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I started with a Rumble 25. Was more than loud enough for my home use but once I could actually play, it became obvious that the low E’s were very muddy and not really defined. Not really surprising considering it was a single 8” speaker. No need for a massively overpowered set up, so traded in for a Rumble 40. Don’t run it any louder but the increase in speaker size to 10” really makes a difference sound quality wise. The low E, F and G are much more defined and you can actually feel them now, same for ghost notes. Considering it’s not much bigger overall than the 25 and surprisingly a whole lot lighter, I’m very happy with it.
As much as I’d like one of the new Darkglass combo units, it’d just be a waste.
I have an orange crush 50 combo amp, much more than needed to practice at home, I do sometimes wonder if I should have bought the 100 in case I do some gigs in the future as it would only have cost about 25% more, but purchasing mission creep and always wanting the next biggest or best is damaging to the wallet, and I might never actually join a band. My current goal is just to create my own bass lines for songs I like, so a bigger amp isn't on my horizon.
He has a wee DI thing that lets him plug into the venue mixing desk and emulate whatever tone he likes.
Oh, that reminds me, has anyone played bass through a FRFR cabinet with a multi effects pedal?
Anyone play a 5 string?
Quite a few of the new tunes in Yousician have 5 string versions. I have vintage style P and Jazz basses but never had a modern style bass. Kind of fancy an active 5. Harley Benton do a reasonably priced one that looks good, although if I’m going to go modern, I could go all out with a headless Ibanez.
Talk me into or out of it!
My current goal is just to create my own bass lines for songs I like, so a bigger amp isn't on my horizon.
I love doing that, mixing bits of the melody of the song with bits of the original base line.
Anyone play a 5 string?
Quite a few of the new tunes in Yousician have 5 string versions. I have vintage style P and Jazz basses but never had a modern style bass. Kind of fancy an active 5. Harley Benton do a reasonably priced one that looks good, although if I’m going to go modern, I could go all out with a headless Ibanez.Talk me into or out of it!
Cort B5 Element bass here. Wanted to try 5 string at relatively low cost (got it for around £350 new as i recall and had some decent reviews). It surpassed expectations, especially the tight and defined low end B. Modern looking too. I like playing it. Also had a headless 4 str bass back in the day, and like that aesthetic!
thanks, cheapo trigger jobbie ordered.
just browsing away and i saw an orange cab (OBC115) that seemed a decent price but then i realised ohhh, ill actually need an amp head to go with that. blimey theyre a bit pricey arent they? much as id like a barefaced cab (keep it in the family so to speak) i couldnt justify the cost of one, PLUS the corresponding head.
idle musings....are we really spending upwards of £2000 for separates to shake the walls, when a rumble 100 or equivalent would (probably) be loud enough for a gig in a small hall?
For my bedroom playing I have a fender rumble 40, and I love it, however for gigging it won't be enough (acoustic gigs aside in a café or something like that). I have a line 6 Helix stomp that would work better for gigging with a DI box, but it's unlikely I will gig. a 10" speaker such as that in the Rumble 40 is the minimum I think for bass, even at low levels. The advantage of the 100 is the XLR output, not sure it would be enough for a small hall on it's own.
Anyone play a 5 string?
I almost talked myself into a cheap Sire V3 or V5 5 string on Reverb last month. I figured it was a low cost way to give it a try, I'm wondering what that low B string may feel like.
It may yet happen. I've been saving for a bit, and while, officially, this is my ebike fund, N+1 applies equally to bass guitars as it does bikes.
Plus! I'm 2 weeks from the end of finishing an Open Uni degree and the temptation to treat myself as a reward is unbearable.
I tried a 5 string. It was early on in my bass journey and I found the B string got in the way so I couldn't see what I was doing. I got fed up with it in the end and got rid. A lot of the stuff I play in church is written in Eb so I have a Hipshot D-Tuner on both basses. If I need anything lower I use the Octave pedals.
