out. I just find them incredibly sterile, lacking any sense of warmth and fullness. Just overall weak-sounding in my experiences.
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Jan 21, 2010 17:03
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My first real rig, from 1999 to 2003 was a Bass350, Goliath Jr, and Triad. My rig from 2003 to 2005 was an SWR Interstellar Overdrive, Carvin DCM1000, and Goliath Sr. The IOD/Carvin/Sr rig actually sounded drat good, but it just fell apart when I took it on tour. The IOD ate through tubes and op-amps like popcorn (I had a bag of them,) and the Sr blew a speaker about every two months - and after SWR was bought out by Fender it would take four months for them to free up a spare speaker to send me. I ran the SR missing two speakers for about three months, waiting on parts. gently caress SWR, now and forever.
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Jan 21, 2010 17:27
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Oh, also, let me continue to tout the awesomeness of the Tech 21 VT Bass... My rig has been giving me some trouble, my sound keeps cutting in and out and I've isolated it to the input on the front of the head. I've just had no time to get it fixed with our show schedule being pretty busy. Last night it was acting up hardcore, so I simply plugged the VT Bass into my amp's Power Amp In in the back, bypassing the preamp altogether. Sounded just as glorious and required very little tweaking to get an identical sound.
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Jan 21, 2010 21:44
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Scarf posted:Oh, also, let me continue to tout the awesomeness of the Tech 21 VT Bass... I've been thinking about getting a new distortion/overdrive pedal. I already have the Boss ODB-3 Bass Overdrive, and it's fine, but I've been hearing good things about (wait for it...) the Way Huge Swollen Pickle. Any of you guys played through one of those before?
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Jan 22, 2010 14:45
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betterinsodapop posted:I just purchased the Tech 21 Programmable Sans Amp Bass Driver and think it's AMAZING. I plugged it directly into a PA last night, and it sounded amazing. Can't say enough good about it. At NAMM Tech 21 debuted the VT version of that pedal.  betterinsodapop posted:I've been thinking about getting a new distortion/overdrive pedal. I already have the Boss ODB-3 Bass Overdrive, and it's fine, but I've been hearing good things about (wait for it...) the Way Huge Swollen Pickle. Any of you guys played through one of those before? No offense, but pretty much anything you get will be a step up from the Boss. I have no experience w/ the Swollen Pickle though. If you're into some more fuzzy distortion, check out the EHX Bass Big Muff. The dry-blend mode is awesome and keeps an awesome low end. But if you've got the programmable driver... I really don't see why you'd need another OD pedal as well unless you're wanting something more over-the-top. Scarf fucked around with this message at 15:07 on Jan 22, 2010 |
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Jan 22, 2010 15:05
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Scarf posted:No offense, but pretty much anything you get will be a step up from the Boss. I have no experience w/ the Swollen Pickle though. If you're into some more fuzzy distortion, check out the EHX Bass Big Muff. The dry-blend mode is awesome and keeps an awesome low end.  I'll see if I can test the Muff.
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Jan 22, 2010 15:53
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Complete bass newbie here with some newbie questions. I mainly play the guitar, but I recently got an Epiphone T-Bird IV to play with and to record some simple things, and it has some intonation issues. I'd like to try changing strings first before I take it to someone for a setup, because it actually feels quite nice to play as it is. However I'm not really sure what kind of strings I should be getting. I have no idea how thick the strings I have on right now are, is there a "default" thickness? Since my guitar is tuned down a whole step, I've also been playing with the bass tuned to DGCF, does that warrant thicker strings?
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Jan 22, 2010 18:37
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Orthogonalus posted:Complete bass newbie here with some newbie questions. Typically, like with guitar, if you're going to downtune, it helps to use a higher gauge of string. I prefer strings with more tension anyway, and I play standard. Look for strings labeled "Medium" that'll typically give you a low E at about .104-109 depending on the manufacturer, and a G at about .045-.050. You can look for some Heavys if you want, but I think Mediums would be a good place to start. I'd imagine, since you're downtuning, that you're playing somewhat heavier, rock-oriented music. Take a look at some DR Hi-Beam stainless steel strings. They'll be very bright. But at the same time, the stainless will be pretty harsh on your fingers. For a slightly mellower sound (and slightly smoother string) look at the Sunbeams or even the Lo-Rider nickels. Actually the Lo-Riders might serve you a bit better since they have a hexagonal core and carry a bit more tension. So yeah... I'd say go with either the Lo Rider stainless or Lo Rider nickels. Edit: And in terms of avoiding a setup... if you put higher tension strings on your bass, chances are the neck relief is going to need to be adjusted anyway. So it may be unavoidable. Best bet is to learn to do it on your own. Scarf fucked around with this message at 18:47 on Jan 22, 2010 |
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Jan 22, 2010 18:44
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Scarf posted:string talk Yeah, I guess metal/rock is what I mostly play, closely followed by jazz and, well, anything that's interesting and fun to experiment with. I guess versatility is what I want? But I'll probably go with your suggestion and get some 45-105 DR Lo Riders. They sound alright from your description, because I don't think I want a very bright sound. (Side note: holy cow, bass strings are so much more expensive than guitar strings!)
