The Combo Club

[iagtrplyr]

Wow - plenty of J bashing here, but that's ok because we all have different ideas of what "my" tone should be and how to achieve it. For me, Jazz bass is king of growl - and I know getting a good growl actually has more to do with technique than equipment. But I get good growl (which sounds great with much of the music I play) easier with my Jazz more so than with the Precision. Also, I NEVER dime the controls on my J or P - I find the happy medium between the EQ on my bass and the amp it's playing through and leave well alone. After EQs are set - and max volume on amp is determined - all I need to do is slight adjust to volume on the bass for what I'm playing. I find the P perfect for the blues and classic rock stuff I play and I find the J perfect for the more progressive and metal stuff I play. YMMV and probably does!

Very well said, b. Everything stated makes sense and I believe would have a majority of players agreeing. You’re Aldo correct I’m that this discussion is more about the individual, not the equipment.

Basically, I somehow lost my mojo with my Jazz and I’m feeling it’ll never return as I knew it because my playing and what I hear continues to evolve. The Jazz Bass is a terrific (and my oldest instrument, which for me says a lot) and in the right hands, yours for example, is a beautiful thing.

I’ve even rolled around the thought of taking it to a pro and having it set up. I pride myself on my setups and have for years, but maybe s new set of hands will bring the magic back.

 

[iagtrplyr]

I see this in my own return to bass as I looked for that tone I heard. Could be I'm not the 20-something with a new StingRay. Could be I've grown as a musician. Could be I'm making this up out of whole cloth. The camera doesn't lie. I'm play (mostly) at the neck with a floating thumb.

View attachment 4006500

^ two week old image. Latest images include crutches in view

Can we get this fact checked just to be sure? Answer these three questions for proper verification?

1. What is your favorite small combo amp for practice? (There can only be one true response)
2. Which colorful brand of amplifier do you continue to taunt yourself with in purchasing? (which, BTW, you should do in 2021)
3. Do you hear a metronome in your sleep? (The real M would say yes to this one)

 

[bhendrix]

I’ve even rolled around the thought of taking it to a pro and having it set up. I pride myself on my setups and have for years, but maybe s new set of hands will bring the magic back.

Does your MIM Jazz have the stock pickups? If so, I'd suggest a change. I've been very happy with the Dimarzio Area J's. They seem to have a broader range overall and much hotter than the stock pickups. You'll also appreciate the very noticeable reduction in hum - which is more apparent at higher volumes. I had a 97 MIM Jazz that I had pickups and bridge upgraded and made a huge difference. I even put them in my Geddy when I got it - even though I did like the CIJ stock pups (I still got em in the workbench) but the Area J's just "do it" for me!

I'm confident your setup abilities are bar none, so a change in the pickups might just be the remedy!

 

[GwenOnBass]

Can we get this fact checked just to be sure? Answer these three questions for proper verification?

1. What is your favorite small combo amp for practice? (There can only be one true response)
2. Which colorful brand of amplifier do you continue to taunt yourself with in purchasing? (which, BTW, you should do in 2021)
3. Do you hear a metronome in your sleep? (The real M would say yes to this one)

Who would cross the Combo Threshold must answer me these questions three, ere the other side he see.

​

 

[iagtrplyr]

Does your MIM Jazz have the stock pickups? If so, I'd suggest a change. I've been very happy with the Dimarzio Area J's. They seem to have a broader range overall and much hotter than the stock pickups. You'll also appreciate the very noticeable reduction in hum - which is more apparent at higher volumes. I had a 97 MIM Jazz that I had pickups and bridge upgraded and made a huge difference. I even put them in my Geddy when I got it - even though I did like the CIJ stock pups (I still got em in the workbench) but the Area J's just "do it" for me!

I'm confident your setup abilities are bar none, so a change in the pickups might just be the remedy!

Yep, that might be a possibility, b. I do gave the original pups in, though I have an American Fender bridge installed.

Surprisingly, I’ve had the amount of hum that others seem to complain about, though an upgrade might do the trick.

It’s just whether I want to spend the funding on it or not. I’ll continue to hang onto the bass and see if there becomes a need to play it again. Then I can decide whether to make the improvement or not. Thanks very much!

 

[SoulReflection]

Very well said, b. Everything stated makes sense and I believe would have a majority of players agreeing. You’re Aldo correct I’m that this discussion is more about the individual, not the equipment.

Basically, I somehow lost my mojo with my Jazz and I’m feeling it’ll never return as I knew it because my playing and what I hear continues to evolve. The Jazz Bass is a terrific (and my oldest instrument, which for me says a lot) and in the right hands, yours for example, is a beautiful thing.

I’ve even rolled around the thought of taking it to a pro and having it set up. I pride myself on my setups and have for years, but maybe s new set of hands will bring the magic back.

maybe s new set of hands will bring the magic back.

After replacing your hands, how long until you can play bass again?

 

[iagtrplyr]

After replacing your hands, how long until you can play bass again?

SR, I was referring to the adept touch of another human being’s hands to try and figure out why my Jazz is stinky like cheese.

Of course, if there’s a magic potion out there to turn the clock back for my crumbling knuckles and digits I might listen!

 

[swink]

@StatesideRambler

"...the note's never that important. Nobody ever danced to a C." -- Victor Wooten



Wooten can be wrong

 

[Protagonist]

The FL asked for updates, here goes...
Little big red PJB BG-400 beats Cub/PB100 pairing by a little bit, but feels like it is about 1/3 heavier. The tone is definitely a little richer and beefier than just the Cub by itself or both the Cub and PB100, probably due to the size of the cabinet and porting, or maybe just having more headroom.

