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With Tom's African Bass Mk2 getting pretty close, it's time to start thinking about the next full build. And I'm a bit excited about this one. But first, the sack-cloth and ashes stuff. "I solemnly swear that I will try to concentrate on the true and original instrument, that is called Bass (hallowed be its name), and I confess that I am a weak and miserable sinner to even contemplate drifting to the dark side but... "...but, heck! This is going to be FABULOUS!!!!!!!!!!!" Does anyone remember this SG-influenced neck-through build I did a few years back for one of our band members, Pete? : And those with REALLY long memories, anyone remember this own-design I built for myself in Yew? Well, both guitars are still in use. Pete & I are still playing (or were until the recent lockdown!) - him lead and me vocals & sax. And at one of the places we regularly play, another player - Matt - has started making pickups. And for his first attempt at humbuckers I offered the Yew guitar above as the test bed. So Matt has been playing it for the past few weeks. Matt has drooled over Pete's SG for some time. But he was also a bit bowled over by how good Yew can look once it's been carved and varnished. So the new project is an SG-style guitar made for Matt....made with a Yew top. And I just happen to have a book-matched set that has been languishing in my shed for years : And I'm excited because - although you have to be very careful routing and sanding Yew because it is pretty poisonous - I found it a nice wood to work with...and this is going to look FABULOUS And, let's face it, it's not like I'm going anywhere else over the next few weeks...

Hi All, Here is a small gallery of my basses ... hope you'll like it

All seems fine currently - with emptier roads and extra drivers being drafted in I’m wondering if it’s actually quite a good time to order! Welcome to BC by the way, hide your wallet NOW!

I changed to "buyer arrange shipping" a couple of years back. This was when shipping costs rocketed, for example, a £1200 bass was going to cost over £70 insured from Wigan to London. The buyer didn't want to pay that so I offered them the chance to book their own, save some money AND TAKE THE RISK FOR THAT. They declined. I know when I send a bass it will be very well packed and as per photos in the advert. I also take photos of the packing process. I don't want to be tied up with; A. Chasing courier up because it's gone AWOL B. Spend months trying to get my money back from a courier who has charged me to insure they have dove the job I paid for!!!🤬 C. Both are exacerbated if outside of UK. In the UK theoretically I could (well, not for the next 3 weeks) get in my car, drive to the UK HO of the courier & cause them some grief! So, if you can't come to my house or meet up half way......................

Last Friday I bought myself a new gig bag. I’ll write that again so the stupidity can sink in. I bought myself a new gig bag.

Sandberg California II Riedel Signature. I did just buy it so I am slightly biased Black headstock. Metallic black hardware. Black everything. Except the pickguard, that's clear perspex.

There isn't really a right or a wrong way to do this. It all comes down to both buyer and seller agreeing the terms of the transaction in the first place and then being decent enough to fulfil their responsibilities, e.g. item as described, proper packing, adequate insurance, chasing delivery company.

I think everyone has to make their own decisions as to what they think is the best. However as a buyer, if I can't come and collect I expect the seller to organise shipping and if they are not prepared to do that then I'm not interested in buying. As a seller, I organise the shipping using the most appropriate method for the item being sent along with full insurance to cover the cost of the item plus the any additional costs. The cost of shipping, insurance, and any specialised packaging materials I might need are included in the price of the item. If the buyer doesn't like this they are welcome to come and collect, otherwise they should look else where to buy. Over 10 years buying and selling in excess of £50k worth of musical equipment I have had 3 shipping problems - 2 where parcels were "lost" and one where it was damaged in transit. In all three cases because I had packaged the items properly and had bought the correct insurance, the claims were settled promptly and in full, and I was able to refund the buyer without any issues.

Usually working in the Party Band on cruise ships. Its abit like prison here at the moment, I'd know because prison officer was my old job 😂

Aaarrgghh!!!! Don't tell me that... it just gives me an excuse to buy a JM Mustang... that was the only thing that was putting me off!

