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I get the "bad gateway" thing regularly... already a couple times today
+1
Same here..
+1
Same here..
Yeah it's poor IP communication between back-end computers, including this server.
I've noticed this in the last year or so and to be honest talkbass has enough contributing members for this not to be a problem
.Nuff said, I guess.
Yes. Actually they are very similar processes. There are 4 people in the USA Workshop. There are 35 or so in the CR. That's the main difference.
Either way, USA or CR, you're getting a guitar that was mostly crafted by hand.
You know the neck thing (thickness) is a constant source of conversation. I find that its a personal preference thing from one bassist to another as to if they want a slightly larger neck or smaller.
I measured a couple of Brooklyn NS-2 necks this trip fret-by-fret in three dimensions and when you compare them to my NS-2 or NS-4 they are less than 1/64 and most no more than 1/32 different in thickness down the neck.
Ironically, the fingerboards are ALWAYS exactly the same. 1.63 to 1.64 wide at the nut and 2.36 to 2.38 at the 24th fret.
It really amazed me how little these necks have changed between the 2 Brooklyn models I measured and the 2 current USA models I measured.
So in my mind, when you start talking about 1/32 to 1/64th of an inch in difference... that difference has to be more psychological than anything . For it's very doubtful that your body (mind or your hands) can really feel that small a change.
The one thing that has varied is the shape of the neck. Meaning from a C to a D shape in some cases.
But again, this can make it feel like a neck is thicker or chunky, but in reality, front to back, there's little or no difference.
- Jun 16, 2005
- 3,584
- 31
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Spector, Aguilar, Darkglass
JPSBassist said:
I think what people are referring to when talking about "thickness" is the difference between the C and D neck profiles as opposed to the thickness or depth of the neck? The necks with less of a curve will have more mass then others that have more of a curve while having the same LxWxD measurements.
Guess thick is a bad way to describe it but chunky has a worse rep haha
There definitely is a different feel between the neck on my green NS-5 and my blue Euro. Like Chris mentioned, it's probably different neck profiles even though they might be the same measurement but you can feel the difference when playing. The green NS-5 neck is so comfortable though even though it feels like it is bigger and I would even say it's more comfortable than the blue Euro.
"Thick and Chunky" has a negative connotation when describing bass necks and women... but is an oft sought quality in peanut butter
It would be nice if there was a more accurate way to consistently describe the shape and feel of bass necks.
- Jun 16, 2005
- 3,584
- 31
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Spector, Aguilar, Darkglass
"Thick and Chunky" has a negative connotation when describing bass necks and women... but is an oft sought quality in peanut butter
I'm a smooth natural guy myself
I totally agree. I think it's more the shape and not necessarily the actually front-to-back thickness. A "C" shape will have more mass than a "D" shape and therefore feel larger.
A couple of the NS-2s at both this past NAMM and BPL shows had almost squared necks towards the headstock. Those necks felt much larger but in reality they were not thicker. There was just more mass as you put it and therefore more to grip.
And again for some bassists this is a plus. For others not so much. I think the most comfortable neck I have on any of my NS Neck-Thru models is my NS-4. And it is just slightly thicker than my NS-2A. And slightly less thick than the Euro4LX models I've owned in the past.
In all, I've found all of them very comfortable and playable. And I really haven't needed any adjustment between them.
The test will be the bass that Stuart started building for me as I left from my visit at the NY Workshop. It's going to be a USA Doug Wimbish. So I'm expecting that neck to be really small in comparison.
Fellas,
Excuse me for being a Spectornubie but is the Smadder setup essentially what is in the Alex Webster signature or is it completely different? I'm still really enjoying the tonepump in my Euro but getting a Haz has me intrigued as well. Great video as well Jaymi!
Brent
Excuse me for being a Spectornubie but is the Smadder setup essentially what is in the Alex Webster signature or is it completely different? I'm still really enjoying the tonepump in my Euro but getting a Haz has me intrigued as well. Great video as well Jaymi!
Brent
The Alex Webster runs EMG 40DC pickups along with the EMG BQC (bass, mid, treb) preamp at 18V, so the "Smadder" setup is a bit different. He prefers to use the EXB instead of the variable mid control.
From the EMG website: "The EXB is an unconventional equalization control for bass that increases the low and high frequency regions while reducing the midrange simultaneously to provide the gain and punch that bass players want. Slap players will especially appreciate its superior clarity and percussive quality."
Steve (Smadder) also likes the EMG X series pickups with 9V power.
Sounds like a killer setup to me
Jaymi
Pink Bass Man
- Feb 11, 2008
- 6,813
- 490
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Ampeg , Jaydee, Kalium
Thanks Brent!
It is a very versatile setup...different than the Webster....Maybe I will try one of those next...
Brent,
Pretty much what ubnomar said. The most affordable thing to do is start with replacing the preamp with either the BQC system, or the smadder set up of a BTC system and an EXB tone control. The BQC system goes for about $129 and the BTC system costs $89 and the EXB is $49 (this is all before any discounts and/or shipping costs). So it's essentially $130 or less whichever one you go for.
