lowlandtrees

Apologies people. I’m taking this off. Didn’t try it before I put it up and not happy with the sound that’s coming out of the cab. Might just be the fan or loose screws. Tweeter hisses slightly?

Could I ask the moderator to delete while I get it checked…might be nothing.

The cab is in very good condition with some light scratching on the one side. I have gigged it twice in 5 years. Perfect for people who double on ebass and dbass. Very clean and powerful.

I’ve retired from gigging and need space in the studio.

Pick up only please. Text 07523 403353

I get what your saying but this bass has only gigged max 10 times…I have 60s German three quarter and an ancient Hawkes. It’s permanently on a stand and rarely moved so no knocks, dings etc. It’s sometimes in full sun!…..I keep my other instruments in the shade.  I can’t see any reason…other than the slap as to why this would happen. I’m thinking that it’s a poor lac job as stated. The older instruments look fine as relics but I don’t think damage would suit this one

57 minutes ago, JoeEvans said:

Reflecting on this, I think if it was mine, I'd try rubbing a bit of tung oil into one of the damaged bits to see how it came up. If it looked good, I'd probably touch up ongoing damage with that until it got too extensive or I found myself with time on my hands, at which point I'd do a DIY refinish, carefully sanding off the lacquer with very fine paper and applying 4-5 coats of tung oil, the first couple diluted with 20% or so white spirit.

I read a bit about tung…it says that it penetrates into the wood? The strange thing is that the neck is in perfect condition. 

1 hour ago, Happy Jack said:

Do you wear heavy rings or bracelets when slapping?

I sometimes where my ring on my right hand and lightly tap on the fb but nowhere near the damage 

8 hours ago, Happy Jack said:

Srsly? I do 50 gigs a year with a rock'n'roll band and my pre-owned (small-bodied) Kolstein Busetto after three years looks nothing like as bad as yours. 🧐

 

I know very little about this make, and all I could find online related to someone called Dub on Basschat (in East Fife) selling his 10 years ago. To you, I imagine? What do you imagine this bass would be worth if in pristine condition?

 

It looks to me like the only way to stabilise the condition of that bass would be a complete refin with a much stronger lacquer / varnish being used, especially on the edges. Best bet would be that the refin might cost more than the value of the bass, certainly more than the value it would add back to the bass.

 

Looking at the damage, it looks like a worse example of the damage I have done to 3/4 and 4/4 basses when laying them down quickly on the stage as I switch to electric bass mid-set. That doesn't happen with the Kolstein because it's too shallow to lay on its side. Do you have any idea just how that damage was actually done?

 

Believe it or not, these around £3k new. The damage on the side by the fb is likely my slap technique but I noticed recently that the wood is beginning to chip away. I have no idea how the other marks were made as, apart from the slap, I’m very careful. 
it was myself who bought the bass from Dub 10 years ago. It sounds and plays great but I don’t think that I would be prepared to get a refin…as you say, probably cost more than it’s worth. 
I contacted the builder a while back about something else and got pretty neg response.

Not sure if this post should be in Repairs and Tech? I have Kania De Gamba small bodied DB that I’m very happy with. It seems to be very easily sustaining damage to the top. Pics below. I use the bass for pizz as well as pluck and slap….which might explain the damage by the fb but it seems to be getting damage all over. It has been gigged 6/7 times over the 10 years I’ve had it. I have other DBs that are completely undamaged. It’s rarely in it’s case ….which is a very tight fit.

Could it be the type of lacquer for example? Should I repair it before it gets worse? Should I somehow protect it (different lacquer?) Should I watch it crumble and disappear under my fingers and bow?

The Ho

NORMAN

1 hour ago, Dad3353 said:

Wire?

Meinl, from Thomann..?

 

Don't go for retractables, and keep 'em (with all your sticks...) in a decent drumstick bag. I have ha the same pair from more than a couple of decades ago, with no issues (breakage, loss of bristles etc...). Disclaimer : I'm not a 'shed builder', especially with brush-work.
Hot Rods are an option, too, if more 'oomph' is required, but they are always on the 'breakables' side, whatever the marque.

If you're 'swirling' on the snare, be sure to use a textured head (Evans Genera Dry Coated are splendid...).
Hope this helps. 

Any folk out there know about drum stuff? I’ve had several pairs of these cheap drum brushes off evilbay….unfailingly they fall to bits within a month. I’m no drummer so don’t need a pro pair but what would be a half decent make?

Looking at the instrument again…Im wondering if the wire that holds the tailpiece has unwound or stretched. I think that I could maybe gain 50mm by shortening it. Would this affect the tuning/intonation?

