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The Outpost Cafe / Alice Cooper doc on TV
« on: November 11, 2014, 08:33:54 PM »
There is a documentary (?) about Alice Cooper - "Super Duper Alice Cooper" - on VH1 classic tonight. I think it's new - looks like it will have archival footage. Just a heads-up! Looks like it will play again over the next couple of days if you missed it.
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Bass Amps & Effects / Can the Orange Bass Terror amp sound like this?
« on: August 12, 2014, 07:29:14 PM »
Not in the market right now, but obviously been following the Orange threads.
This is one of my favorite bass tones - looks like it's Fender P through an Orange amp from 1971:
Might not want this sound all night, but then again.. It's Miroslav Vitous, usually known for his upright playing, but I love his electric playing on this! I have the DVD, there's a couple of songs where he plays electric. Starts to pick up around 2:00 - they really get cooking at about 2:45!
So, I guess finally asking my question - can a Bass Terror amp sound like this on its own? It would be cool to set it up with a little less drive, then occasionally push it into this kind of territory.
Or maybe there's a pedal that can cop this sound? I don't usually chase after other people's sounds, I prefer to root after my own, but I just really like this one - of course, I really like the playing too, even though I can barely conceive of what he's doing harmonically...
This is one of my favorite bass tones - looks like it's Fender P through an Orange amp from 1971:
Might not want this sound all night, but then again.. It's Miroslav Vitous, usually known for his upright playing, but I love his electric playing on this! I have the DVD, there's a couple of songs where he plays electric. Starts to pick up around 2:00 - they really get cooking at about 2:45!
So, I guess finally asking my question - can a Bass Terror amp sound like this on its own? It would be cool to set it up with a little less drive, then occasionally push it into this kind of territory.
Or maybe there's a pedal that can cop this sound? I don't usually chase after other people's sounds, I prefer to root after my own, but I just really like this one - of course, I really like the playing too, even though I can barely conceive of what he's doing harmonically...
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The Bass Zone / Carole Kaye giving Gene Simmons a bass lesson
« on: July 10, 2014, 12:57:22 PM »
This appeared on the notreble.com website:
I'm kind of surprised how gracious Mr. Simmons is. They really need to both have basses so that she can show him the riff. But I think sometimes his bass playing abilities show through.
I'm kind of surprised how gracious Mr. Simmons is. They really need to both have basses so that she can show him the riff. But I think sometimes his bass playing abilities show through.
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Bill's Shop: Projects, Mods & Repairs / Triumph pups in Guild M-85?
« on: July 07, 2014, 01:29:52 AM »
I just had a wacky idea - would love to have a set of these pickups:
And put them in this bass:
I don't have a spare low-impedance set, mind you, just thinking out loud. Would the pickups have to be slanted to fit in the given space in the Guild? Could they fit?!! Alembic Activators would be another idea but there probably isn't enough space for the electronics. Dark Stars or some other Bi-Sonic clone would be the most obvious choice since they would probably fit without too much trouble.
I wanted to like the humbuckers - I actually have gotten a good sound out of them, but with the help of an Alembic SF-2 Superfilter. As they are, I have found them to be rather unspectacular.
At this point this project is not going to happen - the bass doesn't go out much - just imagining out loud!
And put them in this bass:
I don't have a spare low-impedance set, mind you, just thinking out loud. Would the pickups have to be slanted to fit in the given space in the Guild? Could they fit?!! Alembic Activators would be another idea but there probably isn't enough space for the electronics. Dark Stars or some other Bi-Sonic clone would be the most obvious choice since they would probably fit without too much trouble.
I wanted to like the humbuckers - I actually have gotten a good sound out of them, but with the help of an Alembic SF-2 Superfilter. As they are, I have found them to be rather unspectacular.
At this point this project is not going to happen - the bass doesn't go out much - just imagining out loud!
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Bass Amps & Effects / Ampeg B-1R musings
« on: May 03, 2014, 10:13:02 PM »
So there is a used Ampeg B-1R, the single-space rackmount amplifier, available locally for $300. I've been GASless for months - I can go into stores, play cool basses, look at online retailers, without a twinge - and then of course something comes up that sets me on edge. I've been thinking about how I could use this and thought I would ask you guys.
Currently I've been using a GK MB-112 II, which has been great. Plenty of power for my needs, I can't fault the sound. I also use an Alembic F-2B preamp for recording. But I have always fantasized about playing through a tube amp. I know that "tube amp" can mean different things to differentadvertising departments people - the main fantasy for me is the Orange AD200. My favorite part of the GK combo is the light weight - even my Epiphani 2X10 cab is a bit much for me to carry - yes I have wimped out! I just don't like being all worn out after carrying my cab - I have considered a cart of some kind but the GK is so portable.
So one idea I had was to use the B-1R as a preamp before the GK. The B-1R has a footswitchable boost channel, so instead of getting a separate boost pedal (something I've been meaning to do since I switched back to my Fulltone Bass Drive) I could also use the B-1R for that. One rumor is that these are known to overheat. Some deny this, but I bet it was people pushing them too hard, since they are only 150 watts @ 4 ohms. But if I just use it as a preamp then no problems, unless I overload the front end of the GK.
