Marky L

Wow, I totaly missed this thread somehow! Yup I have a Gibson T'bird and I do love it, warts and all. Saying that I hadn't gigged it for a long time until a month or so back and thoroughly enjoyed doing so. The neck dive is a pain but you get used to it and I suppose my appaling right hand pick technique works well with the T'bird as I don't really have any issues there. I like the slim yet chunky neck though playing up the dusty end can be a bit of a challenge. And yes it should be hanging around your knees! Tonally I do think it is a wee bit limited but then I am a bit of an "it's either on or off" type guy. I find it has a big fat sound that lacks a little brightness maybe but has yards of sustain. I've never had issues through my Ashdown gear either, but maybe I like what others would see as a ropey sound? I dunno. It does of course absolutely scream RAAAAAAAAAAWK!!! at you, I love the look but maybe the body is the tiniest bit small. Could it take another centimetre all the way round? Oh and I think the headstock is delightful. If they're good enough for Paul Grey (ex Damned, UFO etc) and what he can wring out of them then they're good enough for me.

Surely, what goes on tour stays on tour???? You never know who could be reading this!

What a great fun afternoon! Thanks to John for the organisation and thanks to those who let me have a go on their gear. Especially Martin for setting up the "rig of doom!!! I have to get a valve head now!! Small world too. Ben being aware of the covers band I'm in thanks to the singer in one of the bands he is in and also both Ian and I knowing we knew each other from somewhere but just couldn't figure it out! Loved his 8 becomes 6 bass and what incerdible playing too. Thanks again, it was great meeting all of you.

[quote name='Dom in Somerset' post='891782' date='Jul 11 2010, 09:31 AM']Please bring your Gibson T bird!!!!!!! I'd love to try it.[/quote] Will do!! In need of new strings and a decent set up.. like most of my gear!! Not sure if I'll bring my rig as there'll be plenty of others there.

Want to be there and if I can sort things I will, though not 100% yet. Planning to bring my Shukker JJB and the wobbly neck Fender P. I could poss bring the Gibson T'bird if anyone is interested. I can bring ampage too - Ashdown 500 head, Neo2x10 and Neo1x15, if that is any use?

Uh hell yeah!!! It's the only reason I do it. I couldn't give a flying f**k about the music or bass playing!!! Arf!!

Here's a couple from a local festival we did last week ("borrowed" the pics from someone's facebook post!). Currently sporting what I originally wanted to be a Lemmy stylee 'tache/chops combo... but as my supposed friend reckons it's actually more like Derek Smalls!! Oh and is obvious, the guy doing the smoke was getting horribly carried away! [attachment=53859:xch_me_2.jpg] [attachment=53861:xch_me_6.jpg]

"A one off" .... that's one too many IMHO.

I am hoping to but at the moment it is looking a bit dodgy. If I can I'll bring my Shuker JJB, a P bass too? If I can make it I could bring my cabs n head too. What is the address again?

Huh.. Canadians!!

Just want to add my thanks to Chris for selling me his Sansamp BDDI which is bloomin' brilliant! Thanks for all your help Chris and your excellent packaging too Cheers Mark

Has anyone had a go with one of the BTA heads from Ashdown? I can't find any real reviews online and am intrigued to find out find out more.

[quote name='BB2000' post='870372' date='Jun 17 2010, 11:22 PM']I thought all used Fenders were ex-Beedster or ex-Clarky [/quote] Oh they are! And that's 100% fact!

Oh blimey!! That is lovely! I bet the bids will run soon, pity the dollar rate is utterly dreadful right now or it would be an even better deal. I presume the colour is as per manufacture being a CIJ bass, it's not a re-fin is it?

Hey Clarky, yup I'm happy with the action and it's an easy enough neck to get on with too. I'm wondering if I need to stick a shim under it as the E string saddle is right down as low it'll go and the G is pretty low too. I'm thinking that a luthier is going to charge more than it's worth TBH which is why I fancied giving it a shot but I'm a bit cowardly too. I'm happy to learn stuff but need to be shown really, that seems to be the way I learn things best.

Yes, it is ALL of the neck I am thinking of. I'm sort of getting the impression that after sanding down, which worries me a little, then just spray away (frets included) and then clean them down afterwards. I'm lurching between "ahh just get on an try it" and "uh oh, here's a hug rod for my back". Thinking further, what does it actually matter if the frets get varnished too and I leave it? Would it drastically affect the sound and maybe feel? I guess after a playing for a while, the action of fretting a string would wear the varnish off the frets. Just thinking aloud (and hoping to be lazy...).

[quote name='Ou7shined' post='861299' date='Jun 8 2010, 06:13 PM']Nice bit of lateral thinking but I think it would be easier to simply remove the frets, spray it and put new ones back in.... but that's me.[/quote] Removing frets!?!? Oh my oh my! I am starting to think that maybe I like the pale maple silky look! Never removed, nor replaced a fret in my life.

[quote name='Clarky' post='861224' date='Jun 8 2010, 05:04 PM']So the L in MarkyL doesn't stand for Luthier then? [/quote] Alas no.. Far from it.

Yeah, this is replacing a funsome "lively" neck and I don't want to end up cooking and twisting from too much hot sun.. but I do like the concept. I was actually thinking of doing the fretboard too (*runs and hides) and was wondering about coating the frets with wax instead of little strips of masking tape prior to varnishing. I do have a very clear and disturbing image in my mind of me blubbing, holding a buggered neck and mumbling "Why the f**k did I even think about doing this..."

Thanks for the replies. I'll see about ordering a can for the link Ou7shined.. and I have a very faint (very I might add) twinge of guilt! Indeed Mr. F. I had thought about that.. but I want to use it!

I picked up an aftermarket maple P neck from Clarky and it's just what I was after.. except it just looks a bit too new! It has a light toned maple look to it and I guess has a silk varnish coating as standard. I really want a darker amber/honey look to it and probably glossy too. Now I am a DIY fool so it needs to be easy.. i.e. spray can. Do I just lay some masking tape over the frets? What varnish should I use? Any advice greatfully received Mark

Bought Clarky's spare maple P neck from him and as ever it was a super easy transaction and very quick delivery. Cheers mate! Mark

Sid = rosewood. End of!! You can then sell me the maple neck... seriously!!

Did you get it? I was considering it but the details offered were just a bit thin on the ground and I wonder how much else had been changed that he was unaware of. Still £979 (IIRC) could be a very sweet bargain. 70's s'plates seem to be around £100 or a bit less so not much to get it back to original if that was all it needs.