Author Topic: Help - Need some quick opinions (Read 388 times)

bigredbass · « **Reply #15 on:** August 17, 2011, 10:05:12 PM »

IF memory serves, if you look in the photos from the NoCal Gathering recently, I believe in amongst the assembled faves there IS a Cirrus with ALEMBIC p/u's and electronics. Along the lines of the Alembic / Aria influcence, John Taylor plays these now in the current Duran Duran, a guy who made his bones with Aria SB's. And too, back in the day, Rudy had some of his Peaveys and Arias reloaded with Activators.

Nice long horn and cutaway to almost the last fret. These things are well made, and unfortunately overlooked.

So you're going to five-strings, eh? My advice is ONLY play fives: If you go back and forth to your fours when it all gets a little confusing, it'll take a lot longer to completely transition.
It's amazing how many times I'd tell myself 'the four strings I'm used to just moved down one space, get over it!' and would then make a mess of things, but eventually it jelled and now a four-string feels funny. I wish I was one of those smart guys who can go back and forth, but . . . .

J o e y

JuancarlinBass · « **Reply #16 on:** August 18, 2011, 06:01:56 AM »

Well, Aria was not the only one to try copying on Alembic styling... My first neck-thru bass, which I bought secondhand about 20 years ago, is an Alembic influenced neck-thru Hondo:

Been thinking on putting Activators to it (came with 80s DiMarzios). Besides, the P/P combination is quite uncommon, but nice sounding, at least on this one. I also own a somewhat lower sibling of the Cirrus, a Peavey Grind. I had to modify the electronics (the original pickups were WAY too bad) with EMGs, but it is quite comfy, and a nice sounding neck-thru:

Definitely more of a "beater" than my Epic 5.

(Message edited by jcdlc72 on August 18, 2011)

benson_murrensun · « **Reply #17 on:** August 18, 2011, 09:14:51 AM »

It took me 8 months to learn to play a 5 string! I was fretting different strings from the ones I was plucking... Like Bullwinkle, I'm easily confused. But I got it now. Switching back and forth with 4-stringers is a minor challenge, but I can do it without too many clams.
I got up way too early this morning and had time to change over to flatwounds. It changed the sound enormously. We'll see if I like it. Hmmm, Alembic pickups on the Peavey, eh? Now there's an idea.

edwin · « **Reply #18 on:** August 18, 2011, 09:23:48 AM »

Let us know what you think of the flats. I'm more of a roundwound fretless guy myself, but I'm always curious about the experience of others.

These days I play mostly 4 string shorts, but I've gone through periods of time where I've switched between a 4 string short scale, 5 string 34 fretless and 6 string 35 fretted during sets frequently. It becomes pretty easy after you do it a few times. Now that I don't gig 5 nights a week, I don't think I'd try it on the fly.

bigredbass · « **Reply #19 on:** August 18, 2011, 10:33:34 PM »

Straight (the other) HP, no chaser:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjpEoN2jL5Q&feature=related

J o e y

cozmik_cowboy · « **Reply #20 on:** August 19, 2011, 06:52:47 AM »

Interesting; Hartley seems likable, and he gives a very good sales pitch. But his electronic gear still sounds like crap & breaks constantly.

Peter

JuancarlinBass · « **Reply #21 on:** August 19, 2011, 08:13:31 AM »

Well, not always... My Peavey Grind's electronics were absolute waste, but I've had a Peavey Express112 for 20 years already, and it's in tip top shape. Not that it is the most pristine sound, agreed, but it is well built, and has stood 20 years of gigging, sometimes heavy. I do also have a Classic 50 2x12 tube guitar combo, which i bought secondhand, that is also 18-20 years old, but it has not seen that much of daylight, and it's doing quite fine after all these years. I think it depends great;y on what kind of equipment, and the year/place of building. Generally I've found that electronic stuff built in the last 10 or 15 years tend to be less built like a tank than the stuff I grew up accustomed to, which is definitely sad. One turns up looking for stuff built +20 years ago (I definitely do... my whole guitar and bass rigs are state of the art by 1992 standards!) and then mistaken by secondhand equipment dealers as Vintage lookers, so they charge you double, haha!

benson_murrensun · « **Reply #22 on:** August 19, 2011, 08:18:06 AM »

I couldn't stand the new flats (GHS) I had put on the Cirrus. Made every note sound like a dull thud. So I switched them to GHS Brite Flats today. MUCH BETTER.
I'm not a big fan of Peavey electronics, either. But I would have to give credit for speakers that last a long, long time. I've seen some SP-2 models that have been around since before there was electricity, still working fine. (You do need a forklift to raise them off the ground, though.) The electronics on this Cirrus bass are quite usable and very quiet.

(Message edited by Benson_Murrensun on August 19, 2011)

cozmik_cowboy · « **Reply #23 on:** August 19, 2011, 08:50:44 AM »

Let me say again, I have no idea about the instruments, and I'm glad you like your new bass. My Peavyphobia is based the kinds of gear that give a roadie/soundman headaches; mixing boards, power amps, guitar amps, etc. And my experience with them is 1970s-80s.

Peter

benson_murrensun · « **Reply #24 on:** August 19, 2011, 10:38:56 AM »

Since the name Aria came up, I thought I'd mention that there is an Aria bass for sale on Craigslist in Denver. I will post the link in the seen on Craigslist etc., section in case anybody's interested.