skej21

So it seems that it's not just One Direction who can play unplugged guitars... Even The Mighty Flea was at it at last nights Super Bowl half time show!

Having played a number of Jack Casady (five different of the gold, one silver burst and three black!) and the Ltd Ed Pelham Blue Gibson midtown bass for prolonged periods of time (a good few hours on each!), I'd have a JC every day of the week. They sound great, half the price and the minimal issues (mainly neck dive) are just as noticeable on both models. I think with a nice set of flats, the JC would be a really killer bass with a thunderous sound! Also, the VariTone switch has some great scope for tone. The '50' option is a really nice, vintage tone and the '500' is just a full on, balls-to-the-wall tone. Lovely instruments!

I never use wire wool as it ends up all over pole pieces etc. Mask off, nice cloth and some T-cut. Polishes them up really nicely and had my 28 year old jazz looking brand new again! :-) Used it on a fair few basses/guitars over the years and it always works a treat.

[quote name='jimcroisdale' timestamp='1391016654' post='2352322'] Hey all, I just wrote a little article about a few popular misconceptions about bass cabs. You can find it [b][url="http://www.theheatfunctionband.co.uk/bass-myths/"]HERE[/url][/b] As you can see, I've come under a little bit of criticism - apparently, everybody apart from beginners knows this stuff? In my experience, many many people certainly do not. Comments welcome, both here and on the blog! Jim [/quote] Great info and presented nicely (IMO). My only comment would be that you probably shouldn't belittle certain combinations flippantly (ie a 1x15" and 4x12" is a bad idea *no explanation) and then follow it with 'so buy a 2x12"... Like mine.' Whether you are or not, it makes you look biased and like you're not basing the decisions on fact/science despite the fact you probably have hundreds of reasons why you would make the decision. Without explaining your decision, it seems like you're rubbing your own ego and saying how great a decision you made so everyone else should follow without question. Just to reiterate, I agree with what you've written :-)

[quote name='RichF' timestamp='1391108538' post='2353423'] [url="http://youtu.be/UeAECmaJ7Ms"]http://youtu.be/UeAECmaJ7Ms[/url] [/quote] That Aguilar rig sounds amazing...

[quote name='bassman7755' timestamp='1391079133' post='2352910'] Well without frets you could presumably dispense with the tuning peg making it even simpler to build [/quote] If you removed the tuning peg and left it fretless, it would still rely on good intonation so frets would make it easier.

[quote name='Hobbayne' timestamp='1391076679' post='2352871'] [/quote] I would like to respond to the creator of this: 'How much easier can we make it for you guys?'... How about some frets, smart ass!

[quote name='KiOgon' timestamp='1390934981' post='2351522'] Lovin the new breed of semi's that are around, Fender Coronado - aged cherry burst or maybe the Starcaster in CAR, bit worried about the short scale, then along comes the Limited Edition Epiphone Jack Casaday looks gorgeous in white & it's proper long [/quote] Apologies for bringing up the white Jack Casady! That's top of my list now too, followed by a TH500 and a pair of the new Genelec 8010s!

[quote name='Funky Dunky' timestamp='1390853941' post='2350493'] Skej, did you have heavier strings and then change down? What differences have you noticed with lighter strings? [/quote] All my basses came with heavier strings and I changed down. I just like being able to move the strings (for vibrato etc) but I honestly don't notice much difference when I'm changing between basses with heavier strings and my basses. I suppose it's like being a mechanic... They don't notice different clutch heights and steering etc, they just adapt quickly to different cars and I seem to do the same thing with basses/strings. I just like light gauge because I prefer the feel. There's not a huge difference in tone between light and heavy strings IMO, just gives a different feel and opens up different styles of playing (digging in with heavier strings, using more vibrato with flats etc)

D'Addario nickel wound 35-95 on two of my jazz basses, 40-100 on my precision and 45-100 Chromes on my '62 RI Jazz which appears to be REALLY light compared to everyone else!