I'm not praticing enough, but I'm trying, and still doing better than when I tried in my post teen period.

I got all the parts for my Warmoth short scale build and started assembly, but chickened out when it came to the soldering, and took it to my local independent music store's tech/luthier to complete. (Huber Breese Music)

Loved catching up on a few day's posts. This is such a great group of folks.

 

[GonePlaid]

Ya know, the reason I don’t frequent the GOF is because I honestly haven’t felt like I fit in yet, but as I get older I can see where it is the perfect platform.

That’s crappy about that venue’s policies towards a wage for work rendered. What, did the notes coming off your price depreciate because of Covid? Yeah, he’s trying to stay afloat, but good music will help that more than charging someone to get in the door only to find out there’s no music that evening. How would the patrons like that?

Fight the fight, GOF!

The owner/place went through a succession of managers, most of whom, liked us. Then they got a new guy who told the owner that he could get the bands cheaper(pre virus). They kept cutting the money 'til no one would play then brought it slightly back up. [there are more bands than places to play, so people would be pi**ed but would play for the lower fee 'cos it's "better than nothing"]. We always kept the 'crowd' there spending money right up to our last song. Make a difference? Nope. Harry[owner]doesn't give a ratz@$$.
BTW, being much more restaurant than bar, they've stayed open all along so don't be cryin' poor mouth. I will occasionally 'fill in' when one of the 2 guitar men(one plays bass)can't make it, but, TBH, my heart ain't in it.
Oh. I really wanted to ask the owner when he cut our pay, "did you cut yer prices?". But I didn't because one of our guitarists does a Sunday Brunch single there twice a month and if I spoke my mind, he'd lose that gig.

 

[GwenOnBass]

I'm not at all sure how, or why, some of the skeeviest people on the planet sign musicians' paychecks?

 

[SoulReflection]

SR, I was referring to the adept touch of another human being’s hands to try and figure out why my Jazz is stinky like cheese.

Of course, if there’s a magic potion out there to turn the clock back for my crumbling knuckles and digits I might listen!

I understand that...mine was just another attempt of humor, as far as commenting on "stinky like cheese"...that could be described as being in the eyes (or nose) of the beholder. You will sort it out .

 

[GwenOnBass]

SR, I was referring to the adept touch of another human being’s hands to try and figure out why my Jazz is stinky like cheese.

Of course, if there’s a magic potion out there to turn the clock back for my crumbling knuckles and digits I might listen!

Stinky cheese will help those knuckles. Limburger and onion on rye as needed.

 

[bhendrix]

BTW, being much more restaurant than bar, they've stayed open all along so don't be cryin' poor mouth.

Not defending them at all as I do not know the ownership/situation - but, having recently been a victim of the massive cut in the culinary arts workforce, I do know that covid has not only reduced business (restaurants can't "turn over" several times a night anymore) but food prices are through the roof! I know most of you realize that when you visit your local grocer, but what the pandemic did was reroute many supply lines - restaurant to retail. So now many restaurants trying to survive are hit with reduced inventory and inflated prices. Many bands here that are even able to get some sort of gig at local watering hole or eatery are doing it for tips and/or just the love of playing and entertaining folks.

Can't wait for this *$(#**@@ year to be over!

 

[bhendrix]

I see this in my own return to bass as I looked for that tone I heard. Could be I'm not the 20-something with a new StingRay. Could be I've grown as a musician. Could be I'm making this up out of whole cloth. The camera doesn't lie. I'm play (mostly) at the neck with a floating thumb.

View attachment 4006500

^ two week old image. Latest images include crutches in view

I keep pressing play, but nuttin happens!

 

[GwenOnBass]

Ah, found the photo I have of Peter Albin's Jazz. Would play.

 

[ProbablyTooLoud]

4003 FG + GK MB212ii = Power Prog Practice. This pic works for the Ric Club Page and the Combo Club Page. Double Bonus!

 

[JPDsma]

Rainbows from the eyes! Love that Jazz M

 

[GwenOnBass]

Rainbows from the eyes! Love that Jazz M

Saw the bass in person, and talked with Peter on set breaks in what feels so long ago it's hard to connect it with the present. Barry Melton, I recall, and likely others of greater fame in that tiny lemonade stand. It was Peter I wanted to talk with (I know, imagine that).

What do I do with a few minutes like that? Share it here, I guess. None of which makes me any greater a musician, a greater bassist, or a decent human being. What I can report is I found all three in Peter — a musician, a bassist, and a decent human being.

 

[iagtrplyr]

The FL asked for updates, here goes...
Little big red PJB BG-400 beats Cub/PB100 pairing by a little bit, but feels like it is about 1/3 heavier. The tone is definitely a little richer and beefier than just the Cub by itself or both the Cub and PB100, probably due to the size of the cabinet and porting, or maybe just having more headroom.

I'm not praticing enough, but I'm trying, and still doing better than when I tried in my post teen period.

I got all the parts for my Warmoth short scale build and started assembly, but chickened out when it came to the soldering, and took it to my local independent music store's tech/luthier to complete. (Huber Breese Music)

Loved catching up on a few day's posts. This is such a great group of folks.

Thanks for the update, Prota! Boy, you're busy or anything. Fun, isn't it? M, I think this club has yet another PBJ disciple. There's always room for one more. As far as being the cool kids' club...ah, you're just saying that 'cuz it's true! Keep on a posting when you've got interesting news or even when ya don't.