Latest Posts

trout fishing · Jul 4, 2026

Shameful plug: I’ve (tentatively) put mine with the mini bias control on top in the classifieds. It’s in dead mint condition and comes with box and goodies.

Sounds so good—subtle grit with something going on in the high miss—but I’m trying to gather funds for another bass

https://www.talkbass.com/classifieds/wren-cuff-phat-phuk-b-v2.1684747/

mpdd · Jul 4, 2026

96tbird said:
That’s is 100% dependent on the players wants and needs, and how they attack the strings. Plenty of people play with no relief. Blanket statements just don’t work in life.

we are heavy handed finger style fellows, should have prefaced that i suppose

edmidlifecrisis · Jul 4, 2026

This guy came to visit my yard a few months ago, He set out to destroy a couple of dead branches

SteveCS · Jul 4, 2026

Greenman72 said:
Hi. I currently play a 4-string and I play tabs.
I want to change to a 5-string and read music.
What's the best way to do that successfully?

I voted stick with 4 as you start to learn standard notation, at least for a while. The main line of reasoning is that there is comparatively little contemporary SN out there for contemporary music, which is where most 5-string bass music exists. If you want to learn to read, and ultimately sight-read, you will need access to as much music in standard notation as you can lay your hands on. Learning to read burns through material at quite a rate - add in specific sight-reading exercises that you rarely play more than a handful of times increases that burn rate. There are vast quantities of graded material available from classical literature for the 4-string in standard tuning.

Obviously anything written for 4 can be played on 5, and 5 offers a few additional fingering options, but for the most part the low B string is redundant.

Dropihot187 · Jul 4, 2026

Have a D -rock never known of Payson string till now ..45-135 need .135 for low B ,tune to E flat so B string in .130 is bit floppy for my taste.

R Briere · Jul 4, 2026

Steve was a Great friend........and I miss him to this day......He contributed greatly to the World of Bass.....as well as Kindness

skygazer · Jul 4, 2026

In a moment of whimsy, I gave the headstock an emblem. FN in this case means "Faux Novax", rather than Fabrique Nationale.

ectoflanger · Jul 4, 2026

Balok said:
I'm in my 60's (yeah I'm an old fart!) and unfortunately arthritis has begun in my fingers and it makes stretching 4 frets on a 34 inch scale bass both difficult and painful. As a result, I picked up a short scale Fender Mustang to noodle around on, and a 32 inch scale Ibanez Mezzo 5-string as well. I saw this bass on reverb and picked it up since I wanted a regular 32 inch scale 4-string. I love the unique single cut design and I don't have any sunburst's at all so it fits well into my collection.

My question does anyone have experience with these instruments in terms of tone and playability?

Corbomite anyone? I have to tell you that your avatar is totally awesome and funny at the same time. Sorry I can't give you any advice on that specific Aria Pro II bass. The only experience have with medium scale Aria Pro II basses are a pair of 1985 Explorer style ZZB Deluxes made in the Matsumoku factory in Japan, and they came with a type of P-Style soapbar pickup. These were kind of meh for me so I had some custom ones made for them. The necks are fast on mine with a 2.0 mm action of the E string at the 17th fret. According to my internet searches, the neck radius on mine is 12, flatter than your standard Fender.

Best wishes to you in finding the info you need. And kudos for the cool avatar!!

ahbass2500 · Jul 4, 2026

Musicpro insurance looks like they cover.

MusicPro Insurance -- Affordable Insurance for the Music Professional

I have Musicpro, but have never filed a claim. Easy to apply and update equipment lists at least.

SharpCat · Jul 4, 2026

Sorry, still no pics.

After measuring, a set of what I think are GHS precision flats juuuust fit top load on the Omen Extreme. I had them on my Yamaha BB735a.

