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Ladies and gentlemen, I give you.... The BlazerRay 😊

I'd just like to make it very clear - I don't work for, or represent, or even own, a Rickenbacker.

Orange button - top-right. Free yourself of this nightmare!

I've told this story before. Did a gig in Portsmouth years ago, amp broke up with 3 or 4 songs + encores to go. Still made a noise but what an horrendous noise it was. A crackling distorted rumbling fart from which no notes could be discerned. I battled on just staying in time and widdling around the lowest notes. It was awful. Not only did no one in the audience notice but neither did my band mates. I learned a lesson that day. Now I know I buy different gear because I like to do so. No one but me really cares.

Nee-Ner Nee-Ner! We're the Shill Police and you're f**king nicked, me old beauty.

Sounds very much to me like you are trying to get financial gain by making RIckenbackers seem exclusive and cool by not having one 🤔

Well it has arrived but can’t try til tomorrow as I’m out tonight! Can’t wait to try

Myth. Back in the 1930s an aeronautical engineer made that pronouncement. It would have been correct if bees fly in the same fashion that aircraft and birds do, but they don't, nor do most insects. Said engineer was a Frenchman, so his confusion was understandable. 😋 His theory never should have been published, but it was, and nearly a century later the myth persists. Bass gear myths are just as unfounded and just as pervasive.

You mean woofers, which takes us full circle. Next up: Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon.

I've filed the angles on the edges of the frets using a home made block - basic but does the job! I've filled the fret ends with a mixture of epoxy and ebony dust. This should give a nice finish to the edges of the fretboard. Next task will be to level and polish the frets and then to lacquer the neck.

I'd like to make it clear that I don't work for GTech vacuum cleaners (cf the Dyson thread in Off Topic) 😁

Astonishing that no one has mentioned the enormous boost that Sid Vicious gave to a little-known dirge by someone called Frank Sinatra ...

Such awful news, RIP. Obviously...

No

There are sellers here who contribute to none of the threads. Their membership is clearly nothing more than a commercial venture.

yes indeed , i can confirm that each body and neck are STILL made for each other from scratch. No "assembling" going on. Still 100% made at Mensinger Factory. For example you cannot really fit a gloss neck with a neck pocket that has been cut / fit for a satin body and vice versa....

OK, raw beginner here. I've learned a few scales, can 'play' without buzz, fingers in the right place, not yet knowledgeable on the perfect sound required. After a few intros under my belt, I decided to learn a tune, from start to finish, that I could play along to. On my Epi EB0 through a Peavey Vypyr. Ive done it. Nothing taxing I must admit, Roxette ala Dr Feelgood. . . .and it feels good ! What was yours ?

I did a gig last night with a shared backline and multiple bands playing and had a good night. It’s a long time since I have done this and it was really nice to see some other bands and bass players etc and everyone was really friendly and relaxed, a good gig! We all shared an old Trace 1x15 combo which was the same amp I had when I was starting out, and it sounded good once I tweaked the 7 band eq. In fact everyone sounded good through it, it sounded like a nice fat bass tone, nothing not to like. So I was basically sat there thinking all the bass players sounded good and punchy, with the same amp and different basses; Sire, Hohner, Ibanez Talman, and two Stingrays. None of them sounded bad, in fact in the room in a band context it was very difficult to tell the difference. So why the hell do I worry so much? I can’t say my Aguilar sounded greatly better than an old Trace (it’s a lot lighter though) and my Stingray was probably no better sounding than the cheap Ibanez. Yes I like a nice bass, but I am not going to delude myself I want nice basses for any more reason that it’s snobbery and aesthetics (and a little bit of playability to be fair). Although the Ibanez was very well made and felt great.

That sucks

Had a listen to Relayer today just cos. Awesome

As borne witness by the subsequent posts, can I just say that my short answer to your Q was completely on the money! 😂 😂😂😂

FI is still “king”

More noodling.. this time with flats:

I doubt you are as crap as the previous owner...

Starless, King Crimson.

Post it down to us we will sort. Also are you using speakon cables with genuine Neutrik connectors? Only reason to check is that we often find that generic speakon cables can have issues with the connections not connecting properly...

Then onto the string guide - I deliberated briefly over where to put this, some early Rays are between the G and D, I've just gone middle for diddle.

