pikeman

One bass that has stayed with me since the early 80's and I'll not move on is a JV Squier P I bought new in 1983/4. The custom built Warwick Thumb and the pre EB Sabre have long gone but the Squier is still around. Sorry about the crap photo.

[quote name='allighatt0r' post='1168492' date='Mar 19 2011, 05:09 PM']I went to my local Focus DIY today in search of a suitable drill bit. Decided that 1.5mm was too small and 2.5mm was too large, and couldn't find a 2mm bit. Grrr... I will have to try again another day.[/quote] I've loads of drill bits if you need to borrow one.

[quote name='BigRedX' post='1163362' date='Mar 15 2011, 05:17 PM']On a slightly more serious note, is that really a Mosrite? The headstock doesn't look right at all.[/quote] Yes, it's a bog standard one. My coat's already on.

[quote name='muttley' post='1156693' date='Mar 10 2011, 02:51 PM']Bilbo: thanks for the info re the Major's Boot Camp. I'm downloading them now . pikeman: West Suffolk. I'm going to pop into Sounds Plus in BSE at the w/e to look at some basses.[/quote] Quite local to me then, I'm in Lakenheath.

Hi Muttley, welcome to the site. Another Suffolk bassist here. Don't be afraid to ask questions on here, they're a really knowledgeable, friendly bunch. What part of the county are you in? Good luck getting your first bass. Steve.

I bought an Ibanez SR500 several months ago which came with Elixirs fitted. So far, no sign of the dreaded threading and the strings still sound good and have settled in nicely. I don't play that bass with a pick though, more to save the bass's finish than anything else.

[quote name='dmccombe7' post='1151652' date='Mar 6 2011, 05:22 PM']Would agree that bass styles have changed over the yrs, however you are never too old to learn these styles and techniques and if like me you have taken more of an interest in studying and learning more about the bass for the past few years rather than playing in bands then you should have improved to a point where you can "hold your own". Its odd how when I started playing bass all those yrs ago I had the same thought. That the older guys couldn't cut it in modern bands. I'm not sure where that idea came from but like any other youngster i probably thought that anyone over 30 was too old to do anything worthwhile. Many of the exceptional bassists we regard as being top of their profession are similar age to myself if not older ie Berlin, Jameson, Manring, Haslip, Cottle, Bruce, Squire, Lee to name but a few so not really sure why you think that. I'm not sure why your local bassists can't cut it. Any particular reason ? Are you talking about a particular style of playing. ? It would be interesting to know why and would maybe help explain why you can't offer support to a fellow bassist who has obviously had some difficult times recently and is making the effort to get back out there. We all age but we don't need to give up the ghost. Dave[/quote] Please don't feel that I was offended by JTUK's comments. In fact I find myself agreeing with him to a certain extent. You only have to spend a short time on Youtube to find young bassists who are decades ahead of where we were at that age. It's quite scary just how good some of them are. Notice I said "some". I know I'll never be as good as I used to be and I'm quite happy with that, I now play for enjoyment only so please don't feel sorry for me. My hand, which was crushed and broken in 10 places doesn't hurt like it used to, I thank playing a nylon string acoustic and later bass for helping get some dexterity back into my fingers. I was advised to exercise to slow down the inevitable arthritis that will set in, so it's a win /win situation. Bass playing is great therapy for both fingers and mind.

[quote name='allighatt0r' post='1151541' date='Mar 6 2011, 03:40 PM']Ordered my black pickguard and chrome bridge cover today [/quote] We'll have to get together and compare Dark Ryders when yours is finished. I quite fancied a black scratchplate on mine but for some perverse reason decided to keep the original white R plate on it. After fitting a Fender pickup I thought I'd done enough for now. I have to admit though, it's a dream to play and has a great sound.

[quote name='dmccombe7' post='1151265' date='Mar 6 2011, 10:52 AM']You've obviously put a lot into this audition so keep at it and good luck. A Migraine and cancelled the audition with 6 bassists lined up. Mmm !!! I still go to work when I take a migraine. What will happen if its a gig. On the plus side you have more time to prepare. All the very best Dave [/quote] Just what I was thinking Dave. I still have to work with a migraine and I'm a photographer, thank God for autofocus. As you say, it gives me time to prepare a bit more. I was just talking the my better half and realised in all my years of playing, going back to the 60's, I've never actually had an audition of any kind. I suppose having to prove ones ability is something I'll have to come to terms with.

Oh bugger, I've just had a phone call and the audition has been cancelled, the singer has a migraine. All that worrying for nothing. No date set for another audition yet. I've gone from nervous to disappointed. Sorry to put you guys through it with me. Still feeling the love though. Steve.

Wow, I'm really feeling the love here guys. Group hug time. Thank you all for your great words of encouragement. Well, everything is packed so if I don't know the six songs they've given me by now , I never will. I just wish they hadn't added Stevie Wonder's "I wish", that one really gets the fingers in a tangle. I'm taking the Dark Ryder with the Ibanez as a back up. I don't suppose I'll hear back from them for a few days but I'll give you my impressions this evening. Thanks again , funnily enough I don't feel too nervous today.

