Ok, so I've got a reasonably nice gig coming up, and I'm setting aside some of the money to replace my horrible tuner that crapped out on me mid-gig two weeks ago(stupid fucking tuner. Right as I was trying to get back from Drop D too. Awful. I will kill that piece of shit).
anyways, I know there are the Boss tuner pedals that are pretty much tuner jesus, but my dad has a multi-effects(The Digitech... RP50 or whatever it is), and my bands guitarist has the cooler model with the expression pedal attached, and they both use theirs as tuners... it looks like they're the same price as the Boss pedal and come with the whole.... multi-effect thing. Has anyone had any experience using them versus other tuners? My biggest concern is that I also need the tuner part to work for bass. My second biggest concern is that it cuts the volume when I tune in case I need to do it quietly/stealth instrument change.
Anyways, so basically my question is I'm looking at a multi-effects pedal instead of just a tuner pedal... anyone have any reason I should/shouldn't/am being stupid?
Yeah, I know the Digitech cuts the volume for tuning too.
I actually asked some guys at the music store about it today when I went in to look at basses, and they basically said it's nice because it's a single stomp instead of getting into the tuner by holding two buttons down and shit, and that it's probably a slightly better tuner...
Those last two are in a better price range (yay poor!), but if one of those (or another) would be a huge improvement in longevity, well, it wouldn't be a problem. So what are the opinions on those boards? I rather like the looks of the Tascam, but I've heard that the headphone jack can get fucked up and fast. Remember, we're dealing with abusive idiots here.
Improvolone on
Voice actor for hire. My time is free if your project is!
Hey everyone, I'm building my own version of the guitar EVH used on Van Halen I. I just got the paint job done and I'm wondering if you guys could give me a little input. Quality is meh it was taken on my phone.
Allright, so I'm looking for a new bass maybe too... seeing as how my current bass, while it sounds ok and plays fine, looks like a toy and really I'm pretty sure was made when the guy who was making it got really high and had some scraps lying around.
My budget's probably around $400 and certainly no higher than $500...
the ones I'm looking at are: Hagstrom HB-4, available for $475ish at the local music store
Peavey Grind BXP 4-string, Available for $350/$400(I'm going to go into the store again to play both to see why one is $50 more expensive than the other.
I've played all three, the only ones I want to play again to get a better opinion of was the Peavey, because I couldn't really hear as much its sound when I went in, the store was crowded. I pretty much trust Hagstrom with my life, since my Ultra Swede is about the greatest guitar I've ever played. The biggest problem is that they're more expensive then I'd like. The Peavey played really nice and if the $350 one is as good as the $400 I played, and I can get the sounds out of it I want that's in the money price range.
The biggest concern I have is that I can get a good sound out of it.. My current one is really thin sounding.(picture, too... it's not the most attractive bass in the world)
Anyone have any more experience with any of those instruments beyond "Played them a few times in the store"? Or Peavey in general, since I know Hagstroms are the good shit?
Peavey are generally pretty good, but I would certainly recommend trying out the exact one that you're going to buy as quality control on low to mid-range basses is the primary concern. That's why some Squiers can be excellent and some crap, even within the same model, production year, etc.
Are you looking for more suggestions beyond those you've picked out there? If so, what music do you play and what kind of sound are you hoping for? Mid-heavy, bottom-heavy, clear-sounding, etc.
Also, here's my new bass: I can't freaking believe the quality to price ratio on this one. Built in the same factory using the same parts as the Lakland Skyline series, but with a much more managable pricetag.
It's a Cort GB75, with a J-pickup and an MM-pickup that can be split into what sounds like a dual J setup, except with two different placements of the bridge pup. Active preamps, but passive pups for true bypass. Hipshot tuners, jack lock, sweet bridge. I'm loving this thing.
For what it's worth, I've heard unending praise from Hag guitars and derision towards their basses. I'd try before you buy. Or feel free to Guinea Pig for me. But if you do that, then shoot for the Beluga bass. Those look fine. Bet the hollow body sounds great as well.
FYI, that first Hag is short scale. The HB4.
Gretsch have a Chinese made bass. Junior Jet. It's short scale as well. There's a long scale out there, just hard to come by. They play and sound great. I've only played them at Guitar Center and the like, and always through a Mark Bass or an SVT. But still.