OMG do they sound good. So low and smooth. Actually turned down the bass knob a bit. Very nice B.

funkinbottom · Jul 4, 2026

Just looking at the site, it doesn't seem to be a big difference. Though not neck thru (bolt on), but has active 3 band eq with passive pickups, 34" scale. I would imagine it sounds pretty much the same as the B4 E.

sunbeast · Jul 4, 2026

There's a guy I saw on Instagram with some MEC soap bars in place of the Nordstrand Big-Splits in his Ibanez EHB1506MS and he sounds fantastic (a fatter and more traditional sound than the stock Nordstrands). Its definitely made me curious about MECs

Michedelic · Jul 4, 2026

Back when Morrissey was tolerable(more or less)…Rourke drives this home…
Login to view embedded media

JBarz · Jul 4, 2026

DoubleMIDI said:
Currently IMHO the string does not fit well to the next lower string soundwise.

I agree - the last one he made fit the set much better. A tiny bit thicker gauge made those fingerboard issues go away, too. I probably should scoot the bridge up a little bit, too, tbh.

I’ll make another demo when the new thicker one gets on there.

I’ll definitely try the mute for the open string- hadn’t considered that - thanks!

Passinwind · Jul 4, 2026

S-Bigbottom said:
It is that dang ol' toll bridge that scares everyone from this area from going to your hood.

There’s finally a new one going in, and we can’t wait to hear how much the toll is inevitably going up. I wrote a song when it went from a quarter to fifty cents many years ago, which got lots of local radio airplay and even a few cover versions. I still bust it out at open mics every once in a while.

Gusdfunk · Jul 4, 2026

Agreed, CR = Crunch Resonator (citing the Ken's Corner video posted on page 2 of this thread 13:55-14:30)... I'm guessing the Chuck Rainey model is specifically a 6 string (necessarily a bolt-on?).
(Crunch meaning bolt-on? Resonator meaning more "reflections?" (in the Ken's Corner videos, he talks about the sound "reflecting" at all places where woods join together. So the bolt-on is just more of that. Not better or worse that neck throughs, just different, brighter.

Jeff Scott · Jul 4, 2026

It's not a big deal to do, really.

Marihino · Jul 4, 2026

There is a beautiful blue 434 in the BB Club with white or cream Geezers and a bunch of other mods.

BobKay · Jul 4, 2026

Yes, I see that now. Apparently I am as dumb as I look, although someone once remarked "no Bob, no one could be that dumb!"

mtdkingstonheir · Jul 4, 2026

Joe Nerve said:
Partridge Family
The Archies
The Defranco Family
Josie and The Pussycats
The Osmond Brothers
The Banana Splits
Bobby Sherman
Spinal Tap
1910 Fruitgum Company

and of course...

Uriah Heep

cfortner · Jul 4, 2026

In my case Gear4music was very gentle, no single problem with reclamation.

J-Bass RMR · Jul 4, 2026

If you're down & out because you missed out:

Now that the price floor has been established; the seller just Listed with NO Waiting / Buy it Now.

N

Aric Bjorn · Jul 4, 2026

new today from Rhett Shull:

Is This The New Normal? The Impersonator Dilemma
Youtube responded to my copyright takedown request of the Guitar Gems with Chase channel, and I wasn’t expecting what they sent back. AI slop is becoming more prevalent on YouTube and I think if they don’t start cracking down on it soon, it could be the beginning of the end for this platform, which would be a huge shame. The issue I’m having here is trying to understand where the line is for copyright protection over my work when it comes to AI impersonation and “creators” ripping off my content for their own gain? What recourse do I have here, if any?
Login to view embedded media

GTHintz · Jul 4, 2026

Due to how bright the pickups are I’d start with turning down the treble. Typically on every active bass I don’t go much past the notch or right in the middle however with the mk1 I always have to roll the treble back and cut it just a bit. Also if you’re trying to get a warmer tone you’ll want mellow strings. If you’re using aggressive steels I’d recommend trying pressure wounds or possibly nickel. If your preamp is versatile enough it should help you find a tone you like. Personally I like the attitude of the mk1. That aggressive tone is great to my ears. I think people knock them because they don’t understand how to treat them and eq for them.

1String · Jul 4, 2026

Just need more paper, glue, or a new nut LOL

re twisting, when installing the string, keep the ball end of the string as loose as possible when "tightening it down" so the ball can FREELY rotate at the bridge up until the very last minute when you've got to pull your hand out from beneath the wire before it gets cut off

Latest Posts

Attachments

Filter