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Hi all, just thought I’d post an updated amp/bass combo for my practicing at home. squier affinity pbass with QP pick ups, gotoh bridge, Schaller tuning heads, Rotosound swing 66 strings. ampeg stack micro amp

So, the fretless version I have is full scale 34" ... Which makes it a big instrument!..I expect that the medium ones are probably easier to bag up?... The Ritter bag I now have is good for full scale... & reasonably priced at just over 50 quid...

Not sure why ibanez chose those fret markers instead of proper Lumunlays which do appear on other Cort builds at that price point. The ones on my Modern 5 stay bright for ages.

Theme from cow - Inspiral Carpets

Originals rehearsal tonight. One new song refined considerably, with some nice dynamics including an Iron Maiden style gallop. We worked out some neat stops too. Also tidied up our re-interpretation of a song from the original album. Didn't originally have bass but came up with a 'classically inspired' bassline to bring along that's a sort of counterpoint melody. Very chuffed with myself. Plus added a little bass trill in the chorus that made the lead guitarist and drummer smile.

Pleased to report my last two rehearsals were at very civilised levels. No ear protection needed. Inuse Alpines for gigs, waiting for my ACS moulds to arrive... quite excited!

I plug in my 600w Mesa head and 1516 cab at home, at rehearsals, and on stage. If I want more volume I turn it up, if I want less I turn it down. Occasionally I feel it would be easier to have a smaller and lighter rig for smaller gigs, but I get over it once I hear it

That is indeed very red red. I like that. Mark

As always good design and honest specifications trump all else.

My Orange Terror is rated 500W. The power consumption is given as 650W. This is unusual (although @agedhorse explained that most amps typically quote a value based on an assumed duty cycle). I also respect Vox; they understate their amp power. The AC30 is comparable to a Marshall 100W. My Vox Valvestate 20 is a 30W amp.

Looks like i'll be joining a Blues rock band from Edinburgh area. The BL has already seen the Glam band i'm in and says he's happy if i'm up for it. They're happy to work around the Glam band gigs too so that's a bonus. I've to let them know tomorrow once i've had a think about it but i'm quite keen on the idea. Dave

I got 3/32" dots cut from high strength vinyl on a Cricut machine. Very durable... the ones on the 'busy' parts of the neck last a long time.

Had it for years, doesn't really bother me too much. Got it thru riding motorbikes without ear-plugs in. I mean what motorbike has ear plugs ? 😂 Dave

Thanks for this, much appreciated. I’ve ordered new pots and will have a play at the weekend! Will update some more photos and update! 🤞

Without the push pull it was VVT (and it worked well and sounded okay) honestly didn’t know it was push pull until easing off the scratch plate though! Suspect it might have been a series/parallel switch - but was never something I used and don’t need/want. joys of pre-enjoyed!

Colour going on this one… This is the paulownia build for a BC member and it’s now officially very, very red. Dakota Red in nitro and it’s absolutely popping under the lights. Paulownia is always an interesting one. Lovely and light, but it does like to remind you it’s basically made of compressed air and optimism. This body had the full routine — shellac, primer, grain attention, more primer, careful flattening — the whole “no, you are not sinking back on me again” conversation. Happy to say it’s behaved. Edges are nice and soft, belly carve is flowing well, and the horns have kept their shape without going blobby under colour. Always a relief. Still a few coats and plenty of cure time before flatting and polishing, but it’s at that exciting stage where it actually looks like a bass rather than a woodworking experiment. Going to look great once the hardware’s on and it’s all glassed up in clear. More soon once it’s had time to harden off and I start the levelling dance. Made to play. Built to last. 🔴

More progress on this one… Blank is fully cut and shaped now. Horns are flowing nicely and I’ve softened the edges without turning it into a bar of soap. Always that “measure twice, sand forever” moment, but we’re still in one-piece territory. Belly cut is carved and blended. Went for comfort over bravado – this one will sit properly against a ribcage rather than just looking good in photos. First coat of Liberon is on the ziricote and… wow. The grain has absolutely come alive. The dark lines have gone deep and dramatic and the lighter figuring is glowing. It’s one of those woods that looks fairly reserved dry, then turns full cinematic once oil hits it. Before anyone asks – this isn’t staying oil finished. The oil is just to pop the grain and show me what we’re working with. It’ll be sealed and finished in nitro clear. I want that depth and chatoyance under a proper gloss coat. A few tiny natural pin knots showing through – staying. This is wood, not laminate flooring. Letting it cure now before the next stage. So far… I’m very happy. Made to play. Built to last.

They're bl00dy uncomfortable after a short while but I still wish I had mine.