Recent content by steve_rolfeca

This is not a category where big $$$ are required for good results. An instrument with a solid top like my Guild sounds better than the cheap laminated Ibanez, but not massively so.

Hey, gang. We had a rough Christmas this year. My youngest son needed emergency care for respiratory trouble on Boxing Day, and I had serious digestive issues and pain all week. I finally went to Emerg on Friday morning, and it was a good thing that I did. During extensive testing, we found...

Aside from the fact that the prices are out of date. The other thing to note about that bass builder, is that it was for the ABZ only, which is the entry-level model in the Custom series. It’s the perfect option for anyone looking for a super-light instrument, as the lack of a fancy top, matte...

What’s the purpose of the extra toggle switch on the lower bout?

Lowendlobster’s disassembly photos showed that it’s a pretty big, fat coil. I’d be guessing that they’re up around 8K.

My go-to is to grab a hymnal for Christmas songs and traditional hymns. The Bass part of a traditional SATB arrangement usually contains beautiful contrapuntal lines that really enhance the tune. They’re mostly all quarter, half and whole notes, so they’re not a challenging read. Because...

At age 17 or 18, I started getting work as a hired gun. I was in the local union book, and often served as a backup when bands’ usual bassists were unavailable. That lead to work in musical theatre, etc. Although I never reached that level of proficiency, many of my idols were and still are...

Back in the ‘90’s, one of the magazines (Bass Player, maybe?) did a round table interview with a bunch of these guys in the same room. Sheldon, Mike Tobias, etc. IIRC, they even got into a few of the no-fly zones like tonewoods, bolt-on vs set neck, finishes, veneer tops, etc. Very informative...

I’ve spent time with Sheldon at a bass hang, and corresponded with him via email. I’m convinced that he is an effing genius in terms of industrial design and production, as well as a luthier. What’s really interesting about it, is that he is a genuinely nice guy- no airs or arrogance.

That’s an interesting point. I use very little drive- at most I’m occasionally looking for a little hair on the note. I’ve never given much thought to what happens if you go for a really filthy sound. That raises another question, though. If you’re pushing so much drive that a modeled SVT...

If you have one of the ones with a pre/post switch, hang on to it. IME, the post-only DI definitely causes strife with most experienced sound people. Even if I explain ahead of time that tweaking my stage volume is going to affect their feed, the moment I touch the Master volume, they clearly...

As you'd expect, a lot of the Stomp drive models are guitar-oriented. Guitarists have the opposite issue to us- too much low end makes their distorted tones sound flabby. The classic Tube Screamer overdrive is a huge favourite, specifically because it has a mid boost and bass cut baked in. Next...

That sounds interesting. What sort of dampening material are we talking about?

Lovely service today, although I was fighting feedback again on a crowded platform with my ABG during soundcheck. Moved a monitor, and set my amp off to one side, and all was fine.

Not knowing how tall you are, I'm not sure- is that a Rumble 200 with the extension cab, or a pair of Rumble 100's slaved together? Snappy Christmas getup, by the way. The poinsettia drew the colours of your shirt, strap and bass together rather nicely!