I'd also recommend MIM Fenders if you can find one in your range. I've found them to compare very well towards USA made instruments from Fender within the past two or so years.
As far as Peavey goes, I prefer the Zodiac over the Grind aesthetic and sound wise. YMMV.
That Cort looks really nice. I love natural finishes and humbuckers. I don't understand why someone wouldn't admit to owning one as opposed to one of the many other basses that come out of the same factory.
For what it's worth, I've heard unending praise from Hag guitars and derision towards their basses. I'd try before you buy. Or feel free to Guinea Pig for me. But if you do that, then shoot for the Beluga bass. Those look fine. Bet the hollow body sounds great as well.
FYI, that first Hag is short scale. The HB4.
Gretsch have a Chinese made bass. Junior Jet. It's short scale as well. There's a long scale out there, just hard to come by. They play and sound great. I've only played them at Guitar Center and the like, and always through a Mark Bass or an SVT. But still.
I'd also recommend MIM Fenders if you can find one in your range. I've found them to compare very well towards USA made instruments from Fender within the past two or so years.
As far as Peavey goes, I prefer the Zodiac over the Grind aesthetic and sound wise. YMMV.
You're like... the first person on the internet I've read to own up to owning a Cort. :P
Yeah, so I went back to the stores and played the basses all a few more times. And a few more. And some guitars so I was less embarrassed about my bass skills. Turns out for the Peavey that they just didn't update one of the price tags, so it's $350 for the bass. Plays and sounds really good for that price. I still like the Hags I played, but yeah, the more I play them, they're not quite as magical as the guitars. The full scale one is probably the least favorite one I played. Thought it was just the scale at first since I'm still more used to guitar by far, but on the other full scales I was fine.
I also tried some MIM P-basses, and a few others, but I'm currently feeling the Peavey for the price:performance most. Also for fun I tried some of their massively expensive basses. Fun times. Of course, now I actually need to convince myself to buy the thing before we record over winter break. Luckily I've got some stupid recitals that I'm playing for and getting paid outrageously for, so that'll help. Also I'll probably go back to the store with the larger selection and keep trying the different ones too over like... all of december.
You're like... the first person on the internet I've read to own up to owning a Cort.
Actually, there were a bunch of praise for the GB models on Talkbass (of all places). Since they're usually pretty uptight with their Fedoras, Laklands and what have you, I decided to give this one a try and I'm pretty glad I did. It will be replacing my much more expensive Warwick as my go-to bass from now.
I might go in for a pickup change to some Barts or something and then I feel it will really shine. It sounds great now and phenomenal unplugged, so the tone is there, but the Mighty Mite's I'm sure could be hindering it a little. There's a slightly more expensive version, the GB95, which I believe comes with Seymour Duncans, but they didn't have that one in stock and this one just played too well to pass up.
Are you looking for more suggestions beyond those you've picked out there? If so, what music do you play and what kind of sound are you hoping for? Mid-heavy, bottom-heavy, clear-sounding, etc.
The only thing I'm playing bass for is my... I guess alt-rockish band. We do a billion and one covers though too, so I'm looking for some amount of versatility. Mostly bottom-heavy probably though, that's my biggest problem with my current one, that it's really thin and weak.
but yeah, it's rock bass, so I'm looking for something that will work well for rock bass first. The way my life goes, I'm sure I'll be asked to play for something completely unrelated at some point(For instance, there's a chance that I'll be doing a guitar/bass part for a production of Hair, depending on how the two guitar parts work out... stuff like that), but mostly rock.
Oh man, and in other news, I picked up a digitech RP-90, so as to grab both the multi-effects pedal that I probably should've already had, and a good tuner/cutoff switch. I went a little crazy and spent the extra $20 for the nicer one with the expression pedal(My favorite part is that I can assign the pedal to volume, so if I need to quickly have a cutoff or instrument switch I can just pull down the volume quickly and change it. As well as having the tuner cut out all sound, that's nice too. Right now I've put in Solo w/ distortion, rhythm distortion, chorus, wah, delay, and compressor. I still want to do some more solo effects... straight up volume boost, and distortion/wah/boost. It's a fun pedal. And a nice tuner.
I know it's dull and everything, but have you considering looking at an MIM or MIJ Fender P or J? Some of them are really, really good and an American J was probably one of the most versatile basses I've had. But again, quality control, so play the exact one you're considering.
