• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

New Multieffect Device: BOSS GX-1B - Thoughts from the Community?

Hi everyone from Germany,

Two weeks ago, my brand-new BOSS GX-100/GX-10 arrived. I've dialed in about 8 of my own patches so far, but I'm still on the fence.

What are your thoughts on this unit?

Up until now, I've mostly used a Diamond BCP-1, a Schalltechnik_04 "NE_04" (a DIY parametric EQ based on the Yamaha NE-1), and a Schalltechnik_04 "VONG" (a HPF/LPF with a built-in DI, also a DIY build). Paired with my Sandberg TM5 on stainless steel strings, that setup gave me a very clear, crisp, and hi-fi tone.

Looking ahead, I'll probably need more creative effects that my analog board just can't handle. But to be honest, I'm not 100% convinced yet because I haven't been able to fully recreate the sound I've played for years. On the flip side, every time I practice with the BOSS, I don't feel like anything is actually missing...

It's weird—how can it feel so different, yet at the same time I don't miss my old rig until I start overthinking it?

Which model of Ibanez is this?

Hi TB,

I saw a guy playing this Ibanez thru neck at the weekend and it sounded great. It looks similar to the Doug Wimbish but was too far away to see the headstock signature or pup markings. Does anyone know if there's another model with the same look?

Once the player had packed up and was leaving I asked him which bass he was using, and he replied that it was an Ibanez. I told him how good he sounded and asked which pickups it had, but he didn't know? That confused me because I thought he would know if they were the EMG or Bartolini set? He then said he wasn't a gear head so maybe he genuinely hadn't noticed?

Any other ideas TB? Cheers!

20260829_210923.webp
  • Like
Reactions: PapaBearBass

  • Question Question
Ibanez Monorail Bridge Grounding

I ran across an issue, self inflicted I guess, with two of my Ibanez basses, one is an SR1346B and the other is a BTB766 (short-lived alternate color scheme of a BTB746 for 2021). In both of these basses I did some work with preamp or pickup replacement. I noticed that the bridge ground wire was about as thick as a human hair and in both of these basses, it broke off inside the access hole (bridge pickup wire hole). Now both of these bridges are ungrounded. I want to fix those but I wanted to find out if anyone else encountered this before I started digging in and removing bridge pieces. Weirdly, I checked continuity between the bridge saddles on both basses and the SR has no continuity between any of the individual string saddles, but the BTB shows continuity between all the string saddles. Neither is connected to ground now of course. Does anyone know how in the world these grounds are wired, individual wires twisted together somewhere inside of the bass with one extended into the pickup cavity, or are they daisychained somehow? In any case that was such a poor decision by Ibanez to use such a tiny wire.

NBD 2026 Alembic John McVie #27 Replica

Just finished by Alembic. Specs taken directly from McVie's personal touring and recording bass. Medium scale. Strong midrange, articulate and deep lows.

Attachments

  • 20260829_113732.webp
    20260829_113732.webp
    343.4 KB · Views: 1
  • 20260829_113838.webp
    20260829_113838.webp
    250.3 KB · Views: 1
  • 20260829_113705.webp
    20260829_113705.webp
    334.9 KB · Views: 1
  • 20260828_111905.webp
    20260828_111905.webp
    227.3 KB · Views: 1
  • 20260828_183205.webp
    20260828_183205.webp
    129.5 KB · Views: 1
  • 20260829_113807.webp
    20260829_113807.webp
    260.5 KB · Views: 1
  • 20260829_080147.webp
    20260829_080147.webp
    259.8 KB · Views: 1
  • 20260828_183211.webp
    20260828_183211.webp
    97.6 KB · Views: 2
  • 20260829_113644.webp
    20260829_113644.webp
    339.3 KB · Views: 2

Sire vs the world.

Below is a comparo piece I wrote that I was considering submitting to a bass focused magazine style website like No treble or Bassplayer.com. Instead I’ve just opted to post it here. Here it is:






I've always avoided Sire. Maybe because I was a loyalist to other brands. Maybe because having read anything negative about the brand, provided me the comfort of knowing that by not getting one, I was avoiding problems. Problems relayed from owners of a small percentage of them. The reputation for being heavy. Preamp issues with active models. It's simply seemed prudent to just look past them. Walk the other way.

