surfguy13

[quote name='HowieBass' timestamp='1412321449' post='2567740'] I'm curious to know what you've done and in what way you think your basses can be better? I tend to follow Fender's guide for advice on height settings for action and pickup heights and this affords a nicely playable instrument IMHO. [url="http://www.fender.com/en-GB/support/articles/bass-guitar-setup-guide/"]http://www.fender.co...ar-setup-guide/[/url] [/quote] Strangely enough I did set it up using Fender's online guide but just haven't been able to get it 'right'. Bernie Goodfellow used to own this bass and when I bought it it was great but a couple of string changes later and a lot of use it doesn't feel quite as sorted. I am fairly competent at setting up my guitars but don't feel [i]that [/i]confident with basses. I do have a high fret which needs sorting around the 5th and that's something that I think would be better done by somebody that really knows what they're doing but it's not critical. I thought I'd get it set up properly at the same time as getting that done. My own attempts at set up using Fender's guidelines have resulted in a [i]very[/i] high action which isn't unplayable but could definitely be improved upon. All I've really done is to get the truss rod right and then set the bridge up but using Fender specs string height is quite severe. It's obviously me and [b]not [/b]the spec that's the problem!!

[quote name='barkin' timestamp='1412288609' post='2567642'] Is Stevenage too far? If it's not...I've not used him myself, but I've heard good reports for Terry Chapman at tjcguitars.com I think Lozz on here has had work done by him, so he might chip in here soon... [/quote] [quote name='gary mac' timestamp='1412318118' post='2567705'] Yes, Terry is well regarded. Band mates have used him and I have chatted to him, very friendly and knowledgable. [/quote] A la Andy Viccars, Terry refretted an old Gibson 330 for me a year or two ago and also did the binding too......really superb job I have to say. I hadn't thought of Terry because I assumed he just did guitars but that sounds like it's not the case!! I'll have to give him a call and have a chat. Thanks for that guys.

[quote name='Bobthedog' timestamp='1412288313' post='2567635'] Not too far away from you but I would recommend Andy Viccars nr Milton Keynes. Not only a good bass man (and builder) but a good down to earth man who will not rip you off. [/quote] Andy is one of the nicest guys I've ever met and a great bass player too. He did my guitars for many years throughout the 80s and 90s when we were living in Bedford. For some strange reason I hadn't even considered Andy probably, I guess, because it's a fair drag to his place there and back and then to have to do it all again the following week is maybe pushing the pain barrier!! Really appreciate the suggestion though and it's definitely food for thought!!

Hi guys I'm a guitarist that plays bass rather than a pure bass player and so the luthiers i know are really more guitsr orientated. I have a couple of mid 70s P basses that i've tried to set up myself and they're 'OK' but i think they could be a hell of a lot better. Wondering if anyone knew a good bass tech in cambridgeshire or in this general area? I do't have any issues with shipping a bass to someone for work if that's the best option? Cheers Guy

[quote name='ikay' timestamp='1401003999' post='2458891'] [url="http://www.pickguardian.com/pickguardian/Images/Pickguardian%20Neck%20Radius%20Gauges.pdf"]http://www.pickguard...us%20Gauges.pdf[/url] And yes 7.25" [/quote] Wow! Thanks SO much ikay, can't tell you how much I appreciate the link for the templates. I can now print it out and make one up. Brilliant. Also great to know it's 7.25" radius.

Hi guys Just wondering if anyone could confirm that the fingerboard radius of my '76 P is 7.25? I'm assuming so. Is there anywhere I can download a diagram of a radius gauge for a fingerboard rather than buying one? I thought there might be somewhere I can print out the 7.25 curve and then make a gauge from wood using it as a template. Or.........is it just easier to buy one!!!!!

Hi guys Just wondering if anyone could confirm that the fingerboard radius of my '76 P is 7.25? I'm assuming so. Is there anywhere I can download a diagram of a radius gauge for a fingerboard rather than buying one? I thought there might be somewhere I can print out the 7.25 curve and then make a gauge from wood using it as a template. Or.........is it just easier to buy one!!!!!