Also, I just remembered, people seem to really love the Peavey Cirrus, so that's something to consider to speak for Peavey generally. Otherwise, you could post this question on talkbass.com and get a ton of knowledgeable (and diverse) answers.
I've got a cheap acoustic guitar from Target and a cheap Casio keyboard. I'm learning to play both at the same time.
This works out well because I can go play the piano when my fingers start hurting from the guitar. The only thing that's problematic is the way the guitar's notes are laid out.
I understand it, but it's going to be a lot harder to memorize than the keys on a keyboard.
At some point, I've found it just clicks for people. Especially once you start learning your scales and such. A good practice is to find all instances of a certain note in the first 12 frets with special attention to how they relate to eachother. The fantastic thing about it is that it's pretty much a repeating structure, so it'll get easier once it gets in your head.
What confused me at first was that most of the charts I found omitted the sharp notes.
Memorizing the notes probably won't be too hard, but it's going to take a lot of practice to get to where I can press more than one fret without touching other strings. My fingers are chubby, and my hands are accustomed to typing and using a mouse.
edit: And I just now realized the guy in your signature is playing that computer keyboard like a guitar.
I may be a bit late here, but I have a Peavey Grind 6 and I think it's a great bass, so I would assume the 4 string model would be as well. I have several Peaveys and they're all pretty good quality for the money. Only reason I haven't gigged the Grind is because I've had no need for the two extra strings so far.
I have an old Harmony as well. 69 - 70 or so. Thing wails but needs a desperate lube up.
This one was made in 1975.
edit: You can usually tell by the stamp inside the sound hole. Mine says F-75-A0, which means fall of '75.
edit: My older brother heard me playing scales. After some conversation, he said he would get me an electric guitar (which is what I want to play) once I learn how to play on the one I have.
I know it's dull and everything, but have you considering looking at an MIM or MIJ Fender P or J? Some of them are really, really good and an American J was probably one of the most versatile basses I've had. But again, quality control, so play the exact one you're considering.
Also, I just remembered, people seem to really love the Peavey Cirrus, so that's something to consider to speak for Peavey generally. Otherwise, you could post this question on talkbass.com and get a ton of knowledgeable (and diverse) answers.
Fender has a newish line of squire basses that I'm very impressed with. I played one that was something like 300 bucks brand new, and it felt and sounded better than my old MiM Jazz that I started playing bass on.
I was very impressed with this bass in the store, and I play Roscoes (Keith Roscoe custom builder, not Roscoe Beck fenders) pretty much exclusively.
My basses, with my amp way in the background, for those who are curious:
The one on the left is a fretless with a spanish cedar body and walnut top, and the one on the right is a fretted with solid swamp ash body. Yes, they're both left handed.
That's pretty much it. No frets make a large difference in sound and the way you play an instrument, though.
I learnt playing the bass on an old fretless J and it really improved my ear, I feel. To bad I tried to do some modification of it and it pretty much feel apart due to my lack of experience at the time. I still have the neck, which I love, so I might buy a Squier J or something and pop the neck on there.
Well, fretless guitars are pretty much a rarity, so if you're focused on the guitar, chances are you're not going to come across it very much. They still exist and people do amazing things with them, but far, far less common than the fretless bass.
Posts
anyways, I know there are the Boss tuner pedals that are pretty much tuner jesus, but my dad has a multi-effects(The Digitech... RP50 or whatever it is), and my bands guitarist has the cooler model with the expression pedal attached, and they both use theirs as tuners... it looks like they're the same price as the Boss pedal and come with the whole.... multi-effect thing. Has anyone had any experience using them versus other tuners? My biggest concern is that I also need the tuner part to work for bass. My second biggest concern is that it cuts the volume when I tune in case I need to do it quietly/stealth instrument change.
Anyways, so basically my question is I'm looking at a multi-effects pedal instead of just a tuner pedal... anyone have any reason I should/shouldn't/am being stupid?
This is coming from someone who avoids digital effects as much as possible, though :P
I actually asked some guys at the music store about it today when I went in to look at basses, and they basically said it's nice because it's a single stomp instead of getting into the tuner by holding two buttons down and shit, and that it's probably a slightly better tuner...
So I'm thinking I'll just go with multi-effects.
