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Hi
I've got a Sei fretless 5 string "the oilslick" to be exact and I'm loving it (used to be owned by a couple of the members on here Kevin and Pierre).
One thing I cant seem to get out of it is that nice traditional Jaco growl. Is it just something I'll have to live with or is there something I can do to achieve it?
I kind of think it's there somewhere. When I listen to it unplugged you can just hear it, but it never seems to transform through the amp no matter how I seem to play with the settings on the bass.
Any views?
I've got a Sei fretless 5 string "the oilslick" to be exact and I'm loving it (used to be owned by a couple of the members on here Kevin and Pierre).
One thing I cant seem to get out of it is that nice traditional Jaco growl. Is it just something I'll have to live with or is there something I can do to achieve it?
I kind of think it's there somewhere. When I listen to it unplugged you can just hear it, but it never seems to transform through the amp no matter how I seem to play with the settings on the bass.
Any views?
Theoretically, it's mostly just a case of using the bridge pickup, lots of midrange, and playing over the end of the neck. I've played a lot of fretlesses, and that always seems to get me in the Jaco ballpark, tone-wise. Can't imagine your Sei would be that much different, but I could be mistaken.
I miss my Sei fretless - sold it in 2005. It was the one with the Wal pickups and electronics, and extra-thick unlined ebony fingerboard.... sounded fantastic.
Thanks for the tips, I'll keep on plugging... I reckon it may well be the type of pickups it has that maybe just isn't translating the "growl" very well. I'll give it another go tonight and see if I can flip the midrange a little higher as you say and get my fingers onto the neck.
I even changed to flatwound so see if that gave a slightly more warmer sound.
Sad to hear you haven't got the Sei fretless anymore ..... I just love it!!!
I even changed to flatwound so see if that gave a slightly more warmer sound.
Sad to hear you haven't got the Sei fretless anymore ..... I just love it!!!
The pickups in the "Oil Slick" are Bare Knuckle units, and the preamp is a Demeter.
Changing the pickups would be the easiest way to get the sound you want - especially as you say the sound is there when you play acoustically.
Changing the pickups would be the easiest way to get the sound you want - especially as you say the sound is there when you play acoustically.
Hey Russ, long time ~ the SeiWal is still getting plenty of use.
Actually played her today on some TV soundtrack work we're
doing.
'fraid she won't be leaving Japan for a while though (unless I ever make it back to London ~ wouldn't mind getting a different bridge as the strings have always been a little on the tight side & the neck has enough width to accommodate slightly wider spacing).
Still, if Paul's really taken up from where Mr. Stevens finished up maybe Martin 'll be able to build you another one.....
Actually played her today on some TV soundtrack work we're
doing.
'fraid she won't be leaving Japan for a while though (unless I ever make it back to London ~ wouldn't mind getting a different bridge as the strings have always been a little on the tight side & the neck has enough width to accommodate slightly wider spacing).
Still, if Paul's really taken up from where Mr. Stevens finished up maybe Martin 'll be able to build you another one.....
i almost drop my jaws!!
Mmmmm - yeah - she's a beauty, and she's mine! I was just playing my lovely Single Cut - the Rampant Rabbit - and it keeps getting better, I can do everyting on it... here's a better pic:
Am really looking forward to getting my new Jazz bass soon...
M
Thanks Kevin ... I'll ask Alex and the gang next time I'm in there. I'm ok with it for now, so next time I've got a 2 or 3 week break I may drop it in
btw - Do you know Johnny Copland? I think he's mentioned your name before ... he moved down from Scotland to London
btw - Do you know Johnny Copland? I think he's mentioned your name before ... he moved down from Scotland to London
Hi Andy - I've met Johnny a couple of times - he's a cool guy and a fine player - he'd building a bit of a name for himself here in Londinium... he plays a Matt Garrison Fodera that he bought off some fella... he didn't do the 3 year waiting list!
OK - big news - my new Sei J Bass will be ready within 2 - 3 weeks - the body is back from the polishers and will most likely have the neck attached next week!
Really exciting but I'm feeling a lot calmer about this one - getting the first Sei was really cool and was a dream come true - this feels like yhe icing on teh cake
I won't be posting any pics until it's finished - but not long now....
