Leaderboard

Well lookie what landed today! So... this is a Limelight Precision, with a '67 spec in a light-relic LPB finish. I ordered it last year, and had a good chat with the - extremely pleasant - Mark at Limelight to discuss the spec and the level of relic'ing. I wanted the finish to be a little more muted, so it glows a bit more, and he's obliged. It's a nice weight, less than 9lbs, helped by the Gotoh Res-o-Lites, which bumped the cost up a little more. I've just put proper strings on it (it came with fairly light rounds), and it sounds just like I'd hoped. A really nice P... and it cost significantly less than a Fender Roadworn MIM. I'm about to start a solid week of rehearsals, so lots of time to give it a run out. Happy days!

Doesn't matter what you're making. I'd follow the thread if you were building a sideboard.

Looking at the subject heading I was expecting a discussion about Jack Klugman! Anyone for a subdural haematoma?

The dude is 84 and claims to have ten movies, six albums, four Broadway shows and a number of other projects on the horizon! Hardly someone who’s no longer relevant and has it ‘all behind him’. The thing is that he has had a pop at a few sacred cows (Macca, Jackson, Prince et al), which has upset a few people when their heroes are being dissed by someone of his undoubted pedigree.

I remember being in talks with my folks about the possibility of getting some kind of instrument, and then seeing this ad in some magazine and thinking..wow. I just found it online and it's one of those things that makes you go right back in time. I was 13 or so, going back and forward deciding between guitars and bass as my final request, sure that one of these would be mine. We ended up going to a shop and I got an Encore P-Bass (which was actually great). Here's to joint Christmas and birthday presents.

Here are my two new working basses. I had kind of given up playing in bands after doing it for around 25 years and had sold all my working basses but then an opportunity came up to join my friends band. They are a very busy, popular club band playing stuff from the 50s and 60s so I was in need of a couple of working basses. I've gone from doing zero gigs to about 60 a year. The first is a Fender Jazz American Vintage 75 Reissue and the second is a Fender Precision FSR 70's Reissue. Both are amazing to play and I love how they look similar.

Had to add to this thread. After using the new site and got used to it, how did we survive before? The look, feel, facilities, notifications are just brilliant. Also much more responsive, which may be due to the server shift. Well done peeps. Cheers Geoff

Cracking looking bass. I have one of the newer bolt on Arpeges but I think the old through neck models are truly state of the art and more unique looking. For anyone else looking to get on the Vigier bandwagon there is a rather tasty Excess on sale at Guitar Guitar. Price seems reasonable considering the quality of the bass. I have had an Excess since 2004 and it is still going strong. https://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/product/px180127321592006--vigier-excess-1996-dark-red-burst-pre-owned

I'e now received l the hardware I need - just need to finish shaping and sanding the neck (cutting headstock and getting the tuner holes ready, and "rolling" the fingerboard edges for a played-in feel), then spray the nitrocellulose lacquer. It'l take a few weeks to properly settle, and then I can final sand and buff it.

Well last night reinforced my opinion of Paul Gray. Him being back has lifted the whole band. He is just plain awesome! Apologies to the "camera at gigs" haters. but I was at the front and kept it at chest height. :-p

Better to simplify the part and devise something that is musically correct that works in a band context than to play the "right notes but not necessarily in the right order". You can always work on getting closer to the original as time goes by.

Forgot to post on this thread the link to my blog entry about the lefty Dingwall! It's here: https://goo.gl/YaqoHB

After seeing The Damned last night, with Paul Gray back on bass, I have developed gas for a big valve amp and a Ric...

It's both. You can assign it to one or both and it'll do a load of other stuff too like assigning variable drive levels on amps or distortion pedals etc. Ive had my LT for a few weeks now and barely scratched the surface of what it can do - basically, if you can think of it, it’ll probably be able to do it.

First gig of 2018. We shlepped down to Birmingham for an 'originals only' night at a folk-club. I wasn't too hopeful. The usual mix of singer-songwriters, us and one other band (who most of the audience seemed to be there for). The promoter then swapped the running order so we had to headline to a crowd who had literally no idea what we sounded like and by the time we went on (very late and with no soundcheck) I was practically asleep. Despite all of this (and some awful level and feedback problems during the first two songs), we totally slayed and the crowd loved it. One of the loudest and most enthusiastic responses we've ever had. Apparently we totally rock. I just wish they could have heard us bring our A game. I'm starting to think that this type of audience - older, folkies - might be worth targeting. I'd assumed the thrash metal aspect of what we do wold be off-putting but apparently if you do it on a cajon and a violin, it's fine!

