Jono Bolton

[quote name='PlungerModerno' timestamp='1416190074' post='2607823'] I don't think they were common enough to make parts sourcing easy - Some people think they're worth a lot: Definitely on my to try list. If it's priced appropriately it could be well worth it. Be aware some of the parts are custom made for that model (sliding cover and some other parts I think) so if they're missing they may need to be made up at considerable cost. [/quote] The only bits that need to be replaced are the nut and saddles, everything else is present and correct. The nut and saddles are there as well, but the guy offering it recommends that they be replaced sooner rather than later, and they're bot relatively easy to get hold of, they needn't be originals. [quote name='Billy Apple' timestamp='1416209612' post='2607854'] You'd be best PM'ing Neepheed. I think he's got a re-fin one. [/quote] Cheers, I'll send him a message just now.

I've been offered a Gibson Grabber in a trade. It's a '77 with the sliding pickup. It's in need of some TLC, a new nut, bridge saddles, a rewire and a good scrub, but other than that it appears it's in decent nick for its age (although I've not yet seen it in the flesh). Can anyone tell me much about them, and if it'll be worthwhile given the work that needs doing?

You may be aware that I recently bought a Peavey Foundation that was in very bad nick that I've been attempting to tidy up. One of the things I bought was a new wiring loom from KiOgon, only I didn't realise that the new pots and switch wouldn't fit in the existing holes in the body. My brother (who's a joiner) was staying with me last week and brought his drill with him and we drilled out the holes for the new pots & switch - 2 minutes, dead easy. However, Peavey UK only went and listed a couple of NOS Foundation bodies on ebay for £20 each, so i cut my losses and picked one up and its way now. I'll still need to widen out the holes on the new body though, don't own a drill myself and my brother is away back up the road. I figured that the easiest way for me to do it myself without the use of a drill is to pick up either a tapered hand reamer or a large tapered file. As long as it goes up to 12mm then I can do all three holes with one tool, I'll just mark off the size of the pot holes on the side so I know where to stop. So what would you recommend - reamer or file? Either can be picked up online relatively cheaply, is one easier to use or more accurate than the other? I've only used a file before, neevr a reamer. Cheers!

Problem solved - I stuck a few wee bits of electrical tape on the wall of the cavity where the jack socket sit and the output is back! Also thanks for the offer John but you did the wiring on this so I knew that was never going to be an issue!

Thanks guys, I did think that the jack socket must be touching the tape and grounding the signal, I tried moving the socket but it must still be making contact with it. I'll have another go when I get home this evening.

I've just put a new scratchplate on my P Bass but there's no output coming from the jack socket. When I take the scratchplate off with all the wiring in place and plug in my tuner I get a signal, but once the plate's in place again there's nothing. The control cavity and the rear of the scratchplate are shielded with copper tape, but I can't imagine that has anything to do with it (unless it works so well that it eliminates all noise!). With this P Bass I've always found that I have to force the scratchplate down, it doesn't just slot into place, and it arcs up where the pots are until I screw the plate down. Is it possible that the jack socket is touching the side of the cavity and causing it to cut out?

Have a word with this fella: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/user/7835-kiogon/"]http://basschat.co.u...er/7835-kiogon/[/url] He does all sorts of custom wiring looms and can probably help you out.

[quote name='Andyjr1515' timestamp='1414449494' post='2589493'] I think it was [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Micro-Mesh-Micromesh-Cushioned-Abrasive-Polishing-Kit-9-Sheets-6-X-4/141378195269?_trksid=p2054897.c100204.m3164&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140407115239%26meid%3D22f4b9be51ae404ca00c9cea94628fd5%26pid%3D100204%26prg%3D20140407115239%26rk%3D5%26rkt%3D20%26sd%3D131249123251"]this stuff I got[/url] [/quote] That's the stuff I was looking at. Same price as the wet & dry I had looked at previously, I think I'll go for the micromesh and take it from there.

Thanks for the replies guys. I've had a look at micromesh online, would I be best to sand up to 2500 with the wet & dry I already have, then go to the micromesh? Should I still use burnishing cream after the micromesh? I've used burnishing cream before but that was in school many moons ago, although my tech teacher was very impressed with my finish!