I've been working through the electric bass jazz lessons by John Patitucci: https://artistworks.com/jazz-bass-lessons-john-patitucci This starts from a very basic, practically zero ability level, and has three levels - beginner, intermediate, advanced - each with a number of lessons I don't play acoustic but the subscription - $105 for 3 months is the plan I'm on - gives you access to the acoustic course also, plus a 4 lesson basic theory lesson. There are videos for each lesson, and PDFs (notation only, no tab) for most lessons, as well as some backing tracks. John is a good teacher, and has relaxed and friendly style. The real bonus is that you can submit several of your own videos, and he'll respond personally, providing feedback on where you should improve. I've been too much of a coward to utilise this option, but for more courageous players this would be worth the $105 all by itself IMO (as I guess he'd charged a mint for personal lessons). The videos are well filmed and produced. Very information-dense and no b/s, recommended, especially if you are an old-school / jazz-wanna-be.

One of the upsides of social distancing: the impracticality of ensemble charity recordings. We can be pretty sure that Little Steven ain't gonna play Sun City, either.

Aeronautical Engineering degree and then RAF pilot for 12 years. 20 years flying (19 years as Captain) for in-house airline for large vertically-integrated travel agent that went bust last September. Currently flying as Captain on smaller aircraft in a smaller airline until Coronavirus destroys the industry. Unfortunately I cannot recommend being a pilot as a job that's suitable for playing in bands on the side, due to the scheduling and lifestyle issues. That's not to say I haven't had fun trying, it just takes a lot of organising and understanding/flexible bandmates.

A cover of “You Got It”?

You had me worried there, I thought it was Bono doing a coronavirus charity record or something.

Today I got my tiny, tiny, tiny Genzler combo delivered. I just had to put it on top of my Genzler BA 12-3 Slant cabs, but it won't sit there. Oh no! My plan is to use it with my upright bass (and electric for small gigs) instead of using one amp and a two channel preamp for electric and upright. One rig for electric and one for upright, no fuss... Anyway, it is kind of cute... It is really small... 😋😋😋

Some might have seen this useful tool from Stu Mac call the 'Truss Rod Crank for Tele'. It makes Fender truss rod adjustment much easier if you have the cross slot style access at the neck heel ... Down side its a 'tad' pricey for a small bent piece of toughened steel !! Up side you can make simple neck adjustments without taking the neck off or loosening the screws ... you could also make your own if you have the know how. I use mine on my Fender JMJ and Performer Mustangs although some Jazz and Precisions have the same slots

Bob Geldof is starting to appear on TV, no doubt to advertise the very few Boomtown rats dates that could be remaining after the current problems possibly subside. If anyone has a face you want to punch, it's him. Even more so than Piers Morgan 😆 Okay, got that off my chest. Thanks.

With such a vast genre it's difficult to know where to start. Am sure there are a lot of folk on here more qualified than me to point you in the right direction, but IMHO don't go too off piste - chances are your fellow players & audience will appreciate stuff that's reasonably well known. I played in an 8 piece band for years doing standards as part of our sets for functions / weddings etc and even the odd jazz club gig. People like to hear the melody prominent, as well as improvised round a few times too. There are some quite good fake books available, ( although avoid the ones where all the tunes are in the same key or feature Michael Buble arrangements....) You can't go wrong with getting some Sinatra stuff under your belt, as his versions of a lot of Great American Songbook stuff are considered fairly definitive I think. Ditto Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole and plenty of others. On here Bilbo is probably your man to help you more. Good luck!

Not everyone's cup of tea, but I saw one of these in the flesh at PMT and was blown away by it, usually I like blues/blacks/ white basses, so this took me by surprise....

Classic bit of Pablo

To me, upscaling remote ordering and home deliveries should be key to this whole social distancing thing. Surely it's a lot easier to manage than herds of people heading to the same places (shops, chemists etc), even when that is 'only for essentials'.