He needs to get out more if he thinks Paul McCartney is the worst bass player in the world. Come round mine for starters!

And this speaks a lot about the thread's topic. MB gear may not be seen with the same eyes as some years ago but there's still a lot of market for them. They didn't got worse with time, other things were designed in the meantime and now there's a bit more choice for everybody.

Here's one for all the old punks out there. JJ Burnel of The Stranglers was the reason i first picked up a bass guitar. My personal all time favourite bass guitar album would have to be Black & White. For me, bass players back in the day did stuff you just don't hear anymore, unless you come round my house that is. :-) To name but a few: Barry Adamson, JJ Burnel, Bruce Foxton, Lee Gorman, Steve Hanley, Peter Hook, David Jay, Segs Jennings, Lemmy, Stuart Morrow, Tracy Pew, Paul Raven, Steve Severin, Algy Ward, Jah Wobble, Youth. Anyone care to add to the list? I reckon the whole "post-punk" era in particular was a great time for bass players. Killing Joke, Birthday Party, Bauhaus, Cure, Joy Division, Sisters Of Mercy, Theatre Of Hate etc. Songs that were obviously written around strong bass riffs, always loud in the mix. Anyone's else's first bass line Love Song, Public Image, Peaches or Warhead? Cheers, Jake M

I learned to double thumb a few years ago. I was thrilled. Never used it again.

True, but is this the same amp that the Op has been using to play all the other basses that have been ok? Something here doesn't add up, but throwing money at a new bass isn't a good strategy.

My first fretless was a Yamaha RBX270F which I picked up for £80. I ended up keeping it for several years as it was a really good bass to learn on. Yamaha make pretty solid basses in most of the price categories and quality seems to be very consistent too. Definitely worth a look if you can find one.

Are you familiar with all the gestures on iOS? Swipe up twice from the bottom and you get your play/pause control right there. Or swipe up once, then drag your music player on screen and you have it in a mini floating window, which you can dismiss by swiping it to the side, and bring it back by swiping in from the edge. Also you can swipe with 4 fingers left or right to quickly switch apps.

I think you are being more than reasonable, no one wants to hand over that sort of money without checking the goods.

I can't agree with that. There are some excellent methods out there, on theory, technique and/or composition/harmony, plus transcriptions of 'greats'. Not to say that listening isn't useful (it is...); reading (or rather: 'studying'...) has its place too.

Thanks Baz for speedy payment and great comms. A pleasure to deal with.

Sounds and looks absolutely splendid, @discreet

A friend of mine swears by his Harley Benton JB-40FL. It's a solid bit of kit and if pressed he'll admit he preferred his Overwater but it was sold years ago The newer models comply with CITES regs so no rosewood board and the Wilkinson pickups have been dropped for Roswell. £140 and no quibble return policy makes it worth thinking about. https://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_jb_40fl_sb.htm

Whoops, edited my post to the correct link!, LOL John

My experience of that song is drummers quite often play it oddly, mainly in the verses...so be prepared to make adjustments! If you don't have a keyboardist and you fancy a wee tapping solo, check out Billy Sheehan on Mr bigs cover. Simple major and minor arpeggios. Pretty much 2 shapes in different positions. Stick a wee boost on and voila, instant keyboard solo done on bass!

I'm not anymore, we used to get on quite well until then, and he is quite a decent guy in lots of ways, but that was the final straw, I just couldn't take anymore of his massive ego so I quit a couple of day's ago.

I think it's possible his judgement is impaired by illness but I also think it's possible he just doesn't care , he's done it all , nothing to prove and slightly unaware of how stuff circulates in this digital age and I found it quite refreshing hearing someone talking that openly not to mention some of the best anecdotes I've ever heard . I say fairplay Quincy

It’s worth noting that soapbars simply refers to the casing, not what is inside. Generally speaking, you can find any pickup config in soapbar format, single cool, dual coul, humbucker etc etc. So actually, your setup is much more versatile with what you can test than anything else. I wager that there’s plenty of mid-priced or 2nd hand eBay alternatives to the big names too. You might even find that some pickup companies might fit whatever format you want in the cases you already have. Si

Would have thought so. You can buy 'Universal' patch lead kits which contains left hand and right hand patch cables.

