Maude

I couldn't be doing with that. Personally I like a band to be tight, and for me that means everyone knowing exactly where all the changes are and sticking to them. It's no good me launching into the chorus if the guitarist decides he wants to noodle on for a few more bars. He sounds like a bedroom guitarist that never learnt to play with a band, knows his shortcomings and makes excuses for them like "I play by feel", and gets angry when he's 'found out'.

Yeah it's just me being fussy, and the photos make it look worse. If I'd refinished it I'd be annoyed with myself for letting those bits go, but you can't expect that attention to detail in a cheap, mass produced bass. I doubt exchanging it for another would improve things as there'd be other bits wrong probably. I know I don't sound it, but I'm really happy with it. Most folks would never notice.

No, my bad (as the coolest kids say). It's VBT, but I meant with the blend half way between both pickups and just the neck one, at 7.5 if you will.

Right here we go then. Firstly you have to understand that I can be too fussy for my own good. It comes from a being a panel beater with a bit of pride, and badly sanded edges and misaligned parts leap out at me. Which led to my first disappointment. It came out the bag headstock first and the paint edge around the 'open book' shape isn't the best. There's also a couple of edges which aren't right, but to be fair this is a colour that will emphasise any imperfections, and it's only a £350 bass. That said, it does look lovely, I really like the colour and the body hardware looks huge, really chunky, which I like. The actual paint finish is perfectly acceptable, not amazing but as good as more expensive basses. I've only plugged it into a small amp so far but it sounds great, I really quite like the both pickups on full, slightly scooped tone it has. But the neck pickup full, bridge about halfway is great. Action is very high for my liking but that all adjustable. The frets are very thin which I also like. More to come when I've spent some time with it, but overall a very nice bass for very little money. Without flash. With flash. Bad edges. Action. Nice fretboard wood. Chunky hardware. Retro knobs Lovely colour.

I daren't look at it to sternly. 😉

All in good time young Stew, all in good time. 😉 A sneaky peaked close up.

It's so perdy! Almost a sparkle finish.

Shaun is, apparently, 1 hour away. I can also tell you that his favourite song is 'Take It Easy' by The Eagles. TAKE IT EASY!! Put your bloody foot down Shaun. Come on! 🤣🤣🤣

Well after an extensive playing and testing session with the 424 and 1024 yesterday, I can with absolute certainty say that I don't bloody know which I prefer! The 1024 should be better, but is it? The drastically different strings are the biggest problem as the tone is so different it's impossible to compare. I definitely think I prefer the reverse P of my 424, but I have the Hooky now for my reverse P hunger, so maybe that and the standard P 1024 would make a nice pair. It's a dilemma but a nice dilemma to have. Serious question that might just sway it. What do folks think about my reversing the P on the 424, have I reduced it's value or not? Even if I say so myself, it's been done nicely, routed out neatly and the scratchplate is a perfect fit, not some hack it out job, and it's all reversible if wanted. I wouldn't expect it to have added value, but as it's now non standard is it worth less?

Teenage Punks - Sultans Of Ping

It gets better, I've just had a message from DPD saying Shaun will deliver my package today. I only rang PMT late morning yesterday. Come on Shaun, where are you? I'm going to go and stand by my gate and wait. 😁

This is only semi serious as it's not really what you're after, but I've been itching to put a pair of Warman Drivetrains in a bass. https://www.warmanguitars.co.uk/product/drivetrain-quad-coil-29-87-kohm-ultra-output-pickup-4-wire-our-highest-output-dual-humbucker/

Harley Benton do a Rick-a-like using mostly Chinese (AliExpress) hardware, but with better QC and a guarantee. Can't remember what the pickups are though and whether they'll be vaguely Rickish. You're best bet is to pick up a 70's Jap faker.

Pickups, I've always said 'front and rear' are 'neck and bridge'. Strings used to confuse me when I was learning as when wearing the bass top to bottom is E to G, but in terms of pitch it's G to E. While knowing nothing about pitch, I did know which way was up, so it seemed logical that the 'top' string was the E, but it isn't.

Leave It Alone - NOFX 🧐 rocket - salad - leaves 🙄

Yeah sorry, my edit is confusing reading it back. I meant they were in stock, but now only 'available to order', as in not in stock. Hopefully you'll get your green one soon. I really couldn't decide between the green or gold but just fancied a gold bass in the end. I can see a tort scratchplate on the gold, but the black matches the headstock. What am I doing, I haven't even got it yet! 😁

A lovely looking '85 fretless BB1100S has just popped up on facebook marketplace. https://www.facebook.com/groups/167660810099231/permalink/1856217261243569/?sale_post_id=1856217261243569

Orgasm Addict - The Buzzcocks

I've just bought Tom's Yamaha BB2024X. Absolute pleasure to deal with. He agreed to post, swapped the gigbag for hardcase and absorbed the cost of the postage. Also kept me informed at all stages. Thank you so much much Tom.

This mornings fun. Some comparison time and a choice to be made. Visually (shallow I know) the 1024's bridge, P pickup, string tree, nut and gloss headstock look nicer, but the 424's fretboard wood is far, far nicer and I prefer the plain black scratchplate. The 1024 has white Dr neons while the 424 has D'addario half rounds ( @Ricky Rioli) so sound comparison will be difficult. I've not weighed them but the 1024 feels heavier, but not substantially. Time to play. 🙂👍

No but in true Basschat style I'll throw my favourite in the mix just to add some confusion. 😁 It sounds like you like me in liking a robust feeling string. I've settled on D'addario half rounds (enr72 are great) as they have a decent amount of tension, allowing me to really dig in without masses of fret clatter, they have that flatwound bottom and mid but still have a reasonable amount of treble. They're kind of like old rounds but with a real punch in the mids. In our band they really sit well, playing Mod/Ska/Northern Soul.

Result! Cancelled the finance ordered bass that was in stock, and they're sending that one as my paid for order. I was worried that it might get assigned to someone else. It'll be here on Tuesday. 🙂

Hmm I need some wall hangers and their three pack is a good price. I'd probably be buying or 7 or 8 packs so still not a small amount of money if they're not very good. Does anyone have any experience with them? I don't want to save money over Hercules but find half my bass on the floor.

That looks rather lovely. 🙂👍