Jean-Luc Pickguard

If you prefer the sound with the compression, there's no reason I can think of not to use it. I think the phrase "not to use it too much" could mean a few different things. Rather than meaning not to use it all the time I would guess the advice was not to turn the compression level up too much, but if you did have it too high you'd probably notice it sounding all horrible and woofed out, but depending on the design of the compressor and the musical setting, if that sounds good to you I can't see any reason not to use it in any way that sounds pleasing to your ears. To paraphrase Joe Meek: "If it sounds right, it is right."

search for "beatbass" at thomann.de. The Harley Benton Hofner "McCartney" copy looks very good for £100

I use a ritter t-bird gigbag for mine. I think it was about £45 new via ebay, but fits perfectly and has enough padding without making it too bulky.

It depends on the results you want. I use Thomastik JF344 jazz bass Flatwounds on my fretless precision and get a lovely deep growly mwahh sound. These are very light low tension strings, but you can probably use heavier strings if you're able to adjust the truss rod.

I saw the who at Glastonbury on TV the other day. I'm sure Pino was using Grolsch seals to keep the strap on his sig CS Fiesta Red Precision.

It could be as simple as the contacts in the jack have become dirty or oxidised. Before replacing the socket it could be worth cleaning the contacts inside the socket using a cotton bud moistened with isopropyl alcohol (sometimes tape head or CD cleaner). Planet Waves cables have expanding collars help keep the plug snug in the socket. Before I replaced the jack on my '71 musicmaster it kept cutting out if I used any cable other than a planet waves. Do you know anyone who has a planet waves cable you could try?

I'm not sure if the cover itself has a direct effect on sound or not, but it could be that your right hand position and/or technique is different with the cover on.

I have found the dark grey/black foam that comes packed around OEM Hard disks to be perfect - just cut with sissors. If you don't know anyone that's bought a HDD recently I think a servicable mute could be cut from a baby bath sponge, (but only if you like pastel colours).

I an early red highway 1 jazz from '03. It has picked up some dings and playing wear, but its all good honest playing "mojo" and looks cooler (imho) than the "damage" you get when dinging bass with a harder finish.

[quote name='Mottlefeeder' post='25443' date='Jun 30 2007, 11:58 PM']There is a school of thought that you can get rid of neck dive by moving strap buttons around. It looks as if he/she had four attempts to do so.[/quote] Good Point - I managed to cure the horrendous neckdive on my thunderbird in a single attempt though.

Early Wishbass?

"I've set it up with a low-ish action and good intonation" I'd hate to see his idea of high action - My Cheap Chinese Double bass came with lower action than that!

I want to get a lightweight cab fairly soon. Top of my list of possibles at the moment is a Schroeder 1212 Lite. This is available as standard with a carpet covering or direct from Jorg Schroeder with a hard "Rhino" bedliner material covering. After today carpeted cabs won't be coming home with a nasty smokey stink clinging to them, so that disadvantage no longer applies. Also the Schroeder 'Rhino' cabs are available in different colours. Given the choice what does everyone prefer their cabs of any brand to be covered with? What do you consider the pros & cons of carpet covering/tolex/etc?

Any of a number of early Stones songs where Wyman mumbles along tunelessly on his fretless woolies special.

I have used the schallers in the past, but dont like the way they shake loose and cause the screws holding them in to pull out of the bass. I've also tried the plastic dunlop ones - I had one fly apart during a gig once. Now all I'll use is grolsch washers. I always keep the straps attached to my basses, so they are perfect for me. If only they were available in black or clear.

I have 8 wall hangers to display three musicmasters, three precisions, a jazz and a danelectro longhorn in the living room. Better than any other kind of wall art I think. The rest are in cases/gigbags or on hercules stands.

I have a crate BT15 - Mine was £35 off ebay, but they aren't too pricey new. Its not the most exciting amp to look at, but its great for low volume practice. The phono in is very useful for hooking up an MP3 or CD. If it can handle the low B of my NS CR5M, so it can probably handle anything. It has an effective eq and doesn't go all fuzzy like some practice amps.

Obviously 5 Believers will be doing our thing at the "Stormy Monday Club" at the Bulls Head in Barnes on Monday 2nd July Special Guests from Portugal: the legendary Dave Dog (ex Mungo Jerry Bob Geldof etc )and Marcus. The Bulls Head 373 Lonsdale Road, Barnes, London SW13 9PY a mere six quid for entrance. 8.30 start

[quote name='Steve Rickwood' post='22119' date='Jun 22 2007, 08:37 PM']Haha! Thank you for feedback. Design is cool btw. I'm gona pester the guy/girl to put strings on it - would be concerned if neck was twisted or warped. Cheers.[/quote] Wish doesn't use trussrods, so if there are any issues with neck its time to get the woodworking tools out. Personally I wouldn't touch it with a sh*tty stick (or another wishbass) - He sent one to Bass Player for review which was very below par. The reviewer seemed to be struggling to find something good to say about it - like it being a piece of folk art.

Since I got one I no longer get cramp in the hands during long gigs and I can play fast lines easier.

I have an NS-CR5M. I also have a Dean pace 4 string in natural maple, that will probably be up for sale soon to part finance a new Schroeder cabinet. Despite some rumours that the Dean isn't a "real" upright bass its great fun to play and sounds lovely with the TI jazz flats I put on it.

I use the Tascam MP-GT1. I have used the built-in fx on guitar but don't need any bass fx for practicing, so bass goes 100% dry.

It looks more like a steamer than a streamer

I keep a spare set of TI flat in my cables bag and always make sure I order a set whenever I buy a new bass. My oldest set is probably about six years old and still going strong.

Normally anything wish does looks like its been hit hard by the ugly stick, but I quite like the shape of that one, I wonder why it currently has no strings...