PlungerModerno

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1409083232' post='2536224'] If it was a bolt on maybe but I cant see the parts being 200 quids worth of use? [/quote] Ahhhh! Run! It's the set neck and neck through alliance of doom!!!!! Ok maybe not - but if a neck goes south and it doesn't come off it's asking for trouble. Hopefully it can be repaired - from the picture it appears the unwanted twist is only near the headstock. That bodes well for a repair - you might only need to work with frets 1 - 7 or something.

Well it's about time . I'm in the same boat (almost) got my first Jazz in a trade, turns out I love 'em. The rosewood fretboard looks nicer with the black pickguard. All the best with that beauty!

[quote name='Karl Derrick' timestamp='1409225773' post='2537678'] Just so we have a frame of reference, The strap doesn't overhang my shoulder at all. Be interesting to see how it fits you other guys Karl Karl [/quote] Yes - It'll be good info, should indicate if a particular frame size has issues with the strap (I'm not huge myself!). I might end up with a slightly narrower custom strap if the 5" width is too much!

[quote name='Thanet Newbie' timestamp='1409212463' post='2537429'] Thank you so much for all your input, guys. Clearly, I will have to do some "fettling" to the bass.... I have tried using headphones and issue of louder 1st string is still present, so I will have a play with some allen keys to adjust string heights. What difference do flatwound strings make, compared to round wound, please? Sorry to ask such a basic question, but all my acoustic guitars use exclusively round wound strings, so I have zero experience of anything to do with flat wound strings. [/quote] They feel and sound very different. And there is quite a variety between different types of flatwound strings. Have a listen: [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y38C30bleOI"]https://www.youtube....h?v=y38C30bleOI[/url] [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VA_KrCDjbV4"]https://www.youtube....h?v=VA_KrCDjbV4[/url] In general they are stiffer than rounds for the same gauge - although there are exceptions. If you want a Hi-Fi tone go for definitely go for rounds: eg: [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1V6I_FEDKIs"]https://www.youtube....h?v=1V6I_FEDKIs[/url] or [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGyrGTuMhzo"]https://www.youtube....h?v=jGyrGTuMhzo[/url] For an old school thump a flat is a great option: [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZ95dHUPq_0"]https://www.youtube....h?v=WZ95dHUPq_0[/url] or [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cp-NUVhg2k"]https://www.youtube....h?v=_cp-NUVhg2k[/url] EDIT: watch when you adjust string height that you don't throw out the string radius too much (see http://www.humbuckermusic.com/fretboard-radius-explained-article.html ) It's probably worth checking the pickup distance from the string when the G is on the last fret.

[quote name='andydye' timestamp='1409223480' post='2537636'] No prob matey, my wife had plenty of giggles takin the pics! purdy J ain't it, I might have preferred a rosewood board but this one'll do for the 'I fancied a j for a bit' thing I suspect you're right about the width and body difderences etc...it'll be very intereasting to see how the others on the list get on with it. It's headin out to walbassist today so should be with him tomorrow [/quote] Ha! I got a MIM Jazz in a trade a while back - would have loved a maple board, got rosewood! It plays well so I can't complain.

Thanks for the pics andydye - nice Jazz BTW. The strap is a beast! - definitely keen to see how it fits me. Everyones body is different - and I'd imagine the extra width exaggerates any small mismatch in curve with the wearers body. Hopefully a few small tweaks will have it fitting 95% of the market - and 75% as is! We'll have to see.

