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Showing content with the highest reputation on 02/06/21 in Posts

  1. And it's got to the 'reveal coat' stage. I find that popping a quick coat of Tru-oil is a great way of finding all of the rough areas (visible as dark blotches), chisel marks and lumps and bumps. But, while all of this will be sanded off, this is also a decent approximation of what the colours will end up as. It's still at the post-carve and pre-sanding stage but I think it's broadly the shape it will be: The darkening at the volute and heel area will clean up with the sanding process. Here you see some glue overspill that will sand off and the bandsaw lumps and bumps that will be all removed with the final sanding: I think it's going to look quite nice when the sanding is done and the proper finish is on it This afternoon's job will be cutting the ebony headstock plate
    9 points
  2. Not a build diary as normal (see my other threads for those), but I have decided I want to make my build hobby into something more official...(still hobby, but at least have a proper vehicle for repairs, custom builds, upgrades). so building a website and “small” business .... watch this space over the next few months. 😎
    8 points
  3. With the neck profile just about there, it's now about adding a few more soft curves while also taking out weight. Note the essential cup of tea: Multiple checks of the thicknesses and references to the cavity reference essential at this stage! : While I do find the Crimson videos a bit...er...'long-winded', they nevertheless do do some decent and useful stuff that not many others do. This thickness gauge is a godsend for this kind of thing. Then a bit of smoothing out with the goose-neck scraper. I have FINALLY sussed how to re-burnish these wonderful bits of steel. Burnished properly, they should work like simple planes producing shavings, not dust : The back is getting close. Weight at the moment is around 7lbs 4oz with the major components included so around 7 1/2lbs still looks achievable.
    7 points
  4. Ok I'll join the party. Got it Saturday and took it to an audition last night and it was great.
    6 points
  5. I had a similar experience. I went to the Crawdaddy Club to see the Yardbirds (1967). I got there early, and during the sound check Chris Dreja's P bass didn't work. I went home and fetched my bass. There were some raised eyebrows and nudge, nudge comments from Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck when I turned up with my Framus Star Bass! But it worked and Chris was very thankful at the end of the evening.
    5 points
  6. 5 points
  7. As promised, here is the thread to document the building of my bass. It is being built by Alan at ACG. https://www.acguitars.co.uk The basics: it will be a 4 string bass with a 32" scale length. The model is a Krell, and I am really looking forward to saying: the awesome power of the Krell... 🙄 I will talk more about it as it progresses. Last weekend I chose the various woods and settled after much chewing of the cud on: body - Spanish Cedar; accent layer - Purple Heart; top - Tasmanian Blackwood. The neck will be a 5 piece of Ash and Purple Heart, with Purple Heart fingerboard. Deposit paid and so build is underway. Alan did say that initial progress will seem rapid, but with builds as with IT the 80/20 rule applies: 80% of the work requires 20% of the time; last 20% takes 80% of the time... So pic has been received today of the body which has been laminated and cut out. Finished item is going to be around April next year or so...
    4 points
  8. For sale a beautiful Lefay Herr Schwarz 5 string It has some scratches see pictures Body : Ash Neck : Padouk Fingerboard : Wenge or Padouk 🤔 Passive/Active Preamp : Pot 1. Volume with switch for passive. Pot. 2 Pick up select with 4 positions, selection of parallel and seriel switching of the dual coils in the PU's Pot. 3 Stacked bass & treble Pot. 4 passive toneblend but also influences the treble when in active. Bridge : 19mm Tuners : Schaller Weight : 4kg Price : 1600€/1450£
    4 points
  9. You’re getting it all the wrong way round. The cash is in the YouTube videos and endorsements not playing bass on some pointless jazz funk record nobody ever buys.
    4 points
  10. It may sound somewhat harsh, but I rarely re-hire musicians (permanent or dep) who don't turn up suitably prepared. When I 'hire' professional musicians, I expect a professional approach; excellent musicality, good personal hygiene and suitable appearance, spare equipment, good time keeping, clear communication skills etc. For me, professional musicians should have the 'tools and a spare' to cover for most reasonable eventualities.
