7string

Take the strings off and have a go at cleaning the fingerboard with naptha (lighter fluid) using cotton pads (the little round makeup pads are great). Sometimes a good clean makes all the difference. Lemon oil just stops the wood from drying out but doesn't clean it. The amount of dirt and grease which can come off a fingerboard is amazing. The naptha dries out the wood, so put some lemon oil on so the board's shiney, wait 5 minutes or so and then buff to a shine. This removes the excess as well. [b]Take care when using solvents and wear gloves and eye protection. After using the pads, soak them in water before disposing of them.[/b]

[quote name='mike257' post='636894' date='Oct 26 2009, 01:54 PM']I doubt he's gonna drop his Custom Shop Fender for it. If you believe the promo vids, they've 'used' the guitars live and love them. Hmmmmm.[/quote] I saw those as well. Was surprised at how much they didn't know about their own instruments. Left it all to the Fender rep to give the details. Maybe they play Custom Shop stuff with a Squier decal on. Geez, I'm getting so cynical in my old age....

I've seen these before. I think they used to do a pink version as well. Shop is in London N4 (Crouch End, I think) so you could try it first (1 or 2 buses from Tottenham if my memory's any good!) or just buy a bass from ahpook One set of my grandparents lived in Walthamstow, the other in South Woodford.

I think that batteries tend to gradually lose their power, so you don't get a sudden drop in performance. I tend to change batteries every 6 months regardless. I have an active pre in one of my guitars as well, so I'm always on the lookout for a BOGOF offer on 9v batteries With your ACG, I'd send Alan an e-mail or a PM through here (he signs in as Skelf). If I've ever had any questions about my ACG, he's always more than happy to help. Great after-sales service !!

Blimey, the OP waits for one bass and 2 come along at once. Hold it. Isn't that buses??

Try having a look at the input jack to see if it's switching the active circuit on.

I try and get the sound from the bass with the amp flat. Even if the bass has a trick eq, I usually find one setting and then leave it alone. I do like some compression as well. So set bass, add compression and play.

[quote name='doctor_of_the_bass' post='633304' date='Oct 22 2009, 11:39 AM']Hallo I spent about three hours late last night discussing my new E Basses Valiant bass with Ian Hancock (the man who builds these) and it will be based on this bass (which is owned by Nigel Clutterbuck) [/quote] It's a nice shape and the woods lovely, but those knobs clash a bit Is the word at the end of the neck "Rhythmsync"?? If it is I hope the mis-spelling is deliberate!!

The MIM's are built only a short distance from the MIA. Think that MIA's are in San Diego. From there it's a quick hop across the border to the MIM's (I could be wrong though).

Carvin are now sending basses to customers outside the USA. Check their website for prices. There's a used Carvin bass I've seen for sale which is a lot more expensive than a new one!

I'd like to come along on the Sunday. I'll bring: ACG Recurve singlecut 9 string Sei Offset Flamboyant 7 string Conklin GT7, 7 string (fretless) James Tyler 4 string Jackson Kip Winger 4 string Kinderbasje 1 string

[quote name='Musicman20' post='630613' date='Oct 19 2009, 06:28 PM']I know we all loose a fair bit, but with the high end custom, especially the more bizarre types, the sellers seem to lose a hell of a lot. More than id expect or want to lose.[/quote] My Sei has my signature inlaid at the 12th fret. Can't imagine anyone would want to buy it

Hubba Hubba Has to be the best looking Overwater I've ever seen.

Sounds like you've got a good deal

[quote name='bilbo230763' post='626804' date='Oct 15 2009, 11:52 AM']I genuinely believe that at least some of the people who go down this route are trying to buy themselves out of problems that are only solved by long term study and investment in their PLAYING not their gear. The fact that as many of these bespoke instruments get resold as get commisssioned has to be confirmation of the fact.[/quote] There must be people who think that a better bass will make them into a better. I knew people who spent huge amounts of money on the latest golf clubs in order to improve their game. The only thing that makes you better is practice, there is no "magic bullet". However, saying that as many instruments get resold because their owners playing did not improve is a bit of a shot in the dark. I would say that anyone selling an instrument which they had built for them isn't doing so lightly (because they waited for the build and paid for it) and the reason may be anything from needing to sell from a financial standpoint to having to have a different kind of bass for a gig. There could even be a kind of reverse-snobbery, with some players thinking that they don't need a custom bass because my playing will speak for me ("Jaco only needed a Fender Jazz" syndrome). Mind you, could you see players selling their Foderas and Sadowskys etc., because a new Fender P or J would work just as well?? IMO, having a bass built is no different from buying a new bass in a shop. You try, you think, you look at your bank balance, think some more before eventually coming to a decision that's right for you as a player at that time. Also, if you include vintage instruments and sought after luthiers (Fodera again, sorry) , custom basses aren't necessarily the most expensive option. What custom basses do give you is choice over specification. If you like the design, materials etc and you feel an empathy with the luthier then why not order one. Surely buying a bass which is in a shop, in your hands and within your budget (because you've haggled well) is the easier option of the two.

Try going around the bass checking every bolt and screw is tight. Look at the pickup screws as well as the pots themselves. Only needs something to be a little loose and maddening rattles start up. Also, see if the bridge saddles are seated properly. Sometimes the saddle can be in the right place, but the screw in the saddle isn't tightened down. It's strange that the bass becomes unplayable though...... I noticed you're in Glasgow, so if that doesn't work send me a PM and I'll be happy to have a look at it for you.

I have no idea who this band are but I just watched [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vI56pWRpHeU&feature=related"]this YouTube video[/url] Really surprised at how much the guys didn't know about the instruments and just left it to the Fender rep to add the details. The guitar's based on a Custom Shop 60's strat of which the Fender guy has picked out a few for the band over the last few years. Seems like a bit of a gimmick to get the Squier name out there a bit more.

It states [url="http://www.tuscanyguitars.com/company.html"]here[/url] that: [b][i]All instruments are made in Asia under rigorous quality supervision, imported in Italy, set-up by Lorenzo Brogi and then distributed worldwide.[/i][/b] Could be good, could be bad.

Wasn't this same question asked not that long ago? Players find a bass they want to play and they play it. Some get lucky and find [i]the[/i] bass that suits them first time around. Some might trade or buy something else until they get something they're happy with and so the cycle goes on. Then you might want to add another instrument as a spare for a gig or buy a different kind of bass. At some point some players might want a bass which comes from a certain maker. Whether than it 'custom' or 'off the peg' isn't the point. If a player wants a certain bass and they can afford it, then they put an order in and wait for the instrument to arrive. If a bassist wants a certain bass and it happens to be tagged as 'custom' then who cares. It's a personal choice and the reasons for buying any bass are personal (if not understandable).

Blimey, there's Bruce Gaitsch on guitar.

The first guy has a video where he plays all the instruments and creates a cover of YYZ. One of the most impressive things I've seen on YouTube.

I remember reading in Guitarist about the guy who bought one of Richie Sambora's guitars. Lucky wotsit! I would loved to have bought Phil Collen's Adrenalize Dinky Jackson guitar though.

Blimey an all star band. There's Rory Bremner on guitar and Kevin Bacon on the drums.

IMHO, Fender's are way overpriced. Worth looking at some different manufacturers at that kinda price.