Jono Bolton

I don't find the Precision neck too much of a handful. It's certainly thicker than the Jazz but my hands aren't the biggest and I can handle it just fine. You could always buy a MIM Jazz second hand and then have a Precision pickup installed. I was tempted to suggest the Mark Hoppus Sig but remembered it's got a Precision neck on it. Also the scratchplate on it's pretty fugly. And it only comes in cartoon blue, pink or green. Actually thinking about it sounds sh*t.

I got my second hand MIM Precision last October after a full on month at work picking up everybody's dropped shifts. It set me back £200 including a flightcase and postage. Spent a couple of months slowly modding it as and when I could afford it (this was also the build up to Christmas), put on a Badass II, Duncan Quarterpounder (I know not everyone cares for them) and a black scratchplate and it's my main bass now. Nothing I can fault about it really, it's a proper 'plug in and play' bass, no fannying about with multiple pickups and active electronics

The E string on my Jazz buzzes a fair bit when I'm playing and I can't for the life of me figure out what's causing it. Swapping and adjusting the nut doesn't make a difference, nor does adjusting the string height at the bridge end. Playing the E string open and putting a wee bit of pressure on it between the tuning post and the nut stops the buzz, but I obviously can't be doing that while I'm playing. If I'm using a pick and dig in then the E can occasionally jump out of the nut slot. The obvious solution to my mind is another string tree. This would have to go between the E and A strings, but it would be awfully close to the nut. Is there any sort of structural weak spot here? Would having a string tree here alter the intonation in anyway?

[quote name='thinman' post='160712' date='Mar 20 2008, 11:16 AM']Nice one Dr. Dave. I do like that pickguard with the 10:30 blue colour. Alway been a 3TS fan but could be tempted. I put 84s and a Badass on my MIM Jazz too - well worth it. Interested about the extra string guide - my A sometimes jumps out of the nut with a bit of over enthusiasm - I assume that sorts that problem?[/quote] The E on my MIM Jazz does the same thing, I think it stems from replacing the stock bridge with the BadAss II. Neepheid has a 3 string retainer bar on his OLP, you can see it in one of the build diaries he's done, I don't think it would fit in with the Fender vibe of the Jazz but it'd probably sort out your A string jumping out. My solution was to put a Graphtech nut on it (Tusq) and spend half an hour filing it down, tuning the E back up, hitting it as hard as possible to see if it was still jumping and repeating the process as required. Playing finger-style helps as opposed to playing with a pick, but if you have to use one try picking as close to the bridge as you can. Dr. Dave - nice bass! Although I've never seen a Jazz with Strat knobs before, it looks quite cool!

For lefty SX fans: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/left-handed-bass-guitar_W0QQitemZ220213841492QQihZ012QQcategoryZ4713QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem"]SX Precision[/url]

[quote name='The Burpster' post='160471' date='Mar 19 2008, 08:22 PM']Yamaha RBX 170.... perfect for what you want.... Mine went thru several Morphs before I let somelse have to learn with ![/quote] Actually it's not, I dislike the shape intensely! I much prefer 'traditional' shapes including - but not limited to - Ps, Js, Musicman shapes, some Gibson shapes. There was actually one in my school, it was alright but it's not for me.

Considered it but money is too tight at the minute for spending upwards off £100 for something that's going to be for messing about with. I don't really get on with the headstock shape either. I'm looking at the second hand market really.

I'm thinking about getting a cheapo bass to tinker about with, but preferably something half decent. I've been looking at a Westfield on ebay - black, tortoise shell guard, maple neck - but I don't know if they're any good or not. Plan is to de-fret it, and replace some parts, probably bridge, pickup, nut and wiring & pots. Can anyone suggest a decent but cheap bass, preferably a Precision or Jazz-a-like. EDIT: Maple neck is my only must for the bass, both my Fenders have rosewood and I fancy something different.

Yup, buy it, even if it is just for nostalgias sake. I wish I still had my first six string, a salmon pink Danelectro U2 that I picked up for the princely sum of £60 about 7 years ago. The input socket broke so I bought a Squier strat, then realised my dads mate could fix it for nothing, so it got sold on. I really wish I still had it

[quote name='cheddatom' post='156759' date='Mar 13 2008, 02:57 PM']Due to some circumstances out of our control, me and my guitarist could possibly start playing as a duet, with me on drums, and I have suggested him on baritone guitar. He's never played one before, and they're quite hard to find! So: What baritones are there? I swear I saw an Epiphone LP one on Ebay a while ago, and it was really cheap! Where can we find a baritone to actually play in a music shop? (stoke, brum, manchester are our limits) Are the strings on a baritone really thick, like bass strings? Or will it not be much different to heavy guage guitar strings? Ta [/quote] Have you heard [url="http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=56966459"]The Evens[/url]? I've fancied a Danelectro baritone for ages but they seldom crop up anywhere. There was Dano Innuendo on ebay the other day but its gone now. Cherry Sunburst, white pearloid scratchplate and built in effects. God it looked cool. I fancy the look of [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Eastwood-SideJack-Baritone-Guitar-silver-NEW-SUPERB_W0QQitemZ380007405452QQihZ025QQcategoryZ2384QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem"]this[/url] Eastwood too.

