Recent content by Testing_123

Dan Maines (Clutch) always blows me away with his playing. I think he typically plays without a pick.

To the OP: Great speakers won't add much if your source audio isn't good quality. Ideally, listen to CDs or vinyl, and it would really be best to play them through a decent set of speakers. It's hard to accurately reproduce lower freqs in headphones or small speakers. If you're listening to...

Another pedal builder and modder here. My projects include some DIY designs, a HotCake clone, a Tremulus Lune, and a modded TS9 TubeScreamer (brought to TS808 specs, then another cap change for meatier low-mids). Haven't built anything lately, but am getting the itch for a new project soon...

In my experience, audiences tend to have a greater positive response to bands who are genuinely "into it" and clearly enjoy what they're doing even the playing isn't perfect, vs. bands who are concentrating intensely, play perfect, but are rigid. In short - enjoy. Do what comes natural. Don't...

Devin Sarno does some very cool drone/ambient work. P.S. I'm a huge Nels Cline fan myself, and found out about Sarno via a collaboration project he did with Cline. P.P.S. The Nels Cline Singers' former bassist Devin Hoff has done some interesting solo project work. He has a "crust jazz"...

OP: Why not go to the source? There's a contact ZVex link at Welcome to Z.VEX EFFECTS. Zach has been reasonably active/responsive in engaging with the DIY pedal building community, so he (or someone else within ZVex) might answer your question directly.

Does the problem occur with different cables? (Always good to rule out cable issues when troubleshooting.) If you've isolated the problem to your bass's output jack: the jack is fairly simple component; take it out and eyeball it as you plug and unplug the instrument cable -- you might see a...

I'm 36 years old. As a bassist, I have been active in bands since 1996. I have owned a few amps, but only one bass in that time, a MIM Fender J. Lately, I've been thinking about adding a P to my arsenal, but I haven't found the right instrument yet. Clearly, I'm w a y behind most...

Howdy. I live in Deerfield, work in Northampton, my band rehearses and records in Amherst. Right on, Western Mass.

My Strat has a way fat tone. It's a stock MIA. My secret? I use the neck pickup. When I want a little more clarity and definition, I'll switch to the middle pickup. I rarely use the bridge pickup unless I want thin, crispy twang. (I also play .011 - .048 strings. I played .010's...

Good thread topic, OP! Interesting to see so many TB'ers mention Rush -- they're near the top of my "can't stand but respect" list too. Great musicianship, but Geddy's voice is a turnoff, and I can't tag along with the long-winded noodly keyboard journeys. Others that come to mind for me...

What's your definition of "better"? Clarify that, and you'll likely get more useful info as you dig into the flats vs rounds debate. (Remember, you're asking a bunch of TB'ers with varied music tastes, tone preferences, playing experience, and stylistic and technique differences.) P.S. Flats...

I've been test-playing a few MIA P-basses at a local shop lately. Really couldn't tell a difference in tone or "snap" between the basses with maple and rosewood fretboards, but for some reason the rosewood felt a little better on my fingertips. Don't know why. Maybe it's the difference...

I have to ask: How can people play with a short strap?! But seriously... I'm pretty convinced that there's no way I'll look cool on stage, no matter how low or high my bass is positioned. I'm 36, I've got a fair share of gray hair, and I don't feel comfortable moving around a lot on stage...

What is the color (hard to tell from pics -- some discoloration from lighting?)? Also, what type of bridge is currently installed?