lowregisterhead

Got a new bass, bought unseen. Got a stonking dead spot in just the wrong place, 7th-8th fret on the D string... What could our learned readers suggest as a possible remedy? I've tried a 'Fat Finger' on the headstock that seems to shift the dead spot down a tone or so (still not good) but are there any other mods that might shift it up a bit closer to the dusty end where I can live with it? The bass is great in many other ways, so I don't want to get rid of it without at least trying to find a solution. How about fitting a brass / bone / graphite nut (currently plastic)? Anyone tried trimming the headstock? Would shaving the neck help? All suggestions welcomed!

Surely not. Reminds me of the old Orange head I had in the 70's. I hope it's not as heavy...

D'Addario EXLs. Crisp, bright, balanced, long lasting. Also easy to get hold of in extra long for my 35" scale basses. I understand that Elixirs can last ages, but the slippery feel really puts me off!

I sold Sandmann my Lakland 55-64, and he was a pleasure to deal with - speedy communication, immediate payment, all in all, a very friendly transaction. Buy/sell/trade with complete confidence. Many thanks, and enjoy the bass, Arne.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1429451815' post='2751463'] Not really, I totally agree. Basing a decision about purchasing an electric bass (for example) on a YouTube performance is equally a waste of time for exactly the same reasons - too many parameters and too many differences or deficiencies in audio equipment to make an informed decision. Though I do understand that some people have little else to go on if impractical to compare instruments/gear in meatspace. [/quote] Very good point. I don't play DB, but I was wavering about going to see a bass I fancied the look of purely because the few 'demos' available on YouTube were seriously underwhelming tonally. I'm also pretty sure electric bass strings wouldn't sound that different squeezed through t'interweb if they were all, say, roundwounds. The difference for me is the feel, the continuity of tone up, down and across the neck, reliability and longevity. I think I'm going to go and see that bass tomorrow...

There are too may variables to say precisely one way or the other, IMHO. I've owned basses with rosewood boards that have been much 'brighter' than similar instruments with maple boards, but the neck and body woods, pickups, preamps, strings, amps, cabs, EQ that you favour, personal perception and preference all play a part. Just find a couple of basses that float your boat and stick with them. You can waste an awful lot of money indulging yourself in the search for the perfect bass - I'm now convinced that such a thing doesn't exist - but I've had a lot of fun looking, and I now have a couple of basses that are keepers, for very different reasons. I still keep an eye out for something that might take my fancy, though...

It's been relisted, so it's still up for grabs... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Left-Handed-Musicman-Stingray-bass-/221737552283

+1 for the Lakland 55-02, a very versatile and easy-to-play bass. Be aware it's 35" scale though - but I think the MTDs are too, come to think of it. I have (and have had) a few Laklands, and my only recommendation with the Skyline range is that IMHO the earlier Korean made ones are better than the current Indonesian made models. Needless to say, the USA-made equivalent, the 55-94, is a step up in every way, including price. There's a natural ash 55-14 on eBay at the moment (that's the same as the USA-made 55-94, but with less finish options) that's currenly less than £900, which is a steal, if you have the budget: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/201325754461?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT As an alternative, I also have an Ibanez BTB Prestige, an earlier Japanese made one, which was well under a grand and is also astonishingly good. Worth checking out.

Ibanez neck, going by the headstock?

Welcome Andrew, from one Woking resident to another (well, just outside). This forum is a fabulous resource, just watch out when perusing the 'Basses For Sale' section - you'll want to buy everything! Or maybe that's just me...

And that's a pretty respectable price it's reached now too...

[quote name='itsmedunc' timestamp='1427203614' post='2727056'] Oh no! It's another girls bass guitar after all! [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281536245008?clk_rvr_id=802491704085&rmvSB=true"]http://www.ebay.co.u...4085&rmvSB=true[/url] [/quote] Relisted [i]seven[/i] times, and still unsold...

Bought a Mackie mixer from Dennis, which got to me despite the courier's best efforts to destroy it, thanks in no small part to Dennis's robust packaging! A great guy to deal with, fast, friendly communication, thoroughly recommended. Thanks!

After reading the above article on the reissue, I was moved to give Headstock (Ibanez distributers) a call to see if any were going to land on these shores, and they told me there's an unspecified number allocated for the UK, coming in June/July, the nearest stockist to me being GAK in Brighton. Suffice to say I was on the phone to them a bit sharpish, and have now placed my order! I doubt if they'll be as good as the original, or match my unreasonable expectations, starting as they did as a 17-year-old in the late 70's, with my nose pressed up against the window of my local music shop, mouth agape, drooling... Everyone form an orderly queue, now... apart from 1970, he's sorted...

Lovely. Are those Rotosound TruBass you've got it strung with?

I traded a bass with Pete today, in one of those surrupticious meetings in a motorway service station with onlookers wondering what on earth you're up to! A really lovely guy, who took great pains to make sure I was happy with every aspect of the bass I received. Buy/sell/trade with confidence.

Original? 50's? The words "my" and "arse" come to mind.