Bass Players: What Gear are you Using Nowadays?

bassist_25 · Post by **bassist_25** » Tuesday Jul 25, 2006

I remember that we had a similar thread to this a few years ago, but I think that it's time for a new one. So what is tickling everyone's gear fancy these days?

Right now I'm using two Aguilar S 4x10 cabinets driven by a QSC RMX850 power amp. I'm using the solid state version of the BBE B-Max for a preamp (one of the most transparent pres I've ever heard). I also have a Furman conditoner unit and a Korg DTR-1000 in my rack. The Korg's the first thing in my signal chain after my bass, so when I mute, I'm muted both through my rig and through the front of house. My main bass is a 2000 Tobacco Sunburst Carvin LB75. My backup bass is a Bartonlini-loaded SX Jazz Bass copy. Both are strung with DR coated strings, Black Beauties and Red Devils.

So what's everyone using?

ToonaRockGuy · Post by **ToonaRockGuy** » Wednesday Jul 26, 2006

But most importantly, what brand, color, style, and weight of plectrum are you choosing nowadays, Paul??

skipisode · Post by **skipisode** » Wednesday Jul 26, 2006

Not currently playing bass, but when I do I am using Hartke Head and Hartke 1x15 & 2x10 w/horn cab. Basses are 72' Fender P and a Valley Arts Custom. Works well!

As far as plectrums? don't use much for bass, but varies.

TJ Kelly · Post by **TJ Kelly** » Wednesday Jul 26, 2006

Eden WT800 amp, Eden D410XST cab along with an Eden D115 sometimes. In the rack is a Furman Power Conditioner and a Korg DTR-2000 tuner and I have a Shure ULXS14 Wireless on the way.

Basses are an Elrick NJS5 Custom and a Franken P-bass

This of course is always in flux! LOL

bassist_25 · Post by **bassist_25** » Wednesday Jul 26, 2006

ToonaRockGuy wrote:But most importantly, what brand, color, style, and weight of plectrum are you choosing nowadays, Paul??

It varies. I have a pick holder mounted to my power conditioner (a trick I learned from old sKool. The pick holder was a stage present for Christmas, actually *LOL*). Usually I'm either using a white or green Fender medium. There was actually a time where my main plectrum was a Green Eggs pick that I had found while playing a gig at Pelly's. I found it laying on the stage as I set up, and a kept it. It was the perfect thickness. Unfortunatley, I lost it on a stage somewhere.

Kevin, you will be pleased to know that a good portion of the Plush stuff I learned will have me utilizing a pick. It's comin'. I'm no Jeff Clapper when it comes to plastic between my fingers, but my pick playing's come a long way.

Basses are 72' Fender

Sweet! Scott, please tell me you haven't done any mods to this bass!

Eden D410XST

Tim, what are your opinions about the differences between the XST series and the XLT series?

skipisode · Post by **skipisode** » Wednesday Jul 26, 2006

Paul, Only mods were unfortunate result of house fire. Case burnt, but thank God! bass was saved!!! Had to put new machines on it, but I still have the originals: also got some minor smoke damage (but I took care of this problem). Original pickup shit the bed so I had to replace. It is my
"Harley" or as per B.B.King "Lucille" and I will never part with it!! I love this bass! Not totally original, but it is ALL MINE!

By the way, Tim is our new bassist and I have played through his rig.
It is a nice setup!

TJ Kelly · Post by **TJ Kelly** » Wednesday Jul 26, 2006

Paul:

The XST is rated down to 30hz which is lower than the XLT which I don't recall right now.
XST = 1000 watts
XLT = 700 watts

XLT has a pronounced low mid bump which the XST is missing. Not a bad thing though as the XLT cab is a bit more aggressive sounding than the XST. Depends on which flavor you like?

Killjingle · Post by **Killjingle** » Wednesday Jul 26, 2006

Fender medium shitpicks for me...

I used to use nickels, but too expensive when you break strings. When I play my PBass I love the feel of the Fender heavy white picks. They feel different that the tortoise shell ones.

MeYatch · Post by **MeYatch** » Monday Jul 31, 2006

Fender Jazz bass, and a Fender Precision with quarter pounder pickup.

digitech BP200 processor, which I basically use as an expensive tuner.

Peavey something or other head...

Acoustic 2x15 cab

I have these picks with an Eagle on them or something, I dunno, I think I got them at music emporium, it seems like no matter what kind of pick I get used to using, they stop carrying them, so I just buy what is the right shape and thickness.

used to use these, heavy guage, I also had some purple dunlop picks in the same shape, which I loved, and music emporium carried for approximatly 30 seconds after I bought them.

jebersole · Post by **jebersole** » Monday Aug 07, 2006

If it's the P-bass I think it is, the whole electronics assembly and pickguard were changed out before I bought it. I was told the pickups and guts were Shecter (sp?) and the brushed gold pickguard was pretty cool also. That was my first Fender, and first "real" bass...

skipisode wrote:Paul, Only mods were unfortunate result of house fire. Case burnt, but thank God! bass was saved!!! Had to put new machines on it, but I still have the originals: also got some minor smoke damage (but I took care of this problem). Original pickup shit the bed so I had to replace. It is my
"Harley" or as per B.B.King "Lucille" and I will never part with it!! I love this bass! Not totally original, but it is ALL MINE!