Another idea is to go for a small lightweight separate cab of some kind - the SVT210AV 2X10 part of the micro series is an interesting candidate, or maybe something more robust like the Aguilar SL 112. But that's down the line - can only afford the amp for now. I could also play it through my Epiphani - gotta check the ohm rating on that one, I think it's 8 though.
I have checked out this thread here at the outpost as well as what I could easily find at TB. The B-1R seems to be fairly sought-after - but maybe I'm just giving in to gear lust? I get some 12AX7-style tube sound from my CAJ compressor, maybe that's enough? Or since this will require that I lug a rack around, maybe I should just bring my F-2B around with me?
Currently I've been using a GK MB-112 II, which has been great. Plenty of power for my needs, I can't fault the sound. I also use an Alembic F-2B preamp for recording. But I have always fantasized about playing through a tube amp. I know that "tube amp" can mean different things to different
So one idea I had was to use the B-1R as a preamp before the GK. The B-1R has a footswitchable boost channel, so instead of getting a separate boost pedal (something I've been meaning to do since I switched back to my Fulltone Bass Drive) I could also use the B-1R for that. One rumor is that these are known to overheat. Some deny this, but I bet it was people pushing them too hard, since they are only 150 watts @ 4 ohms. But if I just use it as a preamp then no problems, unless I overload the front end of the GK.
Another idea is to go for a small lightweight separate cab of some kind - the SVT210AV 2X10 part of the micro series is an interesting candidate, or maybe something more robust like the Aguilar SL 112. But that's down the line - can only afford the amp for now. I could also play it through my Epiphani - gotta check the ohm rating on that one, I think it's 8 though.
I have checked out this thread here at the outpost as well as what I could easily find at TB. The B-1R seems to be fairly sought-after - but maybe I'm just giving in to gear lust? I get some 12AX7-style tube sound from my CAJ compressor, maybe that's enough? Or since this will require that I lug a rack around, maybe I should just bring my F-2B around with me?
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The Bass Zone / getting lucky at Guitar Center
« on: April 30, 2014, 11:40:25 PM »
I drive around the San Francisco Bay Area a lot for my job, and there are a few Guitar Centers within half an hour in any direction. As I am sure many of you are aware, there are some times when they have nothing that I would even bother to take off the wall to play, and there are other times when they have a bunch of interesting stuff. It's fun to take pictures too - my wife will even take some if I'm playing something.
I thought of you guys when I saw this (looked like a used Les Paul Double-Cut - at first I thought it was a Money Bass):
I also played a couple of Warwicks - one of the Rock Bass imports, not sure the model - Corvette maybe? Would've been a lot more impressive with fresh strings:
And a crazy $3000+ 6-string monstrosity that must have weighed at least 15 pounds:
Unfortunately, the Alembic was too high up to just grab - $3300, I think it was a Europa 5-string:
I didn't plug anything in - there had been what I think was an Ampeg rep demoing a new combo amp that tilted back and had built-in distortion. Should have played the Alembic through that while he was there!
I was really surprised to see the Alembic. They had a brand new Rickenbacker 4003 Fireglo and one of the new Gibson hollowbody basses (maybe a Midtown?) too.
I thought of you guys when I saw this (looked like a used Les Paul Double-Cut - at first I thought it was a Money Bass):
I also played a couple of Warwicks - one of the Rock Bass imports, not sure the model - Corvette maybe? Would've been a lot more impressive with fresh strings:
And a crazy $3000+ 6-string monstrosity that must have weighed at least 15 pounds:
Unfortunately, the Alembic was too high up to just grab - $3300, I think it was a Europa 5-string:
I didn't plug anything in - there had been what I think was an Ampeg rep demoing a new combo amp that tilted back and had built-in distortion. Should have played the Alembic through that while he was there!
I was really surprised to see the Alembic. They had a brand new Rickenbacker 4003 Fireglo and one of the new Gibson hollowbody basses (maybe a Midtown?) too.
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Rickenbacker Basses / reunited with my 8-string!
« on: March 18, 2014, 10:50:43 PM »
I used to go out to Massachusetts (from Japan or now California) whenever I could, to record with one of my best friends (a drummer) at another friend's home studio. I would leave a couple of instruments there so all I would have to bring was effects that I wanted to use. But five years or so ago I got busy and didn't have as much income so I haven't been back in a long time. I finally decided to have my friend with the studio ship me my 1993 Jetglo Rickenbacker 4003S/8:
It's BTBH (black trim black hardware) - I replaced the bridge pickup mount with the one from Pickguardian. It's really hard to take pictures of because it reflects everything like a mirror - I feel like I finally understand why "glo" stands for "gloss"! I haven't plugged it in yet - hopefully it's working ok electronically, gotta check that soon. The action is a little high, but I'm going to just play it for a while. I bought a couple of packages of the Rickenbacker 8-string set when they closed them out a while back, need to decide if I'm going to change them now or later. I have a kind of a solo gig coming up in a week and a half so I need to decide soon!