As I've just said in a PM to one of the mods, I'm not going to name names, but I do think that if you work for a business, or take money from one, it should be declared out of professional courtesy, especially when expressing strong opinions about the gear made by your competition

Nowt wrong with that Bob. My main thing these days is as a solo acoustic singer/guitarist, free from the dramas, frustrations and demands of the bands I've been immersed in for the last 15 years. Very enjoyable it is too, and about as good a fit as i can manage between my other family/work commitments. Good luck with it Bob.

I've stuck some more details in a separate thread so as to keep it all in one place and not to hijack this one too much..

Another small update: Everything is finally ready for glueing. The lid has been glued together already, the case itself is for next week or in to weeks. And a cool little extra thing: We used the cnc-router to engrave the logo of my band in the lid. I'm thinking I will paint the lid black, and then with a small brush or maybe some sort of sharpie I will make the inside of the engravings white. All holes for jack-plugs, xlr-plug and powerplug are ready as well, unfortunately I forgot to take pictures of that.

Mark Sandman on 2 string slide bass

Never noticed that but haven't really spent much time listening to it, compared to turn it on again. Still, I suppose I can't judge. Everything we play speeds up!

Missed last year, great to be able to come this time, but nothing new to bring. 1. jebroad 2. Len_Derby 3. Jabba_the_gut 4. Spondonbassed - Hohner B2A 5. Andyjr1515 6. Jimothey 7. Mojo 8. Owen 9. Teebs 10. Josie 11. Aidan63 12. Frank Blank 13. petecarlton (newbie) 14. Bassman Sam. I'll bring my NR Custom built Thunderbird, Ashdown 2x10 combo and a MM P-bass. 15. ChrisLovatt (bassbash virgin) 16. Stub Mandrel - Fender Performer 17. Richard R. (newbie too). I'll bring along my Brawley Artemis, if anyone is interested. 18. Marillionred - John Letts fretless 5, Warwick Dolphin SN 5, Michael Kelly Dragonfly acoustic 5 (this one is for sale 🙂 )

Quick post gig update I couldn't be more pleased with the Upswing, the sound improved the more I played it through the week as the brightness wore off the factory strings. I spent a few hours trying it through various amps and settled on the Acoustic Image combo for today's gig which was in a small venue with piano, snare & hi-hat, guitar and 4 different singers. I sat on a stool and set the bass up with the nut at eye level. It's great to play, easy on the left hand, feels just like an upright for pizz. I haven't used a bow yet. I got a few compliments about the double bass sound which I achieved. Phil, it does sound much more upright than a fretless, the bass is so resonant acoustically it's loud enough to practice on at home although plugging in does enhance the sound. I was a bit concerned about there being too much sustain but I can tame that. In the mix it just sounded like a good upright. As much as I like the Rob Allen mouse which I've used on hundreds of gigs I think this will take over some of it's duties, if not all. I can dig in on this whereas the mouse responds best to a much lighter touch. I'm hunched up playing the mouse which isn't good for my right arm, (spondylosis), I had no ill effects from playing the Upswing so far. It won't suit everybody but so far I'm pleased with the convenience & portability, the playability and the sound.

I might be wrong but I think they might have misjudged their market. the V7s are popular because they punch well above their weight at the bottom of the midrange price band. I'm not sure people see the Sire brand as £1000+ instruments.

Dear Prudence by Siouxsie & The Banshees was a great cover, far better than The Beatles version imo.

No controls on a bass isn't the end of the world. We all have a matching set on the front of our amps. How many players have pre-amp pedals? Then again instruments in an orchestra have got by without controls for hundreds of years.

I’d pay 20 grand for a bass if it came with Nate Smith!

The RetroB really is a nice shape. It’s very much like a P bass, but different enough to feel like it isn’t just another copy - whilst retaining the comfortable and familiar feel. The build quality is the real stand out factor on it - superbly playable, lovely low action and everything feels so snug and tight. In addition, I’m really impressed with the pickup - I have the same one in my Finn 4 and it does all of those great P bass tones and much more besides. I’ve had quite a few basses in my time, and a lot of guitars as well - I would say that Alan’s work is up there with the very best - and probably is the best I’ve played. He is also extremely accommodating and an absolute pleasure to deal with. It might sound like he’s paid me to say this, but he hasn’t (the reverse in fact 😂) but I feel really strongly that as a player, I should spread the word about just how good ACG gear is - very high quality, excellent prices, and a local U.K. builder too!