No. 8 Wire

Great job!

[quote name='AndyTravis' timestamp='1457371337' post='2997883'] Legit. Just tatty. [/quote] Tatty? We call that roadworn now

Another one for the is it or is it not real? Could be a great deal to be had if you just wanted a player. Probably one you'd want to eyeball first. Seems awfully strange/unfortunate/convenient that the serial number is no longer visible. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gibson-EB3L-long-neck-Bass-1974-custom-modified-1974-precision-pickup-added-/152001930660?hash=item23640565a4:g:7gUAAOSwYlJW13sQ

[quote name='dood' timestamp='1457304725' post='2997285'] I've gone straight for the tweaking! I've already owned a good few of TC's other compressors including the Triple C, C300 and Nova Dynamics, so I couldn't wait to see if the SC could match those three - which are all triple-band comps too. I also own the HyperGravity which is great too and have saved a few patches on it already. There's so much flexibility, I've even managed to get the HG to act like a compressor AND EQ for some great 'valve amp' feel. Coupling it to a drive that remains tight in the lows and doesn't sound flubby is going to be a great match. I will try out the downloadable TonePrints too soon and will report back! [/quote] I still haven't tried out the toneprints or tweaked anything, however I'm getting a lot of noise with the Spectracomp past 12 o'clock on the standard setting, obviously this is because of the amount of gain introduced to offset the higher compression, but still its there. Be interested if you found a tweak that sorted that out. Although Its not a massive problem as I can't see myself using the TC past 12-1 o'clock much anyway. Had a go with the VMTD last night, I found the Spectracomp neither added anything nor took it away from the pedal, which I think is a good thing. I was expecting the extra gain to have some effect, but it didn't really (apart from being louder for the same level setting obviously). However, because the Line 6 XT Live is so much more usable with the spectracomp, it has convinced me I don't really need the VMTD. Now the XT is working well for recording I'm not really going to need it, very expensive pedal to have on the shelf, so now in the for sale section.

[quote name='dood' timestamp='1457291753' post='2997093'] The SpectraComp is amazing - the default setting is good, but getting the TonePrint editor on it is - well, there's no bass pedal on the market to touch it's editability ... is that even a word??? Thanks though, I think I need to try that pairing out! [/quote] I haven't go as far as the tone print editor yet. Found any gems amongst the artist tone prints or are you tweaking directly with the parameters?

[quote name='dood' timestamp='1457268203' post='2996832'] Thank you for all the responses so far, this is great to hear. I think I'm likely to go for either a Vintage or Vintage Deluxe and use the TC SpectraComp Bass Compressor with it. Just trying to decide which to go for!! [/quote] I have that setup, spectracomp into a vmt deluxe, although I've only just got the spectracomp so haven't played with it much yet. This thread has reminded me I need to have a look at it some more. What I have found is the spectracomp has transformed my line 6 xt live. The compressor models are rubbish in that unit, the little tc pedal lights it up now though.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1457186941' post='2996140'][i]Tempus Fugit[/i]... [/quote] It's all getting a bit Harry Potter round here.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1457186138' post='2996129'] I don't blame you, there's definitely a point of diminishing returns. I'm quite pleased you didn't buy it on my recommendation though, so there's that to be said for it. It would seem that it [i]is[/i] still possible to buy a bad bass in the twenty-first century and that as usual, you largely get what you pay for. [i]Caveat Emptor[/i]. Good luck. [/quote] I'm not sure caveat emptor applies anymore with the return policies that are on offer now. It's not a risk to take a punt on a bass line this anymore.

[quote name='kodiakblair' timestamp='1457133029' post='2995793'] They got one of the easiest returns policy going so just return it but now you had it have a think it you want it replaced or a refund. [/quote] I'm going to get a refund rather than replacement. I don't doubt that the majority are good, I've just kind fallen out of love with this particular model after this bass turned out to be such a pig. So look out for a PB 50 deko in the near future but be prepared for a significant fret dress unless you enjoy playing with action similar to fencing wire. I think I'll probably build a bitsa, maybe even a pine body. It won't be that much more expensive as long as I can find a decent neck. Cheers guys.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1457128619' post='2995759'] And your point is..? Seriously though, it may turn out not to be a problem if you were going to fit flats. Otherwise, it's a shame you seem to have got a duff one. I hope it's unusual that you got a duff one and not unusual that I didn't! [/quote] I guess I could just keep returning them until I get a decent one? Judging by all the reviews etc, it must just be a duff one. Or maybe its that the duff ones get returned so don't end up giving bad reviews. I don't think flats are going to solve this one, its pretty bad. Also TIs are pretty low tension so that isn't going to help.

