Douglas Pisces 2TS Sound Samples

[GuysWithInstruments]

I'm looking to snatch one of these basses, probably throw a quarter pound in... i've heard about the pickup and bridge placement being a bit off. Is that true? And is there any fret buzz when first bought? How's the neck feel? Thanks!

[Fajah]

@GuysWithInstruments Some have received a bass where the pickup poles didn't line up under the strings. Mine was fine. However, the GFS Lil Killer HB I have installed is a rail pickup. Fret buzz is not an issue since these have to be set up when new anyway. The neck has a smooth satin finish, hence a great feel. It's "P-Bass" thick. I find it comfortable. I happen to like Douglas necks in general.

[GuysWithInstruments]

@Fajah Appreciate it tons. I love the neck of a P. I'll be sure to snatch one of these up in the new year. Once i've got it set up i'll be sure to post a video response!

One more question: How has the bass lasted you over the years? Still sound nice?

[Fajah]

@GuysWithInstruments Yep, still looks and sounds great. No issues after a couple of years of use. I have to tweak the truss rod a bit a couple of times a year when the seasons change but nothing out of the ordinary.

[minusjason]

The bass sounds really nice; it has an upright-like quality to it. I've never used tapewound strings, but now you've me looking into it.

I'm also looking into buying one of those basses, but for a more hard rock context. Did you say you changed the pickup to a humbucker?

[Fajah]

@minusjason Right now I'm using SIT Silencer strings on the bass although I like the tapes. SIT Silencers are nickel with a feel between flat and half rounds. Thomastik-Infield flat wounds are also excellent but very expensive. I like the tape wounds too. Just depends what tone and feel you prefer.

With regards to the pickup, I installed a GFS Lil Killer strat pickup (vintage 6k). It's about the same tone and output wise but with no single coil hum. Pots and cap remained stock.

[PrimateHouse]

I really like what you did with this bass, I saw the Headstock reshape on TB a while ago, I am thinking of buying this bass and doing something similar.

[Fajah]

@PrimateHouse Thanks. I still play the bass allot.

[ClockworkFacility1]

The only query i have with the bass is the single single-coil pickup. how good is it, what variety of sound does it have etc?

[Fajah]

@ClockworkFacility1 For a stock pickup, it's pretty good. Fairly low noise for a single coil. I happen to not like single coil noise, so I've got a a HB in mine. As far as tonal variety is concerned, the variation comes more from where you play on the bass, as opposed to a bass with two pickups.

[colinfarel]

I love what you did with the headstock. I would love to do the same with mine. Can I have some tips? What template did you use to cut and shape the headstock, what tools did you use and materials.

Thanks.

[Fajah]

@colinfarel Thanks. I can send you the procedure in a personal message.

[78fenderPbass]

I just bought this bass and it came in yesterday. I am very pleased with it. For now, it is bone stock and I really like the sound. I agree that the headstock is pretty terrible but I will also be reshaping mine into something a big more classic. I'll also be tinting it to give it an aged appearance along with some sore of headstock logo.

[Fajah]

@78fenderPbass

Congrats. Hope you enjoy the bass as much as I have. I definitely have to update these videos of mine. The SIT Silencer strings that I have on it now work really well. Not as much of a thumpy/woody tone. The GFS Lil Killer strat pup also has worked out great sicne I don;t like single coil hum.

[bass0111]

@Fajah: What about the Strat pickup's 6 polepieces vs. the bass's 4 strings?

[Fajah]

@bass0111 The GFS Lil Killer Strat pick up has rails so pole pieces aren't a concern. The sound is even across all 3 strings as well. It's stacked so it humbucks.

[bass0111]

@Fajah: I assume that "3" is a typo? 8-D

[Fajah]

@bass0111 Ooops, yes :) BTW, I just added a link to the video description for a sound sample with the GFS pup.

[bass0111]

@Fajah: checked out the strat p-up sound sample -- *excellent* sound!

[Fajah]

@bass0111 Great, glad you like it. It's the Vintage 6k which puts out about the same output as the stock pickup. I'm told that the 10K version is too hot and you would lose the sound.

[greyhall1]

I'm surprised you think the Labella's & the GHS tapes feel the same because the Labella's are flatwounds wrapped in tape & the GHS are roundwounds.

[Fajah]

@greyhall1 Yes that's true, but in a "blind feel test", one would never be able to tell the difference.

[comehead914]

you put new a new pickup in this thing right? I would like to hear it.

[Fajah]

I installed a GFS Lil Killer strat pickup some after I recorded this video. I liked the stock pickup but wanted to get rid of the single coil hum. I'll be uploading a follow up to this and a few other things in the next week or so.

[comehead914]

im thinking of getting this and adding one of those. probably wound to 10 k with a push pull to get a classic single coil and vintage tone.

[mazatleco17]

Are those strings similar to rotosound's nylon strings?

[Fajah]

I've never tried Rotosound's tape wound strings. If it's the Tru Bass 88's, I can only guess that they would feel similar due to the nylon tape. Tension and gauge are different based on the description.

[bass0111]

I've been wondering about Rondo's latest and I like what I hear, although I'd likely use flats. You must've bought your rig at Dave Berg's Club Bass? -- and nice job on the headstock! Thanks for posting.

Mike Harrison

Toronto Canada

[Fajah]

Thanks Mike.... I'm really happy the way the headstock came out. Makes a big difference on the overall look. I've jammed with the bass once and looking forward to using it our next band practice. I did buy my rig at Club Bass. Dave Freeman knows me well and is a great guy and very knowledgeable. Great store.

[bass0111]

Hahaha -- Freudian slip! I meant Dave Freeman, but when I bought the Berg from him I teased him that there was, in fact, a "Dave Berg", the Mad magazine cartoonist. Oops! 8-0

Mike H.

[minderoded]

thanks for posting this. Im looking into one of these myself and was almost completely turned off by the headstock. Looks like you did an amazing job with it! keep rocking man.

[Fajah]

Glad you enjoyed it. The reshape of the headstock took about an hour to cut and sand. 3 coats of clear satin poly was applied after and matched the rest of the neck perfectly.