[quote name='KingBollock' timestamp='1398952723' post='2439358'] There's a product called Polymorph. It is a plastic that comes as beans and you heat it up in water, then model it to whatever shape you want then leave it to cool and set. Maybe you could use that if you can't find something suitable to cut up as an alternative? [url="http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/250g-polymorph-n14at"]http://www.maplin.co...polymorph-n14at[/url] [/quote] What an absolutely brilliant product! I really wish I'd known about this for loads of jobs. I reckon it would be relatively easy to make a mould into which this stuff could be pressed. The best bit is that it can be re-heated if you need to tweak it. I think I'll get some anyway! [quote name='HowieBass' timestamp='1398955765' post='2439412'] OUCH! Time to get creative then - before I looked for a company to make a cover for you I'd been wondering about vacuum forming - I did an arts degree course at Salford University and we had access to a vacuum forming table... the device heats a sheet of plastic up and then you can mould it over a suitable former on a vacuum table (which could be a shaped block of wood made to the size you need a bridge cover to be). You might think about getting in touch with your local FE colleges or universities and ask if they can help (maybe make it a project for one of their students even LOL). Or even seek out a local car repair shop and see if a panel beater can fashion a metal ashtray for you? [/quote] Another excellent idea.......we have Cambridge just up the road and there's nothing but colleges! One of our neighbours is a teacher at a secondary school and [i]I think [/i]he teaches metalwork, or engineering or something like that so maybe he could get a class to do a project?! Why not, it's worth an ask. Thanks again......

I acted on HowieBass' suggestion and spoke to The Plastic People about the possibility getting them to make me a bridge cover but have just had an email back and.........over £80!!!!! Blimey! Brilliant idea but I think just too much dosh.

[quote name='BassTractor' timestamp='1398806661' post='2437896'] How about thick, foamy double-sided tape and some velcro to attach a standard ashtray? As well as adding to the height, it will also help in fast string shifts. [/quote] Another excellent idea! I really do appreciate all the suggestions.....sometimes the obvious solution isn't always as obvious as it should be!! [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1398808309' post='2437928'] Do you do palm muting, though? A cover obviously would prevent this. [/quote] I do palm mute but it's a technique that I'm trying to master. I am a guitarist first and foremost but also play bass so muting is second nature. However, a [b]very [/b]different concept on a bass needless to say! If I go for a bridge cover then muting is out of the window but, if I can find a way of having a cover that's easily removable, and not [i]too [/i]high, like a P bass cover, then it would be a good compromise. I tend to mute mainly as discreet does, with a pick, but I also use my thumb too. [quote name='xgsjx' timestamp='1398928237' post='2439026'] You could try moving your right hand closer to the neck, thus removing your hand from the bridge? [/quote] I have tried this but maybe I haven't persevered enough. On this particular bass I do find it difficult; by moving my hand a tad further away from the bridge I'm finding that I can't mute anything like as effectively and the tendency is to allow my hand to sneak back onto the E saddle and then it's shred city as far as my hand is concerned!! The positives are that as I've been playing mainly guitar for the last 45 years I haven't got into any bad habits, or habits at all really, with the bass so I really do have an open mind to trying anything. I will make an effort to play a touch further forward and see if that improves things.

[quote name='HowieBass' timestamp='1398800793' post='2437787'] Maybe see about getting somebody make a thick plastic ashtray to your specification? This company [url="http://www.theplasticpeople.co.uk/"]http://www.theplasticpeople.co.uk/[/url] says "Our plastics are suitable for home projects as well as display, design, commercial and trade applications. We supply low cost, cut to size plastic as well as sheets of Acrylic, Perspex, Polycarbonate, PVC, Correx and many other plastics. We bend and shape plastic too, making many different products and bespoke items so if there is something you require please email us your drawing and we’ll reply with a quotation." [/quote] Blimey, that's absolutely brilliant. I can't see that it would be difficult to make and it would be a hell of a lot better to have something made to measure. It would be a doddle to measure and draw what I need. Really appreciate the link and I will get back to you and let you know how I get on!

I did try the ashtray off my p bass just to get an idea and it's a long way off....like HowieBass says, it's the height that's the issue. The difference between a standard p bass bridge and this Badass 1 is considerable. However, I genuinely don't mind what it looks like and when HowieBass mentioned an ashtray that sparked the idea of making a DIY ashtray from just about anything ranging from plastic containers cut to size and gaffer taped together to fit over the bridge to a wooden ashtray made of thin ply. Although there are a number of negatives with the Badass 1 bridge the positive is that it's rectangular so I reckon that even I could fashion something fairly robust that will push fit on/off the bridge. Even something as silly as a golden virginia tin pop riveted together!