Thanks for your kind wishes. I've been given 45 minutes to impress so it is a bit of a baptism of fire. However it turns out I'm sure I'll enjoy it and hopefully my first step back to doing something that used to be my job but has always been my love. I'm thinking of taking the Dark (Sue) Ryder P bass with me, that should get some sympathy.

I've not played in a band for almost 20 years. I suffered a serious hand injury which put paid to my career as a session bassist. About 2 years ago I set myself a challenge to play the bass again and lots of time and pain and hard work has now got me to the stage where I think I could play live again. To cut a long story short, I've an audition with a gigging band tomorrow. I'm one of 6 bassists trying out and not very confident of getting the gig but that's not the point, just being at the stage of having a bass in my hands and playing with other musicians in something I never thought I'd see again. I'm very nervous but quite pleased with myself at the same time. Wish me luck.

[quote name='mcnach' post='1140978' date='Feb 25 2011, 11:15 AM']what sound were you describing? I'm buying a DiMarzio DP127 for one of teh basses, because it seems like a nice beast. It won't be P-bass like, not too much, but I also considered do an "Ou7shined" of sorts, and put a 'Ray type pickguard with an MM pickup... so P-bass tone is not the objective there. The third one, however... will be the one with flats (Chromes arrived today, will try at the weekend) and I haven't decided which pickup will go there. I might just leave it stock, but ideally I'd like something with a bit more mids to make the flats, with the tone control rolled down "a bit", sound a bit more punchy. That's the one where I thought Thumpers might be good, based on other people's comments.[/quote] It's always hard ( for me ) to describe a sound but I wanted something with lots of low end but still remaining clear, not mushy. I'm finding that with my normal P bass EQ, I'm having to back the treble off quite a bit with the Thumper and also set the tone on the bass more towards the bass side. These things really work a 4x10 and tweeter hard. I've now got a P bass with extremes of variation in tones and somewhere in the middle sounds just fine. Nice to have a lot of variation for a change.

[quote name='martthebass' post='1139899' date='Feb 24 2011, 01:08 PM']I've struggled along for a couple weeks without doing a saddle adjustment - I've done about as much as I can do with the rod now tho and need to fettle it a the bridge end. Could someone let me know the key size - none of mine fit and unfortunately Sue didn't think to include one in my pack, Cheers, Mart[/quote] 1/16 inch or 1.5 mm both fit the bridge.

[quote name='theplumber' post='1139489' date='Feb 24 2011, 01:29 AM']Are any of you guys playing gigs with the new bass guitars..or just w***ing off over them..if you pardon that expression..... [/quote] I'm not in a band at the moment but have an audition next week and plan to use the Dark Ryder for that. I'll make sure I clean it up first though.

[quote name='lemmywinks' post='1138414' date='Feb 23 2011, 12:03 PM']If you want the Navy/Maple on in the shop near me i could post it to you at cost*....... [size=1]*Last time i used Interparcel it was about £8[/size][/quote] No I better not, I've got too many projects on the go at the moment. Thanks for the very kind offer though. Steve.

[quote name='allighatt0r' post='1138397' date='Feb 23 2011, 11:53 AM']If anyone is still trying to get hold of a Ryder bass, there is a Red one with a maple fretboard sat in the window of the Thetford shop.[/quote] Tempted.....no I mustn't. If it were navy I'd be in the car by now.

Welcome Jack, love your avatar, my favourite album.

[quote name='The Admiral' post='1133867' date='Feb 19 2011, 11:05 PM']+1 for Andy @ Wizard and the 'Thumpers'. Fantastic for the money, and great customer service when I dealt with him recently.[/quote] I'm in the same boat, looking for a P pickup. I've been calling Wizard for days but get a recorded message saying they'll get back to me. Still waiting. Edit Finally got through to Andy who was really helpful and suggested a Thumper would give me the sound I described. Ordered on Monday morning, the pickup arrived on Wednesday morning. Brilliant service and what a sound, who needs actives with these babies, rich lows with as much top end as you need. Great pickup.

I went in to my local Sue Ryder shop on the off chance they had a bass left. No such luck. I came out the proud owner of a new guitar stand for £7-99. Packs up nice and small and fits in my bag a treat. Now to start modding it.

I bought mine purely for the body and bridge. I've had an old D shape neck hanging around for a while needing a new home. I didn't like the Ryder neck, too chunky. I've changed the pups, put straplocks on it but decided to keep the scratchplate , I'll change the pots as and when. I've ended up with a great playing and sounding bass that's as good as any Precision I've had for very little money. This one's a keeper. Wished I'd bought two as I have a fretless neck doing nothing.

Talking to a couple of Basschatters who've bought these it seems that a further donation was added at the time of purchase. This is really a win / win situation for all concerned. Personally, I've had great fun modding my Dark Ryder. Mines more or less finished, I fitted an old Fender pickup this morning and honestly, it sounds as good as any Precision I've played and that's quite a few over the last 40 years. My God, that long!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can't wait to try it in anger now.

[quote name='allighatt0r' post='1125866' date='Feb 13 2011, 12:33 PM']Gigged my Ryder last night! I took my Washburn with me just in case, but ended up using the Ryder all night. So far all that's changed from stock is a neck shim and a set of flatwounds. I'm quite excited about getting the new pickups, as the stock one seems to clip(!?)[/quote] What pups are you putting in there plus you'll have to let me know if you're gigging local soon, would love to hear it?