I managed to remove the silks but still a problem if I change strings. Thanks…will look at these ideas…think I might be able to shorten (or replace)the wire holding the tailpiece.

 I did think about inserting spacers under the feet of the bridge but thought that this might mess with the sound? In saying that I guess the sound in small bodied bass comes from the connection between the bridge wood and the pick up? I use a K&K bassmaster.
I have two other instruments…a three quarter and a full size but as get older I use the small bodied more and more. It’s so much easier to transport and tbh has a great sound. Tuning is a pain…I sometimes play with these guys who insist on tuning in 432 instead of 440…don’t ask.

The bridge under my D string has been cut too low. Is there anyway of correcting this without affecting the tone and tuning? Background is that it’s a small bodied bass with a 42inch scale and a very low bridge. What this means is the the string windings lie on the bridge and make tuning difficult….I tried peeling them off one set but wasn’t great. Currently strung with innovation nylons. Action is very low already so nothing to play with.
Anyway, the D string is lower than I prefer. Could I put a sleeve on it for example and place it on the bridge? Cutting a new bridge out of the question.

I would definitely recommend a couple of face to face lessons with a good teacher. The technique for bowing is so subtle that even on-line lessons are limited IMO…. I say that as a mature (ok old git) that has taken up bowing after 10 years pizz. I found it very difficult to find a good teacher. In the end I had to contact various people for recommendations. My teacher is a retired classical pro….might be an idea to contact a nearby orchestra…being a pro musician is virtually impossible these days without supplementing their income with teaching.

Had tickets for Brothers Moving in Glasgow but got the …… covid. Been a fan for years and …they never tour uk….ironically they tour Russia lots! Great bass as well
Did anyone catch them yet?

Just bought a lovely G&L Jazz from Paul (bigthumb). Very smooth transaction. Good communication and was wrapped well and dispatched quickly. Very happy 

I’m interested in this. I’m in Stirling. Is that a shipping transaction?

1 hour ago, ead said:

As a fellow ACG addict I can say that I have just got the bug too although mine is a reliced faker.  Different to your std P bass and almost the complete antithesis of an ACG filter preamped bass, there is just something about them that I really like but find hard to put my finger on.  If you're a finger style peep then finding somewhere for your thumb is trickier but not impossible.

 

If you're anywhere near me you are welcome to come and try it out btw.

Yes…I like the ACG but as you allude to…the filter pre takes up 85% of your brain to work out…I’ve had it 6 months and still fiddling. Don’t want to ditch it but fancy something simple.

1 hour ago, Bassfinger said:

The Squier CV is the '54 body shape, so wouldn't look terribly convincing as a '51.

 

They're  great instruments  in their ownnright that punch well above their price point, so well worth a test play.

There’s a nice looking relic CV on eBay but it’s 1250. Seems overpriced but it sho is pretty

3 hours ago, kodiakblair said:

I love my single coil P-basses , so much I ended up with few.

 

 

Some other variations on the theme.

 

 

@lowlandtrees

 

I would suggest you try and play one first . If the tone is not for you then it's game over ; I tried plenty of different pickups/caps in  the builds , no matter the magnet type/ wire count it doesn't alter the character by much.

That’s my intention…..incidentally I live in Falkirk…

1 hour ago, Lozz196 said:

They’re great basses, still sound Precisiony but not quite so mid-biased. I’ve had a few but as I just use regular Precisions I always move them on as the sound Isn’t what I want for my bands. I still keep thinking of getting another, in the classic butterscotch but as they’re pretty rare they’re about a grand now.

So they kinda disappear in the mix?

Got some GAS for one of the above. Any advice? Seems that there are a few people taking Squier Classic Vibes and stripping them down and reselling at what appears to be 3 times the purchase price? What should I go for and how much should I pay?

The most important bass thing for me up till the present has been sound (ACG owner)…but…I have been seduced by how damned beautiful this bass looks, particularly the relic butterscotch with black pick guard. However if someone tells me that they look better than they sound I’ll reconsider.

If you can travel as far as Falkirk there’s a luthier called Ryan Gibson who is very good. 

1 hour ago, Beer of the Bass said:

Are they the wood peg variety? I'm afraid I don't have any obvious solutions, but I agree those are a bit of a bugger and I've had rattles from mine from time to time. I think as things wear, all the parts don't fit together as well as they would have done new.

Yes wood peg. I have a feeling that the should be left alone but am tempted to take them out. I think mybass is right (get someone else to do it) but just had a big bill for my other bass.