Tried out a five string. Really liked that fifth string, didn't like the string spacing.
And I got some major gas for an all tube amp.
And I got some major gas for an all tube amp.
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Big changes in the past year
- Thread starter JimmyM
- Start date
Went to rehab and got sober.
, saved my marriage, and now expecting our second child.
And as far as basses and amps: Bought nothing, sold nothing. Couldn't be happier.
EDIT: OK, I did buy a Hipshot for my Ric. Thanks to all for the nice replies.
, saved my marriage, and now expecting our second child.And as far as basses and amps: Bought nothing, sold nothing. Couldn't be happier.
EDIT: OK, I did buy a Hipshot for my Ric. Thanks to all for the nice replies.
I started with a Lakland 55-01 and went to a Carvin LB75AP Anniversary, then to a '08' MIA Fender Jazz V.
Amp wise, I went from a Carvin SBR1018 to a Carvin SBX410 Neo setup.
Effects, I got rid of my 2 Flangers, looped the Boss CEB-3 Chorus Pedal thru my BX1200 head, axed the MF-102 MoogerFooger Ring Modulator and NS-1 Boss Noise Suppressor. Went from a 21 ft cable to a 12' cable.
Much quicker at setting up and tearing down now when I do a gig - I like that alot.
Amp wise, I went from a Carvin SBR1018 to a Carvin SBX410 Neo setup.
Effects, I got rid of my 2 Flangers, looped the Boss CEB-3 Chorus Pedal thru my BX1200 head, axed the MF-102 MoogerFooger Ring Modulator and NS-1 Boss Noise Suppressor. Went from a 21 ft cable to a 12' cable.
Much quicker at setting up and tearing down now when I do a gig - I like that alot.
started the year with;
SVT4PRO
Avatar B410 / B212 / B210 Neo's
added;
MB SD-800
MB LM-II
GK 700RB-II
GK 1001RB-II
Hartke LH-1000
Carvin LS1503 x 2
ending with;
1001RB-II for sale
Hartke LH-1000 keeper
Carvin LS1503 x 2 killer cabs
& flipped close to a dozen basses
SVT4PRO
Avatar B410 / B212 / B210 Neo's
added;
MB SD-800
MB LM-II
GK 700RB-II
GK 1001RB-II
Hartke LH-1000
Carvin LS1503 x 2
ending with;
1001RB-II for sale
Hartke LH-1000 keeper
Carvin LS1503 x 2 killer cabs
& flipped close to a dozen basses
I finally got a Mesa 400+ and was right on the wire on getting it too. This to me has to be the best sounding amp on earth planet!
I ended up getting a 67 Sunn 200s with cab
Made the Sub contra leap on my 82 Ibanez blazer [ man .195 is big]
Dove even deeper into my stompbox otaku-ism............ and now have many pedals.
Got rid of my Fender Jazz+5 which I had a love/hate relationship with for ten years.
Traded my guitarist a cool classical guitar which was going to waste on me for a Epi Rivoli.
Most importantly reconnecting with where I started [why I started playing] and a return to making strange growling, howling, thundering oddness, but now I have the skill and knowledge to actually control it
I ended up getting a 67 Sunn 200s with cab
Made the Sub contra leap on my 82 Ibanez blazer [ man .195 is big]
Dove even deeper into my stompbox otaku-ism............ and now have many pedals.
Got rid of my Fender Jazz+5 which I had a love/hate relationship with for ten years.
Traded my guitarist a cool classical guitar which was going to waste on me for a Epi Rivoli.
Most importantly reconnecting with where I started [why I started playing] and a return to making strange growling, howling, thundering oddness, but now I have the skill and knowledge to actually control it
last year: SVT-350/ Behringer BX4500H and SWR Goliath III
now
Mesa Titan V12, Peavey VB2, Berg NV610, Ampeg 810e
now
Mesa Titan V12, Peavey VB2, Berg NV610, Ampeg 810e
Went to rehab and got sober.
And as far as basses and amps: Bought nothing, sold nothing. Couldn't be happier.
My vote for most improved
2007:
Focused on jazz guitar, have a cheap Dean bass, discover Rondo and by an SX, have a Peavey Basic 112 and Peavey Max 110.