Then if you want to go for the X series pickups, the PJ-X set is $179. EMG tech support (via phone conversations I had with them before diving in) strongly recommends not running X series pickups with anything over 9v. The pickups' internal preamps are completely different compared to the regular EMGs and are much more powerful and have a broader frequency range. So unless the preamp manufacturer demands 18v, you don't need it. X series pickups just run hotter so the extra headroom from another battery isn't needed and can actually be detrimental to the tone.
The Webster comes with regular 40DC humbuckers and a BQC system preamp, which is why it's okay to run at 18v, which it does. the BQC system is vol/bal/stacked treble & bass/stacked mid frequency selector & mid cut & boost. If you like to have onboard mid controls, this is as good as it gets as you can choose from a very broad selection of mid frequencies with the bottom knob, and then use the top knob to boost or cut them to taste.
My personal preference is to control my mids at the head/amp so I can be more precise with what I'm dialing in or out. Plus, I fell in love with the variable mid cut/treble & bass boost knob on the Epifani 502 and 902 heads, and the EXB tone circuit essentially gives you that functionality onboard the bass. I end up leaving the bass and treble flat and roll the EXB anywhere from half way up to fully dimed in shaping my tone.
Both are great solutions and are also affordable, tonally flexible, dead quiet and almost completely solderless.
When and if you get down to wanting to go ahead with any of these upgrades/mods, please let me know and I will help you find everything at the best cost possible.
You'll find on this Spector Club thread that everyone is really wonderful about helping each other - it's an awesome community with great players and great people who are very generous with their time and talent. I was encouraged to join by chrisloe and NPS and am still very grateful to them for it. I've made some good friends and learned a ton about these instruments and other stuff as well. It's one of the best parts of owning a Spector.
Pretty much what ubnomar said. The most affordable thing to do is start with replacing the preamp with either the BQC system, or the smadder set up of a BTC system and an EXB tone control. The BQC system goes for about $129 and the BTC system costs $89 and the EXB is $49 (this is all before any discounts and/or shipping costs). So it's essentially $130 or less whichever one you go for.
Then if you want to go for the X series pickups, the PJ-X set is $179. EMG tech support (via phone conversations I had with them before diving in) strongly recommends not running X series pickups with anything over 9v. The pickups' internal preamps are completely different compared to the regular EMGs and are much more powerful and have a broader frequency range. So unless the preamp manufacturer demands 18v, you don't need it. X series pickups just run hotter so the extra headroom from another battery isn't needed and can actually be detrimental to the tone.
The Webster comes with regular 40DC humbuckers and a BQC system preamp, which is why it's okay to run at 18v, which it does. the BQC system is vol/bal/stacked treble & bass/stacked mid frequency selector & mid cut & boost. If you like to have onboard mid controls, this is as good as it gets as you can choose from a very broad selection of mid frequencies with the bottom knob, and then use the top knob to boost or cut them to taste.
My personal preference is to control my mids at the head/amp so I can be more precise with what I'm dialing in or out. Plus, I fell in love with the variable mid cut/treble & bass boost knob on the Epifani 502 and 902 heads, and the EXB tone circuit essentially gives you that functionality onboard the bass. I end up leaving the bass and treble flat and roll the EXB anywhere from half way up to fully dimed in shaping my tone.
Both are great solutions and are also affordable, tonally flexible, dead quiet and almost completely solderless.
When and if you get down to wanting to go ahead with any of these upgrades/mods, please let me know and I will help you find everything at the best cost possible.
You'll find on this Spector Club thread that everyone is really wonderful about helping each other - it's an awesome community with great players and great people who are very generous with their time and talent. I was encouraged to join by chrisloe and NPS and am still very grateful to them for it. I've made some good friends and learned a ton about these instruments and other stuff as well. It's one of the best parts of owning a Spector.
The Alex Webster runs EMG 40DC pickups along with the EMG BQC (bass, mid, treb) preamp at 18V, so the "Smadder" setup is a bit different. He prefers to use the EXB instead of the variable mid control.
From the EMG website: "The EXB is an unconventional equalization control for bass that increases the low and high frequency regions while reducing the midrange simultaneously to provide the gain and punch that bass players want. Slap players will especially appreciate its superior clarity and percussive quality."
Steve (Smadder) also likes the EMG X series pickups with 9V power.
Sounds like a killer setup to me
The Alex Webster runs EMG 40DC pickups along with the EMG BQC (bass, mid, treb) preamp at 18V, so the "Smadder" setup is a bit different. He prefers to use the EXB instead of the variable mid control.
From the EMG website: "The EXB is an unconventional equalization control for bass that increases the low and high frequency regions while reducing the midrange simultaneously to provide the gain and punch that bass players want. Slap players will especially appreciate its superior clarity and percussive quality."
Steve (Smadder) also likes the EMG X series pickups with 9V power.
Sounds like a killer setup to me
I saw the Mother's Milk tour. I forgot Flea played an NS-2 on that album, and live as well. This video made me LOL.
"June 22: The View welcomes back Arsenio!
Arsenio will be back on The View this Friday, June 22, but this time hell be sitting in with the lovely ladies as a guest CO-HOST! Be sure to tune in Friday morning it will be fun!"
Too bad I missed it
.
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