But eventually, the truth comes to get you. And it can be an enlightening experience.

Several years ago, I was on the hunt for the best fretless to suit my tastes. Most important was the sound. It had to have the sound that made me want to grab it. After auditioning over a dozen different models from different brands, what came out on top? A sire V 5–24. Now don't get me wrong. It wasn't perfect out of the box. I prefer active instruments, but even in it it's OEM passive configuration, the tone was there. But on top of that, I discovered the most comfortable neck I can remember playing. The rolled edges. The slim profile. The tone that came off that neck was just wonderful. The instrument would require modifications to meet my preferences, but that's a story for another day. Point being, that instrument shattered all the apprehension regarding the brand.

When I speak about being a loyalist to another brand, that brand is Sadowsky. I have owned many of them. All either made in Japan or China. I've never owned a new NYC or German made model. But the quality and design of the instrument has been my go to for many years.

When I saw the recent review of the sire, V7 vintage ash new GEN Da-doo-da-doo-da-day on YouTube, I was immediately intrigued. It was obvious that Sire was going after Sadowsky's Chinese line marketshare specifically. The lightweight tuners, the four knob preamp layout, the updated pick ups, the thinner body reduced from 43 mm to 40 mm thickness. And most importantly the reduced weight.

The jazz bass model market is bountiful. There are dozens if not, hundreds of manufacturers making instruments in that shape/design. But to my eyes, this V7 appears to be a targeted attack on a specific competitors popular model. To anyone familiar with the bass guitar market, it has been very obvious that the sire business model is to somewhat replicate popular brands with minor changes in shape and materials, and offer them at far more competitive prices. MTD, Fodera, Fender, they're all well reflected in Sires product line. Its a common business strategy. Many companies do it.

But with the latest offering in the V7 line, Sire is absolutely focused on eating someone else's lunch. A battle for a specific market share. So,I say, let the battle begin.

Now, if we start with a quick spec on the Metro Express Sadowsky line, produced in Warwicks China facility, ( not to be confused with the legacy Japan produced MetroExpress line) we are essentially being offered an Okoume body with a roasted maple neck in an oil finish, with a pau ferro or roasted maple fingerboard. The neck is adjusted via a wheel that has a stem inserted into the truss rod at the body. Reports of the wheel coming loose from the rod insert have been reported, and Warwick support has assisted owners in correcting the issue.

The body is undersized and the instrument will likely be under 9 pounds. A variety of electronics are available from a pick up perspective. All instruments are active, with the glaringly obvious VTC option missing. The upgrade path to a VTC or VTC plus mid frequency bump preamp is part of the Warwick business model for that line. The requirement of an upgraded preamp is heavily debated. In my personal experience, I have found the VTC to be a requirement as the Sadowsky preamp does not offer a cut option. It is boost only. So rolling off the high frequencies cannot be attained with the stock Chinese preamp. But again, lotsa users find they do not need it. I do. Secondly, the upgrade includes MEC pots, and a high build quality with an extremely low failure rate. Also the renowned tone a Sadowsky pre is known for. Engineers love em. I do too.

The neck profile is a comfortable C shape and the fretwork is of good quality with semi hemispherical fret ends. The logic of this design would be to not have the fret ends protrude from the fingerboard edge, and they have succeeded in that. Weather changes be damned. No fret ends will be coming out of the edge of that board. Although the ends are not beveled flat like typical fret ends, so they are noticeable without being prominent. For reasons I cannot explain, I just want to take a file to them and flatten out the fret ends. Go figure.

Sadowsky branded Hipshot ultralite replica tuners, and the Sadowsky quick release bridge provides good tuning and setup adjustability. Although a recent reports of bridge lifting ala Rickenbacker have been posted on some forums with pictures accompanying the claim. There is also a quick release hipshot style string tree. This config makes for speedy string swaps, and can be a lifesaver if a string is broken and a backup bass is not available. I personally have installed a pre cut replacement G string on a gig in under 2 min on my Japan modern so, It works as it should. String swaps are quick.

