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Ship-fitters disease and GAS

Landy67

Landy67

Guest
Jul 30, 2012
456
99
The Peoples Republic of MA
#1
For those who aren't familiar with the term, Ship-fitters is the condition where you start out with a simple project, and since you have that part of the car apart anyway, you might as well do the next project. Before you know it, rotating the tires turns into a break job, wheel bearing replacement, and replacing the oil seals in the differentials. What should have taken you an hour, takes three weeks, and costs $1000.

So, last week, I went into the "Evil Empire" (Guitar Center,) to pick up a $50 used Yamaha bass to use as a Rocksmith controller when I play with my nephews. The Yamaha was in harsh condition, and there's no way I'd pay for that POS. So, I ended up buying brand new Fender Modern Player Dimension bass. I tried it out using a Fender Rumble 25 combo amp and it sounded AMAZING! Once I got the bass home, I tried it out on my Genz Benz Streamliner 600, and my Ampeg B15-N. With a lot of tweaking it sounded great, but that Rumble 25 made it sound awesome! Through my Pignose Hog 30, Tascam BT-10, and my Line 6 Pocket Pod it sounds like crap.

I started looking into buying a $99 Fender Rumble V3, but my local GC sold it! so I started thinking that I might be better off with a Fender Rumble 200 amp that I could use with my GB 210 0r 115 cabinets. That way, I wouldn't increase the footprint in my office. I would also be able to use headphones so I can practice without pissing off the wife. Then I saw JimmyM's post about how much range is available in the Ampeg PF500 VS the Fender Rumble 500. (sorry, but I really like Jimmy's avatar!), and I started thinking, that I have a PF-115 cab I don't use, so I might be better off with the Ampeg!

So, what should I do? The sensible thing would be to buy the $99 Rumble V3 practice amp and use that when I'm playing that one bass,

I would really like to use that fliptop cab, and I can buy a B-stock Ammpeg Portaflex 500 from Zsounds for $250 (with the 2 year warrentee), or I could get the Fender Rumble 500 for $400 and use it with my GB Focus 210 or 115.

Most of my playing is for me, in my office/music room, so It's not important to have something I can gig with. The difference in cost isn't an issue, so the only issue is the tone. I know what the cheap amp sounds like, but I don't know what the others are like.

What would you do?
 
#3
StuartV said:
I would return the Dimension and find an acceptable $50 bass for Rocksmith on Craigslist! :D
Click to expand...

Hahahahahhaa...
While logical, I do not think this is the answer he was looking for.

I can't help because I am really new to this bass game but I have been there before, got a MIJ strat it "needed" new pickups figured I may as well do new pots, then why not shield the cavity and do a new 5 way and output jack. I think I have the same disease!
 
#4
Well, seriously, it's clear that Landy has a crap ton of gear already. If the Dimension sounds like crap through half of his rigs, why keep it? Go spend the same money on a better (used) bass that sounds great through ALL his rigs. If what he really wants is a new bass to play, versus a $50 Rocksmith controller.....
 
#5
StuartV said:
Well, seriously, it's clear that Landy has a crap ton of gear already. If the Dimension sounds like crap through half of his rigs, why keep it? Go spend the same money on a better (used) bass that sounds great through ALL his rigs. If what he really wants is a new bass to play, versus a $50 Rocksmith controller.....
Click to expand...

Oh sorry, I wasn't arguing with you, I thought your answer was funny and actually not a bad idea.
 
#9
StuartV said:
Well, seriously, it's clear that Landy has a crap ton of gear already. If the Dimension sounds like crap through half of his rigs, why keep it? Go spend the same money on a better (used) bass that sounds great through ALL his rigs. If what he really wants is a new bass to play, versus a $50 Rocksmith controller.....
Click to expand...

Well you do have a point... I've been getting rid of the stuff I don't play much, and really cutting back, but I just haven't found a cheap bass that I like. I guess I've gotten spoiled. If I buy that $50 cheap bass, I'll end up spending another $100-$150 on strings, getting the frets dressed, having the action set up, and I'll still have a $50 bass that I won't use for anything but Rocksmith. At least the Dimension Bass is nice to play. It has great action, and I don't have to do anything.

It only sounds like crap through the crappy amps, and I really don't care about that. I should probably just buy that Rumble 25 and have a practice amp. It does what I want, it's small, I can use headphones, and I like the sound. If I'm going to play that bass somewhere else I'll take a bigger amp. The Rumble will replace the Pignose as my practice amp.

Anyone want to buy a good used Pignose Hog 30?
 
#10
For the 17 years I played professionally, I happily used one bass - a Gibson Ripper. The first seven years I used an SVT/ V4B setup. As the the gig situation changed I switched to a Dual Showman/Mesa 1/15. Never really considered other equipment
After I stopped gigging full time (and finally got a decent paying day job) the GAS started. The previously mentioned equipment was long gone. I had "disposable" income (I was single at that time) and new and wonderful Bass equipment was being introduced daily. Then came internet shopping.

Cut to the chase: What really happened was I convinced myself that if I just got this one bass or one amp I would have my ultimate setup (like I gigged with in the '70's and 80's) then the search would be over. The reality was, no matter what I had I was always looking for the "next" holy grail for me. I am now retired in the Philippines living pretty much in the boonies, where it is difficult if not impossible to buy good musical equipment. Luckily I brought some great stuff with me.
But I still browse the internet checking out the latest and greatest, fantasizing. I'm like a guy in a decent marriage that checks out internet porn.

If it's not about the money, get good stuff that makes you happy. Then turn off your computer.
 
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#11
OK, so I went with a "B" stock Ampeg PF500. That is one awesome amp! It sounds great with the Fender MP, the EBMM Stingray and the Godin A4! (my Chadwick Folding Double Bass is out of commission, so I couldn't try it) I'm going to keep the Pignose Hogg to use out in the yard, but I'm going to use the PF500 with the 115HF cab. I'm glad I didn't' buy the Rumble 25. I think the Ampeg is a way better amp.

Now my car story...
I tried to move my old car last weekend, but the clutch didn't work. The Clutch Master Cylinder has developed a leak, and isn't working any more. To get to the MC, I have to remove the right front fender. To remove that, I have to remove the grill and radiator. (this is where it starts!)

The brakes use the same reservoir as the clutch, and it's been there for 50 years, there isn't any chance I'll be able to move the plumbing, so I'm going to have to replace the clutch tower, master cylinder, and reservoir. Since I have that much of the car apart, I may as well upgrade the breaks from a single stage, to a dual stage (right now, one leak will take out front and back brakes) Since the brake lines have been connected for the past 50 years, I will most likely have to replace the Brake cylinders, flex lines, brake lines. It would be stupid to try to re-use the brake shoes, and springs, AND the wheel bearings are right there!

While it's all apart, I should replace the timing chain (it's been 50 years since the last time it was done) water pump, and the fron tmain seal has been a bit weepy for the last couple of years.

... I think I'm going to go practice my bass, and worry about the car this weekend!
 
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#14
Landy67 said:
OK, so I went with a "B" stock Ampeg PF500. That is one awesome amp! It sounds great with the Fender MP, the EBMM Stingray and the Godin A4! (my Chadwick Folding Double Bass is out of commission, so I couldn't try it) I'm going to keep the Pignose Hogg to use out in the yard, but I'm going to use the PF500 with the 115HF cab. I'm glad I didn't' buy the Rumble 25. I think the Ampeg is a way better amp.
Click to expand...
I like your avatar, too ;) Enjoy the new amp!
 

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