Rick's Fine '52

[quote name='BassBod' timestamp='1354801238' post='1890543'] Now, once the strings are on, we are all expecting to see your YouTube version of the My Generation solo. I know it was played on a J bass with flats, but even so....its the decent thing to do after all that effort. Live in Northampton. [/quote] I may give it a go, but I know my limits, and thats probably beyond, but will be fun, to be honest, I always found that a very awkward sounding solo. love it though. We used to do a cover, of The Who's cover, of Summertime Blues, so I may do that instead, another great bass part from Mr E.!

[quote name='v8bass' timestamp='1354795903' post='1890421'] You know my thoughts on Fender .....but .... Thats white ..my YOB .....and lovely ... Good..... no Great job ....nice floor too Gary v8 Thanks for the kind words Gary, it [i]is[/i] a nice floor! [/quote]

[quote name='walbassist' timestamp='1354792599' post='1890363'] Oh dear, I was born in 1966..... I hope you have no plans selling this Rick! [/quote] i haven't even finished it yet!!! No plans on selling it, it's been a dream build for me, for many years, and taken me a year to make after I first acquired the scratchplate, but never say never, I have constant GAS..ahem...and my previous builds have all been eventually moved on, but certainly no short term plans to let it go, this is by far my best build to date, and because of the time and effort in sourcing the period parts, its unlikley to be going anywhere fast. Its also worth a few bob in parts alone, so any asking price would probably put most people off anyway. In order to sell, and make it affordable, I'd probably have to swap the original parts for reissues, which for me, would take the shine off it somewhat. It's mine.......all mine!! Mwah..ha...ha..ha!!

[quote name='Chris Horton' timestamp='1354740621' post='1889958'] When finished , How much roughly do you think that it will cost to put together ? [/quote] I'll email you the exact cost sheet Chris, showing the full breakdown. But it cost, in total, less than £750, and it has about the same value, or more of original parts alone. If I had gone reissue on the parts, it would have been about £450, but the original parts cost me more...obviously. My budget, having allocated potential outlay costs for each component, was £1300 when I set out, so delighted at some of the purchases made. The neck was the big saving for me though on this one. I've sourced and purchased another set of ferrulle bushings, which are on their way to me from texas as I type, so hopefully have it finished soon! (BTW, your strings should be with you tomorrow, I was a day late posting, due to a personal issue!, apologies)

Jamiroquai Led Zep Green Day No Doubt Cream RHCP The Jam U2 (yeah, really!) Stone Roses There's probably 100 more, but its late! , these immediately spring to mind though.

[quote name='dragan' timestamp='1354718121' post='1889509'] I guess I made an mistake for using "bullet".. I thought you were saying that trussrods were at the bottom on the neck,as I claim it's on the top (at the headstock) [/quote] No probs, bullet truss, is the large chrome dome (Bullet), that sticks out of the truss rod plug, at the headstock, on a 3-bolt neck plate. '82 era Fullerton vintage reissues (V serial) have traditional heel end truss adjustment, and walnut plugs at the headstock, as the originals. The '83 Dan Smith type models (as these pics), and generally E-series, tend to have the headstock adjustment, with an attempt at concealment, within a classic styled plug (Plastic, not walnut).

[quote name='Hutton' timestamp='1354701650' post='1889224'] Here's pics of my 83 (bottom pic) and 84 (top pic)headstocks. Confusion has arisen as 83 was a transition period with parts being used up. However, 83-85 Standrad Jazzes and Precisions didn't have bullet truss rods adjusters. This was the time when the bi-flex truss rod was introduced hence the change in adjusters. [/quote] This.

I leave the bridge cover on when playing, but the pup cover stays off, as its where i play. When I'm not playing, and theyre hung on the wall, both covers are fitted. Damping has never been a problem because my technique is so good, i don't use my palm, thats for amateurs.

[quote name='dragan' timestamp='1354613804' post='1887945'] AV allright, but standard 1983 P basses had bullets on the headstock. [/quote] Incorrect.

