Shylock

Thanks both for your offers. There is no rush as it works with thinner strings but it is more or less maxed out and is just one if those jobs I will get round to some day.

Thanks and will keep looking

May I ask what size washers you used, if you can recall, as I could not find any the right size - thanks

Holding down the strings on the last fret I am probably 3.5mm between pole and bottom of E string and 3 mm on G string - might try increasing height a shade then on E. Great colour by the way!

I put the usual Gotoh 201 bridge, approx cost £40. on my white BB414 and really improved the tone. Also changed tuners to Hipshot licensed Ultralites, approx £65. They each weigh 40g and saved about 240g overall in weight and now much better balance and no neck dive. Fitted quite well but smaller footprint and can see 'tan' marks

Yes there are two holes exposed as the one screw of an Ultralite just fits the third screw of a stock machine head, the one on its own. There is also a lighter shading exposed where the smaller Ultralite does not cover the whole footprint of the original. Bit annoying but you cant see it when playing and certainly a worth while exercise.

Yes I recently put some Hipshot Licensed Ultralites on my BB 414 and they made a great difference to how it sits with no neck dive at all and now a great balance. Got them from Bass Direct and well worth it.

To be honest not a louder than a solid bass and I would not buy one if you plan to play unplugged. Probably best to get an acoustic bass.

I think Funktion Junction is his band if it is still active https://www.funktionjunction.com/

Sorry and it is review only.

Yeah I saw that and good upgrades. There is also this one on gumtree which is made in Korea and looks in good condition plus case. https://www.gumtree.com/p/guitar-instrument/epiphone-jack-cassidy-bass-/1370308830

Brand: Epiphone Model: Jack Casady Signature Bass So here’s the thing...I only bought this bass in Sept 2019 because the band I was in decided we would do more lower level acoustic type numbers with the guitarist swapping his strat for a semi accounting and the drummer on a cajon. My other main basses are a Gibbo T Bird, Fender US P and US J Bass and I whilst I was very happy with them I wanted a bass that looked a bit ‘softer’ in style and more in keeping with the look of the rest of the band. I prefer a long scale, as I do not like the tone on short scales, which means for a semi acoustic/hollow body bass this does limit your choice but with good reviews I sought a SH Epi Jack Casady out. Made with I believe a maple body and mahogany neck, semi acoustic/hollow body and modeled on the Gibson Les Paul Signature Bass by Jack Casaday , ex Jefferson Airplane/Hot Tuna, who I understand basically improved the pick up and Epiphone took it from there. However, what I was not expecting was how great this bass was and is and after six months remains probably my first choice over my others, and here’s why.... Its my lightest at 3.89kg/8.58Ib and whilst neck dive could be an issue a wide strap, as usual, stops this. However is does tilt forward a bit, like a T Bird, but easily remedied with the right leg slightly forward or resting right hand on top to counter balance whilst playing. Some may not like this though.The strap button on the neck is really in the wrong place but because it is hollow I am reluctant to move onto the top arm, where I think it should be. The neck is a mid size 1.66” wide at the nut and it does not get that much wider the further you go up meaning the dusty end is easier to play than a Fender that reverse tapers as you up the neck. The back is a shallow C and very very comfortable and better than my P Bass although probably not as good as my Jazz but very close. Its all in the tone though. It has a three way impedance switch and on lower 50 it has a vintage tone, on 250 sounds more like a P Bass and 500 adds a bit of grit. Now I appreciate that tone is personal, and I do prefer passive basses, but I find the Epi JC tone has a lot more depth, and sustain, than my other basses and my drummer prefers it, saying it also sounds smother. Now if this worries you I bought the bass from a much younger bassist who played it in a couple of hard rock bands. He just played on full 250 with the gritty almost distorted sound. It does have that Gibson three point bridge though which has mixed reviews, but I can get on with it okay although your classic Fender style bridge is more user friendly. Also I would not want to change the electrics and although I understand you can work through the hole, if you remove the pick up, it would be very challenging. I just hope the jack socket does not detach itself from the wiring harness. To conclude you get a lot of ‘bang for the buck’, it is greatly underrated and has a great tone. The quality and finish is good and is really incredible value for money. Having said this the lean forward and small neck dive is annoying I must admit I do find it uncomfortable.

I bought my 1999 Gibson T Bird some six years and it still my main gigging bass. I am fortunate as I also a Fender US Jazz and US P Bass, plus others, and whilst tonally at home Fenders may sound maybe a bit fuller with more top end when I compare using it with my band the T Bird noticeably cuts through the mix far better on the G String plus it is lighter, faster narrower neck and much better sounding when I use a plectrum for some numbers. OK so it does tip forward a little, but I have got used to that (just put your right leg forward to correct), and the dusty top end is a bit harder to reach, however the neck dive is a myth and no worse than my Fenders. I just wish Gibson were a bit entrepreneurial and bring them out in the colours like Fender do, not that I could afford a new one at 2018 prices.

Yeah that's what I thought and whereas I would given him the benefit of doubt if he was unaware he then went on to say Gibson had said it was Gibson. I suggested he put a photo of the back of the headstock with made in USA to show it was Gibson. But I think I will report it.

Saw this tonight https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gibson-Thunderbird-Bass-Purple-Gold/283165928384?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649 i contacted him pointing out that Gibson T'birds only have three knobs in a row and a different bridge and thus looks like a resprayed Epiphone thunderbird pro, the active one with four knobs, and he replied reckons Gibson have confirmed its a Gibson! Also no usual Gibson hardcase. Hmmmm....

If you are on facebook might be worth adding to https://www.facebook.com/groups/413529202110294/?ref=bookmarks a Leicester musicans page.

Sad news and I will keep an eye out as well in the area.

PM'd