I bought a s/h MM Stingray V about ten years ago to see if it could be useful to me. Very nice bass, pau ferro board, "Copperhead Bronze" finish, white pearloid scratchplate.
I gigged with it quite a bit over the next couple of years but ultimately, once the novelty had worn off, it just didn't really do it for me (in the same way that Fenders don't).
The hardest thing to get used to (for me) was just damping the 5th string, especially when doing any slap and pop stuff, which I don't do a lot of, mind.
Anyway, as it was pretty much mint I sold it for quite a bit more than I'd paid and off it went to somewhere in the RoI.
As I'm still in Greece atm, I've still got that transparent violet Palaedium waiting at Bass Direct, to be delivered to me when I return. That's the one that was marked as sold and actually wasn't....
I've still got that transparent violet Palaedium waiting at Bass Direct
That looks lovely Andy 👍
indeed it does, nice one 🙂
Cort B5 Element bass here. Wanted to try 5 string at relatively low cost (got it for around £350 new as i recall
They look really nice but prices seem to be nearly double that now.
Those Sire basses do look like good value.
It's not like I "need" one though, just curious. It's better than having a pedal addiction though, i suppose.
I'm not particularly after a jazz bass, even still, this Sire V5R in that finish is tempting.
https://www.sire-usa.com/products/v5r-5st?variant=43877453136010
However, I have a thing for Stingrays. Full blown MusicMan models are too dear, but I'm going to try some Sterling models out as soon as I'm finished with uni.
Sire have dipped their toe there too recently, with the Z3 and Z7. But, I don't know, they aren't quite a Stingray to me.
https://www.sire-usa.com/products/sire-marcus-miller-z3-4st?variant=44078159528074
I have an inking for a 5 string at some time as well, not quite yet. I actually fancy building my own with body and neck from warmoth. But I should really try something cheaper first.
However, I have a thing for Stingrays. Full blown MusicMan models are too dear, but I'm going to try some Sterling models out as soon as I'm finished with uni.
Sire have dipped their toe there too recently, with the Z3 and Z7. But, I don't know, they aren't quite a Stingray to me.
Funny, I was watching a comparison video between the Z’s and Sterlings last week. Sires came off well in terms of finish, but I’d also kind of worry that they are just not the real thing.
I've still got that transparent violet Palaedium waiting at Bass Direct
That looks lovely Andy 👍
indeed it does, nice one :-
It'll no doubt be getting some fettling - a good setup certainly and maybe a Babicz FCH bridge, as I have one on the Palaedium I already have and I'm very impressed with it. I'd also like to try a Tone Monster PTE varitone switch in place of the normal tone pot.
These are a very special bass, designed by the legendary Jim DeCola with masive input from Jeff Berlin - as happy ripping through lyrical fusion lines as playing back sitting into some cool laidback groove. I have never heard a better passive bass, never played a bass that can be setup with such an improbably low action. Play one and you'll never forget it - that's why I was so upset when I thought I'd missed the chance to own a second one.
It won't be immaculate, it's 35 years old, but then all my basses are.....
However, I have a thing for Stingrays. Full blown MusicMan models are too dear, but I'm going to try some Sterling models out as soon as I'm finished with uni.
Sire have dipped their toe there too recently, with the Z3 and Z7. But, I don't know, they aren't quite a Stingray to me.Funny, I was watching a comparison video between the Z’s and Sterlings last week. Sires came off well in terms of finish, but I’d also kind of worry that they are just not the real thing.
In my opinion the nicest MM basses are the "proper" Sterlings, from around 93 or 94. Smaller and a bit lighter than the Stingray, three band EQ, coil switching and lovely necks.
They still had the bridge with mutes, recessed neckplate and chromed brass battery cover at that time. I've got a transparent red fretless and it's a beautiful thing.
It's a pity that now people mostly associate Sterling with the cheap versions....
In my opinion the nicest MM basses are the "proper" Sterlings, from around 93 or 94...
