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The Short-Scale Six-String Club Part 3 - for the original six-string basses!

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#541
I might have looked a bit obsessive, I know, but I found it very interesting.

And up to now I had never realized how different the newer models sound from the original...

Wouldn't splittable humbuckers accomplish the sound of single coils while still having the extra-oomph at button press?
 
#542
hellboy said:
All else being equal, I definitely recommend single coils over minihumbuckers if you have a choice in the matter.
Click to expand...

i am a proud owner of a gretsch g5265, it has 2 mini HB.
I'm happy with the sound, but I wonder if I can have a better sound with different pickups.
Do you recommend SC over HB in general, or only for the hellcat? And why?
Changing only one pickup and keeping one original mini HB could be an option?

ideas, anyone? :confused:
 
#543
deigam said:
i am a proud owner of a gretsch g5265, it has 2 mini HB.
I'm happy with the sound, but I wonder if I can have a better sound with different pickups.
Do you recommend SC over HB in general, or only for the hellcat? And why?
Changing only one pickup and keeping one original mini HB could be an option?

ideas, anyone? :confused:
Click to expand...

.
 
#544
MIJ-VI said:
.
Click to expand...

yeah! I'm happy with the tone, but it doesn't mean I have to stop looking for something better!

It doesn't mean I'm going to necessarily change pickups either, just asking if, from your experience, they could be upgraded with something with that character, but better.

We're talking about a chinese-made instrument ... if I had a mexican p-bass, everyone here would probably have told me to get a usa precision or to upgrade the pickup with something better.

I don't know anything about guitar or bari pickups, hence the question!
 
#545
deigam said:
yeah! I'm happy with the tone, but it doesn't mean I have to stop looking for something better!

It doesn't mean I'm going to necessarily change pickups either, just asking if, from your experience, they could be upgraded with something with that character, but better.

We're talking about a chinese-made instrument ... if I had a mexican p-bass, everyone here would probably have told me to get a usa precision or to upgrade the pickup with something better.

I don't know anything about guitar or bari pickups, hence the question!
Click to expand...

Since you're happy with the instrument's tone perhaps outboard solutions (or lessons?) would be worth considering.

I recently bought a Digitech RP355 (multi-effects/guitar amp modelling unit) for $250 CND which has dramatically expanded the tonal options of my MIJ Fender VI.

There are a variety of similar units in different price ranges but overall [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] is hard to beat on a sound quality/bang-for-the-buck basis.

The RPs are also popular enough that they can be found and auditioned in some music shops.
 
#546
MIJ-VI said:
Since you're happy with the instrument's tone perhaps outboard solutions (or lessons?) would be worth considering.

I recently bought a Digitech RP355 (multi-effects/guitar amp modelling unit) for $250 CND which has dramatically expanded the tonal options of my MIJ Fender VI.

There are a variety of similar units in different price ranges but overall [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] is hard to beat on a sound quality/bang-for-the-buck basis.

The RPs are also popular enough that they can be found and auditioned in some music shops.
Click to expand...

I'll take a look to the digitech stuff you suggest, but I already have a rather big pedalboard, and I don't want to make it bigger. I'm also very happy with the pedals (rodenberg 728B, vintage rat, strymon bluesky, carbon copy), I don't think I would be happier with a multi-effect unit.

Maybe an amp-modeling effect could be useful, I switch between bass and bari often, but I think I'll wait some time and I'll get a second head to use when I switch instrument.

Thanks for your suggestions!
 
#547
I feel guilty because ever since I got a Yamaha BB1200S, I've hardly touched my short-scale sixers... What I really wish is that someone could clone the preamp inside my Yamaha so that I could install one into both my Hellcat VI and Barracuda.

There are still a couple songs my band does that I need the higher range of a bass VI for, but we haven't been doing them lately. And I've been playing a lot of regular guitar too. What's happening to me??
 
#548
lunarpollen said:
I feel guilty because ever since I got a Yamaha BB1200S, I've hardly touched my short-scale sixers... What I really wish is that someone could clone the preamp inside my Yamaha so that I could install one into both my Hellcat VI and Barracuda.

There are still a couple songs my band does that I need the higher range of a bass VI for, but we haven't been doing them lately. And I've been playing a lot of regular guitar too. What's happening to me??
Click to expand...

You're growing further as a creative soul?

The music within us yearns for freedom. Instruments are mere conduits.
 
#549
lunarpollen said:
I feel guilty because ever since I got a Yamaha BB1200S, I've hardly touched my short-scale sixers... What I really wish is that someone could clone the preamp inside my Yamaha so that I could install one into both my Hellcat VI and Barracuda.

There are still a couple songs my band does that I need the higher range of a bass VI for, but we haven't been doing them lately. And I've been playing a lot of regular guitar too. What's happening to me??
Click to expand...