[quote name='Thanet Newbie' timestamp='1409153421' post='2536888'] (Moderators - If I have posted into the wrong section of the forum, please point me to the correct part....) I am principally a guitar player - fingerstyle folk mainly - but have also acquired a range of other stringed instruments, and can bash a few chords out of them. My daughter has now gifted to me her bass guitar - a Crafter Cruizer 4 string with a small Peavey practice amp. I am gradually getting my head around a few scales, and would ultimately like to use the bass to accompany a few songs in the ukulele club that I belong to. Nothing fancy at all, just a steady beat or shuffle to give a bit of tonal variety to our performances. Two questions, please: 1) In general terms, what are the advantages/disadvantages of light guage strings to heavy guage ones? As a total newbie, it seems to me that light guage strings would be easier to play, but will they spoil the sound? (I guess the strings on the guitar are old, and I have no idea what guage, so I have decided to change them, but just need to decide what might the most appropriate guage for a beginner who just wants to play undemanding lines). 2) The 1st string (G) is way louder through the amp than the other strings, and I can't seem to rein it in despite lots of tweaking of the amp controls and the pickup controls. Is this something I will just have to live with, or does it need proper intervention by a luthier or an electrician? In which case I will have to just live with it, cos I don't want to throw money at this project, other than some strings! Thanks in anticipation of any input from the forum. Paul [/quote] Welcome to the forums! As for the specific questions: [b]1.[/b] As has been mentioned it's a matter of preference. Are you using standard tuning? If you are then most 105-45 or 40-100 (or 40 to 95) will work great - but feel & sound different, both depending on material and manufacturer as well as the gauge. For what it's worth I tried 40-95 D'Addario XL balanced tension nickel plated steel... still have them on my Jazz. They play and sound even across the strings, and they're not too expensive. I'd avoid expensive strings till you get a feel for what you like. I'd recommend lighter strings for 34" scale basses - 40 - 100 as these play easier with OK setups. If you can make it play great (or pay to get it running perfect) with heavier strings that'll work too - as long as you aren't doing string bends! In summary get regular or light gauge strings for standard tuning. Avoid strings intended for odd tunings unless you want that kind of thing. You'll figure it out pretty swiftly as you try different strings. [b]2.[/b] Through the practice amp or through a desk/ pair of headphones? If you plug into a small practice amp you can get an odd representation of the basses output. To hear a bass clearly from low lows to high highs - listen to it with a pair of OK headphones/earphones. Amps & cabs and the room they are in often colour the sound quite a bit! If it is a Could be a pickup or string thing as people have mentioned. Does the G string feel more taut than the others? I know I've tried some string sets that have had very tight D & G strings relative vs. the E & A - meaning I almost had to play them differently to get even sound out. If you've ever played a few Low B's you'll know heavier strings often feel and sound different to lighter ones on many basses.

He rocks. I had a giggle at "Chich - Le Freak". Only a typo.

[quote name='charic' timestamp='1409140536' post='2536686'] Can we see a pic of it being worn please? [/quote] +1.

Oh wow! That's tight and groovy. Good to see Mr. Edwards with a Jazz. P.S. Thanks for the link, and the peek into the roots of chic!

I'm sorry you are having issues - tinnitus sucks - I have the beginnings of tinnitus (high pitched ringing - but it's not really noticeable unless I'm in a quiet environment) - I can only imagine what the fully intrusive degrees of the condition are like. It's sad that it's affected your ability to enjoy music - but it could always be worse. Try to forge on, and like so many people have mentioned here, explore other musical options when you feel ready. Don't beat yourself up with what might have been or how things could turn out if you only had perfect hearing again. Part of coping with chronic conditions is acceptance. Hope for things to improve but learn to frame your expectations on how things appear rationally. I think your decision to avoid regular gigs at high volume (apparently your preference!) shows you're looking at things fairly clearly (IMO). I hope you can still enjoy music and performance in one way or another. Thanks for sharing - and have a blast with the recording studio project!

Sadly no - I think I'd like being french, or being in france; at least for a while.

Are you using single-coil pickups? How close are we talking here?

Cool, thanks! As long as it's signed and agreed in advance, I could agree to 50% inbound and 100% outbound shipping costs to me.

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1408818829' post='2533841'] Bump, nobody got an opinion on these? [/quote] Well they look and sound pretty awesome, 35" scale with 3 band EQ means it should do just about everything. I'd love to try one.

Good to hear this is still chugging away. I'm in Ireland so I doubt I'd be able to get my hands on the prototype economically. With bills keeping things a little tight ATM I'm not promising I'll order one - but pictures of it always make spending easier (or not spending harder ). If a video of it, or pics of it being worn are available it'll help convince people to spring for the product.

