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HB PB-50 - v3.0 Becomes v4.0... *AUDIO CLIP* You'll be pleased to know that this will be the final reincarnation of this HB PB-50 Precision Bass. Yes... I know I said that last time - but Shoreline Gold, though a very nice finish, isn't really my thing. My thing is basses that are white. Or cream. Or aged Oly White. Or yellow, basically... you know what I mean. I was particularly taken with the new Player Series 'Buttercream' P bass - hence this refinish and reworking - saving myself £649. This one has a custom handmade Herrick dual-coil pickup in it - and very nice it is too... warm, taut and punchy, with the mid-range push typical of a 57-type split-pickup, but in a 51-type four-pole format. It's a beast... check out the audio clip. https://www.herrickpickups.com/ The previous version 3.0 bass is here. Now read on. Body refin in TV Yellow nitro Pickguard in Acrylic White Fender American Deluxe Bridge, Top-Loading or Through-Body Herrick Dual-Coil Telebass '51' pickup overwound to 11k ohms CTS solid-shaft pots, Chiclet cap .047uF, Switchcraft Jack in cats-eye side plate Fender Chrome '51' Pickup Cover Fender Tug Bar Fender dome-top knurled control knobs with grub screws Wilkinson WJBL 200 tuners La Bella 760FS Steel Flatwounds 45-65-85-105, Through-Body Stringing Is this really the final version..? I hope so, because I just don't have the time (or disposable bass tokens) for any more finishing shenanigans... I thank you!

Just getting through the post show let down after a very busy week.I was playing in the orchestra(yup, we had strings) for an amateur production of "Chicago" and although it is a slimmed down and cleaned up version of the Broadway show and is referred to as the "High School Edition", the music and orchestrations are for the most part exactly the same as the Broadway music.Luckily the musicians(14) are experienced players who have played many shows and some play in bands I am in and did a fantastic job with some very demanding music. Listen to the movie soundtrack if you want to get an idea of the level of playing demanded.Last week was three days of rehearsals and three shows.Of course the band had rehearsed a number of times before this. I was a last minute addition to the band when some extra money became available and I was asked to play...are you ready...tenor banjo!Almost 40 years ago I was very busy gigging with Dixieland type bands in Toronto but I haven't really played any serious banjo music for a long time so the last couple of weeks were real a real workout for me trying to get back some of the licks that I needed for the show and to get back into reading a banjo score instead of bass music. It was a great experience to do the shows and I had a fantastic time playing some good arrangements with excellent musicians.Three nights of full house with standing O's for cast and orchestra all three nights.On top of that I got back into playing banjo and even had couple of little solos in the show which I managed to play OK. I guess the point of the story is that if something that sounds interesting is offered to you,go for it because you might not get another opportunity like it again. Swing band rehearsal today playing bass and also a few Dixie tunes on banjo.Love it. As I have said on here before, we are so lucky to have music in our lives and be able to share it and have fun with others when we are playing. I have been gigging for 56 years and still get a thrill.I better go practice now...

One of our gigs last weekend was at a pub whose landlord, Phil, used to own a different pub. We used to play regularly for Phil at his previous pub but the new owners cancelled all the bookings when they took over. At last Saturdays gig two minibuses turned up full of locals from Phil's previous pub who'd come especially to see us, a thirty mile round trip. Money in Phil's till and two fingers up to the new landlord at his previous pub. We were delighted to see them

And we forgot the great Carles Benavent with Paco de Lucia (everything was played fretless !!!) He even played with Miles Davis and nowadays, he's been playing with Chick Corea... Listen to this and his amazing style of playing :

It depends what kind of look you’re after. I originally planned to clear coat and polish mine but in the end I just applied the amber nitro and left it to age and wear naturally. I lightly sanded with very fine paper, 2000 grit I think, to smooth it. I’m happy with it.