It's OK. Peter Hook played that and VI's as well. Pretty good company.........
 
#553
deigam said:
yeah! I'm happy with the tone, but it doesn't mean I have to stop looking for something better!

It doesn't mean I'm going to necessarily change pickups either, just asking if, from your experience, they could be upgraded with something with that character, but better.

We're talking about a chinese-made instrument ... if I had a mexican p-bass, everyone here would probably have told me to get a usa precision or to upgrade the pickup with something better.

I don't know anything about guitar or bari pickups, hence the question!
Click to expand...

If you like the tone, that's all that matters. You can't even begin to define what would be "better" until you know what it is that's unsatisfying about what you currently have. If you're really feeling insecure about having Chinese knockoffs, look for the originals - there are lots of replacements for Gretsch-style minihums. TV Jones might be a good place to start.
 
#554
lunarpollen said:
I feel guilty because ever since I got a Yamaha BB1200S, I've hardly touched my short-scale sixers... What I really wish is that someone could clone the preamp inside my Yamaha so that I could install one into both my Hellcat VI and Barracuda.

There are still a couple songs my band does that I need the higher range of a bass VI for, but we haven't been doing them lately. And I've been playing a lot of regular guitar too. What's happening to me??
Click to expand...

Nothing bad! My focus is mostly on guitar these days as well; diversifying is, as MIJ-VI points out, a sign of growth. I just bought a bunch of Pink Floyd tab books, in fact.

I love my BB1200S too, it's the perfect bass sound for me. Upgrading my Hellcat with custom pickups brought it to the same level, though - it doesn't sound the same, but I'm equally happy with it (though the Yamaha still kills it in the low end). For me now it's just a question of which part of the register I want to be in.

And yes, I still owe you guys sound clips...
 
#555
Guedzilla said:
Just an update on my research... I'm currently watching The Cure live @ Paris 2008... First song, Plainsong... RS plays the 3 mini-humbucker VI... second song, Prayers for Rain, RS switches to the 2 humbucker VI. So they're not years apart as I thought earlier...
Click to expand...

Yeah, I noticed the different pickups a while back, didn't know the full story behind them but was kind of surprised he would favor humbuckers and mini-hums in that range. Then again, I don't care for his tone much these days (and I don't blame this on the Schecters, the change happened when he was still using the Fenders). Maybe he got really sick of noise or something.
 
#557
It's about bloody time Digitech offered an XLR-equipped unit for bass!

Invalid Link Removed
http://www.digitech.com/products/Bass/BP355.php

Though I'm pleased with my RP355, speaking as an MIJ Fender VI player, having a choice of the bass-centric BP' or the guitar-centric RP' version of the '355 will be fantastic for we 'VI'ers!

Invalid Link Removed
http://www.digitech.com/products/Multi-Effects/RP355.php

--------

BTW. Thanks Ken. :)

--------

One more thing: while Digitech ships (Mac & Windows) software which can control the parameters of their various units via MIDI commands, for GNU/Linux users there's this unofficial offering:

"Control your Digitech effect pedal under Linux!
gdigi is tool aimed to provide X-Edit functionality to Linux users

Supported devices (list misses your DigiTech device? Please get in touch!):

* RP250
* RP255
* RP355
* RP500
* RP1000
* GNX3000
* GNX4K

gdigi.png


http://desowin.org/gdigi/

Hmm... The download link on that page is currently broken. Those who are interested in gdigi may wish to e-mail the author: <[email protected]>

In the meantime I have the gdigi-0.2.0.tar.bz2 archive from which I compiled an executable gdigi 2.0 application via these instructions:

"Setup: There're no distribution packages available for gdigi (you're welcome to package it for your distribution of choice).
In order to compile gdigi on Debian/Ubuntu system, issue following commands:"

Code: 
sudo apt-get install build-essential libasound2-dev libgtk2.0-dev libglib2.0-dev libexpat1-dev
wget http://d10xg45o6p6dbl.cloudfront.net/projects/g/gdigi/gdigi-0.2.0.tar.bz2
tar xvjpf gdigi-0.2.0.tar.bz2
cd gdigi-0.2.0
make
./gdigi

If any GNU/Linux users here (I've found that gdigi 2.0 works well under 32 bit Ubuntu 10.10 with an RP355) want the gdigi-0.2.0.tar.bz2 archive (~122kB) please contact the author.

(If you can't get through to him, then PM me and I'll e-mail you a copy.)

The one important thing which gdigi can't do yet is save tweaked parameters as a configuration file to a hard drive. However IIRC the author is working on this feature, which (along with alerting him to the release of the new BP355) is why e-mailing him would be a good first move.

