Kiwi

I would sight down the length of the neck at an angle that allows you to compare how parallel the frets are to one another and check the 9th fret to see if its slightly raised. If it is, a gentle tap with a hammer through a piece of wood offcut might settle the fret into place. Truss rods are great for overall relief but they can be like a hammer to crack a walnut if the problem is just one fret that is standing proud.

We played a marquee in Amberley Castle, near Arundel. A good test of the satnav this time, lots of twisty B roads and sudden changes in direction at junctions. I also had Borat's voice guiding me so there was lots of "et thee rounnnnd. About tek thee second exit. Pliz." and at the end of the journey he told me I drove like I had been drinking fermented wolf urine. Sheesh, everyone's a critic! Anyway, the venue was quite stunning, the gardens were encased by a series of elegantly decrepid castle walls into which some more recent facility buildings had been set. The marquee was acoustically dead so we all had no problems with hearing ourselves. The stage was just about big enough width ways and the venue staff seemed very well organised. We had some lasagne for dinner which was very nice and when we started the first of three sets, the punters were up and dancing after the second song and they stayed on the dance floor for the whole night. Job done! There's lovely.

Thats sad news indeed, would you be kind enough to pass on the sympathies and best wishes from Basschat to his friends and family? I don't believe I met him but I hope he passed away peacefully and surrounded by loved ones.

[quote name='drgrew' post='268734' date='Aug 24 2008, 09:08 AM']I don't mean to sound rude or patronising but if you are in London just go to the Bass Gallery!!!!!!! I have dealt with Alex there for yars (including when he was back in Wapping) and their service is fantastic! Admittedly their range can be limited at times but at least they will make you feel welcome[/quote] Their range isn't quite so limited since they expanded the shop but they've still managed to pack it wall to wall and floor to ceiling with stock, even with more floor area! I'll put a shout in for one shop where I had great service on Denmark Street and that was the London PA centre. They sorted me out by making me a speakon cable on the spot when I was in a fix for a gig. Funny chaps too!

for me: the body - I guess because its the most visually dominant element. Its gotta have sensual curves. Spectors, Smiths, Shukers, Tobiases, some Warwicks, Jaydees some Carl Thompsons, Laklands and even Ibanez SDGR basses all look instantly like they'd be comfortable to put on.

lol congratulations, your assimilation is complete.

is that a new body shape for the energy? It reminds me a lot of an Ibanez SDGR and Yammie TRB and that body shape is really comfortable. EDIT: looks like its the smart bass shape.

I'm insanely jealous of you Born 2B. What a sexy instrument.

[quote name='Merton' post='267767' date='Aug 22 2008, 12:19 PM']I think I may try to follow your example but I fear in these "uncertain" economic climes I may have done it 6 months too late![/quote] Hopefully the good folks of basschat will gather around and help you out?

Nice review and I agree completely about the mids. I'm not sure I would agree about the transparency though. I A/B'd the GB NeoPak against the F1 and LMk and there wasn't a lot in it. The Markbass stuff was slightly warmer but I wasn't looking for that. Definitely a question of taste in deciding between the two. I think I'll shift this to the reviews section though, if you don't mind.

[quote name='marcus bell' post='267464' date='Aug 21 2008, 11:41 PM']oh right fair enough mate, could you post some pics of the alembic pleeeeeeeeeeeeese , would love to see it thanks marcus[/quote] Oooh OK, just the one then even though its OT. Here you go... Better now? Good job I clipped me toe nails really, wasn't it?

[quote name='marcus bell' post='267416' date='Aug 21 2008, 10:11 PM']lovely basses there, why did you sell yours mate, if you dont mind me asking??? marcus p.s.have you still got that alembic?? thanks[/quote] I was offered a price that was too good to turn down and I didn't really use the Jaydee for any live performances. Yes I still have the Alembic, it represents a bit of a legacy I've been entrusted with so I feel a sense of obligation with that one

LOL lovely Mike, I bet that put you on the spot. How about a bit of vintage Chuck Rainey with his double stops?