I have listened to a bit of Joe Bonamassa and I don't quite understand why he is the big thing; no doubt he can play but it all sounds a bit blues by numbers. Robert Cray is a far more interesting guitarist imo. Also has a great voice.

Most of what is happening now is what I call "smooth blues" which is main stream blues for the masses. Like Joe Bonamassa and Gary Clarke. Blue

OK - slightly different answer to my earlier post. The single cut above, which is actual Camphor, wasn't actually very holey. As such I got away with just creating a slurry by sanding with wet and dry but using Tru-oil as the wet (basically a variation of the 'slurry and buff' approach). Also, the slurry is the sawdust of the predominant wood - and this camphor was similar hues all around so filling small voids with that lighter slurry didn't detract from the darker burl This one below, was Camphor Laurel (it is actually a type of laurel as far as I understand) which was holey like yours: And this one, yes - I mixed ebony sanding dust with epoxy and filled it with that. This gives a true black fill of the voids: This one below was the same Camphor Laurel, but this time I did a tru-oil slurry and buff. Bear in mind this is not full gloss finished, but you see how the lightness of the slurry tends to soften the burl effect: So, I would say for maximum effect, mix epoxy (Z-epoxy would be my choice) with a decent amount of a very dark sanding dust, for a lesser effect, you could slurry and wipe. Or - you could opt to leave unfilled, as I have for @Len_derby 's very recently finished burl poplar lightweight bass:

An option would be or could be rather, mix epoxy with black powder paint and really bulk it up with brass or bronze dust to give it a polished metal effect. There was a furniture maker on the Scottish borders who did that on Elm burr table tops and it was sensational. Just found a video to give you an idea

The real deal!

Mind set - interesting. I was thinking that a few weeks back. Turned up to do a festival on a pretty big stage and the sound man took one look at the pedal train nano and the K10.2 and said "er, is that it? where's the head and cab?" After explaining, he mumbled something about weirdness and plugged into the through port on the QSC. Afterwards he wandered over and said he liked the bass sound very much and found mixing the FOH bass much easier as there wasn't a massive big cab blaring it out which he had no control over. I had my onstage monitor, rest of the band was happy, soundman was happy. It's a mind set.

@jrixn1 - the quality of the venues you play are much better than the ones I do!! There's no sawdust, puke, spilt beer or blood anywhere!

@jrixn1 - good to hear your experiences. So then, agreed, your best rig ever? And by some long shot I'm guessing? The speakers in PA cabs are just far better than the ones found in your standard offerings... and with the DSP, any inadequacies in the cabs are catered for digitally. What's not to like, right?

I've been working as a volunteer at my local Drug & Alcohol service delivering groups. I decided to run a group where the members would learn to play "The Chain" - easily recognisable, not too difficult to play. I took in two basses and an amp. A number of the group had a go - remember that recovery is about perseverance and obstacles as is learning to play bass. One of the group was left handed so I was given the challenge of playing left handed - you know what? - we take our normal dexterity and muscle memory for granted - I was making loads of mistakes...if I practised left handed I think I might get the hang of it but I got reminded how difficult it was when I started. Playing bass is a lot harder than you think...

I ought to do you under copyright laws using an image of my missis without her permission LOL. but I suppose I would have to sue 98% of wales.

In the loud band, when I owned Bergs I used 3 112 cabs, then a 212 and 112. Now I'm using BF cabs I always use 2 SC's or lately 2 Two10's. The guitarist uses a Fender Twin which he sometimes links up to second combo. I could use 1 cab on the "regular" gigs, it's loud enough, but I've used 2 cabs (BF, Bergs, Mesa Boogie, Ampeg) on most gigs for many years because 2 just sounds so much better.

I agree FireDragons or Ddraig Dân 😀

A bit of extra sawing, carving and lots of sanding this weekend has resulted in this. You can clearly see the saw marks on the angled side but, like I said before, I've made it a few millimetres over-sized so it should sand out.