It is worth noting that as of three months ago there was no GNU/Linux support available for other competing multi-effects/amp modelling units. I looked...

--------

And since the new BP355 is based upon the RP355, here's a thread I found to be helpful:

My RP355 review
Link Removed
 
#558
Guedzilla said:
Really? I did not notice this... around when, you think? Nowadays they're going for a more rock/distorted sound... I'm not that fond of it too, but it's probably more comfortable for them.
Click to expand...

Couldn't say exactly when, but at some point in the mid-90s he'd ditched his original Peavey Mark III Series 400 Musician head + Peavey 4x12 speaker cab, apparently in favor of an Ampeg VL503 combined with a Orange AD30TC (or maybe that was a gradual evolution).

(heard that last bit here: Invalid Link Removed )

As you say, not an issue of amp quality so much as his shift in preference toward a thinner, rougher sound.
 
#559
A Close Scam Call

Long story here but I&#8217;ll keep it short and to the point. I came a bit too close to getting ripped off for a 1975 Fender Bass VI.

Few days ago I saw an oodle.com (like eBay) auction listing for a &#8217;75 Bass VI & original case (listing has since been removed) in great condition asking $2,000 by a seller in Miami known as Brian G. Invalid Link Removed. It sounded interesting although price sounded very low. In these economic times people are occasionally dumping instruments for fast money though. I emailed the guy to ask for pictures. I did receive them AND with an offer for an immediate transaction for $1,800 (rather than $2,000) AND now he would include free shipping. At this point bells in my head did go off loud. Why would someone instantly offer me a better deal and also throw in expensive shipping BEFORE we had even negotiated? But, I thought, could be guy needed money fast. But, way over-anxious.

My suspicions now raised I sent pix to MIJ-VI, well-known VI&#8217;er from Toranto, active participant here in TalkBass VI and other forums and he runs FB Group Bass VI Player as well. He notices some issues with the body but nothing unexpected for that model of VI. Other than that looks OK. We also establish that this VI is not reported stolen. He suggests I contact &#8220;eggwheat&#8221; an active VI collector he &#8220;knows&#8221; from the OffsetGuitars.com. forum. Eggwheat is in England and immediately agrees to get involved and have a look as well. He writes me back in short order that this definitely looks like a scam.

He wrote: &#8220;Right off the bat, the picture of the butt of the neck is not even a Bass VI. The neck on a &#8216;75 VI has binding around it right? The binding runs all the way around the butt of the neck....no binding in the photo, plus the stamp is completely wrong for a &#8216;75 VI anyway.. and the pictures definitely look like the ones that were used when one was for sale in a shop in Germany a few years ago. Unless this guy can supply a photo taken today with todays newspaper laid next to, or on top of the bass..and a copy of his driving license...I wouldn't touch it. The price is very low..I fully believe it is a scam.&#8221;

So, scam averted. I elect not to take the time to write the seller back and ask for more proof. Eggwheat - on his own initiative - did take it the one step further. A couple of hours later he writes me &#8220;I emailed the seller asking if he would he ship the Bass VI to Australia (to make it harder) and I would pay the extra shipping. The seller said yes and if I pay now he will give me free shipping. Definite scam. Too eager.

So I emailed back and said OK send me pictures of the VI with today's dated newspaper or something, plus a copy of your driving license.

Never heard anything back... surprise, surprise..&#8221;

So, that&#8217;s it. Just wanted to let you people know that active scams abound. And to warn you to get second and third opinions on all purchases. From the sellers history we were able to establish that he sold at least 4 or more of these bogus 1975 Fender Bass VI in sunburst finish. So, there are definitely some bogus ones floating around out there. Now, what is it he is &#8220;selling?&#8221; We don&#8217;t know. Suspect he might be getting custom-made cheap knock-offs from China (from a place like Invalid Link Removed) and selling them as real. Also, he is also selling bogus Fender Jazz Bass 1973 Sunburst for $1,900, Fender Jaguar 1973 for $1,900 and Fender Telecaster Custom 1976 Sunburst for $1,800.

In retrospect all the signs of a scam were there. Too good to believe price, over-anxious seller, price reductions or free shipping offered with no prior negotiation, etc. But, it took a few hours of multi-national communication to nail it down. It also reinforced to me how fortunate we are to have a mini-community of VI&#8217;ers we can call upon to help one another. Great illustration of how social media changes the game. I have never met either of these other guys &#8211; except online. Yet, they were ready and willing to help out a fellow VI&#8217;er at the drop of a hat.

Actually, because of the protection offered by PayPal AND by using a credit card to pay for PayPal transactions I would not really have been out any money had it happened. Money would never have left my banking account and the cc charge would have been put on hold. I would have had 2 layers of protection. But, would have been a bit of a pain getting it resolved.
 
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