mcnach

maybe a good idea to cover the pickups with masking tape too. You can then put more tape over them to sandwich the bits of wool that got attracted to the pickups and take it all away.

[quote name='Beer of the Bass' timestamp='1391086987' post='2353063'] Yes, I wound my own guitar pickups and one for my four string last year. To dip them, I made up an 80/20 mixture of paraffin wax and beeswax, heated to about 65 degrees in a tub surrounded by hot water on the hob (like a bain-marie for melting chocolate), applying occasional heat to keep the temperature steady. The pickups (without covers) sit in the melted wax until the air bubbles stop coming out of them, then you take them out, wipe them off and leave them to cool. I've still got my tub of wax if you want to give yours a shot. [/quote] you're a real DIY man! I could do it in the lab, where I have temperature controlled waterbaths too Hmmm... we need to talk I don't think I want to do it just now, but I'm interested in this.

[quote name='Beer of the Bass' timestamp='1391085091' post='2353022'] Are they a bit microphonic, perhaps? If that's the issue, wax-dipping them would sort it out and it isn't hard to do. [/quote] They amplify nicely when I hit the bass, as you saw But they don't seem overly microphonic. More than others, yes, but as long as they don't squeal I am ok with that if they sound good. However... wax dipping... I never had to do it and I would not know how to. Have you done it?

[quote name='theyellowcar' timestamp='1390997988' post='2352041'] I bought a Squier Silver Series neck from 2x18 on here because I was after a rosewood board :-) The bass has arrived at home today! Exciting! [/quote] Ah! Looking forward to seeing the results! I really really really like maple fingerboards, especially lacquered, and it was a huge factor in my pulling the trigger for the green J&D. I used it at a gig last night. It was a strange kind of gig (that would deserve a thread on its own ) but it gave me the opportunity to try it live, and I'm amazed at how much bass you get for £119! I love the way it sounds. I must really get around to filing the fret ends and maybe tidy up the nut, but those are just things to make the bass nicer: it's perfectly playable as it is and sounds good. I have found what others mentioned about the pickups "popping" when slapping hard. I had not noticed at home, because I only slapped a bit, and played fingerstyle all the time. I will try bringing the pickups down a bit and see what happens. I'm reluctant because it sounds so good as it is... but I'll mark the current settings so that I can go back if I want to. And I insist: I really like these strings!

a metal control plate to cover the damage? easy to install... and there are many types/shapes around!

[quote name='GreeneKing' timestamp='1390918735' post='2351267'] This may have been discussed before but I recently spotted a for sale thread where the seller said he'd ship but that it would be at the responsibility of the buyer. I always get more than a little nervous when the courier collects a bass for delivery. I'm not sure I sleep soundly until it's delivered and I always take responsibility for this as the seller. If I insure the contents I pay and again I feel that the insurance is for me if things go wrong. I don't see that it benefits the buyer or that they should contribute for my protection. This can easily double the shipping costs and even then it may not be sufficient in the event of a total loss. I had a cab get fairly trashed a few months back and I sought the price of a new driver and tweeter through the insurance and successfully recovered my costs for this. The buyer kindly waited for the bits and fitted them and for that I was thankful. Obviously (?) if a dealer sells an item they have an obligation to see it's safe delivery to the buyer. I'd be interested to see if anyone on BC thinks otherwise for a private seller? And yes, I do have an expensive bass 'in the system' at the moment and as usual, I'm worrying Peter [/quote] It depends on what the agreement is. If someone says they want their bass collected, but may be persuaded to let it be posted as long as the buyer deals with it... that's another matter. If you both agree, that's all there is to it. A shop, eBay, etc is different... the deal does not finish with shipping, but with the receipt of the goods and verification they're in good condition. A private transaction between two individuals can be anything they agree to.

[quote name='Subthumper' timestamp='1390952326' post='2351776'] All of which has a lifespan of about five years, either because it breaks down and can't be repaired or becomes obsolete. I'm sticking with my valve head, best sound I ever had. And I can repair and modify it at will. [/quote] phones and computers break down... just not very often. Obsolete? Yes, but that's due to increasing demands... the phones/computers are still capable of doing what they did when new. An amp is another matter entirely.

[quote name='theyellowcar' timestamp='1390938041' post='2351573'] Part 1 of 3 for Project Surf arrived today! Just a shame the bass doesn't show up until tomorrow! [/quote] oh, what are parts 2 and 3? I assume one is the bass... and the other?

[quote name='Beer of the Bass' timestamp='1390904666' post='2351005'] It did sound just like a Jazz, didn't it? There's no way I would have figured it for a cheaper instrument by the sound in a band setting. (If anyone is wondering, I was playing guitar last night). Also, isn't "Jack and Danny" cockney rhyming slang for something I probably can't say on Basschat? What on earth were they thinking? [/quote] I should have let you play it. It's not "finished"... The fret ends are a little sharp (playable, but noticeable), and it still has the strings the way they came: I like the strings, but they're wound in such way that the A string in particular has no break angle at the nut, so it can rattle a bit. Not enough to impede normal playing, but I'll have to replace the strings, which is a shame as I liked them. The tuners are the type whose posts are not straight cylindrical, but have a concave area in the middle, and with two turns of string only, the string remains too high. It needs a couple more turns at least to make the string exit from below. "so, are you going to do anything about it before tomorrow's gig?" I hear you ask. "Not at all" is my answer. The pickguard didn't even have screws on (the holes nearly match, but it's tight enough that it stays put)... and so it'll remain for now. The problem is I can't find a pair of matching green shoes to wear... oh, and "Jack and Danny"... I'll remind you to explain that one to me tomorrow. I have no idea what it may refer to.