I'm in the process of drop-filling the finish on my Peavey Foundation bass, there are that many chips that I have a feeling that it's going to look a little patchy. So far I've been scraping back the glue to just above the surface of the finish, then strip sanding from 400 through to 800, then block sanding up to 2500 and buffing out with car scratch remover (like T-Cut). It's not perfect as it stands, so I've been thinking about going up to a higher grit paper but going over the whole body to try and blend it all in. I can get a pack with a sheet each of 3000, 5000, and 7000 wet & dry, but is this going to be fine enough to get me a decent finish? The finish isn't that thick (not as thick as my MIM P Bass), so I don't want to do too much sanding in case I end up going through to the wood. Any suggestions/advice/criticism would be appreciated. Ta.

I was used to the massive frets on my MIM Precision until I swapped to a Warmoth Telebass neck that came with really skinny frets. At first I thought I'd have to refret as I wouldn't be able to play with frets so small, but it's actually much more comfortable for me.

The Foundation's is now totally dismantled. Once if had a chance to give it a proper look over it was apparent that it was in much worse condition that the seller let on. Big chips in the finish had been coloured in with pen and not mentioned or pictured in the ad, the hardware was manky as were the frets and most of the neck, the pots had taken a knock and were at an angle, the screw holes in the control cavity had stripped, been filled with bits of match stick and then the screws put back in at an angle, causing them to chew up the wood and the plastic on the cover so I'll need to do a fill & redrill and get a new cover made up. Pretty pissed off if I'm honest and there's a lot of work to do BUT it does play nicely and the pickups sound great as well. Looks like I've got a bigger project on my hands than I thought or wanted.

Are these the ones? If so, there's a set on ebay here: [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fender-Jaguar-bass-machine-head-tuners-/321553335896?pt=UK_MusicalInstr_Access_RL&hash=item4ade128658#ht_339wt_958"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fender-Jaguar-bass-machine-head-tuners-/321553335896?pt=UK_MusicalInstr_Access_RL&hash=item4ade128658#ht_339wt_958[/url] And here: [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fender-Jaguar-bass-machine-head-tuners-/321553333202?pt=UK_MusicalInstr_Access_RL&hash=item4ade127bd2#ht_339wt_958"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fender-Jaguar-bass-machine-head-tuners-/321553333202?pt=UK_MusicalInstr_Access_RL&hash=item4ade127bd2#ht_339wt_958[/url]

[quote name='mcnach' timestamp='1413553150' post='2579474'] crucially, it's got a rosewood fingerboard... I already have TWO cheap precisions with rosewood fingerboard: a Sue Ryder one with a Wizard Thumper pickup, and a Squier Mike Dirnt signature. And I enjoy them, but I want something a little better... and MAPLE. It's got to be maple... oh yes. [/quote] Squier Matt Freeman? They're very good.

I always regret not buying one a few years ago when they were about £450 new, I had the cash and passed it up even though it was the nice playing bass I've ever come across, better than the US P I had at the time.

The Foundation arrived today, had a bit of a mad dash home on my lunch to be in for the courier as my neighbour who was going to sign for it had to go out before it was delivered, but I got it in the end. A bit rougher than the pics in the ebay auction let on but it plays nicely and sounded very good when I gave it a quick run through my amp. It's extremely light as well!

At least it's not this:

Today? One. A bitsa P Bass Tomorrow? Hopefully two. A new arrival is en route and should be delivered in the morning. I'm working but my neighbour has been kind enough to take it in til I get home.

[quote name='Geek99' timestamp='1413399085' post='2577958'] Can I ask where the guard comes from ? [/quote] It was the Bass Doc, although it's since been replaced with a cheaper printed tort scratchplate rather than celluloid.

If everyone could refrain from posting pictures of their Sonic Blue basses I'd really appreciate it (as will my bank balance).

[quote name='thebassist' timestamp='1413379466' post='2577694'] I think that tortoise shell looks awesome on black. [/quote] That's what I have on my P Bass. [attachment=173881:photo1.jpg]

Black, tort, or gold adonised.