The included adjustable nut is a unique differentiator, and passed on from Warwicks own product line. The usefulness of this feature has been debated. I personally find it a very convenient way to setup a nut. Ironically, on Rogers NYC instruments, it is not a feature.

Naturally, the tone can vary somewhat from bass to bass, but for the majority of examples that have come across my bench, the sound has been solid, and quintessential active J bass. I've always found the Sadowsky Alnico single coils to be more than adequate. I have upgraded the pre in all these models as it makes the bass more authentic to the original design, and far more versatile sonically. Point being , if I'm buying a bass that has Sadowsky on the headstock, I want it to have the features all Sadowskys have.

Of course, a strong consideration is always price point. As of this writing, a Sadowsky MetroExpress JJ in a 4 string config sells for $1135 suggested retail. This includes a high quality gig bag, adjustment tools, and a manufacturers warranty to the first owner. This is the least expensive model in the line.

Conversely, the 2026 V7 Vintage Ash retails for $899 and is smack dab in the middle of the Sire price book for J models. It is produced in Indonesia, comes in a cardboard box, with wrenches for adjustment and a manufacturer's warranty to the original purchaser. There is no case, but the multitude of cases and bags available will accommodate the sire. ( Although the "Gumby" headstock can be a challenge for Shorter designed cases. Google: Gumby)

The example I received from the online retailer featured a well finished, highly polished clear coated 3 piece Ash body, a 1 piece very lightly torrified maple neck, maple fingerboard with black block inlays, black binding, and luminlay markers under a clear coated fingerboard. The profile is a small C shape, with a smooth sanded oiled finish. The truss rod is adjusted at the body using the included allen key. The body had a tooling mark under the clear and a minuscule area where the clear coat did not level perfectly with the grain. Upon notifying the retailer, I was provided a 15% discount on the purchase price.

Unlike the Sadowsky cast bridge, the Sire bridge is a chrome plated, steel, vintage style featuring splined saddles that permit shifting of the string positions. Strings can be perfectly centered over the bridge pickup pole pieces, or spacing can be widened or narrowed with a string shift over the saddle. The bridge also accommodates thru body stringing. The design is flexible, and the polar opposite of quick release. String changes will be more akin to a "vintage' exercise. But its design contributes to the light 8lb 4oz weight of the instrument, as do the guyker style lightweight tuners. The nut is bone and the width is a very slim 38mm. The frets are small vintage style and with the slim neck and rolled fingerboard edges, this neck is a standout. I learned of the excellent comfort of Sire's 4 string J style necks when I received the V5-24 fretless referred to earlier.

Aesthetically, the instrument is stunning and is truly reminiscent of a 70's highly polished ash Fender jazz. It presents as something far more expensive than it is, and I find myself looking at it….alot.

The only niggles were….first, the knobs.

The 4 knob preamp is sonically fine. It too provides an "always on" tone control, but unlike the Sadowsky's boost only design, it is a cut/boost config, and adds a mid control. But the vol/tone stack, balance, treb/Mid stack and Bass control with push/pull passive activation control will take a minute to become accustomed to. Treb/Mids on the same pot? Okay ( i'd have preferred bass/treb on one and mids/tone on the other, but thats me). And the stacked knobs are also overly large and the non stacked ones are unnecessarily small. I opted to replace them all with Sadowsky style knobs, which provided a better aesthetic in my opinion. From an audio perspective it functions well, and created a very musical tone for everything I needed it for on my most recent gig. Despite the single coil pickups I found no discernible noise for my entire gig and was only able to get an audible hum in my project studio when I placed the bass very close to my old peavey KB300.

Secondly, and a small nit picking thing….. every pick guard screw is not fully seated. The guard needs to be removed and all the holes need to be ever so slightly increased to allow for the screws to seat properly. I am looking into replacing the guard and jack plate with a custom one as a personal preference.

The bass plays beautifully, adjusts easily, and came intonated out of the box. Some simple relief and saddle height adjustments and it was gig ready quickly with my usual Elixir stainless installed.