    4 points
  11. which Luthiers have you tried? I would suggest contacting @Andyjr1515 as you might find that he can build you the bass of your dreams for less than you would imagine, my bass is being built to a sketch i made on the back of an envelope (well it was a bit of A4 i pilfered from the printer at work but it could just as easily been an envelope) you might have to wait a few months before it's started but if you browse the build threads you will find many beautiful basses made by his fair hands and to a wide variety of unusual and adventurous designs Matt
    4 points
  12. I would like to take this opportunity to thank this thread for causing me to fall in love with my Rickenbacker all over again 😍
    4 points
  13. No idea but I believe in some places the collective noun for bankers is a Wunch.
    4 points
  14. Greetings everyone at Basschat - I hope you’re all well?! For those how don’t know me, “Hi!” I’m Philip! Some of you may recognise me from Scott’s Bass Lessons, my writings for Bass Player Magazine, or any of my old teaching haunts (such as London's Institute, or The Players School of Music in Florida)…I’m also a regular at most bass shows…I get about! I’ve been busy over the last year creating a little bass platform of my own - I’ve got fingers in so many different cookie jars, that I thought it’ll be really lovely to bring everything together and create something new…thus, I started www.withbassinmind.com. First up, it's 100% free and not just another subscription channel - that’s not the idea... There’s a few bits on there about me (sorry), resumé, performance videos, information about my signature j-basses from Overwater and also how to order my books and book private bass lessons. But generally, it’s all just about good vibes and sharing all things bass. On the .com website there's loads of my archived magazine articles, techniques classes, transcriptions, interviews and reviews that you can help yourself too. On the YouTube channel I’ve been collating some interviews with everyone from Victor Wooten, to Damian Erskine, David Swift, Mo Foster, Jeff Berlin, Snow Owl, and Neil Fairclough - all of which are available on the YouTube Channel (I’ll post some links below in the thread). Occasionally, we also do some competitions, only this week we announced the winner of our Ashdown Engineering giveaway (Mark Ellis). Anyhow, thanks for reading, come and pop by if you like - I’m also on all of the usual social media platforms. My best, stay safe Philip
    3 points
  15. Sorry, just me geeking out that I've finally been able to order an NS WAV 5 eub, set up with trad flat sound strings and raised bridge, and with an endpin so I can play sat down in my wheelchair. I've been wanting one of these for literally almost a decade, since my disappointment trying to play an acoustic upright (I bought a lovely old Stentor, but my mutant arm couldn't cope with their body size). That's all, just excited to get into it! It's so great now compared to a decade ago, you can just go online and find free video lessons and so on, while I'm looking for a local teacher.
    3 points
  16. Finally plucked up the courage to remove clamps... and it didn't fall apart (phew). Still needs cleaning up/flattening, but very happy with how this is turning out!
    3 points
  17. 3 points
  18. I don’t know about how the insides are configured but they can be fixed as I had a problem with mine. Rather ironically when engaging the mute switch it squealed like a Telecaster leaning up against a Marshall full stack on full volume/drive. Took it to Ashdown who sorted it within a few days, was advised that they build all their amps so that they can be repaired rather than needing to be replaced.
    3 points
  19. There can be only one!
    3 points
  20. Hofner Verithin bass, so an Armstrong Siddeley Star Sapphire (My Dad had one just like this for quite a while...)...
    3 points
  21. Well... they've landed on UK shores... Let the fun begin!
    3 points
  22. Well I ended up selling the elf and cab and got a fender rumble 500. Will do me better in the longer term. Worked out around the same cost as just getting another cab, and I'm not sure the elf would've cut it long term, or the cabs be any good with more powerful heads. Thanks for the advice.
    3 points
  23. So lets see if anyone is interested in this very rare fretless bass; up for grabs is an original Ibanez AFR A105F from the early/mid 90s designed by the great and late luthier Rolf Spuler. This design was all about ergonomics and playing comfort and it is the most comfortable bass you will ever play seated or standing. It also sounds incredible, I put Thomastik Jazz Flats on it and the sound is right on, singing and warm & full. Its got a magnetic pick up, bass/treble controls and piezos that can be blend in or played alone. The bass is in very good condition, always looked after, id say a 9.2 out of 10 with just some tiny wear on the back. The Fingerboard is in top shape, no weak spots or choking out, this bass is good to go. I will also include the truss rod tool and allen key for adjustment. Only around 250 five string versions were ever made and within these around 50 were fretless...so yes its a very rare bass. Ibanez is currently running a reissue on these basses with fretted 4 string and 5 string vesions. However these are made in Indonesia and have slightly different features. While being nice basses in my eyes they arent on par with the original ones. Fretless is the way to go with these. If I played more fretless I wouldnt let this bass go but its been collecting dust. Some Specs: Serial Number 515 made in 1992/1993 34 inch scale 19mm Spacing Raintree/Saman Wood Body Maple Neck Ebony Fretless Fingerboard Magnetic Pick up / Piezo Pick Ups Bass & Treble controls + Magnetic/Piezo Blend 3,7 KGs Shipped in hardshell case (its not the original one but does the job, and more importantly, is blueeee inside!) Shipping within Europe is no problem. Shipping to the UK is also possible, but it will be pricey. If you have any questions please hit me via PM. Thanks.
