boggie

Cheers!

Great stuff, thanks. Sounds like a bit of a pain to adjust compared to the more common threaded adjusters. However I really like the following: Full contact saddle locked to the bridge. Bridge clamped to the body by the string tube bolt. Individual placement and string spacing. Each string has its own bridge to reduce crosstalk. Will look great, especially in a staggered layout. That lot more than compensate for the intonation hassle and that only really needs tweaking with new strings and neck adustments. Have you got them or tried them? I would be interested to hear an objective view rather than rely upon the marketing blah. Cheers, B

Hi all, On my latest 5 string project I am considering the Hipshot Triple Lock individual saddles. http://store.hipshotproducts.com/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=222 They will look great, allow me to play around mixing through-body stringing with top mount and they are made by a well respected supplier so should be good kit. However, looking at the pictures I cannot figure how intonation is set. A search for the user manual online has been fruitless. Also I have been searching for reviews but have found nothing. Can anyone help please? Cheers, B

Thanks Geoff, Area J or ultra J? Interesting thread below unfortunately doesn't include either 5 string option.... Cheers B http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f38/j-pickups-discussion-comparisons-91384/

Hey guys, Just bought a Yamaha BB405 as a new project. I am planning on stripping it, painting the body candy red or purple (or both) then upgrading the hardware. I was thinking individual through body black bridges, black Grovers, new pots (blend, master volume and master tone) with black knurled knobs and replacing the pickups. I have done similar stuff to guitars in the past, built my own from scratch, upgraded many and most recently restored a vintage 335 but this will be my first bass so I would appreciate some advice please : For the pickups I am looking at Wilkinson WJB5 AlNiCo V any thoughts or alternatives (passive). Tone cap: either a Vitamin Q or Auricap XO 0.47uF or perhaps a 0.22uF vintage bumble bee clone (damn expensive though) Pots? 500k master volume, 250k tone with separate blend pot? Any recomendations? I am looking for a classic vintage Jazz bass sound with a growling bridge and warm rounded neck tone. Any help from the basschat tech sages would be very gratefully received... Thanks, B

I can highly recommend Jo, After a great many years away from bands and gigging (mortgage, family, 'proper' career etc) I decided to learn a new instrument. I always fancied trying the bass so bought myself a cheap eBay Yamaha and took up lessons with Jo (see my post above). Now, after 10 months of a lesson a week I have become quite competent. Jo has provided the balance between proper technical discipline and fun I was looking for. As a result I bought myself a Limited edition Gibson Heritage SG bass and Laney amp and am starting to look for musicians to Jam with. All this despite only being able to practice a couple of hours a week! As Jo said to me after one lesson: "you are proof that you can teach an old dog new tricks". Whilst at the time I was not quite sure how to take this he is quite right, I may be an old dog but I am an old dog with a new talent thanks to him. Thanks Jo!

Thanks Guys, I rang them today and they might send it back to Gibson so I will be without it for about 6 weeks! Has to be sorted though.... B

Hi, I just treated myself to a new bass. I went to the Wembly Guitar Centre with thoughts of trying and maybe buying a candy red American Special Jazz but after checking out lots of different basses (they left me alone for a couple of hours to play) I fell for a Gibson Heritage SG in high-gloss cherry finish. It just worked for me, had a great growl from the bridge pickup and deep rich output from the bridge and looked the dogs. I got it home and discovered a slight issue. A couple of the machine head bushes are not properly pressed in, there is a significant and noticeable gap between them and the headstock. I tried slackening off the E string to release any tension on the bush from the shaft and gently pushed at the bush but it seemed pretty tight. In theory I could take the string and machine head off then using a clamp (with rubber pads to protect the headstock and bush) squeeze / press the bush home. However, I am concerned that this could cause the lacquer to crack around the hole if the bush is too tight. Would warming up the area with a hairdryer help or could this make things worse because the metal bush expands? Alternatively I could take the bass back to the shop and ask them to sort it but they would presumably face the same issue and may take less care than I will as it is my bass. Perhaps I am being over cautious but as this bass is my pride & joy I would really appreciate any advice from experienced luthers amongst us.... Thanks, B

Hi Jo, Are you still teaching in the Chesham Area? I used to play guitar in a handful of bands last century but then got a career, mortgages, family etc and have hardly brushed a string for years (apart from 'wheels on the bus' and 'puff the magic dragon' etc for my kids....). However, I have always had a bass itch and have recently treated myself to a cheap Yamaha to try before I buy something a but more special. I live just the other side of Amersham from you and am looking for someone to help me on my way. Cheers, Ian