In my in-ears it was very well seated in the mix, and the pleasing tone was very akin to my Sire fretless but a tad more…."precise" for lack of a better word. Great bubbly bridge tone, crisp J-tone, that just sounded terrific. So much so as to inspire this writing.

So begs the question: Will this new gen V7 vintage ash grab the market share I'm guessing Sire would like it to? I think i will.

With the Metro Express starting at $1135 and requiring a VTC plate upgrade of $150 to match only the tone control functionality of the Sire, the price difference may be the deal breaker for many. I does come with an excellent case though. Sire's $899 retail price is $385 lower than the upgraded Sadowsky, and also includes a mid control. Sadowsky does offer a mid bump pre at $300, and for those that truly prize the sadowsky tone, the upcharge may not be an issue.

Which brings us back to the value perspective. Value is in the eye ( and ear) of the beholder, and only time will tell If my assumption is correct. So judge for yourself. But if you're looking for a killin' J bass, that also happens to be a great value, I think you may wanna consider this one.

IMG_2832.webp

































How to connect Boss GT-6B effects processor to my laptop?

My old Windows 7 laptop had a 3.5 microphone line-in port that would automatically recognize my Boss GT-6B as a line-in and record it in high quality stereo sound, using an XLR to 3.5 cable.

My new Windows 11 laptop has a crappy 3.5 combo jack that doesn't recognize the Boss GT-6B as a microphone line-in, despite using that exact same XLR to 3.5 cable.

I tried plugging in a basic headphone/microphone Y splitter cable into the new Windows 11 laptop's 3.5 combo jack, but it only records the Boss GT-6B in low quality mono sound.

What cables or adapters do I need to get a high quality stereo sound delivered to this new Windows 11 laptop, like I used to have on my old Windows 7 laptop with its dedicated microphone line-in port?

Or should I just go through the Boss GT-6B's "Digital Out" port, instead of the XLR port I was accustomed to using?

Or maybe some sort of USB based setup is the best option?

which port.webp

Double Bass Broken case strap

Today, the strap on my 20+ year old Bobelock case broke at the place where the little metal swivel mounts on the bracket. Pics below. The case is in otherwise fine shape. Wondering if i should just Macgyver it with a couple of zip ties, or get a new strap (if such a thing can be ordered separately) or other? I don't really want to change cases right now, as the rest of it is rock solid.

IMG_4392.webp
  • Like
Reactions: jazzyitalian

Does the truss rods engagement add stability to the neck?

I have a bass. It was made by a very reputable luthier,
IE good stable wood.
The truss is not engaged in the set up that I have at this point. Bass plays very well.
The neck isn’t quite perfectly stable and because of lack of truss adjustment I can’t minutely compensate.
Would a refret and the carving relief into the fretboard creating the need to engage the truss be a benefit??

New headless bass day!

This one is my first. I wanted one kinda cheap as an experiment, and an IYV one showed up on Amazon resale. Had to pick it up. The setup was bad, and the bridge needed attention. After doing my magic on it, the thing plays great, and sounds really good too. It's definitely a different feel not having any weight out on the end of the neck, that'll take some getting used to. I even have a random SGD Neo pickup (I know about the drama...) that I am going to try in it. I do need to identify the strings, I really like the feel of them.

Attachments

  • IYVbass.webp
    IYVbass.webp
    321.7 KB · Views: 1

Funny marriage of Genzler and MarkBass

I've used Markbass cabs, heads and combos for a decade or so back in days of being a gig ho. Was very satisfied no complaints .Prior to that I used GK and mesa Boogie gear. When i slowed the gigs down I was playing more alone at home and you know how the tone search goes. I wound up ditching the MB rigs for a Genzler head and Revsound cabs. Seemed to sound even better than the Markbass, long story short I wound up once again with a MB 121P 1x12 cab and I keep saying to myself I don't remember that cab sounding as big and full as it does now??? Well duh I'm using it with a Genzler head and i guess that's what I'm hearing. That little MG350 pound for pound is my favorite head ever.
fwiw I dd try a Genzler 1x12 cab and loved it but hated the location of the handle in the rear, it was a deal breaker for me.