[quote name='StraightSix' timestamp='1457123467' post='2995702'] Has anyone with one of these had a look under the scratchplate...? I'm just wondering if the scratchplate is covering any cable routing or if the bass could be used sans scratchplate... Looks very sweet [/quote] http://www.musiker-board.de/threads/bass-harley-benton-pb-50-sb-vintage-series.583476/

I think mine will be going back, just running through a setup now, reasonably high action and slight relief in the neck and its buzz city between 11-15 frets on the G and D strings - and a little on A from 5-7. No wonder they shipped it with with such a high action. I think I may got the Friday afternoon bass - or the Chinese equivalent. Worse thing is these have been through factory QA and then by Thomann too - the sticker is right there by the missing screw! I knew it would be a gamble though, I mean those deko basses got to come from somewhere! I don't expect to play perfect but's unplayable above the 11th fret basically. I'll just have to decide whether to go for a replacement or but together a bitsa to cure my 51/54 cheapo P bass lust.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1457117987' post='2995605'] Mine was OK, if not super high-quality. Looks like it IS possible to buy a bad bass, then. If you're going to mod it anyway it may be preferable for Thomann to give you a store credit so you can spend it on modding items... [/quote] If they offer the store credit I'll take for sure, I'll wait and see what they offer. I'll send it back if I have to but as you say a store credit would be a lower hassle solution. I'd like to get it playing well as standard before the mods begin otherwise you never know if you've made it better or worse! Eventually, I'm going to change the bridge as mentioned for a Wilkinson with brass saddles - maybe also a brass nut. The neck will get stripped eventually and refinished in Tru Oil, possibly with an amber stain. Will reshape headstock to a tele style. There will be a lot fettling and tidying up rough edges. I have a Seymour Duncan pickup to go in it, but the current one sounds great so it'll just be sticking with whichever sounds best to my ears. Also I have a set of TI Flats lying round that will go on too. Not sure if I'll do anything to the body. What's the mod plan for yours?

Just got one of these delivered today myself. Mine has a few QA issues so I'm hoping Thomann offer something to sort that out. Missing screw from a machine head, a few dents and stratches on the headstock, tone pot shaft seems bent. I agree with your review though, except I really hate the bridge. The saddles on mine don't seem to sit right and look rough. That'll get changed for a Wilkinson at some point. I'm going to leave mine standard for a little bit and then it'll get extensively modded too. Look forward to your thread on it.

[quote name='MarkG3' timestamp='1457089818' post='2995166'] All I had was a chisel, hammer and some sandpaper, so took a long time, 3 hours. I had to widen it both vertically and horizontally as you look at it. Luckily the scratch plate covers pretty much all what I did as it isn't very clean job. But I have used it as a relic project. IMO it looks really good [/quote] Got a picture?

[quote name='MarkG3' timestamp='1457085017' post='2995082'] I've just put a SD SCPB3 in mine. It was slightly bigger than the cavity so had to sort that out. But sounds great [/quote] That's interesting. What did you have to do to get out to fit?

[quote name='kodiakblair' timestamp='1456956893' post='2994103'] Aye it was like that on arrival. There's a year or so between the two, maybe the other one will catch up I've seen some lovely bits of wood on HB's. [/quote] Well, I'll be stoked if I get a neck like that. Guess I'll just have to see what the random bass generator throws up. Still trying to decide whether to amber stain the neck as well or just let it darken naturally over time. Will probably just do some test spots first and see how it looks with just tru oil. Not sure if I'm going to do anything with the body, bare wood would look pretty good, but being basswood it might not come up so well. Will probably just leave it.

[quote name='kodiakblair' timestamp='1456955845' post='2994092'] With photos getting posted,might as well put mine up On the left with the Peavey SF and right with the nylons.,it also has an aged look to the fretboard. [attachment=213778:PB 50s (2).jpg] [/quote] Nice! It's that aged look natural?

[quote name='jezzaboy' timestamp='1456949292' post='2993985'] Here is a few pics. I had to spray paint the control plate with enamel paint, stuck on the Motorhead sticker as there is a big gap and in the future, I will get a custom transfer for the headstock. Sorry about the quality of the photos. Re the MM pickup, if I am flush at some point, I will get it done by someone who knows how to use a router [/quote] Thanks for posting those pics, looks badass with the black hardware. Tempted to go for a similar look. I'm planning on reshaping the headstock tele style and taking the neck back to bare wood and refinishing in Tru OIl and wax - so it feels a little like my stingray. I have a SD SCPB2 to go in it as well, but will have to see how the original sounds first. I'll probably keep it stock for a little while to just to get the setup right. Very tempted by that black hardware.