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I'm building a bass to show my bridge, is it appropriate to create a thread here to show it?

At least going on such a long walk would have been good exercise.

Trav is currently picking his b**locks out of the gutter, no doubt, must be his Mrs 😂😂😂

Hahahahahahahahahahahaha... Will someone please check who is sending messages from Andy Travis' BC account please?!

After another bout of tweaking, this is where my board is at. It’s set-up to have two basses (fretted & fretless) plugged into the Preamp simultaneously, with 3 programmed tones (2 Clean & 1 Overdrive) for each bass. All the other pedals are linked through the internal FX loop of the SansAmp. The pedal order works for me, I’m delighted, although a few compromises were required for the greater good. The chain goes ... Preamp (SansAmp Bass Driver Deluxe) >>> Tuner (Korg Pitch Black) >>> Compressor (MXR M87) >>> Synth/ Octavers (Markbass Super-Synth) >>> Fuzz (ZVEX Mastotron) >>> Envelope Filter (MXR M82) >>> Chorus/ Flanger (MXR M83) >>> Phaser/ Ring Modulator (Ibanez PM7) >>> Delay/ Reverb (Boss RV-3) >>> Volume/ Wah (Hotone Bass Press) >>> Boost (Mooer Pure Boost) >>> Looper 1 (TC Electronic Ditto) >>> Looper 2 (Boss RC-300 *not shown*) >>> DI/ Out (SansAmp again) ... Elsewhere on the board, the PSU is a Diago Powerstation, plugged into a 3-port extension socket (adapted with a right-angled female kettle socket) . The 12v Markbass PSU also plugs in there, with a free socket available for my amp if needs be. I just plug a kettle cord into the board and I’m totally powered up and good to go. The patch leads are Bespeco. These have been totally reliable and are noise-free. The whole board operates very quietly and cleanly. The 3 buffered pedals are all good. Also in the case is a wee box for bits n bobs; earplugs, spare patch lead, spare battery, capo (yes, a capo), and a couple of mutes. I made raised plinths of various heights to attach some of the pedals to, so that they’re all accessible/ easily clickable. In addition to this board I use a multi-track Looper (Boss RC-300). It’s about 2/3 the size of my pedalboard, so it lives separately. That unit has its own FX section, though I only use the delay function. Very handy when looping, as the delays are synced. I’m satisfied with this for now, but you know how it goes ... I’m already thinking about putting an anologue Octaver in there (in addition to the Markbass). I’ve got 3 switchable Octave settings programmed via the software on that, and they’re fantastic, especially when used in combination with other pedals ... but they do sound very digital. I had been thinking about the new MXR Vintage Bass Octave, though I’m coming round to the idea of the wee Valetone OC-2 rip-off. Small, cheap, and good. Hmmm 🤔

We only ever start the whole song again when the guitarist forgets to put on his capo.

Join the queue. And No - she’s not like that, thank god. had an ex who threw a telecaster down the stairs mid argument. I snapped the heels off her laboutin shoes. Easy done - for £600 I’d want more substantial heels. the telecaster was gigged for years after. Sold it to a mate.

I didn't know which way was best, so here's both 😂

So, with the second 1100s up for sale - this is the stable. 1024x in Caramel Brown (think I’m going to have a nice celluloid brown tort guard made for this) 1984 BB300 - YOB and a version of my first ever bass - This will wear flats soon. 414 in Orange Metallic, added a 1024x pickguard, sort of makes it an unofficial 414x And in all honesty, I’m done. Unless a blue 1600 arrives. But even then I’m not sure I’d bother.

This is magic. With the late Ricky Lawson (the best live drummer they ever used, imho) on drums.

Routed the body to accept a single J pickup. Position turned out lovely and lined up exactly with the pre-drilled cable holes.

I'm still in having bought nothing. I am nearing it though as one my bands nears gigging. Might have to get a pedalboard then, but we're still a way off that yet.

Well, with a lot of swearing and much flattening of thumbs, I managed to get the bugger to budge! The pup rubber was more like a thinnish block of plastic, so the pup now sits on some slices of mousepad. The bridge pup now it adjustable, and combined with a new set of roundwound Chromes (I think the bass was still wearing the original factory strings!) the whole bass has come to life I've attached a pic so that you can see how it looks now. It's a medium scale 1983 CSB. Thanks again for all the help and encouragement!

