Maude

I love the look of this bass. This was the look that inspired my Kay resto.

Pulled it apart today and gave it all a good clean and polish. It's definitely a more modern one but is surprisingly well built. Nice tidy routing and tight tolerances. Lovely snug neck pocket. I haven't shielded it, I'll see if it's noisy at all first. If it ain't broke... No clues as to age in here. Basic but tidy and no work needed. Magnets on underside of PU, so I assume they must be ceramic ones. Don't know if they are Wilkinson or not, but it doesn't matter. The good thing is they run on unleaded. 😁 Gave the body and pickguard a good clean and polish, and washed and scrubbed all the metalwork. The body would benefit from a wet flat, then polish, but as I've no idea how much lacquer is on it I'm not going to bother in case I break through. It's only a cheapy bit of fun and it's perfectly acceptable. Body's all built up and I'm about to tackle the neck. I've used cream felt strap pin washers to match the pickguard but black might be better, I'm not sure. Again, it doesn't really matter.

To be fair they are all excellent basses/guitars. There's always the pick of bunch even from cheaper brands. The Kay is a neck through similar to Westone Thunder or Aria SB, actually made by Cort with very nice Powersound pickups, the Kimbara is a very accurate Gibson Ripper copy in looks and sound, the Hohner is a nice Arbour Series fretless P and the Melody is a cool little bowl back, f hole archtop acoustic guitar based on an Ovation. I like an underdog. 😉

I'll pull it apart tomorrow probably and give a good clean and polish. I'll see what's what then. I really need to stop buying 'rubbish' though. In my 5 space living room rack at the mo I have an Encore, Hohner, Kimbara, Melody and Kay. We had paramedics in the house earlier in the week and one of them was in a band and asked who the bassist was. It was almost embarrassing, you almost want to say, "I have some really nice basses in cases, honest." 😄

That's good to know because my other P bass has a SD 1/4 Pound and is aggressive and scooped. I'd like this to be more classic Motown P tone.

I'll tackle any repair on a bass but I'll happily admit electrics aren't my strong point, it's like witchcraft! 😉

Wilkinson are similar to the Entwistle pickups that I'm a fan of. I actually think the Entwistle neos (PBXN) are almost identical sounding to the Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounder, but actually better as they have slightly more pronounced mids. I might give the Winkinsons a go if I need to. I reckon it's Wilkinson in there now but probably a cheapy. Warman are another favourite of mine, excellent pickups for very little money.

Wouldn't an on/off switch create a pop when engaging/disengaging, like pluggging/unplugging a jack with amp volume up??

I think very roughly speaking there is old Encore and new Encore. Old was a brand name of John Hornby Skewes and were decent quality (at a price point), new Encore is less decent, built to a lower budget. Although this P bass has the feel of an older bass I think it's one of the newer ones as the hardware is all too shiny. I think they use Wilkinson now so should still be decent. I have an old Encore sunburst Strat that is very beaten up but looks very cool, a la John Frusciante. The paint must be nitro as it's just flaking off around all the chips and scratches. That's actually a really nice guitar. Your all black Encore looks really nice too. I love a budget guitar/bass that manages to hold its own with the big boys.

The Yamaha RBX374 pickups had a concaved thumb rest and moulded into them that was a bit like this add on. This looks like a great, easy solution.

Wow! That looks pretty flippin' special. 🙂👍

Don't know, I don't get involved with those funny little six string toys much. 😉 I'd guess the guitars get similar love from that side of the camp though.

It's cheap, it's an Encore and I don't 'need' it in the slightest, but it's money in a good charities coffers. Ah the reasons we find to justify a new bass. 😄 To be fair St. Lukes Hospice is a great charity in Plymouth and has really helped a few people I know so that genuinely sealed the deal. I'd seen this on eBay and liked the look of it, you know when something just has 'a look' that grabs you somehow. I had to go Plymouth today so decided to pick it up while in there. With a good clean up I think it'll be a little gem. Nice trans red with some nice grain (I can see a three/four piece body so don't think it's a photo job), aged pearl pickguard, nice grain on an amber neck, and it plays and sounds really quite well. Pots are a bit scratchy but if it cleans up nice and a good set up and fret dress gets it playing really nicely, it might even get treated to a upgraded PU and loom. Who doesn't need an extra P bass knocking around for £50? Oh yeah, included a strap and gigbag, both cheap but the bag will keep the dust off once clean. Does anyone have any idea on age? It looks like an older Encore but it could equally be a modern one with a vintage look. I've no idea on the history of Encores.

Thunders do seem to be hot property at the moment, and I'll admit I was also quietly on the lookout for a decent one for a while too. I was given a Kay/Cort neck through in a similar 80s style with the Powersound pickups so that will kind of scratch that itch for a while. At the mo I think anything sub £300 is a very good price for a Thunder 1a,even though more so if in condition with original case. The IIIs are making serious money.

Stone Cold Bush - RHCP

😄😄😄 As of today, I'm out for February. What do you mean it's not a monthly challenge? 😁

In a word, no. 😁 Embarrassingly I have a number of unfinished projects on the go, bits are getting down to some, but due to life in general getting in the way it's a slow process. They're not meant to be work and as soon as they start to feel that way they get put to one side, to be continued when I'm in the mood. Sadly I'm struggling to get motivated with a lot lately. I'm determined to make this year the year when I finish all these projects, I'll then have a handful of new (to me) basses to enjoy. Watch this space... but not too eagerly. 😉

I noticed that after I posted but couldn't be bothered to go back and edit it. Plus who knows, it's every man's right to be called Trudy. "But why do you want to be called Loretta, Stan?" 🙂

Tough Love - Plan B

Double Barrel. 😉

Late notice, on now. Rudeboy, The story of Trojan Records. Followed by Toots and The Maytals, From the Roots.

On sky arts now, 'Rudeboy' Story of Trojan Records. Followed by Toots and The Maytals, From the Roots. Obviously more Ska orientated but should be of interest.

I've reckon I've worn the same pair of underpants longer than Andy has kept some basses. 😄

Go look at at a Gibson Ripper and then come back here and amend your statement. Pffft, painted headstocks don't look good on maple indeed. 😉 That black on yours does look a bit odd though doesn't it. Pictures when it's done please. 🙂👍