Mokl used to have a stunning Jaydee Session that he sold. I have a fairly generous stash of Jaydee porn on my hard drive but I'm a little reluctant to post them in case anyone claims copyright issues. The one of Pino Palladino's Jaydee is pretty luscious though. [attachment=12496:Pino_Pal..._Session.jpg] There were a whole lot off the Simm's LED website though and, while I'm at it, here's one I sold earlier... [attachment=12497:DSCF0280.JPG]

Hmmm it would be great if we could get back in touch with him some how. I will drop a line to Gibson as I've already been talking to them about other stuff and they might be able to help.

[quote name='Tig' post='266717' date='Aug 21 2008, 12:09 AM']Well my legs aint too long anyway but my arms are, maybe I should have said, short, fat and hairy and orang utang like. At least no one can nick my car without adjusting the seat for half an hour.[/quote] LOL welcome aboard Tig. Any ideas for an avatar yet?

I guess its whatever retailers feel they can get away with passing off as rare/vintage. Some of them do take the piss though.

[quote name='GonzoBass' post='266537' date='Aug 20 2008, 07:02 PM']How could I? I'm usually lurking while you're all asleep over there on your side of the planet. Always keeping one eye on the Theory and Technique page, I am... [/quote] Don't be a stranger dude As an aside, does Duane "Dawg" Chapman make himself known around Hilo much since the Mexico deportation fiasco? I know Hawaii's a small place and all that.

[quote name='Tracer' post='266250' date='Aug 20 2008, 01:01 PM']he said that he could tell how good the tone was going to be on a batch of 'Rays by seeing how heavy they felt. If they were seemed weighty then the wood wasn't dried out and the tone wouldn't be as good.[/quote] I'm wondering how he could tell the difference between dense wood and moist wood!

[quote name='Merton' post='266190' date='Aug 20 2008, 12:06 PM']So glad you posted that, it's made my day to see a V8 again. Need ot see one in the flesh still... Are you able to make the SE Bash and if so can this come along too? [/quote] Looks like I can probably make it and it's no problem at all to bring the cab and V8.

dude, do you really want a crowd of bored people showing up?

Gonz! You're back! You haven't forgotten us!

Your hands certainly control the tools as is the case for any other craftsman but I still maintain you'll never get a p bass to sound like an alembic any more than you'll get a V-shaped chisel to carve like a round shape. The technical stuff was interesting though.

[quote name='doctor_of_the_bass' post='265941' date='Aug 19 2008, 10:38 PM']I agree with what you're saying, but I know that Rob would want to be in complete control of all processes - I've been down there many times; I've actually worked for Status when I demoed a Kingbass on an Aussie TV show for Rob and yet have never been shown the `secret lab' where the graphite magic took place! Part of the reason he invested a lot of money and started producing his own mouldings back in '90 was that he was spending huge amounts of money on sub-contractors who were producing his instruments (in the case of the 2000) and necks (Series II's, Series 3000's back in the day) and whose results were not always 100% satisfactory.[/quote] Rob and I talked about his frustations over sub contracting, and latterly distribution networks within the UK as well. Businesses slapping their margins on at every stage of the process whether it be manufacture or distribution is one reason why stuff can get so ridiculously expensive in this country. I didn't see a secret lab when I visited but I did see a load of coffin shaped stealth bass moulds in which the composite bodies were vacuum baked, as well as the oven itself. Rob has also evolved his method of production over the years as well, particularly where his choice of core material is concerned. I can identify with Rob's position completely in regard to the costs of sub contractors although when Rob started, the costs of manufacture were probably a lot higher because there was less competition. Graphite composite manufacture isn't that technically complicated and the level of training needed for it probably isn't any higher than wallpapering but the attention to detail is still important. Stray bubbles here and there can ruin a finish. Bearing all that in mind, I think Rob's standard stingray/fender graphite necks offer great value for money compared to the cost of getting one custom made using a laying on method of production.