No! Please keep one on the neck of the bass, at ALL TIMES, otherwise you'll upset some folk.

I've seen a few mammoths in the supermarket here, but there's no way I'm gonna chase them down

I think I may have underestimated how difficult this will be haha. In the interests of transparency, I've enquired about two basses.....I'm not proud of myself 🤭 Nothing has come of them (a Lakland 5 string, and an Elrick). There's also a Lakland Skyline 44-60 in FS that would make a lovely replacement for my Bass Collection fretless Oh dear. Si

No Sir.. I think you'll find you are . Candy Apple Red --- Yukk!

It is ALWAYS appropriate to have a thread documenting a bass build.

My recurring nightmare.... " Can you make me a specific bass that will be as I describe it?" Yes. Thats £500.00 deposit and you can pay the other £2000.00 when its done. "How long will that be?" Oh about 3-5 months. 6 tops. "Here is my money." 14 months later......£2000.00 lighter. "This bass is rubbish." It exactly as you said you wanted it. Maybe you need another one but this time we make it out of a different wood. "Are you sure? You are? Ok then. Can you do it?" Yes. That will be £500.00 deposit. Repeat repeat repeat repeat repeat repeat. Surely I cant be that stupid can I? Yes actually I can. Good job I woke up and stopped.😬

I've also kind of reached that stage. Having played Thunderbirds for over 20 years (I have 8 or 9 of them), I've constantly thought I need to try something else. I even gigged a Fender Jazz I got recently. But at half-time I felt fortunate that I'd also brought a 'bird with me just in case - and swapped back for the second set. I've come to realise that I'm just a Thunderbird sort of bloke, and have no inclination to buy any more basses (red Nikki Sixx T-bird would be seriously considered, though). Similarly, I played through Trace gear since 1995 and was always happy with it. Last year I thought it was time for something different (and lighter) and now have a Markbass rig which I'm happy with. My GAS has been transferred to LED stage lights ,DMX controllers, wireless transmitters and receivers for them, and so on. Soon I'll have far too many to take to the average pub gig.

Definitely had it in 85

Yep it's useful stuff. It won't touch modern Polyester but will dissolve Nitro in seconds and partially break down an oil finish also. It'll harm most plastics too, like pickguards, side dots etc....I don't think any of that applies in this case, but perhaps worth mentioning to add to the thread!

I bought it last night. The seller demanded cash on collection rather than PayPal through eBay - weird. Avoiding fees perhaps?Anyway, nice 24/06/83 JV, almost twin to my main P Bass. Everything looks legit down to the little “Fender piece of paper for the neck shim” stamped “6/83”. Well, couple of pickguard screws and the knobs are not original... One of the nicest necks I’ve seen on a JV and surprisingly good nick comparing to the body. It does need a bit of work and isn’t really the cleanest bass I’ve seen, but it’s to be played, not sold. So... I doubt it’ll be back at double the price 🙂

I'm with him. P Basses from different years. P Basses with different string P Basses with different pickups P Basses with different colours P Basses with different wiring harnesses \ pots P basses with different neck lengths. Think of the opportunities you have to explore new territories in the world of P Bass! :-o!

I've found the OC10 and OC2 to be below my clean level in volume when using solo'ed 1 octave down. It's for this reason I switched to the Ocatvbre Mini...extra volume to get level back to neutral and also nice synthy tone as you turn the tone knob clockwise. I haven't tried a Cog T16 v2 but would like to at some point.

I thought I would re-activate this subject as I have just paid a visit to Promenade Music in Morecambe. The Lancashire sea side town is just over an hour's drive south down the M6 from my Cumbrian home and today turned out to be quite mild and sunny for February! I had forgotten what a great music shop Promenade is. You name the musical instrument and they will probably have it tucked away somewhere. There were loads of bass guitars and electric guitars in the basement with keyboards and a huge selection of acoustic guitars upstairs. Brass and woodwind instruments were on display too. I was looking for a gig bag for my Italia Maranello Cavo bass guitar, which is a bit small to fill out a standard bass bag but too large for an electric guitar bag! We tried a few but nothing was suitable. I was blown away by the selection of musical instruments they had, with more bass guitars than to could wish for. It's worth a visit if you fancy a day out.