FireDragons sounds great!

crazy

Two more jobs - soldering the wires and fitting the strap buttons. However, took the advantage of a little bit of cloud (not often in the UK we say THAT!) to take the arty-farty shots - taking photos in full sunlight is not an easy thing to do! Before those shots (and forgive the self-indulgence!), someone asked me why I've started scooping the back. Two reasons that can be seen in these two shots: It takes out a LOT of weight. Just look at how much wood has been removed - and this is a relatively thick body this time: It allows a superslim transition of the neck to the body. Again, this one has been made a little deeper (this one is 30mm at its minimum - my last build was 25mm where the body was basically the same thickness as the neck!) but still retains those pleasing lines at the transition. I've also left the transition relatively modest starting with a taper just past the 13th fret - I can always get the surform out if, after he's had a proper play with it, @Len_derby wants it slimmer further up Anyway, enough of the technicals - here are the fancy shots: As always, many thanks for sticking with yet another tortuous thread and for your kind words and encouragement - always HUGELY appreciated Andy

We call them 'paid rehearsals'

Gary Clark Jnr is a good place to start.

Absolutely, one of those rare signature basses that actually is pretty much built just like the one the guy plays! (Erm, or played).

I already have the OJ, and i like it, but its not quite what i want at the moment. I think I’m now sorted (yeah, yeah). The Joyo UD arrived and from the moment i plugged it in i had a huge smile on my face. This is the one i think I’m looking this week lol. Whether ill use it much is debatable, its more lively than I’m used to, but it is the tone ive been wanting without spending silly money. I plan to use it for Come together. I want to try and get a Maralyin Manson feel to the bass line. The B3n patch gets me there, and now i have it from my board. If its on the board i will use it though. It’s not doing anything the AS could probably do, but its way ahead compared to the Mojomojo. It’s a lot of OD, even on a very low setting, but its just doing what i wanted it to do. Very powerful, easily gets thats that B3n tone I was looking for. Ive got the Mojomojo and UD on my board and switching between them i can see i have no use for the MJMJ anymore,. To my untrained ears the MJMJ sounds warmer, and fuller, but the drive seems to sound like something thats being overdriven when it shouldn’t be. The UD on the other hand is hardly altering my tone, but adding an obvious OD to it. I guess this is what ive been looking for. It sounds more full on. I suppose I’ve been looking for the wrong pedals recently. Liking the tone of the B7K should have shown me that overdriven tube was not what i was looking for, but a proper OD instead. I know the UD doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of the B7K, not even the old version, but it just seems to work well with my BDDI in front of it. This is all on headphones so far (in to a bypassed patch on my sons G1on), but as thats how I’m using my gear at home its still a good indication of how things sound. Back in the studio next month so hopefully ill have got things settled on the board. For now i see no need to spend any more money.

Well, I think we've pretty much exhausted the timbre stuff (please, please, please! ). In the meantime, thanks again for the nice words - always means a lot. Got a nice gig bag for it today, did the final pickup height stuff, micro-web'd it and added a signed label for the back of the control chamber cover. Just waiting for the MN blend pot - hoping tomorrow but banking on Wed latest - and we can relieve @Len_derby of his very patient vigil!

For a reasonable definition of "best", then yes! Would not have kept with it if I felt it was a downgrade or compromise.

Tin drum as far as albums but the 80s was great for fretless The Dreaming by Kate bush is full of fretless wonders too Paul young,peter gabriel,blue nile ,black,Numan,china crisis etc etc all had great stuff to try and learn Karn is the boy for me

Must be a typo; the text should read, not 'Pick', but 'Pig in a poke'.

yes, Trace didn't make many duds but this was one, had the misfortune to use one on a multi band gig, "Trace Elliot combo supplied" oh goody methinks

That Andy Baxter bass sounds sweet!

His name is Danny and it's Bass Japan Direct.

put the guitar together today just a mock-up to make sure everything fitted and I was pleasantly surprized that it all fitted ok, the pups were a bit tight and I think I will need a little shim in the neck pocket or sand a bit of the bottom depends on how lazy I feel, I will take it apart tomorrow and try to get a coat of lacquer on it. got to put another hanger on the wall now.