War of the 2x10 cabs. Seymour Duncan vs SWR vs Carvin

I have a chance for a good deal on any of these amps. All are 8-ohms AFAIK. The Carvin is $25 less than the others. I don't know their condition but I guess they are OK as the seller is a good guy and sold me a 1997 Squier Jazz bass I wrote about recently. The bass was so good that I played it Sunday at a porch fest and it held up fine. (But not me .. I'm too old and cranky.) Thoughts?
  • Like
Reactions: Zooberwerx

Hanson Guitars and Pickups

I've been trying to contact them via the listed email address on their web site. Anyone else have experience with them? Just wondering if they're normally slow to respond, or if my email got trashed or if they're still making pickups. I couldn't find a phone number or else I'd just call. Don't want to be annoying, but I do need to communicate with them.

One never knows these days.

Extending the life of a doomed bass

I have this coworker who must belong to the Bass Guitar Protection Society because every now and then he shows up with an instrument that looks like it was rescued from the mistreatment of punk rock bands stuck in the '70s.

The doomed bass had been modified by installing an MM style pickup and having its pickguard chewed up to make it fit.

Specifically, my coworker asked me to put a P-Bass pickup back in, but reversed. And the humbucker closer to the bridge.

I had thought about smoothing out the mess of a cavity that's there now and inserting a block of wood, then using templates to make the cavities for the pickups, but I finally decided to make a template for the pickguard that would serve both for making the pickguard and for routing these cavities in the body. And that's what I'm working on now. I've digitized the pickguard and I'm testing how the pickup pole pieces fit on the strings. This is the only work I'm going to do on it, plus a setup, probably.

I'm not too happy with the top curve of the pickguard, seen from the bass's playing position... but I'll leave that for later, once this savior of lost bass souls confirms the final pickup placement.

What do you think of the project?


WhatsApp Image 2026-09-01 at 12.35.08.webpWhatsApp Image 2026-09-01 at 12.35.06.webpWhatsApp Image 2026-09-01 at 12.35.06 (1).webpWhatsApp Image 2026-09-01 at 12.35.07.webpWhatsApp Image 2026-09-01 at 12.35.07 (1).webp

Brand new EBMM Stingray with very unleveled frets from the factory

Just wanted to share my experience with a new EBMM I purchased.

Bought a brand new EBMM Stingray special and it arrived with very high action, still with some buzz. Adjusted the neck, but it only required a minor tweak and that did not help at all.

Took the neck off and did a complete fret level. The fret heights were all over the place up and down the neck. High fret, low fret, high fret, etc. Started with 400 grit thinking it would just require a fine tuning, but I wore that paper out and had to move to 200 grit...and it still took forever!

I would not expect frets this unleveled even on the cheapest production bass. Certainly should not have to level frets on a new Stingray. Poor execution by EBMM, in my opinion. Am I being unreasonable?

EDIT: No interest in returning it because it is a limited production bass and also a perfect (light) weight, so it would have been nearly impossible to replace.

Oh My - Overpricing and false advertising hits a new high (low?)

Since my first bass was a J.B. Player, I have a soft spot for them. Yeah, many consider them horrible knockoffs, but I still own that first p-bass, and it has a gorgeous-feeling neck and sounds just fine.

I have a search function on Ebay so any J.B. Player listings get sent to me, but only about one a month pops up. Today I received a new listing for one very sad, abused model. I'll definitely show this to my wife, to justify owning three at the moment - their asking price is $300 (plus $126.94 shipping).

I wonder if they would think my offer of $30 too low?

It gets worse, though, as the description for the listing states: "The J.B. Player Precision-Style Electric Bass is a professional-grade instrument designed by Fender in 1971."

Cheeky devils - that's one way to avoid copyright issues, by claiming to have been designed by Fender (instead of "copied off of Fender").

As far as I can discern, J.B. Player didn't even make instruments until the 1980's.


1788273540503.webp

1788273737292.webp

1788273787055.webp

1788273803353.webp


Maybe $30 is a bit high?