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Jan 22, 2010 19:45
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Orthogonalus posted:(Side note: holy cow, bass strings are so much more expensive than guitar strings!) They also last longer! Better be damned sure what you want though!
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Jan 22, 2010 20:41
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Orthogonalus posted:But I'll probably go with your suggestion and get some 45-105 DR Lo Riders. They sound alright from your description, because I don't think I want a very bright sound. In that case, get the Lo Rider Nickels. They'll start pretty bright, but they'll even out very nicely. Edit, found an old rough clip I did for my drummer when I first switched over to lo-rider nickels, he was curious about the sound:  This one is after they've mellowed out a bit (slightly different eq, and playing around w/ delay, but you can get a general idea): 
Scarf fucked around with this message at 22:03 on Jan 22, 2010 |
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Jan 22, 2010 21:55
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Ugh I want a neodymium cab but nobody has them used and I don't want to buy new.
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Jan 22, 2010 22:53
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avatar speakers dot com, poo poo's cheap
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Jan 22, 2010 23:50
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Crescent guitars are Chinese, right? I just grabbed one off Craigslist for $50 and upgraded the neck, bridge, and the pickups. The neck(crooked but I'm getting a new maple lawsuit Fender off ebay) and bridge went fine, but man, those pots screamed China. The pickup wires basically popped right off. Has a really nice sunburst finish though: 
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Jan 23, 2010 18:59
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Scarf posted:the soundguy really wanted me to play out of his backline rig, an SWR/Hartke stack... Whoah, this happens? Granted, I've never played a gig where we didn't provide our own PA, but this is astounding. I doubt this would ever happen to a guitar player. Hell, I would have put up a hell of a fight myself. My rig is part of my overall setup and is an instrument as well as my guitar. It would be like asking me to use another bass. I have a lot of respect for a good sound guy, but this is just silly.
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Jan 25, 2010 21:06
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Kynetx posted:Whoah, this happens? Granted, I've never played a gig where we didn't provide our own PA, but this is astounding. I doubt this would ever happen to a guitar player. Hell, I would have put up a hell of a fight myself. My rig is part of my overall setup and is an instrument as well as my guitar. It would be like asking me to use another bass. I have a lot of respect for a good sound guy, but this is just silly. It happens pretty often with places that have backline equipment. And I can see their side of the argument as well. They know the equipment better, they know how to dial it in with the rest of the PA system, etc. etc. But yeah, there's no way I'm going to play through an amp I'm unfamiliar with and won't have the time to get familiar with right before a show. edit: The soundguy may just not be very adamant and might be a little passive aggressive about it. More like "well I mean, you COULD just play through the house rig instead of hauling yours in here..." Scarf fucked around with this message at 21:13 on Jan 25, 2010 |
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Jan 25, 2010 21:09
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If you're running through a PA, and the house guy throws a DI box (you know, the Countryman that's held together with duct tape? that one) in front of your amp, you're not using your amp for anything other than monitoring anyways, so who cares what amp you're playing through. Of course, that's why I always request that the sound guy use the DI out of my head instead of using his shitbox DI. "Unless of course, you want to hear a pop when I unplug my bass to switch, your call." I've only had a few guys refuse to do it, but when they do it's a shitstorm.
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Jan 25, 2010 21:46
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warwick5s posted:If you're running through a PA, and the house guy throws a DI box (you know, the Countryman that's held together with duct tape? that one) in front of your amp, you're not using your amp for anything other than monitoring anyways, so who cares what amp you're playing through. That's fine with me. I'd be happy providing a line out from my preamp if they want, since my rig consists ofa preamp (Presonus Studio Channel) into a power amp (45-pound Peavey 8.5c) into a pair of full-range PA cabs (2 BFM Jack 110s with the 12-driver melded HF array). Playing through someone else's rig would just be too distracting and I'm too lovely to deal with a ton of distractions.
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Jan 26, 2010 00:25
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two of the sweetest gigs I've played in my life (Tokyo & Osaka) were through a 200w trace elliot with a pair of 4x10's, with at least two blown speakers that sucked real bad
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Jan 26, 2010 00:32
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My buddy loaned me his fretless bass, I have a decent control over it, hitting the notes pretty accurately. I'm just wondering, what kind of cool poo poo I can use it for that I couldn't do on my normal fretted bass? Obviously slides sound interesting with it, but is there anything else?