I need to buy a new mixing board for the theatre I work in. We have a POS Behringer right now, which from what I'm told, replaced another POS Behringer. I need a professional board that can take some abuse by idiots who rent the space and don't know what the fuck they are doing/don't give a shit.
I've got it down to four.
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=246-2232
http://www.zzounds.com/item--MAC1402VLZIII
http://www.zzounds.com/item--TASM164
http://www.zzounds.com/item--MAC1202VLZIII
Those last two are in a better price range (yay poor!), but if one of those (or another) would be a huge improvement in longevity, well, it wouldn't be a problem. So what are the opinions on those boards? I rather like the looks of the Tascam, but I've heard that the headphone jack can get fucked up and fast. Remember, we're dealing with abusive idiots here.
http://www.ueak.net/crash/music/Study102909.mp3
Also, I don't know if it's just me, but god damn is he a good guitarist. All of this was made up on the spot, practiced once or twice, and recorded.
That img isn't working for me.
My budget's probably around $400 and certainly no higher than $500...
the ones I'm looking at are:
Hagstrom HB-4, available for $475ish at the local music store
Hagstrom FXB-200, $450
Peavey Grind BXP 4-string, Available for $350/$400(I'm going to go into the store again to play both to see why one is $50 more expensive than the other.
I've played all three, the only ones I want to play again to get a better opinion of was the Peavey, because I couldn't really hear as much its sound when I went in, the store was crowded. I pretty much trust Hagstrom with my life, since my Ultra Swede is about the greatest guitar I've ever played. The biggest problem is that they're more expensive then I'd like. The Peavey played really nice and if the $350 one is as good as the $400 I played, and I can get the sounds out of it I want that's in the money price range.
The biggest concern I have is that I can get a good sound out of it.. My current one is really thin sounding.(picture, too... it's not the most attractive bass in the world)
Anyone have any more experience with any of those instruments beyond "Played them a few times in the store"? Or Peavey in general, since I know Hagstroms are the good shit?
Are you looking for more suggestions beyond those you've picked out there? If so, what music do you play and what kind of sound are you hoping for? Mid-heavy, bottom-heavy, clear-sounding, etc.
Also, here's my new bass: I can't freaking believe the quality to price ratio on this one. Built in the same factory using the same parts as the Lakland Skyline series, but with a much more managable pricetag.
It's a Cort GB75, with a J-pickup and an MM-pickup that can be split into what sounds like a dual J setup, except with two different placements of the bridge pup. Active preamps, but passive pups for true bypass. Hipshot tuners, jack lock, sweet bridge. I'm loving this thing.
For what it's worth, I've heard unending praise from Hag guitars and derision towards their basses. I'd try before you buy. Or feel free to Guinea Pig for me. But if you do that, then shoot for the Beluga bass. Those look fine. Bet the hollow body sounds great as well.
FYI, that first Hag is short scale. The HB4.
Gretsch have a Chinese made bass. Junior Jet. It's short scale as well. There's a long scale out there, just hard to come by. They play and sound great. I've only played them at Guitar Center and the like, and always through a Mark Bass or an SVT. But still.
I'd also recommend MIM Fenders if you can find one in your range. I've found them to compare very well towards USA made instruments from Fender within the past two or so years.
As far as Peavey goes, I prefer the Zodiac over the Grind aesthetic and sound wise. YMMV.
You're like... the first person on the internet I've read to own up to owning a Cort. :P
Are we showing off our basses?
Yeah, so I went back to the stores and played the basses all a few more times. And a few more. And some guitars so I was less embarrassed about my bass skills. Turns out for the Peavey that they just didn't update one of the price tags, so it's $350 for the bass. Plays and sounds really good for that price. I still like the Hags I played, but yeah, the more I play them, they're not quite as magical as the guitars. The full scale one is probably the least favorite one I played. Thought it was just the scale at first since I'm still more used to guitar by far, but on the other full scales I was fine.
I also tried some MIM P-basses, and a few others, but I'm currently feeling the Peavey for the price:performance most. Also for fun I tried some of their massively expensive basses. Fun times. Of course, now I actually need to convince myself to buy the thing before we record over winter break. Luckily I've got some stupid recitals that I'm playing for and getting paid outrageously for, so that'll help. Also I'll probably go back to the store with the larger selection and keep trying the different ones too over like... all of december.