No, it isn’t. But the names I listed are reputable companies with a good name, not for nothing, that can build to your exact spec. I played Stingrays exclusive for 12+ years, quality instruments, but at these price points there is a lot of competition out there.

Just finished the Proms show. Absolutely incredible, great pacing with amazing dynamics, harmonically and rhythmically complex whilst also being beautifully sparse in places. Normally i’d take unbridge at people saying he plays it safe.....far from it, as mentioned, the harmony and rhythms that weave their way through his songs and arrangements are definitely not ‘safe’.......that said, they are safe because he’s utterly in control, nothing is an accident, everything is constructed perfectly! Yet he still manages to create the magic that other artists only sometimes stumble on by being ‘on the edge’. If there were a couple of low-lights, it was Every Little Thing She Does and All Night Long, boring choices, but lots of amazing ideas within them to unpack and learn from! Yeah, amazing on the whole. Hideaway (song number 2) was a particular highlight! Wish I could have been there! Si

If I'm learning something new, While it's a bass cover not a tutorial this would be what I would use to learn the song, but add my personal style to it. Blue

Yuck.

Welcome, as I frantically try to change my name to yorks4stringer....

I am naturally left handed but play Bass and Guitar both right handed....left handed instruments were not common place years ago....I often wonder if I would be a better musician if I had learnt left handed and often wonder if playing right handed as ever hampered my natural ability....just a thought.

Don't wanna sound repetitive but No Parlez and Tin Drum for me. But a much less known little gem is Singing Sands, a collaboration between celtic acoustic guitar virtuoso Tony McManus and French fretless maestro Alain Gentry. I bought this album cos of TM, who is an outstanding acoustic guitarist but was more than pleasantly surprised by Alain Genty's tasteful basswork

Last stage. Still more heartache on the horizon 😱 Lacquer got peeled off with a razor blade,back and sides rubbed smoooth,satin black applied. No drama 🙂 Putting the bass back together wasn't straight forward. I was fitting a 2 saddle/through body bridge, from that you want the strings and pickup to line up near as possible. The Bloodstone P-Bass 50's chosen for this job didn't fit the hole,nor did the Roswell ?? I had a smaller single coil bought on ebay so used that. Bridge drilled and fitted,string bushings drilled/fitted. String it up for first time. All OK except the neck is arching back on itself 😱Slacken off the TR helps but even with the saddles jacked right up the strings are hitting the fretboard. Never had this bother fitting the other 2 saddle so start investigating. Turns out the new PB-50s have a different bridge,that bridge has a thicker base plate so the neck pocket was shallower. Got the router out and trimmed down the neck pocket Still couldn't fathom why the pickup didn't fit. I'd 2 Roswell pickups and lifted the wrong one,the one for this PB-50 had been trimmed down by 1mm. I had the router out anyway so cut a bigger hole 👍 You'll be glad to know I now have a playing bass 😉 I may add a skin to the back at a later date.

Plan of attack was glue the paper to front and back,feather the edges then spray a pink burst. Here I made a major mistake. The paper was too thick to feather properly ,ended up with a defined line and paper fibres, In hindsight,soaking the paper with shellac would have allowed me to sand smooth to the body edge. The fibres,being trapped in shellac, would have sanded out too.The heavy line and a major overspary caused this to be "match abandoned" I also managed to get a fine coat of pink on every surface in the living room 🤬

The new batch of PB-50s have had a change of factory and they do things differently. The annoying hole for the pickup wire was present and needed filled. For some stupid reason I stripped the body of it's lacquer. Not only did the lacquer come away but the photo flame peeled off and left an uneven surface. This is a layer of lacquer and one of the photo flame paper looked at from the back and side. . Covered the whole thing in filler then sanded flat. Next up. The Print Debacle !!

Woodworm.