2008:
Forced to set aside jazz guitar for some serious bass playing. Found TalkBass, discovered Club Bass, found Markbass and Berg, found the joy in playing and gigging in a band, fell in love with 5 string lined fretless basses, discovered the fun in modding, and went to work on my SX and Douglas.
Busy and most gratifying year!
2009:
No guitar. Focus on my blues and jazz bass playing. Try not to buy any more gear.
Focused on jazz guitar, have a cheap Dean bass, discover Rondo and by an SX, have a Peavey Basic 112 and Peavey Max 110.
2008:
Forced to set aside jazz guitar for some serious bass playing. Found TalkBass, discovered Club Bass, found Markbass and Berg, found the joy in playing and gigging in a band, fell in love with 5 string lined fretless basses, discovered the fun in modding, and went to work on my SX and Douglas.
Busy and most gratifying year!
2009:
No guitar. Focus on my blues and jazz bass playing. Try not to buy any more gear.
Chef
In Memoriam
Awesome!
Went to rehab and got sober.
And as far as basses and amps: Bought nothing, sold nothing. Couldn't be happier.
2008 Highlights:
Celebrated 56th birthday
Celebrated 31st wedding anniversary
Celebrated oldest daughter's marriage
Celebrated youngest daughter's 1st wedding anniversary
Celebrated running out of daughters to marry off
Sorry, back on topic:
Discovered TalkBass
Sold every Crate piece I had (BT220 combo, BT220H head, BT410E cab)
Sold every non-SX bass I had (several, most notably 1985 Peavey Foundation natural/satin w/ rosewood FB)(Original owner)
Rediscovered the joys of playing through 2 - 15's (Ibanez SW100 with SW115 extension cab)
Discovered the joys of a little more 'mid' in the tone
Kicked phenomenal blues guitard to the curb when I couldn't get him to quit beginning and ending every tune with a 3 to 5 minute noodle/solo. Surely there's someone out there, maybe not quite as good who's a team player.
Happy 2009, everybody.
Blooz
Celebrated 56th birthday
Celebrated 31st wedding anniversary
Celebrated oldest daughter's marriage
Celebrated youngest daughter's 1st wedding anniversary
Celebrated running out of daughters to marry off
Sorry, back on topic:
Discovered TalkBass
Sold every Crate piece I had (BT220 combo, BT220H head, BT410E cab)
Sold every non-SX bass I had (several, most notably 1985 Peavey Foundation natural/satin w/ rosewood FB)(Original owner)
Rediscovered the joys of playing through 2 - 15's (Ibanez SW100 with SW115 extension cab)
Discovered the joys of a little more 'mid' in the tone
Kicked phenomenal blues guitard to the curb when I couldn't get him to quit beginning and ending every tune with a 3 to 5 minute noodle/solo. Surely there's someone out there, maybe not quite as good who's a team player.
Happy 2009, everybody.
Blooz
2008
I got my butt kicked with some service problems. Learned the hard way that an old tech should never get lazy and outsource work he can do well.
As an end result, all of my gear is now either under warranty or stuff I am 100% sure I can fix myself. It is easier to find all the parts for a vintage Bassman than for a ten year old solid state head!
I also ditched the DI this year. If the rig isn't enough, then mic it.
I added floating thumb. Bigger impact than any gear I could imagine.
I got my butt kicked with some service problems. Learned the hard way that an old tech should never get lazy and outsource work he can do well.
As an end result, all of my gear is now either under warranty or stuff I am 100% sure I can fix myself. It is easier to find all the parts for a vintage Bassman than for a ten year old solid state head!
I also ditched the DI this year. If the rig isn't enough, then mic it.
I added floating thumb. Bigger impact than any gear I could imagine.
Started the year with:
Eden WT1205
(2)Eden WT405
Eden WT610xlt
Eden D212xlt
(2)Eden D210xst
Playing 2-3 times a week with my own band.
Ended the year with:
(1)Eden WT405
(1)Eden D210xst
Eden D610xlt
Eden D212xlt
Eden DC112xlt combo amp
Gigs all dried up for my own band, I have maybe six dates for all of 09. Took a gig being a PA & Sound provider for another local band that will end up paying me 3x as much money a night that I used to make and I am booked solid through next Dec.
