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I’m a bit surprised they don’t push/advertise their upright bass strings as much. I also don't seem to see a lot of other upright bassists using them. (You’re one of the few I’ve seen @littlebun)

I’ve tried the Ron Carter tapewounds before, but didn’t like them. I’ve considered trying the 7720’s or even the RC610’s but there’s virtually no information about them online, other than the generic marketing stuff.

I’m a huge fan of their flatwound electric bass strings and really wish they had more to offer as far as upright strings.

I recently replaced the stock pickup on my squire Bronco bass with a Seymour Duncan SCPB-3 Quarter Pound. When I have the tone all the way open (highs) I have plenty of volume. The pickup is super hot. But when I roll the tone off I lose literally almost all of my volume. Could that be a capacitor or potentiometer issue on the standard tone pot?

The mod shop is just a way to grab a few dollars more for some cosmetic "upgrades".

Never2Late said:

@pcake is your 7 pound Bronco made in China or Indonesia?

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indonesia.

That I have purchased (and then sold): EBMM Stingray. I just could never mesh with it. Couldn't get the tone I wanted and never got used to the neck.

That I have played: Rickenbacker 4001. Wanted to love it. They sound so freaking good. For me, ergonomic nightmare. Couldn't pick comfortably with fingers or a pick, hated the way the body felt, and the neck didn't work for me. Was very disappointed.

Both of these are classic, awesome basses and just shows everyone is different.

I have not visited the venue yet. (At least not since the 1970s. I recall that the ancient bar where I used to drink had an oil painting behind the bar that was hung there in the late 1800s depicting a dramatic event of a man in a civil war uniform and a naked lady involved in some "hanky-panky". The large painting was titled: "Caught in the Act". Typical bar room art of the late 1800s. If I go there I hope to see that painting still on display as a historical artifact of the original 1800s hotel bar room.

I raised the question of the possibility of knob and tube being more likely to either pick up, or radiate noise causing me to ask what other people know, or have seen in similar situations out of curiosity.

I will accompany my friend to the venue the next time he works there, and want to be prepared with knowledge and equipment to see if I am able to determine what is causing the problem.

I retired many years ago after a very long carrer working with lots of very high-tech electronics involving medical diagnostic imaging systems, like x-ray, magnetic resonance, and positron emission tomography systems, and later other similar high-tech stuff, and I do have a very good understanding of the NEC as well. I am not however an electrical engineer, but I did spend more than fifty years working closely in electronics labs with such people.

I am more curios to see if I can resolve the issue, than I am interested in doing so as a paid project. At my advanced age, I like to keep my mind occupied, even though I have lost a lot of knowledge that I once had.

Thanks to all who have contributed to this thread!

Just picked up a Warwick Gnome for comparison. It weighs a few ounces more and just feels much more solid. With the gain and EQ settings matched visually, the Gnome has a clearer tone and produces more volume into the Elf cabinet. It might be a tad brighter, both heads are lean on the lows. With a bit of adjustment both heads can be made to sound identical. I would recommend either one, but for someone worried about the BAM reliability and willing to drop a bit more money, the Gnome seems worthy.

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I am happy to have 10 original songs now recorded, mixed and on Bandcamp! I wrote all the songs, played bass on all the songs and guitar on some of the songs and had some fantastic players with me. The vocalists are both fantastic. I'd describe it as roots/Americana rock music - upbeat and positive. If you are so inclined please check it out!

winston said:

I personally prefer the NTBT Bart preamp (standard Bass/Treble).

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I’ve used an NTBT in a custom fretless 5 for about 25 years (the pickup is a stock EBMM SR5 ceramic in the P-bass position) and, while I do really like it, I kind of wish the bass was centered higher. I’ve actually been considering switching to a TCT for a while to see if it suits me. I can always put the NTBT back in if I don’t like the TCT.

Deleted member 393011 said:

I was really surprised by Trevor Dunn's intonation the couple times I've heard him, what with his sordid past and all....

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I am fairly certain he studied the double bass in school. What is impressive is how well be maintains his intonation while touring so much on bass guitar.

Deleted member 393011 said:

Marc Johnson always nails it.

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Agreed.

Tis' a beauty.

porkynuggets said:

I use the patch cable... Regular use tends to be enough.

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Agreed, and it's the safest.