Pm'd Chris earlier this week as a heavy footed drummer had managed to kick both my aerials and they were only attached by the wire, turns out Smoothound isn't far from me, so this morning I got my receiver repaired, some tweaks to my transmitter, a decent cup of coffee, and a very nice chat to boot. It turns out mine is one of the early ones...I feel quite proud of that, and I'm still happy to sing the praises of these guys, great quality gear and top notch customer service too!

I assumed the input on pedals was on the RHS because the cable from your instrument is on your right.

I'm not so sure about that , when I record myself , I always feel like I underperform, I just don't get with the click it doesn't feel natural . When I am stood standing beside my drummer who is doing his stuff I just seem to gel a million times better . The recording of gigs we've done are not great sound wise , but where I can be heard we are quite tight , and we have had positive feedback on that basis . Note fuckups are occasionally still there, but I forgive myself those if I am listening for a tempo I am struggling , if I feel the tempo I am grooving

Years and years back when I had just started playing I had to miss a gig as I was out in the outer Hebrides, the band got some guy in to dep and we sit down to teach him the songs and he's all double thumb slapping. I was intimidated. Then we got to a song where over a Cmaj chord I was playing a C# in the bass - and he just couldn't get it - he mentally couldn't understand why we would have chosen to play a "wrong" note. I suddenly wasn't intimidated

If you are playing Level 42 covers it’s probably time to shut a piano lid on your fingers.

As a very general rule, I usually advise going up one 'gauge' for every half a step down tuned in order to maintain a similar feel and tension. Of course the 'perceived' tension may increase or decrease based on string thickness and how it feels under your fingers, but you can just about nail the actual, measurable tension. Unless I've missed it, you don't say which gauge of string you are currently using that starts to feel a little loose. I'll use as an example EXL170 on a 34 inch scale length. Tuned to standard tuning: 1 G 2 0.0450 in. 42.52 lbs 2 D 2 0.0650 in. 47.89 lbs 3 A 1 0.0800 in. 39.59 lbs 4 E 1 0.1000 in. 34.07 lbs EXL170 tuned down a half step Gauge Tension 0.0450 in. 37.88 lbs 0.0650 in. 42.67 lbs 0.0800 in. 35.27 lbs 0.1000 in. 30.35 lbs So around a 5lb loss in tension, which is very noticeable. In order to retain the same feel as EXL170 tuned half a step flat, these are the gauges the system reccommends: Gauge Tension 0.0480 in. 42.84 lbs 0.0700 in. 49.01 lbs 0.0850 in. 39.96 lbs 0.1060 in. 34.16 lb Even using single strings (which you can buy) we don't actually make a gauge 106 or 48, so you are never going to get the exact same feel, using our strings at least. It's usually best to round up slightly so using single strings you could make a set of: 50 - 70 - 85 - 107 Of course buying single strings to make custom sets can get a little pricey. So, if you want to by a predetermined set you have to compromise a little. The compromise is only slight if you get the EXL160 set which consists of gauges: 50 - 70 - 85 - 105. These will feel very similar to the EXL170 and won't take much adjusting to. If you let me know the set of strings you are using I don't mind repeating the exercise to work out the best set for you -- Adam.

@D’AddarioUK D’Addario offer a string tension guide that allows you to select the correct gauge of string when tuning down to maintain the tension you enjoy. Check it out here: http://stringtensionpro.com/

I really like seeing "novice" players at the show. I think it's actually pretty annoying to see and hear fast showy players all day. I don't wanna hear a gazillion notes on a fancy bass all day. I want to hear how a bass sounds if you play bass on it.

Just got back from meeting with Bas to sell my Ibby. The man was super nice and we had a great time trying out amps and basses in the mean time. I would highly recommend buying or selling anything to this man! Cheers mate

Bas purchased my Vanderkley cabinet and his great communications and enthusiasm made the entire process a pleasure. He has great knowledge about bass and I really enjoyed our email exchanges.

Sold a Cog T-16 to Bas. Excellent communication and a gentleman who is absolutely passionate about bass.

Sold a compressor to Bas, very smooth transaction. Lots of comms and general bass related chat. Excellent guy.