Hi Guys, New to the site, but wanted to read this particular thread especially as I've just ordered a Limelight P from Mark about two weeks ago. It's going to be a long 16 weeks to wait and I'm excited. In fact it was Mark that directed me here to get a bit more insight. Am loving the pics and video's (do people still call them video's?... I do as I'm old).. looking forward to reading through.

Interesting that the general assumption is the student is male! She's actually an accomplished psychologist and author, with her next book coming out in May! Truly inspirational and I can only hope to be a switched on as her if I ever reach such an age.

I picked up my daphne blue JMJ up for a steal (less than £600 used) ... ... although pick up might be a bit of a problem at the moment! Definitely worth looking around

My normal warning - I will always describe what I do but for you never to assume this is how it's supposed to be done The refinishing of the body has started. I will be doing a variation of the Tru-oil slurry and buff, but using the thinner version of the Osmo ranges, their 1101. Other than the full gloss - which personally I don't like - many of the Osmo products are a guitar/bass builder's godsend. Low odour, wipeable, great finish. There are apparently some issues with thicker coats (it's a hardwax so can sometimes remain dintable with your thumbnail) but applied thinly, I personally find it an excellent finish. So, other than some kitchen roll to wipe-down, this is my finishing kit: For the initial coats, I put a generous amount of the Osmo on with a brush and use (proper woodworkers cover your eyes), yes, 120 grit as the wet in a wet 'n dry sanding approach. For a softer wood I would probably use 240 grit, but this particular wood is very hard. The slurry of finish mixed with wood dust effectively fills any pores and small voids (but remember that I am not trying here to end up with a fully sealed, flat, flawless finish). I finish by sanding the slurry along the grain to remove any swirl marks. And then I wipe it all off, again (in this case) wiping along the grain. If I was looking for a smoother finish, I would wipe off across the grain to leave the maximum amount of slurry filling the grain lines. After the first coat, it looks like this: I will leave this a full day before the second coat. This first one will have soaked into the surface and pores of the wood and I want it to have chance to fully dry before I add another coat. Tomorrow, I will repeat the process, but slurrying with a finer grade (probably around 240 but maybe as far as 400 - I'll see how the wood responds) and again wiping off the excess but leaving it to soak in. Friday, I will decide whether to slurry and buff, or just apply a couple of very thin coats with the fan-brush. And for the enquiring minds amongst you, why is handle of the fan brush (Hobby Craft Artists section) cut short? Because I've decanted a cm or so of Osmo into a jam jar to use and can pop the brush in there after each coat and close the lid so it doesn't need to be cleaned or dried before its next use (because trust me, that's where many of the dust buggies come from). While this is drying, it seems to be an ideal time to do the final sanding of the neck!

Pb bass

You have nailed it there

I don't think I have. The promise to deliver if a courier is arranged is made between the buyer and whoever they choose to collect and deliver the item. The seller is not involved with this transaction so has no promise to keep. The only promise made between the buyer and seller is that the item they are transacting is as described in the advertisement. Because it would be one of the promises made if an agreement was reached for the buyer to arrange collection. But, really how does any buyer know that a random stranger off the Internet will package an item so well that it's impossible for it to be damaged in transit? Yes, and there are a lot of people who offer to arrange couriers who are incompetent at packaging. A) Yes. If you want something that you are unable to collect, you have to accept the risk of paying upfront for it for it to be delivered. Or should sellers just send their property to strangers on a promise it will be paid for when delivered? There is a reason why no one does this. B) Yes. Once payment has been made it is your property. Ensuring you get your property delivered safely and at a cost you're happy with is entirely at your own risk. C) Yes. You have to hope the seller opens the door. D) E) Yes. If the agreement you have made between yourself and whoever you choose to deliver the item goes wrong, it is entirely your responsibility to work things out. Yes, that is the answer. I've already given plenty of reasons why I want a buyer to arrange collection and it is nothing to do with laziness. The only time "laziness" has come into it is in echoing your words to highlight the flaw in your logic. Look, if a buyer doesn't want to arrange collection, that's fine. I completely understand that they may not want to accept the all the risks as lined out above (that we both agree on). As a seller, I don't want to accept those risks either, hense the request for collection in person. I don't think it's fair that a seller should be made to accept these risks if the buyer is unable to meet a condition of sale, especially if the seller is prepared to waive a key condition of sale to the benefit of the buyer. I have a bass for sale on the marketplace at the moment, may I take you through my "sales process" to see if that helps you reassess if you think I'm being lazy? - Strip, clean and deep polish bass Repair or replace any faulty hardware & electronics (If modifying) source, order and install all new parts Roll fingerboard edges, degloss neck Reassemble and set up with low action Take tons of photographs, select and edit those for the ad Write ad, try to include as much detail as possible, highlight all faults with pics, provide weight and tech spec if possible Pay a subscription to BC to advertise for sale Make no profit.