Yay!!!
Mike
Hi Mike
I know Johnny's bass well ... he's my teacher at the moment. Glad to hear he's got a good rep. Great teacher as well!
I know Johnny's bass well ... he's my teacher at the moment. Glad to hear he's got a good rep. Great teacher as well!
Hey guys... here's one pic to keep y'all going, my Jazz is probably ready, it just needs a set up, I'm dropping some strings off tomorrow, but next week is so busy I don't think I can pick it up for at least another week... no worries it feels great and it's super light, it looks so much better in reality so apologies for the crappy phone pic, but the fact it looks this good now... 
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More updates as soon as she's home. Oh, and the top wood looks incredible after the finish goes on, so Pierre and others who have basses with the same wood on them... yours will look stunning as well!
Not long now
Mike
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More updates as soon as she's home. Oh, and the top wood looks incredible after the finish goes on, so Pierre and others who have basses with the same wood on them... yours will look stunning as well!
Not long now
Mike
More updates as soon as she's home. Oh, and the top wood looks incredible after the finish goes on, so Pierre and others who have basses with the same wood on them... yours will look stunning as well!
Not long now
Mike[/QUOTE]
that's nice mike!! congrats on that one!!
My one, was off to the finishers about 10 days ago. Should be hopefully getting it, early july. *crossing fingers*, will see
Indeed that top looks amazing!!
Not long now
Mike[/QUOTE]
that's nice mike!! congrats on that one!!
My one, was off to the finishers about 10 days ago. Should be hopefully getting it, early july. *crossing fingers*, will see
Indeed that top looks amazing!!
Sei2Bass
AS requested ...... Here's a Picture of old Oil Slick
Will try and take some better ones at some point
Getting closer to the Jaco growl now, just having to work on it a little
AS requested ...... Here's a Picture of old Oil Slick
Will try and take some better ones at some point
Getting closer to the Jaco growl now, just having to work on it a little
Mike
You are a lucky man, she looks fantastic. I can't wait for the official photo's and soundclips
Regards
Matthew
You are a lucky man, she looks fantastic. I can't wait for the official photo's and soundclips
Regards
Matthew
Hey Guys.... guess what? She's all done and is one hell of a stunning bass... so sorry I haven't posted anything here yet - full report, vids and sound clips all in due course - but first and foremost some PICS!!!
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Better pics sooon - when the sun comes out again - and just to say (or should that be Sei?) she delivers in every department and sounds as good as she looks and is a dream to play. I went with the Glokenklang circuit in the end and it seems very smooth and sweet sounding, and the Nordy NJS4 pups seem to deliver los of power and detail.
Oh and before you ask, the ramp is made of a piece of flamed bubinga Matin had lying about (like you do) and I think it's a very classy touch and fits in with the spalt perfectly - and as for the spalted maple - that really is AAAA quality!
Must dash - my Jazz is calling me...
Mike
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Better pics sooon - when the sun comes out again - and just to say (or should that be Sei?) she delivers in every department and sounds as good as she looks and is a dream to play. I went with the Glokenklang circuit in the end and it seems very smooth and sweet sounding, and the Nordy NJS4 pups seem to deliver los of power and detail.
Oh and before you ask, the ramp is made of a piece of flamed bubinga Matin had lying about (like you do) and I think it's a very classy touch and fits in with the spalt perfectly - and as for the spalted maple - that really is AAAA quality!
Must dash - my Jazz is calling me...
Mike
Mike, what a truly beautiful bass and glad you are so pleased with it (particularly liking the bubinga ramp, cant imagine why
). Good choice with the Glock on board pre-amp. Yours is the first of a series of basses that Martin will be completing soon, so exciting time coming up.
Small update, the SEI 9 is also back from the finishers (same batch as Mikes) but will probably be another few weeks before Martins got it completed nearly there.
). Good choice with the Glock on board pre-amp. Yours is the first of a series of basses that Martin will be completing soon, so exciting time coming up.Small update, the SEI 9 is also back from the finishers (same batch as Mikes) but will probably be another few weeks before Martins got it completed nearly there
.- Status