I would much rather be playing, and I am sure I will pick up a few walk ins here and there, but for right now all that extra cash will be very nice.
Eden WT1205
(2)Eden WT405
Eden WT610xlt
Eden D212xlt
(2)Eden D210xst
Playing 2-3 times a week with my own band.
Ended the year with:
(1)Eden WT405
(1)Eden D210xst
Eden D610xlt
Eden D212xlt
Eden DC112xlt combo amp
Gigs all dried up for my own band, I have maybe six dates for all of 09. Took a gig being a PA & Sound provider for another local band that will end up paying me 3x as much money a night that I used to make and I am booked solid through next Dec.
I would much rather be playing, and I am sure I will pick up a few walk ins here and there, but for right now all that extra cash will be very nice.
I've
- Bought an NV215
- Decided I don't like strings that are below 50-70-90-110 gauge
- Decided that I don't really like Ernie Balls either
- Decided I wanna do everything under the sun to never be DIed again
- Found out I really dislike using tube heads, but still love listening to ther people use them
- Made my ATK into a bass that I actually genuinely love and like no bass more then after nearly wanting to get rid of it and getting a Bassculture.de replacement pickup for it and making the action higher.
- Found out ATK preamps are crap and Stingray style pickups sound awesome passive anyway.
- Bought a Laney B1 head that's awesome and ended my constant EQ fiddling
- Discovered because of said head that I actually kinda like most amps scoop presets (although in tandem with plenty of mid boost?)
- Discovered I actually like a slightly bright edge on my tone as long as it has nothing to do with tweeters
- Found out I definitely really really hate compression (on my bass at least)
- Found how to mic up my NV215 with 1 mic and get it to sound ace with both the 15 and mid coming through.
- But 2 mics sound much better still...
- Have awesome Laney head die on me, and there's no parts to fix it unless I get lucky with some place in Scandinavia that makes Class T DIY kits.
- Blew up friends poweramp because I tried using it with my mates pre
- Blew up NV215 with friends poweramp, despite running it clean and it only having 750Ws a side to it...
- Started using old Laney rig and discovering it wasn't actually as bad as it was
- Got Jazz pickup for my ATK to try and continue my quest to have the deepest but clearest tone out of any band we ever play with.
- Was too poor to get Jazz routed in... this year.
- And likewise spend more on gear this year then ever before
- Bought an NV215
- Decided I don't like strings that are below 50-70-90-110 gauge
- Decided that I don't really like Ernie Balls either
- Decided I wanna do everything under the sun to never be DIed again
- Found out I really dislike using tube heads, but still love listening to ther people use them
- Made my ATK into a bass that I actually genuinely love and like no bass more then after nearly wanting to get rid of it and getting a Bassculture.de replacement pickup for it and making the action higher.
- Found out ATK preamps are crap and Stingray style pickups sound awesome passive anyway.
- Bought a Laney B1 head that's awesome and ended my constant EQ fiddling
- Discovered because of said head that I actually kinda like most amps scoop presets (although in tandem with plenty of mid boost?)
- Discovered I actually like a slightly bright edge on my tone as long as it has nothing to do with tweeters
- Found out I definitely really really hate compression (on my bass at least)
- Found how to mic up my NV215 with 1 mic and get it to sound ace with both the 15 and mid coming through.
- But 2 mics sound much better still...
- Have awesome Laney head die on me, and there's no parts to fix it unless I get lucky with some place in Scandinavia that makes Class T DIY kits.
- Blew up friends poweramp because I tried using it with my mates pre
- Blew up NV215 with friends poweramp, despite running it clean and it only having 750Ws a side to it...
- Started using old Laney rig and discovering it wasn't actually as bad as it was
- Got Jazz pickup for my ATK to try and continue my quest to have the deepest but clearest tone out of any band we ever play with.
- Was too poor to get Jazz routed in... this year.
- And likewise spend more on gear this year then ever before
Chef
In Memoriam
Crap!
Swami; I forgot the NV215!
Had one, used it for two gigs: it was too dark for me.
If you like low end, it's gonna kill tho.
That's what drove me to the Dr Bass stuff.
That I then sold
Swami; I forgot the NV215!
Had one, used it for two gigs: it was too dark for me.