[quote name='Karl Derrick' timestamp='1407776206' post='2523902'] Well, they're laid out and cut with a knife, lined with 1mm thick suede, glued together, stitched around the edge, then they are edged, stained and burnished. Then waxed and burnished. Take a long day each to make. There's about £35.00 to £40.00 in material and fittings for each strap. Going to be around £135.00 to £145.00 each, plus postage. Karl [/quote] That's a fair price considering the materials, and the skilled hours poured into each unit. You're paying for the design too. I'm not sure if a patent would be possible/applicable, but it's not insane to expect a reasonable mark up on innovation.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1407758116' post='2523599'] Yes, this is getting very interesting indeed. For those of us who carry heavy valve amps - and like myself have already undergone a hernia repair operation - how about a bass strap/truss combo? It could have a wide band running round the umbilicus and two thinner straps fitting snugly each side of the scrotum to prevent rupture. The 'contouring' technique would really come into its own. Combined with the Gruv Gear 'Duo' strap design which would prevent middle-aged moob-flop, I think you'd have a problem keeping up with demand! It would look a bit like an S&M parachute harness of course, but surely this is a case where function is much more important than form? Think of the improvement to one's playing if safe in the knowledge that one's guts aren't going to spill out all over the stage again like that time in Kidderminster. [/quote] It would depend on the specifics of the design, but I'd imagine a combined bass strap/straps and truss/brace would need to be hand fitted or highly adjustable: It'd be a much more niche product than a contoured strap - in part because the weight and complexity of the rig. Anything is possible of course. I know leather needn't be hugely heavy - I assume a combined design would include elastic, metal/plastic strips, velcro etc. and could be comparable in weight to off the shelf products - but this would mean a lot more prototyping and design work than a simple strap. I'd imagine there's a middle ground with an existing truss/brace design and a custom strap/straps (like the duo strap) fitted around it (if not fitted to it). I know something like the old Steinberger plate: Might be a better starting point for those looking for a custom solution to load bearing issues: make the bass light and perfectly balanced - then brace and support the body in the places it needs - lastly try to integrate the two? I'm just thinking out [s]lout[/s] [b]loud[/b] really! Edit: I may be a lout, but I am thinking out loud.

[quote name='Karl Derrick' timestamp='1407751278' post='2523509'] I'll put up an official interest thread in the classified section when we have all the details worked out. But I'll count you among the interested for the present I'll make the strap to the measurement provided by the client, so long or short is a bit philosophical There will be no width options, as adjusting any of the measurements has a knock-on effect on all the others, proportions, etc. Suffice to say, the strap is 5" wide at the widest point. I'm attempting to make the most comfortable bass strap possible Karl [/quote] Cool.

Is 115 cm (+/- a few cm) or 45" (3' 9" +/- an inch or so) a short or long strap?? It depends on who you ask I guess. I measured my straps (All three!!!) by laying them on top of each other. All are set about the same. If the strap is available in a 12cm wide option or close to it I might not be able to resist! I'm interested. I think I'll go with black - but lets not get too far ahead of ourselves.

[quote name='Karl Derrick' timestamp='1407702799' post='2523222'] Leather is a by-product of the meat industry. They kill cows for beef, and the skins would just be discarded if they weren't used to make leather. I respect others' choices, though. To each his own. Karl [/quote] Aye, or they'd be used to make other products (glues, fillers, etc.) Even if the meat industry shut down overnight, leatherwork with animal hides from creatures dying from natural causes would be possible. Much more usable than the meat from animals dying from natural causes I'd imagine! I think it was mythbusters with their tests on pig cadavers (all sourced from natural deaths apparently) that opened my eyes to the options when animal lives are prized. EDIT: the mockup looks interesting - I'd imagined some subtle stitching to give a gentle curve - what's apparently taking shape is a left/right specific cut of leather, made to fit a typical human contour.

[quote name='Karl Derrick' timestamp='1407535499' post='2521671'] I try to take a holistic approach with my design work. I'll get the function and features, then the final shape, then the pretty stuff. I'll bear a quick adjustment feature in mind, but everyone will want a specific feature and every feature added drives up the price of each strap. The final strap will be a reasonable compromise between quality/materials/labour/features and price. Karl [/quote] Sounds like you've thought it through - keep us posted with info (i.e. pics please!) and best of look with this endeavor.

[quote name='mcnach' timestamp='1407531719' post='2521622'] If you're going to use a limiter, that seems a really good approach! [/quote] +1 I'd also say that the sensor should be outside the room if it's an indoor show - that way the better the sound isolation, the louder you can go - maybe a 125dB sensor inside and a 80dB sensor outside? At least that way the amount the neighbours hear is factored into the warning cutoff setting!

[quote name='julietgreen' timestamp='1407525810' post='2521547'] or for skinny waifs? [/quote] Aye, or for the shorter or shorter armed among us! Also for the double neck players! [quote name='Karl Derrick' timestamp='1407527598' post='2521577'] I have a plan for a prototype ergonomic strap in mind. It'll be specific to left or right hand users, with the pattern flipped for lefties. Karl [/quote] Cool Idea, with an intriguing USP. Would consider buying one. It's gonna depend on price of course. I'd focus on making it work first, then making it pretty. Maybe offer custom options, e.g. colours / patterning for an additional fee if that's the direction you want to take it. If the strap is very ergonomic it could be a wonderful product/solution to a lot of bassists needs. I personally have an elastic and foam strap which works well but could do with having less give and more grip (it's very soft, and about 8 cm wide - Ideally it'd be 12 cm and have a very grippy back).