    3 points
  24. Or they could be called Homeopathy, as in no better than Placebo 😁
    3 points
  25. An old friend of mine who was fond of a beer, used a rather appropriate collective noun - A Belly of Bass Players.
    3 points
  26. It was on the ‘band photos’ thread a while back, but it was taken in 1966, on the southbound carriageway of the M1, at what became J25 on a Sunday morning a few weeks before it opened. The cars belonged to the bass player and me. I’d forgotten to take my drum stool, so I was perched on a bit of pipe we found, hence I was towering over the kit.
    3 points
  27. I'd have three rooms - first, a rehearsal studio with all our instruments in it - PA, backline, four basses, six guitars, two keyboards, drum kit, euphonium, baritone horn, trumpet - with black walls decorated with classic posters, a few vintage neon signs and an illuminated Route 66 petrol pump. Plus a vintage Wurlitzer jukebox complete with bubbler. Cliches perhaps, but I like them. Second, a performance space with a stage and lighting rig. Ideally with doors to the rehearsal studio so I could just wheel kit between the two. Performance space would also double as a home cinema, complete with proper cinema seats. Third, a recording studio. That, plus a library with rugs on a stone floor, a huge fireplace, floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, well-stocked drinks cabinet and an armchair with wings that you just sink into and a matching footstool would be my ideal.
    3 points
  28. I sell Mayones Comodus. As new., no marks or scratches. Bartolini pickups with previous Aguilar OBP.3 1.400 euros (ONLY FOR TWO DAYS, REDUCE PRICE TO 990 EUROS). InShot_20210208_011615909_001.mp4 00 euros. Add VIDEO.·
    2 points
  29. Update 4000… “We’re gonna need a bigger settee”
    2 points
  30. I have no issues with either J or P profile necks. The only bass I've ever had issues with the neck profile was on a Wal.
    2 points
  31. With the different basses and guitars I have, there's no commonality in necks/width/weight/profile/whatever. They're all the same to me (disclaimer : I'm not very good with any of 'em...). I can understand for a high-flying virtuoso preferring a particular set-up, but for most of us, I reckon it's just habit, and not having used other instruments. To each his/her own, or course.
    2 points
  32. 2 points
  33. Also, I can't stand the beatles. If anyone wants me I'll be in hiding.
    2 points
  34. Never mind if you are being paid or not, if there is an audience the right approach is to provide redundancy. Stuff happens and most of it is predictable, so it's not a question of "professionalism" but ensuring that the show goes on. I take spares for myself. I am ensuring that I am never the one responsible for stopping the show. After my Marshall developed a fault in the early 70's I've carried several dozen assorted fuses to every gig I've done since. So far I've never needed them, but I've given them out to guitarists and for the PA several times. I've also provided batteries for guitarists pedals. This is all just part of the job. I don't see the point in buying a cheap "backup" bass. I have 2 "proper" bass and I take both. At the gig I decide which one I'm going to play.
    2 points
  35. I'm actually going to try out their stock endpin - I can return it if it doesn't work (or use it as a model for something better before I return it), I've got some ideas up my sleeve but need to actually have the bass in my hands to work out what will work best. in other news, someone in the US pointed me to a thing called a ninomute that makes EUBs sound way more acoustic-like, and wanted to sell me one for $50 plus shipping (and then VAT and the UK charging me £10 to collect that), so I took a good look at the thing in a couple of video reviews, and realised I can make my own for like 50p. It's literally just a strip of compact foam with slices into it that fit over the strings, up against the bridge. Different thicknesses give more or less dampening, so you can have more or less "thump". I've got an old leather belt and some packing foam that'll do the trick fine, I can experiment with different thicknesses and then have a couple handy for different sounds.
