99ster

[quote name='BassBod' post='312747' date='Oct 23 2008, 09:26 AM']That sound was something special - Alembics and whatever was giving the fuzzzzz. I never could understand what happened to his sound later, the stuff I've heard with Warwick and Status basses just sounds thin and over effected to me...but I'm sure this is more to do with his choice of effects/signal chain than the basses themselves?[/quote] Unfortunately I fear that horrible sound he had in the last few years may have come about because he had severe hearing problems by then - it was probably the only way he could hear what he was doing over the tinnitus. He had lost much of his hearing by the time he died.

[quote name='ARGH' post='311580' date='Oct 21 2008, 09:18 PM']Its Owned by the guy that owns Music ground...(and Half of Denmark st)...in Leeds..Ive played it..the 'Sid' Bass...its a bit f***ed....And dosent work..I dont think you can get a sound out of it,I picked it up,under watchful eyes about 6-7 years ago... Its a P-Bass thats mashed up,but its not THEE Sid Bass (Black/White)...But why would you want to have or be proud of an instrument thats be owned by someone that COULD NOT and did NOT Play on the records of the band he was part of.[/quote] Yep - that's the one & he told me he wanted £20,000 for it! Seriously.

[quote name='Paul Cooke' post='311282' date='Oct 21 2008, 01:31 PM']when did Fender start using crosspoint screws?[/quote] 1950's... They were using philips/crosshead screws on pickguards from 1952/3 onwards. And the mounting screws for tuners changed around 1957 to philips/crosshead.

[quote name='budget bassist' post='306977' date='Oct 15 2008, 11:49 AM']I'm supposed to be doing a little presentation on bass, the history of, the technical parts, some famous players, techniques, effects etc, can you guys reccommend any good websites for research etc? cheers guys[/quote] [url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bass-Book-Complete-Illustrated-History/dp/0879309245/ref=sr_1_25?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1224068576&sr=1-25"]This book[/url] would be very helpful for you...

[url="http://www.andyviccarscustom.co.uk/"]Andy Viccars[/url] will do a great job for you - he's based in Milton Keynes...

Good to see you back Chris!

[quote name='bassaussie' post='290670' date='Sep 24 2008, 11:04 AM']I think your knowledge on this sort of thing is far more complete than mine, so could you confirm or deny what I said about the rosewood board? I'm near certain I'm correct in that it should be maple, but would like an expert's opinion.[/quote] Yes - as far as I know (wouldn't call myself an expert!) Fender only did maple boards on their Tele basses... I've never seen one with a rosewood board.

[quote name='bassaussie' post='290543' date='Sep 24 2008, 08:21 AM']Lot's of issues here. Telecasters first appeared in 1968, so it's reasonably easy to date the hardware. [list] [*]The string holder is not a Fender [*]Serial number appears to be missing from the neck plate [*]Tuners are early 60s model - notice they don't say "Fender", and the baseplate is the wrong shape [*]Nut width should be Precision - to me, the width looks to be a Jazz, although that may just be the photograph [*]Bridge is wrong for a Tele - the Tele bridge only has two saddles, for each pair of strings [*]I might be wrong about this, but a 60's Tele should have either a maple cap or a one piece maple neck, I don't think they used rosewood on Teles from this period (or if they used rosewood at all) [*]Something about the headstock shape looks wrong, in that the round part at the end doesn't look round enough, and the cutaway on the lower edge looks too straight, but again, that may just be the photography [*]The three ply scratchplate is wrong, it should either be one ply, or an unbevelled three ply that looks to be one play. I think the bevelled three ply scratchplate only appeared on the second generation Tele (the one with the humbucker), and that scratchplate is a completely different shape. [*]The overall shape and cut of the body is wrong. First, it should be more "slab" like. Second, the lower edge (behind the bridge) should be much straight, not as rounded as it is [/list][/quote] +1 I'd pretty definitely say that this is not a 60's Telecaster bass (& never has been) - there's nothing 'right' about it at all - just a huge list of things wrong. But that said - it might be a cool project bass for somebody if the price stays low...

[quote name='Sibob' post='290488' date='Sep 24 2008, 12:27 AM']I'd like to suggest that Jim's (99ster) 1960 Jazz Bass is probably worth the most! Si[/quote] Hi Si, IF it was all original/un-molested then it would be worth a LOT of money (in the region of £15-20K) as I've established that it is one the very earliest Jazz basses made by Fender in 1960 (& there were reckoned to have only been around 200-250 Jazz basses made in 1960 in total as they only started to ship/sell them towards the end of the year). But even in its restored condition I've been advised to insure it for £8K - though it's a very difficult thing to value as it's such a rare bass... Though I actually prefer that isn't in original/vintage condition as I can happily play it every day (& enjoy it's incredible neck) without worrying about damaging it!

[quote name='owen' post='278709' date='Sep 6 2008, 05:04 PM']I have an old Jazz. I lent it to a student. It now seems to have a tough to shift layer of grime on it and the neck, which was down to bare wood many years ago feels dry What do I use to clean it? The paint is nitro and is trashed beyond, but I could really do without the grime aspect. I have tried Dunlop 65 guitar polish because I had some lying around but it does not seem to have done the trick. I am aware that lending it out was risky at best TIA[/quote] [url="http://www.fender.com/products//search.php?partno=0990512000"]Fender 'Color Restorer' polish[/url] is what you want for the body... I've had great results on old basses. But not sure what do recommend for areas of bare wood - probably best to look at the other Fender Meguiars products - they do a complete guitar care kit that is excellent.