By the way, Tim is our new bassist and I have played through his rig.
It is a nice setup!

Banned · Post by **Banned** » Tuesday Aug 08, 2006

Being the gearhead that I am:

Ampeg 8 x 10
QSC PLX2402
dbx 1066
BBE 882i
Ampeg SVP Pro
Korg DTR2000
Furman PL-Pro
Countryman DI

Fender Jazz w/ Hipshot machines, EMGs, Badass III
Fender Jazz stock
Steinberger XL2
Schecter TB1
Rickenbacker 4001

I also have 2 EV 15" cabs I haul in to the occasional show when I use the Rickenbacker for the entire set.

skipisode · Post by **skipisode** » Tuesday Aug 08, 2006

Jason,

Yes I still have this P-Bass and the pickup was a Schecter Research (w/
push-pull pot). When it shit the bed, I searched for replacement parts but
ran out of luck on it. Eventually, I spoke with a tech that worked for Schecter and got modified wiring setup from him, but it just didn't work
the same. I have since swapped the pickup out for an EMG. Also, I eventually stripped the original finish off (due to smoke damage) and
refinished with tung oil. I know all of you old P-Bass fans are going
AGHHHHHH!!!! but this bass sounds and functions well with this, and I
personally like it. Body, neck, etc. are still there and I kept everything
else (parts) for it. Since I have no plan to ever part with it, the mods.
were for me.

Scott

orangekick · Post by **orangekick** » Tuesday Aug 08, 2006

Lakland 55-01 w/ USA Bartolini preamp

Ampeg SVT III (not Pro)
Ampeg SVT610HLF

That's it. Nothing fancy here.

bassist_25 · Post by **bassist_25** » Tuesday Aug 08, 2006

bugglez24 wrote: QSC PLX2402

So you went with the PLX? Good choice! I'd really like to go with a PLX. I love my RMX series QSC, but the thing is a freaking lead sled.

I also have 2 EV 15" cabs I haul in to the occasional show when I use the Rickenbacker for the entire set.

Do you run your Ric in stereo? I once did some recording utilizing the stereo feature of a 4001. Unfortunatley, it wasn't mixed that well, but the effect while I was playing was really cool. I guess it's really prominent if you do the whole Ric-o-Sound thing with some sort of effect on one channel and a clean signal on another.

Banned · Post by **Banned** » Tuesday Aug 08, 2006

Yeah, Paul, the PLX is super sweet and actually gives a little different sound than the Ampeg power amp I was using. The whole rig is essentially what I used to have with the exception of the PLX. Believe it or not, that amp seems to make the whole rig 500% cleaner-sounding.

I a single 8 x 10 in stereo and the amp is perfectly matched for that. I was afraid that it wouldn't sound the same as it would when you run the whole cabinet as one ( I was against Ampeg splitting the cab like that), but, it sounds phenomenal.

The Rick is actually a 4003 which I bought about 12 years ago. I just always call it a 4001. No, I never even tried the Ric o Sound. I always figured you should run it into two separate inputs instead of using a Y cable so that's why I never bothered. Obviously, you can't get a Rick sound from an 8 x 10 so when I do use it, I bring out the 15s. Needless to say, I really don't play the bass too much other than jamming at home to bands like the Plimsouls, Buzzcocks, the Jam and other groups that used that bass exclusively.

Banned · Post by **Banned** » Tuesday Aug 08, 2006

By the way, if they still have them in stock, MF has them for $649 shipped to your door. 3-year warranty and 90-day return policy. You can't lose.

MeYatch · Post by **MeYatch** » Tuesday Aug 08, 2006

bugglez24 wrote:By the way, if they still have them in stock, MF has them for $649 shipped to your door. 3-year warranty and 90-day return policy. You can't lose.

a ric?

Banned · Post by **Banned** » Tuesday Aug 08, 2006

NO, Sorry, the QSC. They are having a clearance on the PLX series to make way for the new PLX2 series. Of course, limited quantities available.

MeYatch · Post by **MeYatch** » Friday Aug 11, 2006

buggles,
The steinberger, is the XL2 the all graphite model? If so, are they as indestructable as I have heard?

Banned · Post by **Banned** » Friday Aug 11, 2006

Back in the day, Steinberger made two different types of the XL2 bass. I don't know the exact details about the electronics so let's just say one was passive and one was active. The later XL2 models (which I have) are all active.

I'm not sure exactly what it is made of. It's graphite and graphite/composite material. At the time I bought it, I had to have one because they were the best and hottest around. It was said that you could lay this bass between two chairs and hit it, jump on it ---whatever, and it wouldn't break. I don't know about that as I was not about to try it and I think that was a lot of music store talk. But as far as indestructibility, it still gets wear marks and pieces wear out. They just wear and react a little differently.