Attachments

  • 1788272126010.webp
    1788272126010.webp
    21.6 KB · Views: 1
  • Like
  • Haha
Reactions: gtirard and Beej

Cab Suggestions for Streamliner 900

My wife, who played drums way back in her teens, and I bought a drum set locally over the weekend. She's in her later 30s now and wanting to get back into it after not playing for 20 years. Her enthusiasm for wanting to get back into it has sparked my own desire to get back into playing bass.

Admittedly, I haven't in over a year. I have a busy life and two full time jobs just to make ends left me with little time for much else. I still have partial bass builds from 2023 and 2024. I actually sold off a lot of my gear at the beginning of the year to fund "meet and greet" VIP concert tickets. I needed the money quick before the tickets sold out. Since that left me without an amp and since I'm waiting to get back into playing, I bought a Streamliner 900. This will be my second time owning one. It's on its way to be serviced (I'll let you guess by who). In the meantime, I'm considering a new cab.

Right now, I have a 4-ohm Avatar SB126 with a Kappalite 3012LF. Yes, I know I have to keep the volume down since the amp exceeds the cabs rating. I'm just window shopping for better cabs that are affordable. I'd say $400 and under is my budget. Guitar center has a pair of road worn Schroeder 12Ls for cheap but, from what I've read, they're more mid and low mid focused.

Any cab suggestions?

NBD: case queen 1973 Jazz, burst'n'blocks

Hi all! I can't quite believe my luck with this one.

I've picked a Jazz, purchased new in Berlin in 1973. I know this because it came with all the paperwork, including the original receipt. It ended up in the hands of a collector, and seems to have been barely touched - or even out of the case - since. It's a stunner, with a flamey headstock and dark rosewood board, and it sounds as good as it looks. The only mark of any note is a bit of a rash from when I removed the bridge cover.

Straight on with the La Bella flats - it'll be my #1 for Eagles trib gigs.

P8309649.jpg.faf639e70a289bb6515f9be22098ef89.webp


P8309670.jpg.6ca6de157a5078eebb8b1fe9b5378baf.webp


P8309615.jpg.5cf53442df98696b85c5ca9023032142.webp


P8309645.jpg.78da18b4133f476b6838f66542445fd1.webp


P8309655.jpg.6d15e55f1a7372ec3a694b1b13f40e78.webp


P8309635.jpg.67ca3a044801601427b5dde1fc844038.webp


P8309647.jpg.6871c82627b56bbad481b45250313022.webp


P8309626.jpg.d56c4f131835eedbd3795ebe8d5cd366.webp
P8309648.jpg.b249b5befd863fbf4d1fee1dd2b82adc.webp

Ibanez GWB35 replacement nut?

Hey folks,

I need to get a new nut for my beloved 2006 Ibanez GWB35, any recs?
I'll most likely be taking it to someone in the SF Bay Area because I have zero time and bringing the tech the replacement. I'm also not sure what material to replace it with and how it'll impact tone from whatever the factory one is, so I could use rec's there too.

Music I play: Rock, metal, some blues and some jazz. Strings: SS rounds, with a .145 tapered low string.

thanks!

Latest Classifieds

Front and rear pickups form Overwater Contemporary J series,
$165.00
Location
Las Vegas Nevada, United States
Great 2U rack for shallow amps. You can even overhang a little bit, and the covers protect it when you’re transporting. Great piece of gear, I’m...
$70.00
Location
Los Angeles California, United States
I've barely used this cabinet, and I'm only selling to help fund another purchase. It's the most impressive 110 cabinet under $500 I have ever...
$150.00
1 watching
Location
Los Angeles California, United States
Very light and impressive, older bass cabinet from Ampeg. Has original Eminence 4 ohms, 10 inch speaker. Sounds great! However, 200W is not a ton...
$125.00
Location
Los Angeles California, United States
For sale
  1. For Trade
Mesa Boogie 800D mint condition
Mint condition, Mesa Boogie 800D here. Killer amp, but I like to tweak my mids a little too much, so this one isn't for me. It has great punch and...
$850.00
2 watching
Location
Los Angeles California, United States

Filter

Staff online