Would you change a Smith?

[David Alan McIntire II]

Hate to answer myself, but forgot to mention. Left the Burner series for two reasons. One, string spacing too tight for my taste, and two, no mid control. The one I had was Walnut, and its tone was such I swear by that wood now. Have you experimented with your pickup height? Can add or subtract detail of pickups. By lowering the pickups, you may lose a hair of output, but those old school basses had nowhere near the output of these modern monsters, and lowerin them may get some of the Middiness out of your sound, without the mid control. You could then make up a bit of output loss with gain on your amp. I understand Ken is marketing his pickups and electronics again, that would be the perfect choice. His pre amps the best, in my opinion, and that could also be your answer. Lots of options, really wish you the best on findin your tone.

[Roger Vaughan]

The Markbass is outta here as of Saturday. I have frankly never had a sound I've disliked as much as what I'm getting out of that cab! With every bass I have (there are 3 here) it does 'that thing', and maybe it is the problem with the Burner. Not sure though... I have played the bass through an Ashdown Evo head and Ampeg 410 Classic cab, and the troubling middley character was not nearly as pronounced. But still present... I want it to sound more like a Fender or a Rickie! Right now I'm having trouble getting it to give me that controlled and consistent growly rumble I like. Feels great, I dig the look. But sound is not working yet.

I have considered getting a couple Fender Jazz stock p'ups- the bridge position ones- and wiring the bass for them, replacing the (not-working) Smith preamp. Truth is I've just gotten back to carpentry (RI has the worst unemployment in the country right now, I believe), and don't have the scratch to bring this bass up to factory spec.

Just musing...

[David Alan McIntire II]

Well what do ya know? I'm a carpenter myself, during the day. Jobs here in SC no more plentiful. I'm also originally from RI, but left there when 3 or so as my dad was in Navy. Just lost a job had for 5 years, and playin the only thing payin bills. I been around a while, this the worst I've ever seen the economy. Usually avoid that kind of issue, been playin all my life, but it's killin me now. I have a set of Bartolini passive J style pickups, and a three band Bart preamp in need of pots. Have the hard one to get, the push pull pot, but need a balance pot and two 50k tone controls. If you like, I can send them to ya. No worries. It's just sittin, and at moment I have no use for them. Over the years folks have helped me a ton. You can have this stuff if it helps, cuz one, hate to see ya disappointed in that Smith and two, all the help I've recieved I believe in givin back. Is your bass a 4 or 5 string? Or 6? Lemme know what ya think, but I believe the best thing for it would be the Smith stuff. I'm sure he'd work out a deal. But the offer here for the stuff I got. Maybe one day you'll return favor. Parts for this pre amp pretty cheap, I just don't have the gumption ta put it together, and nuttin to put it in.

[Roger Vaughan]

Originally Posted by David Alan McIntire II

Well what do ya know? I'm a carpenter myself, during the day. Jobs here in SC no more plentiful. I'm also originally from RI, but left there when 3 or so as my dad was in Navy. Just lost a job had for 5 years, and playin the only thing payin bills. I been around a while, this the worst I've ever seen the economy. Usually avoid that kind of issue, been playin all my life, but it's killin me now. I have a set of Bartolini passive J style pickups, and a three band Bart preamp in need of pots. Have the hard one to get, the push pull pot, but need a balance pot and two 50k tone controls. If you like, I can send them to ya. No worries. It's just sittin, and at moment I have no use for them. Over the years folks have helped me a ton. You can have this stuff if it helps, cuz one, hate to see ya disappointed in that Smith and two, all the help I've recieved I believe in givin back. Is your bass a 4 or 5 string? Or 6? Lemme know what ya think, but I believe the best thing for it would be the Smith stuff. I'm sure he'd work out a deal. But the offer here for the stuff I got. Maybe one day you'll return favor. Parts for this pre amp pretty cheap, I just don't have the gumption ta put it together, and nuttin to put it in.

Dave,

That's generous of you man, and you know, I'll take you up on it! I don't think it'd be worthy not to. I have been helped a ton myself; returned it a few times. I'll remember it and when opportunity comes around, it'll come back to mind.

Ken has offered a re-built pre, and in light of the $ for a new one it's a good deal. It's just that spending anything is just not going to happen for a while here. I suppose things'll change! They tend to.

So that's great- I humbly accept your offer! It's a 4-string, a CR4. I'll pm you... Thank you Dave, you're a gentleman and a scholar!

[David Alan McIntire II]

Any time, my friend. I suppose we ought to befriend ouselves on this sight. Make us look less lonely. I've received and replied to your PM, all will happen soon as I can get to everythin. Know what you mean about spendin, I'm not either. Hope this helps ya, and if you decide to let that one go, you know where to reach me. I've got a CR6, my baby, though I've put her through the ringer, not intentionally of course, just things happen over the years when playin every night. I wouldn't change one scuff or remove one ding on this bass' body. It's a special bass, one I know is mine, and was meant for me. I'll tell ya the story some time. But would like you to feel same 'bout yours, then one day you can tell THIS story. Heh.

[Roger Vaughan]

Story is in progress Dave. I'll tell it someday! I hope so anyway, I'll tell you at the end of it...