It's a pity that now people mostly associate Sterling with the cheap versions....
Well, more affordable, rather than cheap, which is objectively the case. The Sterling Ray range goes from about £300 to £1200. What's the base price for a MM? £2400 or so?
I'll be heading into Guitar Guitar in a few weeks with the intent to try examples of their Sterling Rays at various price points. Just to see what one I like most, with no preconceptions.
I don't know why Ernie Ball made such a mess of their model names. They had the Stingray and then the Sterling (smaller bodies and a bit lighter but same quality and price). Fine, and understandable - then they used the same names, in differing combinations, for a whole different line of basses. Weird marketing or what?
And now there's no such thing as a new "proper" Sterling - ie equivalent quality and price to a Stingray.
I like my Stingray very much and should have got one years ago - it's very me! But they're not cheap... We've got a Sire V7 here and apart from the excess of knobs and how close one stacked knob is to the strings, and my usual moan about balance, it's a great fake Jazz.
I appreciate that Sterling Ball was involved with Leo on the original Stingray prototypes and then led Ernie Ball for years after his Dad stepped down, but really, surely they have some more names they can use for products? It is sooooo confusing. But please, don't keep using family names, no-one needs an Ernie guitar or a Brian bass! 😉
I've only been into bass for a year and a half, so it doesn't both me. Ernie Ball Music Man Stingrays = Made in America, Sterling by Music Man = Made with somewhere cheaper labour and materials. Non bass nerds don't know about the earlier Sterling models and I imagine a large proportion of the buying public don't either and wouldn't care if they did.
Only had one American made (Fender Elite) bass and only for three days, at which point one of the pick ups failed. Replaced it with a half the price Mexican made Fender and apart from the less fancy paint finish, I couldn't tell a difference.
Does anyone know about drum machine applications for computers?
My current practice setup is a nuc computer attached to a screen and focusrite audio interface, a couple of studio monitors and a subwoofer. The bass plugs into an amp modeler into the audio interface. It's a pretty decent setup for playing online lessons, but I would like to get some drum beats to practice to as well, while avoiding the cost of any more kit as I have already overspent.
I'll be heading into Guitar Guitar in a few weeks with the intent to try examples of their Sterling Rays at various price points. Just to see what one I like most, with no preconceptions.
Do you not fancy having a look at Sire's versions?
I have a Stingray that a rarely play because of the weight. I'd sell it, but my son, who mainly plays guitar has said that he wants it.
I briefly had one of the short scale sterling sting rays which I really wanted to love, but just hated the tone of so sold it.
Do you not fancy having a look at Sire's versions?
I would, but I don't think there's any stockists near me.
I've not been playing that long, and as this is a wee reward to myself, and only my 2nd bass, I don't want to buy unseen. I want to try stuff out in a shop and see what feels right.
Does anyone know about drum machine applications for computers?
I got Modo Drums bundled with my audio interface but I think they do a free version. Didn’t really use it as I found it very cumbersome. You also only got a few basic things and everything else was purchasable in packs. Maybe worth a look though.
For ease of use, I can’t see past the Fender Tune app. Free, with mobile or desktop versions and loads of styles and variety of drum loop in the beats section.
“Non bass nerds don't know about the earlier Sterling models and I imagine a large proportion of the buying public don't either and wouldn't care if they did.”
I know what you mean but guitars and basses last a very very long time, so when you have products made across decades that have the same name and appear to be very similar, when there’s quite a gulf in price or build quality, it gets very confusing in the secondhand market!
However nothing is as confusing as Celestion guitar speaker model names and numbers…
I've only been into bass for a year and a half, so it doesn't both me. Non bass nerds don't know about the earlier Sterling models and I imagine a large proportion of the buying public don't either and wouldn't care if they did.
It doesn't bother me in the least, apart from the fact that some people do get confused about the differences between the "proper " Sterling and the cheaper line of Stingrays.