Just adding to what others have already said - I got here late - prices for lefties are generally higher due to the fact that companies have to completely different machine to make the bodies, neck, parts etc. As lefties make up a small percentage of the population (about 10% I think) it stands to reason that there are a lot less left handed bassists/guitarists and so companies have to charge extra to cover the costs of buying in the machines. Custom built basses shouldn't cost more as it's hand built, and so shouldn't cost any extra just to make it the other way round.

What do I need to do it? I'm doing a Stratocaster project and the screw holes don't line up with the ones in the new scratchplate.

[quote name='OldGit' post='158672' date='Mar 16 2008, 10:47 PM']Wow you even get this "Included in the price is an electronic tuner, lead, strap, and a DVD on how to get started with your new bass!" That's a true bargain.[/quote] They always try to make that stuff sound important, or make you think you need it, when really all they're doing is clearing out stuff they cant sell and taking up space in your binbag.

[quote name='silverfoxnik' post='157017' date='Mar 13 2008, 09:03 PM']If I'm not mistaken, that's a Wal bass known politely as 'the three headed monster'... Here's the link for more info: [url="http://www.trevorandthea.eclipse.co.uk/wal_history.htm"]http://www.trevorandthea.eclipse.co.uk/wal_history.htm[/url] Scroll down the page a bit and you'll find it![/quote] But just above that monstrosity it a true gem! It kinda looks like a symmetrical Mustang but it's got that schweeeeeeet humbucker in the bridge. Want one!

[quote name='OldGit' post='157004' date='Mar 13 2008, 08:53 PM']Badged Jim Deacon rather than SX though? I've been impressed by the Jim Deacon 62 P in my local shop - for £120 ..... So where are they for sale at £95 plus P+P? [/quote] Try [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Jim-Deacon-Precision-Bass-Guitar-w-Gig-Bag-Extras_W0QQitemZ350035172238QQihZ022QQcategoryZ4713QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem"]here[/url] OG! How does £96.49 Buy-It-Now grab you?

[quote name='BassManKev' post='158309' date='Mar 16 2008, 08:48 AM']could do that i guess, i might look into it, still dont like the idea of riskin the finish of the bass mikeh, did you mean the p bass cover wont fit over the badassII, but the jazz would?[/quote] The standard P bridge cover wont fit over the BAII. There's a cover that will, but it's more akin looks-wise to the Jazz covers that cover a standard bridge plus the Jazz's bridge pickup. I don't think a standard Jazz cover will fit, as the Badass is wider than a standard Fender bridge.

Cheers for that! £50 though? Might have to wait a while til I can scrape together the necessary funds. How difficult would you say it was to refinish a guitar? Is there a certain process you go through? Sorry for the thread hijack!

[quote name='neepheid' post='156594' date='Mar 13 2008, 11:17 AM']Oops, didn't notice this post. Sorry. Well I can't speak for B&Q stuff, but I've been recently using the nitrocellulose lacquers from Steve Robinson (Manchester Guitar Tech) and I have to say I've been impressed so far - just been clear coating necks at the moment, but it's gone on so easy that I don't suppose his other lacquers will be any different. Remember though - GET A MASK and make sure your work area is well ventilated.[/quote] Quite alright, I haven't actually looked at this recently, just a coincidence that you replied yesterday and I wanted to check the progress of this build today! Are the Steve Robinson lacquers expensive? And how hard are they to get hold of? My flatmate announced the other day he's moving out in the next month so he's kinda leaving us in the sh*t rent-wise so money may be a bit tight for a while.

Do they work? I fancy getting one for one (or possibly both) of my basses because I go between standard and drop D a lot in a set and something like that would be pretty useful and would save a lot on fannying about with tuning on stage and save time between songs too. Actually, typing that has made me realise that I could put it to use during a song too. Looking online they run at about $90 and I don't really want to blow £45 plus customs on something thats not going to work properly.