[quote name='JamesBass' timestamp='1390847616' post='2350323'] So, I've just applied to finish my degree at a few unis and am after a decent audition piece, I'm really unsure about what I should choose. I want to do something that will impress, but isn't too safe, so no boring basic grooves really. Any suggestions oh wise members of BassChat?! [/quote] Maybe a solo performance of Teen Town? I did this for my final recital with a loop pedal (similar to the Michael manring version) and it went down a storm with the examiners.

[quote name='AndyTravis' timestamp='1390847548' post='2350321'] Limited to 500 worldwide I'd read, they've done a Noel Gallagher Union Jack Sheraton in greater numbers, think 1000 of those are happening. Gold Hardware would've been a winner on this. [/quote] Funny that... Gold hardware would've made me NOT want to buy this lol!

PICS as requested! Link for extra info :-) http://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/bass_guitars_detail.asp?stock=14012215060758

As the title suggests, Epiphone/Gibson are now making the popular Jack Casady signature in alpine white! It looks lovelysmd I think it's next on my GAS list!

[quote name='Paul S' timestamp='1390728701' post='2348583'] Size of hands has very little to do with neck width preference, I would say. There are plenty of female bassists who play 5/6 string basses. I have fairly large hands and generally prefer narrow width necks - yet can find some wide necks reasonably comfy. Necks can vary a heck of a lot in depth which gives another variable in how they feel. It really comes down to whichever you find most comfortable which, unfortunately, means a lot of trial and error. Maybe, if you need a lightweight bass, that is the place to start from. As a rule most Jazz basses will have narrow necks but are heavier (ok, not all, but most). Ibanez SR-range basses are very lightweight and have exceptionally narrow and shallow necks. A lot of the P-Basses can be lighter in weight but have wider necks - although some models will have shallower necks. Also you might want to consider whether you want an active bass or passive one. Again, that narrows down your choices. So, for the sake of discussion, if you wanted a Fender shaped bass with two pickups that was light in weight, active and had a skinny, shallow neck you could probably head straight for a Squier Jazz Bass Deluxe. While I have been typing this you added you want a retro sound. For me a P bass gives a retro sound, but I guess it is what type of retro sound you mean - both Precisions and Jazzes have been around a few decade. But at least that kind of eliminates the Ibanez/more modern sounding basses from the equation. Edit - Jazz/vs Precision tone - might be an idea to identify a song on which you particularly like the sound of the bass and post the YouTube on here - between us we should be able to point you in the right direction as far as tone is concerned. [/quote] +1... One of my students is 5ft 1 and she plays a 5 string precision which I think has quite a big neck profile and it doesn't bother her at all. It's definitely more about comfort than hand size.

[quote name='gillento' timestamp='1390643764' post='2347795'] Sorry, I didn't take pics before the the refin. In fact it was some kind of vintage amber. a bit darker than this: http://www.basssandiego.com/images/600_Alleva_Coppolo_LM5_Vintage_Tint_Body.JPG [/quote] Wise choice! The black is much nicer.

[quote name='0175westwood29' timestamp='1390503350' post='2346185'] epic new art work on the pickle! and like the look of the mxr univibe! andy [/quote] And all the modification features are on the outside!

[quote name='gillento' timestamp='1390558218' post='2346713'] Well, in the meantime I got back my bass. Dave did a great job! Here it is: the black one: [/quote] Ooooooof that is lovely! Any chance of a 'before' photo too?

I've tried the Way Huge Pork Loin, Green Rhino and Swollen Pickle when looking for a decent fuzz but found that the mini fuzz faces were better. However, the new Havatina Germanium Fuzz that Way Huge are releasing at NAMM looks to be a real winner (and the Dirty Donny Swollen Pickle will be getting a run through too!) http://m.musicradar.com/news/guitars/namm-2014-way-huge-launch-two-new-pedals-591918 Another couple of cool pedals to add to the 'try/GAS' list from NAMM! Dammit!

Jazz III XL Red for me (on the rare occasion I use them!)

[quote name='BurritoBass' timestamp='1390424204' post='2345400'] Insurance companies insist on it. Photos too (which for most of us really won't be a problem!) [/quote] This. Plus, the first thing I do when buying a bass/cab/amp is to photo the serial number and any unique grains/wood/dings (identitfying features) and then email them to myself. I can't imagine NOT recording details of my instruments/amps.