[quote name='slobluesine' post='272506' date='Aug 29 2008, 01:04 PM']i'm being told that i have a twist on the neck of my old Jazz bass, how the heck do you tell AND if true is there a fix? looks and plays ok to me!![/quote] There's a list of recommended luthiers here for good advice: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=253"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=253[/url] I'd recommend [url="http://www.andyviccarscustom.co.uk/"]Andy Viccars[/url] if you're near to Milton Keynes.

[quote name='ped' post='267760' date='Aug 22 2008, 12:13 PM']Good to hear they are nice to everyone! I went in there to ask how to do some basic functions using Ableton Live (I had seen the keyboard bloke playing with it) and he was more than happy to sit me down and talk me through it, even though I wasn't there to buy. When I do want the full version, guess where I will buy it from? The difference in price (sometimes nothing, £10-£20, sometimes more) is nothing compared to good customer service. That is priceless.[/quote] I've always had pretty good experiences at Oxford PMT - bought a little Ashdown practice amp there recently & the price was competitive - but was more impressed that the shop manager (can't remember his name) came over to ask about the bass I was playing (was on the way to a rehearsal so had my '60 Jazz in the car) & we had a good chat about vintage guitars - he was very cool. As said by numerous others here - just making the effort to talk to your customers/be friendly will get you more business.... AND surely Mr Bass Cellar it would make your working day in the shop much more enjoyable... or am I missing something?

[url="http://www.resonatemag.com/coverVid.swf"]RESONATE[/url]

These are 'ING EXPENSIVE - but they look fabulous... [url="http://www.henbev.com/b4gallery.html"]http://www.henbev.com/b4gallery.html[/url]

Well I'm pretty impressed so far - in many ways seems much better than either 'Bass Player' or 'BGM'...

I think this has been mentioned before on another insurance related post - but you should really check out (of all things) [url="http://www6.marksandspencer.com/pages/default.asp?PageId=pc&Product=HI"]Marks & Spencers Premier[/url] home contents insurance. It gives me [u]unlimited[/u] cover - for everything both inside my house AND they're also covered for worldwide travel. Highly recommended.

Here's my old girl W2935 - bought her new in 1987... my first really good bass (£650 I think it was - which was a fortune to me at the time). A classic Mach I 4 string - with American Walnut facings. Has been a great friend for over 20 years now. And will be buried with me! [attachment=11637:87_wal_C...ll_front.jpg] Was re-fretted & the neck refinished by Pete a couple of years ago - not long before it all came to an end. And he very kindly signed & dated the butt of the neck for me. I don't have the picture of my Mach I fretless that I so VERY foolishly PX'ed in crap deal that I knew was a blunder within 5 minutes of leaving the shop. Oh the total misery of selling a Wal...

[quote name='Rayman' post='252147' date='Jul 31 2008, 04:27 PM']Saw him play with TGTBTQ a couple of years back. He's certainly a cool geezer, with a very distinctive style, but I have to confess, I didn't make it to the end of the gig, I'd heard enough after an hour and left, one of only two gigs I've ever walked out on. The album is OK if I'm in the right mood, and he's the best thing on it IMO. Glad to have seen him play up close though having never got to see the clash, the man's a legend.[/quote] Yeah - I only bought the LP because Simonon was playing on it... Wouldn't have been interested if he hadn't been involved.

[quote name='stinson' post='251934' date='Jul 31 2008, 11:34 AM']Good suggestions. He used it towards the end of The Clash and with [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOUfqUBBbOg"]Havana 3am[/url] Would love to know if he used/uses flats or rounds![/quote] Well spotted (but that Havana 3am were dreadful - what a waste of his talents)! That's most definitely the same bass... Strings? I would say roundwounds - but it's so hard to get any info about his basses or gear - there are so few interviews were he talks about it...

[quote name='stinson' post='251779' date='Jul 31 2008, 12:24 AM']Regardless, the man is a legend. Cheers for the shots 99ster, I love seeing pics of that bass. I really want to know if that is a replacement neck or whether he painted the headstock. it has a skunk stripe at the back os am confused! I love his playing, was listening to the crooked beat just last night.[/quote] Hearing & seeing Simonon is why I started playing bass 26 year ago. He is a total legend & the coolest man to ever play bass - quite apart from a being a criminally underrated bass player (& a bloody good artist as well!). Only hope I can still look that good at 53! For sure 'The Good, The Bad & The Queen' was far from perfect - but just to have him play bass again after such a long absence made the whole project worthwhile for me. As for that bass - I reckon it is a replacement neck for one of his old 70's basses - & he painted the headstock black himself (& check out the fat spliff wedged under the E string). Never seen him play a rosewood fretboard P bass with The Clash - but the body looks very familiar, so I wouldn't be surprised if the original maple/maple neck was worn out & needed replacing...

Great stuff - very useful & well written... And may I add that (from bitter experience) lighting dimmer switches are 'the work of the devil' for any sort of pro audio work - especially for recording!

For all you Simonon fans... Stumbled across these on t'internet - [url="http://flickr.com/photos/luptonn/tags/paulsimonon/"]some good pics of the great man in action[/url].