I was thinking of getting my bass re-fretted, I want to know what other people feel when playing the bass, can they feel the frets? Because I can't, I have no sense at all on where the frets are by feel, is that actually kind of normal and I just need to give it time for my special awareness to improve on my hand positioning on the fretboard?
I feel that jumbo or high narrow frets would be better to help me improve, but that's another cost that I don't want to spend to find it makes no difference.
* that should have been spatial awareness not special.
I've got guitars and basses with all sorts of frets from proper jumbo down to dressed to almost nothing, MSP. Having just played a selection blind I can feel the frets on all of them. I've got quite fat worker's fingers and play with the pads rather than tips. I've also realised I use them to count up and down one or two frets but beyond that rely on my ear or looking at the fret board.
On the basses I don't think fret size matters much, but on the guitars it makes quite a difference: jumbos make it easier to hold chords down but I need a lighter touch to avoid making the notes go sharp.
I don't like the tall thin frets Fender have started putting on some vintage inspired guitars, I "trip up" on them, however modern Fender medium jumbo I love.
My preference is for small, low frets - even as small as mandolin frets, a la Lee Sklar. I certainly wouldn't consider refretting any of my basses with higher frets, given that I consider fretless basses to have the nicest feel.
You are quite an advanced player though Andy, I have only been playing about 6 months.
I have been learning guitar at the same time, and on my guitar I can feel the frets and it provides a bit of extra guidance to position my fretting hand, almost subconsciously, and I am more accurate on the guitar. On the bass I just cant feel the frets at all, largely because of the thicker strings, but I know I am also not very physically sensitive.
So I am trying to weigh up whether it is just a matter of just keep practising and it will come, or whether it is worth me trying to "hack" my lack of fingertip sensitivity by getting jumbo frets, I am 55 now, it would be nice to get to an acceptable standard before I die.
I want to know what other people feel when playing the bass, can they feel the frets? Because I can't, I have no sense at all on where the frets are by feel, is that actually kind of normal
I have only been playing about 6 months.
@MSP im a little behind you at 4 months, and a bit older at 60, so relatively similar experience. im not sure what you mean by feeling the frets, i place my fingers by looking at the frets and pressing just behind them. i suppose i feel the string against the fret a little, sometimes i get a bit of buzz because my finger placement is still a bit crap but its by sight not feel?
You are quite an advanced player though Andy, I have only been playing about 6 months
I've just been doing it for 55 years, but I'm in no way any authority in how things should be done or should be set up. I don't really think that much about fret profile, to be honest, in a way, the less I notice them, the more I like it.
In an ideal world I'd like to play fretless far more than I do, but equally I accept that it has its place and sometimes there is no substitute for a fretted bass - and anyway, sometimes I have to admit to just liking an easier life.
So, I'm just another old bugger, playing whenever something interesting comes his way. For well over fifty years basses and bass playing have been a massive part of my life - primarily playing, of course, but also repairing, modifying, setting up, researching, buying.....but the playing comes first, just like riding bikes as opposed to collecting them.
So - frets? I'd just say play enough and you'll get used to what you have. If you have several basses with different characteristics then you'll get used to them all, the same way as you get used to riding different bikes with different angles, reach, wheel size, whatever.
As ever, feel free to ignore any or all of this......
im not sure what you mean by feeling the frets
OK so, I think is that there are probably/possibly 4 elements to accurate fretting...
- Visually positioning the hand
- Audibly hearing the note
- physically feeling the frets
- experience, knowing where your hand is on the fretboard because you have played the note x times before.
As beginners we rely on the first one most, we can hear a buzzy note or a wrong note, and want to advance to being experienced when the x becomes a million and we can just instinctively get good fretting with barely a glance or just using peripheral vision. On guitar I can feel the position a bit due to being able to feel the frets.
It is only say 5% of the information coming into my brain (it has taken me a while to realise the difference so its quite a subconscious thing largely) to build the mental picture in my mind, it is there and it helps, and that 5% compounds over time. I can fret more accurately more often on guitar, even though I am enjoying the bass more and am honestly more motivated on bass. My guitar has jumbo frets and obviously much thinner strings.