You guys have got it all wrong with your coffee table bass pictures. Didn't you read his post? This is the way to tempt him from the straight and narrow:

So you've had a dream about someone being keen to give you wood - exotically - and then charge you more than you thought. Have you posted this in the correct forum?

Just keep buying P basses , I've got 6 and I still lust after the next

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I am certain I really like Jazz basses, which is why I have "several". I am assuming you have more than one Precision. If not, please stop letting the side down.

Personally I found that finding ‘the one’ made my gas shift from a frantic search to a more fun curiosity based and less desperate toe dipping foray into basses I’ve always wanted to try, safe in the knowledge that I’ve got ‘my’ bass locked in already. It’s been like that for ten years and I’m much happier for it. Sorry I know I’m not helping but it’s kind of my job not to

Sounds like something off the horror channel. What a chilling tale and warning to the rest of us.

Gave into the GAS... Bought myself a V7 Sire.

That really is a-rear (see what I did there**?) of a bass, isn't it? ** Aria in case you didn't 😄

Just hang a banner straight across the stage from each of the speakers. Go for the air of mystery.

Nice Q-Tuner first edition ! 👍 I still have a pair of these first generation fantastic Q-Tuner's that will be fitted on my new Leduc U-Basse 6 fretless ordered last year that I should get by the end of this year...

A Lakland is around 3 times the price. If you're not pro you don't need either. So I don't need any. Save me buying a new amp !

Pretty much.... I’m trying my hardest to get out of work early Thursday... got Friday off to get those strings bedded in and take the obligatory pics. 👍🏻

That is going to be soooo lovely. I have long dreamed of getting Mark to build me a light relic '65 Jazz in candy apple red (an original being about £8000 out of my price range) and this is doing the GAS no good at all. So, thanks a bunch.

After a few bouts of bass and amp GAS over the past year or so I've come to the conclusion that I have my bass and amplification requirements fulfilled, but after being "volunteered" to sort out lights for our band I find myself hunting for DMX bargains now.

Does this mean that they are a bit thicker front to back? If so I like the sound of that. Slim J necks give me hand cramp!

Passsive. Active is on the side sounds cleaner when playing through that little practice amp

Right, all these money saving tips are all well and good but shall we cut to the chase? It's a sad fact and 'The Management' ain't gonna like it, but just delete your Basschat account and never visit the site again. You all know deep down that before you joined here you got by in life with one, or possibly two if you were feeling particularly extravagant, basses and an amp, and maybe a multi or a handful of individual pedals. Now you're not really sure where to put all the basses you've bought, let alone all the other 'essential' gear. Justify it all you want but you don't need all that gear and nobody else can hear, or care about the subtle differences. Now be gone with you you money saving, little bass soldier, play that one bass and play it proudly 😂.

A replacement neck is probably best, but there is another option; Have the fretboard replaced by your friendly neighborhood luthier. You might get a nice choice of material, too. Without lines, naturally. The only issue is that of resale value as opposed to swapping necks.

Same, I just find the lines a distraction and prefer to use the side dots as reference.

It’s actually not the worst idea... one P can sound modern and bright, another can have a more smooth, dark vintage tone. You may want to have ‘twins’ and string one with flats, or perhaps have one in BEAD tuning. And that’s before you even get in to how they look, fingerboard materials etc. Hopefully this will help cure your illness! George

Tin/Lead is still readily available. You have to go looking a little bit more, but it's still perfectly legal to sell, It's just a supply and demand thing. Businesses etc. all want to be RoHS compliant so the demand for it plummeted, but you can still get it from more hobby-focused places. CPC/Farnell sell multicore, or the RS or Rapid own brand stuff is good.

Well after many months of tweaking and buying and selling I'm very happy with my current setup in the following signal chain! MXR Bass Envelope Filter 3 Leaf Pwnzor compressor Iron Ether Subterranea Cog Custom T65 octave (with the following in its loop, in order to run the octave in parallel) Iron Ether Oxide fuzz Malekko Scrutator (bit/sample/filter) Mooer Sweeper Then into! Cog Custom Grand Tarkin Fuzz Source Audio Manta Filter MXR Bass Chorus Deluxe MXR EVH Phase 90 TC Iron Curtain Noise gate Plenty of synthy goodness and all powered with a Cioks Dc5 😁 For once in not gassing too much for anything else! (Nose getting bigger)