    2 points
  36. Please tell me that you want to trade yours with my blond fretted four! Serial 0123, seriously. By the way: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5:15
    2 points
  37. You’re being over sensitive.
    2 points
  38. A notched ruler is essential to get the neck straight for levelling. One for bass on for guitars (Crimson). A beam and abrasive paper - the self adhesive 3M Stikit Gold is the my favourite (320 + 600) . Short and long beams for bass and guitar, (Guitars & Woods aluminium beams are excellent) . Crowning files - these are the hardest to get right; all the cheap stuff is crap, maybe OK for a single neck. Diamond V files are the quickest (Chris Alsop Guitar ones are very good). Safe edge triangle files (Crimson) work well but are a lot of work for 48 fret sides... Have yet to try StewMac diamond files. For polishing it's micromesh pads 3200 - 12000, keep them wet and use moderate pressure... Masking tape on a dispenser (StewMac) speeds things up too... A 600mm straight edge for guitar, 900mm for bass. A fret rocker. A string action guage (the black Stringtec one is good). Better get some nut files - I like the UO-Chikyu - Hiroshima ones - the StewMac diamond ones look the business (10 files 0.010 to 0.135 cover bass and guitar). All the above is not cheap, but once bought the hardware will last a lifetime and it means you can tackle mostly any guitar and bass. So, the crucial question is, how much use will they get? If you own multiple instruments it's a worthwhile investment, and you can turn s/h bargains into great instruments. Some of the above will do for a single guitar... Avoid the cheap eBay options as they're mostly rubbish; buy the good stuff bit by bit and it will last.
    2 points
  39. I've never bought a loom from John, cos I can do my own, but I've been here forever and known SO many folk buy from him and sung his praises. John is an Ace guy. Buy his top-level product with total confidence.
    2 points
  40. Never really been into having an exotic board and have always stuck to basics. 95% of the time I use my Boss GE7 ( not the bass version) to provide a mild 100Hz boost for extra low down oomph and the Boss Limiter Enhancer controls the level into the amp and adds a little extra sheen & click to the sound especially when using flat wound strings. The TC Polytune is indispensable as a tuner and also as gig mute. I only occasionally use chorus and phase pedals and the overdrive is for special occasions. It all works well though and is very simple to use, setup and transport.
    2 points
  41. Ashdown amps in my experience are very repairable. They are well designed from the outset. I'm sure there have been several quotes stating 'a quality instrument or amplifier is easily repairable'. Ashdown would breeze the 'right to repair' laws that are due to come into force in the near future. ABM's are also a breeze to work on and repair. Not much goes badly wrong with them. My most recent repair was a 23 year old ABM400( see below). All it needed was a new pre-amp volume pot, a replacement valve, a quick clean and it was good as new. The china made ones aren't all that bad either ( EvoII/III models). Not to mention MAG's and EB's. They are also very easy to fix. I hope your ABM gets the love it needs to gig again.
    2 points
  42. My board has changed again 🤦🏼‍♂️ This is fun
    2 points
  43. Get both, try them, send one back... 😉 It's the only way to be sure. IMHO the J pup is pretty useless on a Mustang, simply not needed. JMJ is the best of the Mustangs (If you like the neck width and can't find a great 70's one)... Road worn? Meh, who cares - it's going to get some dings eventually and pre-dinged is kind of liberating.... YMMV
    2 points
  44. I've never broken a string either, but I take my backup gear whenever I'm playing. . . . just in case. Two weeks ago I had to switch basses because the jack plug socket on my Jazz started to crackle. That's the only time I've ever switched basses because of a problem. We were recording a live video, so it was a good job I had a second bass on hand. .
    2 points
  45. You don't need one until the time your only bass doesn't work for some reason. Only you know if you're ok with the odds of that happening.
    2 points
  46. Hmmm... I've never been in a 3 piece, always had rhythm 7 lead or guitar +keyboard. If the sound goes thin and weedy when the guitarist starts a solo - it's their fault, they are probably using a Line 6 Spider, or just haven't put the effort into their sound. Here's a great example of utterly simple and repetitive bass supporting a very sparse solo, and it sounds good to me.
    2 points
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