Found this while browsing youtube music clips and thought it kind of appropriate

Er, I think you’ve missed the point. The promise to deliver is there IF a courier is arranged. It’s pretty obvious if it’s collection then it’s not relevant. Whether the item is as described or not has nothing to do with it. Now YOU may get off your behind and pack and weigh and measure and do everything to a tee, but frankly how does the buyer know that? You know, there are a lot of lazy people who can’t be bothered to do all of that stuff properly, and as a buyer you then assume ALL the risk by a) paying upfront b) booking the courier yourself c) hope the seller answers the door and e) working things out if the parcel is damaged or lost. The answer to all this is of course to collect. Let’s just agree to disagree - you think a buyer expecting the seller to courier is lazy, I think a seller washing their hands of the transaction once they have the money and the bass is picked up is also lazy.

Seeing @krispn above reminded me of the time I sold him a Lakland and the stress and embarrassment I felt when he took the day off work to receive it and then the courier decided not to deliver it the arranged day, but the day after instead. All worked out fine in the end, but it did require him taking a second day off work. That was probably the straw that broke the camels back and made me switch to collection only - either by yourself or by your courier.

Day 2 - Another Day In Paradise

It makes sense now i've looked at the posts. I thought, when i saw the title , that you needed help and training to use Skype

Picture of my Newer Ultra Precision from Store where I bought it[ Better than I can Do] I just came out of retirement from 2015; My last go to was a Ernie Ball Musicman 25th Anniversary [ became Reflex]

Oooh, I like that... Not just a great suggestion, thanks @fleabag but really cool to listen to the two very different styles and techniques... Love it!!! 👍 What's with all the Guitar Necks though?!... Looks like a David Cronenberg movie

A private individual is not a business, unlike Bass Direct/bass shops. By what right are you demanding that that someone should post an item (and accept the risks of doing so) to you? If you want it so badly, either arrange your own courier/pick up or get off your behind and go and collect it.

Or Fever.

No. There’s no one I’d sooner punch than Piers Morgan.

Got an ABM combo last week, in lieu of the fact that my PJB cabs have sold and also waiting to sell my shuttlemax 9.2 Seller threw in the Flightcase Warehouse flight case, which will be sold off, as i dont need it. Enjoying the sound of the combo, despite i'm the only one that can hear it right now in these troubling times

This is my main gigging bass these days an Alembic Europa. All maple body with maple and purpleheart neck and ebony fretboard. A really versatile bass and a pleasure to play .

I've kind of gone in the opposite direction. All GAS has now been well and truly extinguished. It all seems so utterly trite and pointless given the current situation. I'm more worried about getting through the coming weeks and months with my family and friends in tact. Anything other than that at the minute just seems a bit ridiculous to me.

Played a gig years ago In Islington. Loud band - two guitarists. Was about to load my Markbass head and 4 x10 into the van before we left and my guitarist told me that the promoter was supplying ample backline. Turned up to one of these........