[quote name='theyellowcar' timestamp='1390864233' post='2350794'] That's when mine arrives! How did it sit in the mix? [/quote] Well, it's a Jazz... so like a Jazz I used mostly bridge pickup alone, with a couple of times both pickups on, and tone always rolled off a little bit. There is only one guitar in this band, and one trumpet, plus drums and two vocalists... so it's easy to make the bass sit well. These pickups are quite meaty. I'm not a big fan of the neck pickups on jazz basses, so I tend to disregard it a lot... but the bridge one sounds very good. You get the mids-rich nasal tone that cuts through so well, but it's also fat. These pickups will stay in the bass.

Used the bass at rehearsal tonight. It doesn't sound half bad! I'll be using it live on Wednesday

[quote name='Sean' timestamp='1390852593' post='2350461'] Do you ever find that your rig is too loud for certain situations? [/quote] I'm pretty sure his amp has a volume knob...

[quote name='Sean' timestamp='1390843932' post='2350238'] I've not heard a peep since placing the order. [/quote] Oh, me neither, but don't worry, it seems to be the norm. It certainly was the same way when I bought my BF Compact last year. You'll get an email when the time approaches. The March estimate was just from a couple of emails we exchanged before I decided to order.

[quote name='Sean' timestamp='1390782304' post='2349566'] My guess is that it'll be late April or early May. [/quote] Hmmm, Alex hinted at March...

[quote name='TheGreek' timestamp='1390340482' post='2344336'] Help me out...I don't use a plectrum so I'm a bit dumbfounded.. I'm looking to order some plectrums but the manufacturers can't offer me anything heavier than 0.9mm gauge - is this too light for bass players?? Advice please... [/quote] I don't normally use picks, but I bought some Dunlop "stubbies". They come in up to 3mm! I used those, and sometimes 2mm ones, for bass.

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1390674133' post='2348249'] As I'm nowhere near you either, here's a link to a good tutorial: [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=te44eWXd9pc[/media] Keep us informed about how it goes [/quote] Good video, nice and simple!

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1390736250' post='2348731'] It's not just about choice - if you have a fixed budget it can be about whether you can get something that will do the job, or nothing. [/quote] indeed! I have to thank Behringer for all the stuff I was able to play with when I had little money to spare. It may not have been the best, but it worked. Some I even loved. Some I still have! I have a seemingly indestructible practice amp, a BXL450A that actually sounds pretty good. And a guitar amp, an AC112 that once you ignore all the added effects etc and just keep it on a simple reverb patch, it sounds really good... so it's still with me, after many years.

[quote name='Sean' timestamp='1390677886' post='2348298'] Anyone out there using a big valve monster through a BareFaced? I'd be interested in your reaction to the change, what differences there were, any thoughts related to this. I've just ordered a Big Twin 2. [/quote] I ordered one on Saturday! I'll race you!

[quote name='Beer of the Bass' timestamp='1390677003' post='2348283'] The littler amp of the new Peaveys looks quite elegant really, with no flashy lights or knobs labelled "Kosmos", so I think they're aware that not everyone will love the one with the lights. [/quote] I rehearsed for a while at a place in Edinburgh where they provided the Peavey Tour 450 amps with the Cosmos control. Sometimes I'd turn around to look at it, and I liked to think that if I used it it might just take me on a trip around nearby galaxies. That and the blue led made me feel happy. I never used it 'though, as I wasn't sure I'd be back in time for dinner...

It turns out I had another pickguard, a cream one, and cream knobs too... I just places the knobs over the original ones, they're not installed, but you can see what it looks like... I think I like this. Also the green tone in the picture is closer to the real thing.

[quote name='Beer of the Bass' timestamp='1390671378' post='2348201'] Ooh, I look forward to hearing that one. I wonder how many gigs you'll really need both cabs for? Although I guess with three guitarists plus brass in SBK, you do need quite a bit of onstage volume at some gigs, especially with a dancing audience. [/quote] Yeah, in most cases I really don't need it. I do most of my gigs with the Markbass combo alone as it's strictly a monitor onstage and I love walking in/out with it. But I do play some where it's just us and our amplifiers... those guitars get loud, our drummer can really sound thunderous when he hits that white beauty of a kit he has, and SBK needs a bass that sits proudly in the mix. Not all soundmen get it, but when I have control over it, I make sure that's how it goes.

[quote name='Paul S' timestamp='1390647946' post='2347854'] The sound is not like a Stingray, not like the Westone but somewhere between with a very definite character (actually very similar to a Westone Pantera Deluxe X790 bass I have). [/quote] oooh, I like that! About not sounding like a Stingray... it looks to me from those pictures that the pickup is probably about 1-2cm farther from the bridge than on a Stingray, so it would sound quite a bit different (assuming my judgement of the spacing is right). I had a Tanglewood Warrior once, with a single MM pickup located roughly at the spot where I think yours is (actually, mine was probably a tiny bit farther still), and it was *awesome*. It was not a Stingray in any way, and it did not sound anything like a P bass, as it was somewhere in between. It sounded BIG, and with great definition, and it was lovely. Another bass I regret letting go. It was totally battered but it looked great and played really well. I found a picture of it:

well, I've gone with a Barefaced Big baby 2 for now, and see how that works...

Well, a Barefaced Big Baby 2 has been ordered... If it lives up to expectations, I can see two of these in my future, we will see. I played a gig last night in which I used the Compact with the MB combo. Afterwards I disconnected everything and left it in a pile onstage while I went to get the car, which was parked a couple of blocks away. Meanwhile, my girlfriend and the trumpet player decided to move my stuff closer to the door. My gf knew the Compact was light, so she grabbed that, apparently turning heads as she went by, since people expected it to be heavy. Superwoman She loved the weight and approves my choice