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Jan 26, 2010 18:07
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Theos posted:My buddy loaned me his fretless bass, I have a decent control over it, hitting the notes pretty accurately. I'm just wondering, what kind of cool poo poo I can use it for that I couldn't do on my normal fretted bass? Obviously slides sound interesting with it, but is there anything else? It is not about slides. Yes, you can do slides on a fretless, but it also produces a very different tone to the bass itself. It is a more classic upright tone. (but still not quite - an Ashbury would be closer, or even a P bass with flats) To some, it might not be as clinky as a fretted bass. Listen to some Jaco, that's fretless. Jaco with Weather Report - Birdland: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqashW66D7o
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Jan 26, 2010 18:28
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The only thing you really can do on a fretless that you can't on a fretted are smooth harmonic slides. Vibrato is a lot more controllable and nice on a fretless, that's something to practice. Really just spend a ton of time practicing scales and chromatics to make sure your intonation is 100% accurate.
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Jan 26, 2010 18:34
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Any advice for simple power chord strumming using a pick, or is it just "practice, practice, practice?"
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Jan 26, 2010 20:14
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What about it are you having problems with?
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Jan 26, 2010 21:13
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Crosspost... http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Markbass-SUPER-SYNTH-Bass-Pedal?sku=484185&CJAID=10451188&CJPID=3353204
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Jan 26, 2010 21:17
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warwick5s posted:What about it are you having problems with?
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Jan 26, 2010 21:25
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scuz posted:Mostly strumming. Finding the chords with my fretting hand is an understandable challenge for me, but muting the E string while I'm playing the other 3 strings is giving me problems. I don't use the thumb-over-the-neck technique because my hands are too big so that doesn't really work. While fretting power chords on the A string, try to have your index finger touching the low E, to mute it. Eventually your picking hand will be able to just..not hit it, but this works until then.
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Jan 26, 2010 22:01
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scuz posted:Mostly strumming. Finding the chords with my fretting hand is an understandable challenge for me, but muting the E string while I'm playing the other 3 strings is giving me problems. I don't use the thumb-over-the-neck technique because my hands are too big so that doesn't really work. If Bass power chords are anything like guitar, you can press down the note on the a string with more of the pad of the pointer finger on the A and let the tip of your pointer finger lightly touch the E string to mute it. Conversely, if the root is on the E string, just rest your pointer finger on the A-D-G strings. Both of these are harder to describe without a picture/video now that I think about it. Alternatively, practice more control of your pick hand and only hit the strings you want to sound out.
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Jan 26, 2010 22:05
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gotly posted:Bought myself a GK 700 RB (not II). From the manual: One last question about this. I have two 8 ohm Avatar cabs (2x12 and 2x10). I can safely plug a speakon cable from both speakon outputs on the head to each speakon input on each cab, right? Here's why I'm confused: quote:If you are using an RBH Series cabinet, use the supplied That makes it sound like I shouldn't use a speakon connector to non-RBH cabinets. Do Avatar cabinets count as RBH cabinets? Are they basically saying "if your cab doesn't have a speakon input, don't jam a speakon cable in there you idiot." Is the manual so old it doesn't assume that other cabs are out there that can utilize the bi-amp feature?
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Jan 26, 2010 23:30
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Schatten posted:It is not about slides. Yes, you can do slides on a fretless, but it also produces a very different tone to the bass itself. It is a more classic upright tone. (but still not quite - an Ashbury would be closer, or even a P bass with flats) To some, it might not be as clinky as a fretted bass. Listen to some Jaco, that's fretless. Jaco with Weather Report - Birdland: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqashW66D7o
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Jan 27, 2010 01:27
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gotly posted:That makes it sound like I shouldn't use a speakon connector to non-RBH cabinets. Do Avatar cabinets count as RBH cabinets? Are they basically saying "if your cab doesn't have a speakon input, don't jam a speakon cable in there you idiot." Is the manual so old it doesn't assume that other cabs are out there that can utilize the bi-amp feature?
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Jan 27, 2010 01:42
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DrChu posted:fyi he's playing a fretted bass in that video Are you seeing frets? I'm not hearing them. 1:35 mark, slide.
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Jan 27, 2010 02:09
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Schatten posted:Are you seeing frets? I'm not hearing them. 1:35 mark, slide. There's nothing about that tone that sounds like fretless, and those harmonic bends at the start definitely don't. At about 1:08 you can see the light reflecting off the frets, you can see this a few more times throughout the song. I think this is from the same performance, you can see his fretless is a completely different bass - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXOnhzoC-i8
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Jan 27, 2010 02:53
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