Last week I had to clean up an amp that came in for service that had received the end user "miracle cure-all" spray treatment. Not only did it not fix the original problem (that was totally unrelated), it also created new problems, a complete set of ruined pots and a nasty slimy mess to clean up. A $125 repair became ~$350 plus a new (and expensive) power module!!!

saltydog said:

HI gr8fulboy……similar situation here. A newish Stagg EUB with what appears to be a useless truss rod. One spot on the neck is driving me crazy. It’s at the D Flat on the G string. I put a straightedge on it, and yup, the neck has a slight hump in it. All the other strings and notes sound ok., it’s just that one spot. As I am a fairly experienced wood worker and have my own tools I am considering the possibility of thinning the neck myself. Could you explain a little further your process for thinning?
Thanks,
Salty dog

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If it is only one spot you might be able to scrape a bit of the coating off at that spot without going down to the wood below. Should be easy when checking with the straightedge often.

tidbits said:

I’ll have to try this. I’ve got a pretty hefty bass boost on my ParaEQ, but the comp I’ve been using has a fixed HPF in the compression detection path (Broughton Omnicomp)

I just picked up a Cali76, and I’m excited to not only have the variable HPF control, but to try it out before/after EQ, and compare against the Empress Bass Comp.

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Going EQ—>Compressor forced me to change my EQ settings a bit for the obvious reasons. Now my sound is MUCH more dense AND even. Very interesting.

TAZ said:

Hello TBer, does anyone have the wiring schematic/diagram for Ibanez SRMD200/205 Mezzo? I'm reinstalling the original electronics and, what I thought was clearly mapped out when I removed them, doesn't make it. I'd be grateful for closeup photos of the electronics installed and thrilled if a diagram exists. Ibanez references the layout for potentiometers functions as "Ibanez SRMD with ICE electronics". Appreciate any information. Thank you.

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Meanwhile, over 3-1/2 years later, I'm looking for the same info. This is why i love TB! Thanks for posting the question!

DJWhitJr said:

In case someone else needs the wiring diagram. I received this file of the wiring diagram from Ibanez.

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Many thanks for posting the "genuine article" direct from Ibanez!! Utilizing it right now!! Changing my SRMD200 Mezzo back, from passive to active. Getting ready to list it for sale. As for my SRMD205 5 string, I'll never part with it! Thanks, again!

OP - was this Music Guild in Danbury? I had my eye on that bass for a while, and funnily enough…I grew up in CT, my first bass was a black/maple ‘85 Kramer Pioneer JJ, and I traded it to Music Guild in ‘89 or so for a blue Guild Pilot. The pickups are Schallers, I don’t think they’re made any more but I’ve definitely seen some for sale on their own over the years. Sucks if the store didn’t disclose issues with frets & electronics.

My $.02, embrace its quirks and try to get the stock pickup(s) to work. Regardless of exact location in comparison to ‘60/‘70 J pickups - this thing is a mangy beast in heat, especially in series!

Mr123Clark said:

reviving this thread with the idea of 3D printing a new rear plate for my Fender Super Bassman that could have 3 120mm fans exhausting the air that comes in via the front grill cloth. In my practice space the head is pretty close to my head and i'd love to avoid blowing lots of hot air into my face which can get hot in the summer for sure. Anyone attempt something like this before?

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?

AFAIK the Super Bassman has one fan that blows air directly on the output tubes.





I would expect a small amount of air to pass through the front grill, but most of it should circulate out the back grill.

If you have three big powerful fans on the back panel all pushing air into the amp, more will exit the front. This air will definitely be hotter than the nominal air temp. How much hotter will depend on the air flow.

AFAIK the Super Bassman fan is temp-controlled, variable-speed. As long as the fan and control circuit are functioning properly, you probably don't need extra fans unless the amp is buried in a deep rolling rack. If this is the case, it could be useful to add some fans to the case to help clear the hot air.

This pedal is super impressive. I have a jad freer tube preamp that I runs digital amp into which is a more modern and responsive tone.

running a Yamaha bbp35 with TIs straight into this pedal just makes so much sense sonically. I get a little bit of hair on it with the drive, boost some lows cut a little in the mids and a slight boost to the highs.

A clear signal enhancer and the tone records perfectly. Doesn’t really need much processing once it’s recorded, outside of some compression. The saturation on this pedal is awesome if you are just looking to define your tone more in the mix.

Super group of NY jazz cats:
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trout fishing said:

Can’t your Manne be strung with long scale strings because of the bridge and through body? Not sure what yours looks like, but a friend’s works that way.

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Yeah it's through body. The long scale B string didn't work though.

TomB said:

I like kids !

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I could get used to the lava.

FYI, I just talked to Mo at Nordstrand. He confirmed that these are not their pickups.