I am the sort of person who can come home from a mountain bike ride with blood pouring down my shins and not know how or when it happened.
It looks like edukator can feel the frets, you and andy give the impression you can't so I am non the wiser. I guess that currently means I could do with playing a bass with jumbo frets to decide myself rather than just jumping in and splashing the cash. If it costs me a couple of hundred quid to say speed up my learning by say 5-10% then I would do that, but at the moment I am leaning more into the idea it will make **** all difference and that I am overthinking it a bit/lot.
Does anyone know if there are commonly available basses with jumbo frets I could look out for in a shop to give it a try?
im not sure what you mean by feeling the frets
It looks like edukator can feel the frets, you and andy give the impression you can't so I am non the wiser.
It's not so much that I can't feel the frets, more that I'm never really aware of doing so. Maybe a lot of that is down to the fact that I set most of my basses up with a lot lower action than most people do (lower than lot of guitarists, too) and that I use light gauge strings (40- 95) and use minimal pressure for fretting, therefore my finger is sitting mostly on top of the string, rather than deforming round it, if you see what I mean. As I keep saying, this is my preference but that in no way means that it's any better than what you prefer. Other people try my basses and often can't get on with how I have them set-up.
Different strokes for different folks....
idle bank holiday musings......
thoughts on squier 40th anniversary precision bass? google suggests that theyre well thought of and ive seen a nice one on ebay, but its over in ireland. id obviously prefer to get hands on with one before buying.
Looks identical to my Vintera 2 50’s P but for only half the price. Vintera has a pretty chunky vintage style neck not sure if the Squier is the same. Check the nut width and profile. Mine is pretty tiring to play compared to my jazz bass.
FWIW, Sharon Renold on SBL plays that Squier over a lot of other fancier basses. Lots of vids with it on her instagram.
Check the nut width and profile.
what am i looking for? i guess as a regular P itll be wider than my current PJ (1.5") but ive got to expect that i suppose havent i?
what am i looking for?
What do you like? Does your current bass feel good in the hand?
I just mentioned it as it’s not as cut and dried as P is always x and Jazz is always y. What is your current nut width and how does this compare to anything you look at? It’s only one measurement but that and how the neck is described will give a pretty good idea of how it will feel in the hand. Everyone likes different things. Personally I prefer a narrow jazz neck. My jazz is 39mm at the nut, while my P is 44.5. The neck is also a vintage recreation and feels like baseball bat cut in half. I get tired faster with it than the jazz and I have to shift more on the fretboard, where I can stretch to reach the same notes on the jazz.
Having a google it looks like that Squier has a 41.5 nut, so not too wide. Given that, I’d imagine they haven’t gone too massive on the profile either. Basses are also like suspension forks, you can have all the right bits but if it’s not set up how you like it, it’ll feel crap. You wont know until you play it.
ive got a bit of ebay chat going on with him, got a good feel that hes genuine, but still....its the internet isnt it, scammers everywhere 😀
is ebay safe enough for purchases of a few hundred £'s these days or is it a nightmare being refunded if things go tits up? i know they always used to side with the buyer (much to the frustration of the seller), is that still the case?
and do you reckon that bass above is worth £300 second hand? i get the feeling it is, but then again im no expert.
thanks
and do you reckon that bass above is worth £300 second hand? i get the feeling it is, but then again im no expert.
That’s all that really matters in the end.
Think it was £500 new and most listings seem to be around £300 at the moment. Bass Bros specialise in selling second hand basses and their last one was £319.
My gauge with used goods of any kind is, what would I get new for the same money and compare.
lets have a vote, which one looks nicest to you? the cream and gold or this one? i cant decide.....
Not a fan of that red at all and the gold pick guard doesn't go. The cream is better, but again, don't like the gold pick guard. Thats changeable though.
Are they both 40th anniversary Squiers?