Here's a shot of the headstock:
The 4003S/8 was originally strung with the octave string on the bottom, but I much prefer having it on top so I had it changed (by Krishna Jain, who refinished my Telembic. I remember reading somewhere that the reason it uses 8 identical tuners is so that it can be restrung either way. I feel like I read it in a post by John Hall but not totally sure of that.
Anyway, I'm really happy to have it back in my hands - I played it for like an hour outside today, we've been having super-nice weather. My fingers are sore but it was worth it!
It's BTBH (black trim black hardware) - I replaced the bridge pickup mount with the one from Pickguardian. It's really hard to take pictures of because it reflects everything like a mirror - I feel like I finally understand why "glo" stands for "gloss"! I haven't plugged it in yet - hopefully it's working ok electronically, gotta check that soon. The action is a little high, but I'm going to just play it for a while. I bought a couple of packages of the Rickenbacker 8-string set when they closed them out a while back, need to decide if I'm going to change them now or later. I have a kind of a solo gig coming up in a week and a half so I need to decide soon!
Here's a shot of the headstock:
The 4003S/8 was originally strung with the octave string on the bottom, but I much prefer having it on top so I had it changed (by Krishna Jain, who refinished my Telembic. I remember reading somewhere that the reason it uses 8 identical tuners is so that it can be restrung either way. I feel like I read it in a post by John Hall but not totally sure of that.
Anyway, I'm really happy to have it back in my hands - I played it for like an hour outside today, we've been having super-nice weather. My fingers are sore but it was worth it!
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The Bass Zone / Geezer Butler signature EMG pickups
« on: February 06, 2014, 04:38:12 PM »
Nice video introducing Geezer Butler's signature EMG pickups:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcKRho-h2_c&feature=c4-overview&list=UUuokdzT3JWGwFT9LdRLYwhw
I like it because it has some footage from recent live Sabbath - I saw them last summer live for the first time and thoroughly enjoyed it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcKRho-h2_c&feature=c4-overview&list=UUuokdzT3JWGwFT9LdRLYwhw
I like it because it has some footage from recent live Sabbath - I saw them last summer live for the first time and thoroughly enjoyed it.
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The Outpost Cafe / KISS collaboration
« on: February 05, 2014, 01:16:59 PM »
Good to see KISS expanding their horizons like in the good ol' days
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Other Bass Brands / Ibanez Bass VI?!!
« on: January 24, 2014, 12:19:37 AM »
30" scale, tuned E-E like the classic Fender Bass VI:
http://www.ibanez.co.jp/products/u_eb_page14.php?year=2014&cat_id=2&series_id=51&data_id=88&color=CL01
http://www.ibanez.co.jp/products/u_eb_page14.php?year=2014&cat_id=2&series_id=51&data_id=88&color=CL01
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Rickenbacker Basses / new Rickenbacker bass model!
« on: January 22, 2014, 10:21:16 AM »
4003W
http://www.rickenbacker.com/model.asp?model=4003W
I kind of like it - I wonder if the fingerboard is unfinished?
http://www.rickenbacker.com/model.asp?model=4003W
I kind of like it - I wonder if the fingerboard is unfinished?
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The Bass Zone / MJC strings - anyone heard of them?
« on: January 20, 2014, 06:47:10 PM »
In googling Rocco Prestia, came across these strings: http://www.mjcironworks.com
Anyone try these? In addition to their strings coming in a tin and having "RN Protects" (not sure what that is) they also claim that their "combinations and core-to-wrap ratios achieve the sound and dependability that working musicians are looking for and can trust to deliver a full bodied sound and a long life." They don't seem to make claims about specifics like tension or brightness or smoothness.
Anyone try these? In addition to their strings coming in a tin and having "RN Protects" (not sure what that is) they also claim that their "combinations and core-to-wrap ratios achieve the sound and dependability that working musicians are looking for and can trust to deliver a full bodied sound and a long life." They don't seem to make claims about specifics like tension or brightness or smoothness.
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Other Bass Brands / Ibanez mudbucker copy?
« on: January 16, 2014, 05:18:15 PM »
For some reason found myself trolling through my local craigslist and found this:
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/msg/4290401423.html
Anyone heard of these? Worthwhile or waste of money?
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/msg/4290401423.html
Anyone heard of these? Worthwhile or waste of money?
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The Bass Zone / bass guitar calendar?
« on: December 31, 2013, 03:36:31 PM »
Every year when I look for calendars for the new year, I am tempted by guitar calendars but always disappointed - you're lucky to maybe get a vintage Fender for one month. I want a calendar that's all bass! Anyone aware of one?
Then I had a thought - I see people lately whose family members put together books with pictures of family, etc. You must be able to make calendars too. Wouldn't it be cool to have a Last Bass Outpost calendar with pictures of our instruments? Anyone want to take on the project?
It's probably too late for 2014 but maybe 2015?
Then I had a thought - I see people lately whose family members put together books with pictures of family, etc. You must be able to make calendars too. Wouldn't it be cool to have a Last Bass Outpost calendar with pictures of our instruments? Anyone want to take on the project?
It's probably too late for 2014 but maybe 2015?