Well, yeah, it's a standard Musicman-sized pup. The coils can be split to use either only the first or second coil for more tonal variety.
Actually, there were a bunch of praise for the GB models on Talkbass (of all places). Since they're usually pretty uptight with their Fedoras, Laklands and what have you, I decided to give this one a try and I'm pretty glad I did. It will be replacing my much more expensive Warwick as my go-to bass from now.
I might go in for a pickup change to some Barts or something and then I feel it will really shine. It sounds great now and phenomenal unplugged, so the tone is there, but the Mighty Mite's I'm sure could be hindering it a little. There's a slightly more expensive version, the GB95, which I believe comes with Seymour Duncans, but they didn't have that one in stock and this one just played too well to pass up.
The only thing I'm playing bass for is my... I guess alt-rockish band. We do a billion and one covers though too, so I'm looking for some amount of versatility. Mostly bottom-heavy probably though, that's my biggest problem with my current one, that it's really thin and weak.
but yeah, it's rock bass, so I'm looking for something that will work well for rock bass first. The way my life goes, I'm sure I'll be asked to play for something completely unrelated at some point(For instance, there's a chance that I'll be doing a guitar/bass part for a production of Hair, depending on how the two guitar parts work out... stuff like that), but mostly rock.
Oh man, and in other news, I picked up a digitech RP-90, so as to grab both the multi-effects pedal that I probably should've already had, and a good tuner/cutoff switch. I went a little crazy and spent the extra $20 for the nicer one with the expression pedal(My favorite part is that I can assign the pedal to volume, so if I need to quickly have a cutoff or instrument switch I can just pull down the volume quickly and change it. As well as having the tuner cut out all sound, that's nice too. Right now I've put in Solo w/ distortion, rhythm distortion, chorus, wah, delay, and compressor. I still want to do some more solo effects... straight up volume boost, and distortion/wah/boost. It's a fun pedal. And a nice tuner.
Also, I just remembered, people seem to really love the Peavey Cirrus, so that's something to consider to speak for Peavey generally. Otherwise, you could post this question on talkbass.com and get a ton of knowledgeable (and diverse) answers.
He lowered price to 225 shipped. MIM Fender P.
This works out well because I can go play the piano when my fingers start hurting from the guitar. The only thing that's problematic is the way the guitar's notes are laid out.
I understand it, but it's going to be a lot harder to memorize than the keys on a keyboard.
Memorizing the notes probably won't be too hard, but it's going to take a lot of practice to get to where I can press more than one fret without touching other strings. My fingers are chubby, and my hands are accustomed to typing and using a mouse.
edit: And I just now realized the guy in your signature is playing that computer keyboard like a guitar.
Disappointingly, though, it's a context-sensitive illusion:
http://harmony.demont.net/model/35.htm
I have an old Harmony as well. 69 - 70 or so. Thing wails but needs a desperate lube up.
This one was made in 1975.
edit: You can usually tell by the stamp inside the sound hole. Mine says F-75-A0, which means fall of '75.
edit: My older brother heard me playing scales. After some conversation, he said he would get me an electric guitar (which is what I want to play) once I learn how to play on the one I have.
Fender has a newish line of squire basses that I'm very impressed with. I played one that was something like 300 bucks brand new, and it felt and sounded better than my old MiM Jazz that I started playing bass on.
Here it is:
http://www.squierguitars.com/products/search.php?partno=0326702521
I was very impressed with this bass in the store, and I play Roscoes (Keith Roscoe custom builder, not Roscoe Beck fenders) pretty much exclusively.
My basses, with my amp way in the background, for those who are curious:
The one on the left is a fretless with a spanish cedar body and walnut top, and the one on the right is a fretted with solid swamp ash body. Yes, they're both left handed.
Man, I really, really regret getting rid of my fretless. I loved that thing to pieces.
You get a warmer sound without frets. Slides also sound different. I'm sure there are some other differences as well.
I learnt playing the bass on an old fretless J and it really improved my ear, I feel. To bad I tried to do some modification of it and it pretty much feel apart due to my lack of experience at the time. I still have the neck, which I love, so I might buy a Squier J or something and pop the neck on there.
edit: Nice Neox-212T too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbPVG6FRTGY
Heh, also related and mandantory:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDQlSSOXU6A