If you like low end, it's gonna kill tho.
That's what drove me to the Dr Bass stuff.
That I then sold
Started '08 with 4 basses, bought 3 more over the course of the year and ended up selling them. Also, I put a Mighty Mite maple-board neck on my MIJ Squier j-bass only to take it back off. So I'm back where I started with regard to basses.
Regarding amps/cabs: bought a LMII, sold my G-K. Also, bought a couple of used Epi 1-12 cabs and have reconfirmed that I prefer 10's, so the 1-12's will probably go up for sale in '09.
Goals for '09: gig more, resist GAS. Unless I can swing an URB.
Regarding amps/cabs: bought a LMII, sold my G-K. Also, bought a couple of used Epi 1-12 cabs and have reconfirmed that I prefer 10's, so the 1-12's will probably go up for sale in '09.
Goals for '09: gig more, resist GAS. Unless I can swing an URB.
I finally got all the pieces for my own sonic puzzle a couple of days ago (courtesy of a Radial Bassbone) ... the biggest problem was not even being sure what I was even looking for when I started, but I think I'm set for awhile now.
Biggest change was completely divesting myself of 3 active Godin BG4's and a Godin BG, and going exclusively passive with an MIA Fender 08 Jazz, MIM Classic 50's P, and an MIM Standard P with upgraded pickup. A Deluxe P Special and Jazz V also passed through my home during the year. But the three I have now nails down everything I need.
Next was pedals ... and this is where I was really clueless and was just having fun experimenting before going back to a simple bass-cord-amp set up. Everything from cheap Digitech pedals to a Dunlop 105Q Wah to and EH Micro Bass Synth was purchased and resold barely used. But now I have it ... the finaly piece in the puzzle was discovering the Radial Bassbone ... pre-amp, input switch for 2 basses, DI, EQ, and effects loop ... along with a Keeley C4 Compressor, EBS Unichorus, and MXR BlowTorch.
The mainstay through all this has been my Genz Benz GBE600 and Dr. Bass 210 and 115 cabs. That will continue!
Biggest change for the better: Learning to do my own setups!! Consistent feel to my own specs ... priceless!
Biggest change was completely divesting myself of 3 active Godin BG4's and a Godin BG, and going exclusively passive with an MIA Fender 08 Jazz, MIM Classic 50's P, and an MIM Standard P with upgraded pickup. A Deluxe P Special and Jazz V also passed through my home during the year. But the three I have now nails down everything I need.
Next was pedals ... and this is where I was really clueless and was just having fun experimenting before going back to a simple bass-cord-amp set up. Everything from cheap Digitech pedals to a Dunlop 105Q Wah to and EH Micro Bass Synth was purchased and resold barely used. But now I have it ... the finaly piece in the puzzle was discovering the Radial Bassbone ... pre-amp, input switch for 2 basses, DI, EQ, and effects loop ... along with a Keeley C4 Compressor, EBS Unichorus, and MXR BlowTorch.
The mainstay through all this has been my Genz Benz GBE600 and Dr. Bass 210 and 115 cabs. That will continue!
Biggest change for the better: Learning to do my own setups!! Consistent feel to my own specs ... priceless!
Started year with a Rack Rig into 2 4ohm Avatar b210's (that rig had adapted quite a bit the previous year)
Ended year with NeoPak and Pedal Board into same Avatar b210's.
Preferred bass sound is pretty much the same (modern lowmid/mid punchy sound) with active basses. Still have same heavily modded Schecter Studio5, but added a Schecter CV-5 prototype with J/MM config and put custom pickups and preamp into it. Very happy with both basses at my disposal now.
I keep wanting a true P-bass, but use needing 5-strings as an excuse and am not motivated to fork over the dough for a true Fender 5-string P.
Ended year with NeoPak and Pedal Board into same Avatar b210's.
Preferred bass sound is pretty much the same (modern lowmid/mid punchy sound) with active basses. Still have same heavily modded Schecter Studio5, but added a Schecter CV-5 prototype with J/MM config and put custom pickups and preamp into it. Very happy with both basses at my disposal now.
I keep wanting a true P-bass, but use needing 5-strings as an excuse and am not motivated to fork over the dough for a true Fender 5-string P.