However, I had this packed in its case for over 6 months, I left it tuned, and when I took it out, it was in perfect tuning and perfect harmonic calibration (as I call it). The machines are a 40:1 ratio which has a lot to do with it, I think.

Definately a great bass. Sounded great with new strings, dead strings, through any rig, didn't matter.

I don't use it at all as I'm trying to hide my gut and it's just a little small for that. If I lose about 30 pounds, it might make a re-appearance. I would rate it an 8 out of 10 and they're worth some cash right now, so I'll continue to hold on to it.

They did make the XL2 in an all-wood model, but it just didn't sound the same. Hope that helps.

jebersole · Post by **jebersole** » Monday Aug 14, 2006

Scott, I still have mine to! I bought it back in '85 (it was made in Feb '84), and although I don't play it anymore, I often lug it along to gigs as a backup. Mine has the removeable legrest. Later models had a legrest that recessed into the body. Which one does your have?

I've thought of selling it from time to time, but probably never will. It's a little rough looking as it got a lot of playing time back in the day; Pick gouge in bridge pickup and pickup EMG logos mostly worn off. Bridge finish is worn down to the brass in one spot. But the "Steinberger" logo is still there and unblemished. I'll have to show it some love and play it on a gig sometime.

bugglez24 wrote:Back in the day, Steinberger made two different types of the XL2 bass. I don't know the exact details about the electronics so let's just say one was passive and one was active. The later XL2 models (which I have) are all active.

Banned · Post by **Banned** » Monday Aug 14, 2006

Hey Jason!

Mine has the removable leg rest. I thought of just taking it off permanently, but I never did. I modified the strap buttons to fit a DiMarzio strap-lock strap system on there. My EMG logos are gone. The bridge has wear as do the machine "knobs." The Steinberger logo is still like new like you said yours is.

I could probably repaint the bridge or have it done for me to make it look new. Oh, there's also a "groove" from my great strap innovation that is on the back of the body when you move the crescent up into playing position. It's not major, but I can't buff it out. I took it out the other day and just looked at it and thought about how different things are nowadays---way different.

But upon inspection, it's in really, really good shape. I only played it for about 3 years and at that point, the band I was in was only playing about 6 or 7 shows a month. It's really not abused at all. I shined it up, tuned it, de-tuned it and put it away.

I'm going to start working out a bit and try to bring this thing back into action 'cuz it really does sound good.

Oh, as far as the electronics: The earlier models were said to have active pickups but a passive preamp. Then they changed everything to active. I didn't know that at the time, I just bought it and found all this out later.

I was talking to Tim Kelley the other day about Sidewalk Romeo and Shock Zone. You wouldn't happen to have any recordings of your originals I could burn, would you? That was good stuff!

Later-----------

jebersole · Post by **jebersole** » Monday Aug 14, 2006

While I was in the band, ShockZone did a 45rpm with "Just a Game" as the A-side and I think "Critical Eyes" on the B-side. I should have one somewhere. What condition it's in is unknown. Getting that digitized is entirely possible (I still have a turntable), and I obviously have a PC.

I might get some of the details wrong on the following, but a 5 or 6 song EP (on cassette actually) was in the works when I was leaving the band (and Scott took over, band renamed Sidewalk Romeo) that I think included the two songs from the 45. I don't remember what other songs are on it, nor if I even recorded parts for them. I should have one of these cassettes tucked away somewhere, but I'll have to do some searching.

Hey Scott (skipisode), do you remember the cassette? did I get the details right?

bugglez24 wrote:Hey Jason!

I was talking to Tim Kelley the other day about Sidewalk Romeo and Shock Zone. You wouldn't happen to have any recordings of your originals I could burn, would you? That was good stuff!

Later-----------

skipisode · Post by **skipisode** » Monday Aug 14, 2006

Jason,

I have copy of the cassette that we recorded with Sidewalk Romeo (Scott )after I took over when Shock Zone (Jason) disbanded. It does include remixed versions of two songs you recorded during the transition. I'm not
sure how quality it is at this point (hasn't been played for quite some time). I'll check to see if it is still functional. I have a CD recorder deck
that can burn from cassette (analog/digital). Could possibly burn CD if
you want it, or if Scott wants copy. I know you dx your Steinbergers,
I remixed with a P-Bass and a Yamaha BX1 (Steinberger-type setup).

Scott

bassist_25 · Post by **bassist_25** » Monday Aug 14, 2006

I only ever had one chance to play a Steinberger. The thing I remember the most is how the body balanced and how strange if felt at first because there was no weight at the end of the neck. It was a really cool sounding bass. Though, I just don't think that they're me, and I couldn't see myself owning/gigging one. I prefer the Steinbergers that looked like traditional guitars/basses, like the one that the guitarist from White Lion use to play.

Gibson now owns Steinberger, and from what I understand, they are nowhere near the quality of the instruments when the company was independent.