neepheid

Nice rescue, looking good. I sometimes miss my G-3. It maybe doesn't bug you, but the (suspected) hand painted Gibson logo bugs the heck out of me. I managed to get a gold waterslide Gibson logo done by a certain well known provider of comedy Fender decals for my Ripper rescue (although my hand was forced as the original one had been scrubbed off completely). So maybe something for the future - if it bugs you, of course.

I don't think these basses come with a hard case as standard, so how do you think they are transported around the place from factory to distributor to retailer to owner? In a cardboard box, in a gig bag if they come with one, in nothing but bubble wrap or one of those opaque white foamy bags with polystyrene blocks to keep the neck OK. It'll be fine, and if it isn't, that's (unfortunately) what insurance is for.

Is this the same variable mid control found in the BQC/BQS preamps, just used in isolation? Seems to have the same frequency range/boost and cut levels according to the graphs on the user manuals. In that case then yes, the EMG mid control is a lot of fun - even after you stop putting the mids to max boost then rotating the sweep ring for a wah-like effect

I have no cheesemaking skills whatsoever. Does that mean if a cheesemaker hands me a piece of defective cheese I have to just chow down with a straight face and say "mmm, that's delicious"?

June 5th 2015: The Moorings, Aberdeen. Photos by Matt Jolly of Matt Jolly Photography, reposted with kind permission.

When I dismantle anything, I try to keep track of which screws came out of which holes. Dunno why, probably OCD or learned by dismantling laptops with their myriad screw sizes.

Design flaw, or pay attention when dismantling/reassembling?

When are these ruddy couriers going to start doing such a good job that it's a negligible risk to send anything anywhere? Why should it be at either the seller or the buyer's own risk? Something is rotten about the whole thing. I should be able to send a reasonably packed duck egg via a courier and expect it to be in one piece at the other end AND if it's broken whilst in the possession of the courier then it's THEIR fault - shouldn't need insurance for that.

There's a house amp? Love it, saves me lugging one to the gig.

No problems with the two Tributes (L-2000, M-2000) which I have had the pleasure of owning, if it helps add to the statistical reassurance.

[quote name='Cameronj279' timestamp='1434627183' post='2801289'] I did not! I shall next year though. The funny shapes intimidated me I think [/quote] Ha, you mustn't worry about that. I'll bring the freakshow circus with me next time

[quote name='dudewheresmybass' timestamp='1434629431' post='2801318'] I played three different levels of t bird the other day at Andertons. The entry level bolt on neck sounded terrible, but played ok, whereas the classic (?) set neck epiphone kicked even the USA version to the curb. The epiphone had a clarity and bite that the USA didn't. The USA sounded weak and lifeless to both myself and the guitarists I took with me. The USA left me cold, and wondering why it cost over a thousand pounds more than the epiphone model [/quote] If it's the rather wordy Epiphone Thunderbird Classic IV PRO you're talking about, then it's through neck and uses exactly the same pickups as the USA model. If that particular Epiphone sounded better to you than that particular Gibson, go get it and save yourself a packet. Epiphone gear is decent, just ask any Jack Casady owner.

Have I not bored everyone to death about it yet? My wife bought me my Gibson RD Artist, I never want to sell it for that reason alone but it's also a fantastic bass and if I was reduced to only this one, it wouldn't be the worst fate in the world but I hope it doesn't come to that

[quote name='Cameronj279' timestamp='1434616538' post='2801153'] This may be a stupid question but bear in mind I know nothing at all about Thunderbird basses. Do they naturally sound very muddy and fuzz effected or is that a sound coming from the amp? [/quote] No, they don't, but that's just my ears talking and I only have experience of the non-reverse Did you not have a shottie of my NR at Moffat?

[quote name='NancyJohnson' timestamp='1434483587' post='2800101'] Just out of curiosity are the pots the same ones that were on my NR that I sent you? You know all about my woes there. Maybe they were just cock. [/quote] They are the ones you sent me, nothing wrong with their values, it's the taper that's wrong for (Gibson) tone controls so all their action is concentrated at the end.

[quote name='el borracho' timestamp='1434469188' post='2799942'] The only time I tried my M2500 with standard length strings through the bridge there was a visible lifting of the bridge. Very slight but enough for me to replace the strings and go straight back to through body. [/quote] If you want to top load your 5 string G&L, here's a (reversible) modification... http://www.bassesbyleo.com/l2500_bridge_mod.html

[quote name='HengistPod' timestamp='1434465474' post='2799866'] On arriving at the gig around tea-time, we found a jazz band already set up. Much dismay was in evidence. [/quote] If that had happened to me (and if they hadn't been as nice as they were to you), they'd have had to redraw the map of Mull as half of it would have been vaporised in a massive explosion of frustration and anger

I have no strong opinions either way, it's a purely aesthetic choice as far as I'm concerned. Wood's wood to me and as long as the wood is of sufficient structural integrity to stay in the right shape whilst counteracting string tension then I'm as happy as a pig in the proverbial. I don't expect to end the cyclical debate with this revelation

This is the Greco I'd love to snag:

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1434359098' post='2798806'] Leo Fender must have thought it made a difference, as even after it had been removed on Fender basses, through body stringing was included in the final design of MusicMan basses. I think he left it out on G&L though. I can string through the body on all my basses and I've tried on 2 of them. I didn't notice much difference in sound or feel, but then my senses aren't that finely tuned. There are no down sides to through body stringing and only you can decide if you discover any benefits. [/quote] G&L 5 string basses are through body strung and they really ought to be strung that way as if you top load a G&L 5 stringer then your bridge is held down only with the two screws at the side. Through body stringing is part of the structural integrity of the deal. From my Gibsonny point of view, through body stringing means the three point bridge has no hope of pulling the inserts out of the body so it's a win for me. Also through body strung Gibsons tended to have the strings going through the body behind the bridge instead of underneath it so if you don't do it then you've got some redundant (and painfully obvious) holes in your bass for no reason. Fine if you're a bit steampunk I suppose

I'm terrible with names and faces, I need to have met the particular piece of tonewood a few times before recognition kicks in.