[quote name='ped' timestamp='1354636351' post='1888477'] [i][u][b]So do we all like the sound of a single payment for a one off advert and the option of a single yearly payment?[/b][/u][/i] [/quote] Yep

I fully support all the proposals stated above.... ...but also agree that the £20/year fee is slightly unbalanced. Some people may try and sell a £2k bass every month, whilst others may sell a £125 beginner bass just once in the year, meaning they'd probably not bother. Instead of the annual fee, could you not charge say £2 per listing, which, IMO, would not hinder anyone from choosing to list, and would probably generate more revenue than £20/year, as the number of contributors, I think, would be far less. How will it work with other marketplace listings, such as strings for example, someone trying to offer a fellow basschatter a bargain set of strings for a tenner, isnt going to pay a £20 fee first. Likewise, someone may have an old set of knobs that could really help a fellow bc'er out, but for £5, wont pay a £20 fee, so we users could lose out? I've recently contributed, following a sale, but accept that many don't, which is unfortnuate, and a shame. Perhaps a listing fee, meaning you cannot hit the 'post' button, until you've paid, would be better, and fairer, so as not to stop the marketplace alltogether...i think a £20 fee would slow it down considerably. I appreciate the difficulty in striking a balance, and hats off for what is already being done...I don't envy you one little jot. You can't please all the people......etc!

[quote name='BassBod' timestamp='1354570414' post='1887627'] Gotta be Roto's on that one...... [/quote] Yes, you're right, I'm sticking with Plan A.

[quote name='Mabrothrax' timestamp='1354563244' post='1887468'] Damn. Please tell me you're gonna put flats on that beauty? [/quote] I think I'm going pure Entwhistle, and gonna put Rotasounds roundwounds on it, I'm not a flats fan anyway to be honest, although I do have them on my original stuff, as much for the sound, and also to save the frets. Undecided at the moment, maybe flats, you've got me thinking now.

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1354562783' post='1887456'] so.... how does it SOUND? [/quote] Let me get the bloody strings on it first!!!

[quote name='Wooks79' timestamp='1354506075' post='1886786'] This is an awesome build thread, loving your work Rick! [/quote] Thank you Sir!

[quote name='skej21' timestamp='1354488903' post='1886676'] Once, when I buy the bass. After that, I've never had to bother with it. Most of my basses have been pretty settled and haven't needed any 'tweaking'... Maybe I've just been lucky? [/quote] This. Even when I change strings I never have to change the action. The only time i change the action is when i first get a bass, and then only if its not to my taste.

[quote name='Bassman Sam' timestamp='1354489542' post='1886684'] STUNNING!! Opps, caps lock on but worth shouting about. [/quote] Thanks Sam, appreciate that!

[quote name='Chris Horton' timestamp='1354476636' post='1886461'] Wow , the bass is looking fantastic Rick ! It will all come to life when the strings are on What a thing of beauty [/quote] Thanks Chris, yes indeed, can't wait to get it strung up!

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1354477266' post='1886472'] Is that Amtico flooring, by the way? [/quote] Perhaps we should start a flooring 'build' thread? No, it isnt, looked at it, but it didnt suit!

[quote name='LawrenceH' timestamp='1354449517' post='1885991'] Looks great! But a bit uncomfortable, here's a tip - sand over the edges a bit and contour it where the forearm rests. [/quote] It's actually not at all, although I regularly play slab basses ('52's & Tele's), so I guess I'm used to 'em. It's also remarkably light, I'll get it on the scales.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1354403700' post='1885707'] Jesus Christ Rick, that is truly amazing! Very impressed - I await further developments with bated trousers. [/quote] Thanks for the comment, it[i] is [/i]amazing, I'm more than impressed with the finished look. Even better in the flesh........if you're ever in the area?

Problem...I can't find the tuner ferrules, which means I can't screw on the tuners, and string her up!!! Nooooooooooo!!! I was tempted to strip one of my others for the parts, but that would be silly, and show my impatience, so I'll get some, and wait, so this is as far as I'll take her until I get some. So I've added the 3 strap buttons, (remembering that the one on the body end is slightly offset on these, and not centrally located, to stop the twist when hung from a strap, due to the body not being contoured), and the covers. Despite the frustration of not being able to string it, I'm delighted with the results so far, and it will be by far my best build yet. So this is as far as it go's today, here's a couple of final assembly pics (Tuners aside), one of her naked, and one of her with her clothes on. Thanks for looking.