BassBod

Stick with the Bag Ends! Trace cabs were always very heavy and big - you won't get an improvement, just a back problem...

But wouldn't it be nice if there really was a good one? I've been carrying 2U amps and only using the power amp for years now...

Another deal done quick in a pub car park off the M4.....he should be ashamed! This man can drive fast......really fast! Chris has very good taste in gear and, luckily for us, his needs change, with alarming regularity.

I'm late to the party on this one but....two comments. Outboard, all the way. If the bass has survived 70's DiMarzios ( I like 'em) and 80s EMGs ( I like 'em too) then leave it. I love the Sadowsky box and the Aguilar version, but I also love the fact you can leave them at home. Before you do anything, plug your Pbass into an alembic preamp. Honestly, you'll never hear things the same way again. That wasn't much use really was it??

I've used a MIV GP11 preamp off and on for years - I'd say its a warmer, more traditional tone than the later stuff, but very flexible once you are familiar with the graphic (and don't use the pre-shape!). A really nice preamp - I don't think it ever varied between models, but was available a s a stand alone pre, and was the front end of most of the MIV range. Thorneybank will be along soon....

I wouldn't do it again. Unless you're very confident and steady handed, have sharp tools and know a bit about carbon/graphite do's and don'ts. The carbon fibre is very thin and brittle - ie the srews only grip 2-3mm of resin, then its fresh air inside the neck, with some foam. The holes have to be counter-sunk to avoid chipping as the screws go in - it all feels a bit high risk on an expensive neck. I did it fine, but its not a forgiving material. I've got a lot of respect for Rob Green, making basses out of that stuff, and to such a high standard. Edit for a PS: I also wouldn't do it again for sonic reasons - way too brittle/hard a sound for me...but lots of people love it

[quote name='Al Heeley' post='820577' date='Apr 27 2010, 01:02 PM']I think you're comparing Warwick (bees)wax with tru-oil, thats not really a valid comparison if you're highlighting health & safety concerns. Since you only use a tiny smear of tru-oil on a rag and rub it in. funny how 'natural' products like Linseed oil don't seem to generate as much knee-jerk health concerns. that's basically all tru-oil is. I wouldn't be too worried about ingestion or inhalation at the normal usage levels. the gunstock wax is going to be no better or worse than any other wax, beeswax, carnauba, warwick or otherwise. I don't have shares in Birchwood Casey, but I am a chemicals geek.[/quote] I'm just reading what it says on the (gunstock wax) bottle.....I'm no expert! But I do think it also has somethng to do with state law requirements in California? I also prefer the smell of the Warwick wax, man.

Nice playing there! I could never get that good a sound out of the (2)Wals I've owned - but to be fair I think I was pretty clueless about amps and eq back then....actually, I don't think I've changed that much.

Wow....that's coming together quickly! How can you resist getting some more finish on the body??

Looks like Thomman have started selling some, if not all? No flats though...

I started on one of these - something like £50 new in 1980/81. Not Japanese, very heavy body, neck made of who knows what. Did sound pretty good though. I think I've still got the truss rod cover somewhere. Any more than £20 is a crime...

I've heard of similar and worse situations - often involving dear Glasto, but in the current climate I'd imagine a sharp organiser would be trying every trick to avoid losses "oh, sorry mate, that wasn't what we meant.." will probably be the response, but it was worth a try!? I have a friend who couldn't get into his own sw***y New York club after-gig party because he took his time getting out of the limo and was split from the band...went back to the hotel in a huff. Rock'n'roll, eh?

Bloody stupid. Should always be entry for band members/crew and a few guests, if required. And a fee, of course, that isn't totally variable depending on the weather. And accomodation/meal(s) if its a good distance away. What sort of festival is it? This would be the point to walk away, before they start saying you can't take any vehicles on site...and can the other bands use your gear?

Wear and tear have never really been a concern, but when its spending the night in a van, on the road outside a brothel in East Berlin...you can't help wondering if you'll see it in the morning. Having said that, I wouldn't leave anything in a van in Bristol for ten minutes!

It all depends on the venue. I find the hardest scenario is small tours, where you can be playing a "nice" place one night and a toilet the next, and you just know that the gear is going to spend nights in vans and venues. That's where I use basses that are easier to replace.

A light coat or two of superglue works wonders, all you get are scratches. The sound is also fantastic!