Clarky

[url="http://www.thebassgallery.com/product_details.cfm?ID=1971&type=Bass%20Guitar"]http://www.thebassgallery.com/product_details.cfm?ID=1971&type=Bass%20Guitar[/url] Two grand is a bit eye-watering but its sures looks like sex on a stick to me!

[quote name='Grand Wazoo' timestamp='1317174857' post='1387715'] Clarky the original pickup in a CIJ 51 reissue has raised poles on A and D strings while flat on E and G this to follow the fretboard contour, the one I sold you last year had a Lollar pickup which was re-hand wound by Jason to compensate for the fact that his pole piece were flat and not followed the contour. I believe his re-hand wiring did the trick and that bass had a very very balanced sound. Also I changed all the wiring for waxed cloth wires and CTS pots with paper oil capacitor, to make it more period correct. Whoever bought it off you could tell you, he got a nice bass. Why did you try another, just out of curiosity? [/quote] Thanks GW, I may get hold of a Lollar (Chandlers has them for about £60) and replace the Seymour Duncan. Why did I buy another? Well it wasn't just "any '51 reissue", it was a Marks & Spencer, oops ....in fact it was the '53 Relic'd one that Rick's Fine '52 was selling with nitro refinished body, neck, guard, vintage ferrules etc and it looks so unbelievably authentic. Couldn't help myself! Pics here: [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FENDER-PRECISION-1953-RELIC-Blonde-Blackguard-beauty-/220847112061?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item336b837f7d"]http://www.ebay.co.u...=item336b837f7d[/url]

OK, well the G side of the pickup was already as low as it would go so I tilted up the E side and its largely solved the volume issue. There's still a difference but probably more noticeable to me than to anyone in an audience. The phase effect is still there but not so noticeable with the better volume balance and I think I can live with that as, lets face it, why on earth would I routinely go up to the heady heights of the 7th fret on the G string and above? Its a bass init!

Or for a very good half-way house, Status Hotwire Half-rounds (which are rounds ground down to be close to flats but still with a bit of grippiness and a slight zing to them). They sound (and play) great on my fretless Wal ... in fact their lack of total slidiness probably makes them ideal for a fretless as you don't end up sliding too far!

[quote name='warwickhunt' timestamp='1317153221' post='1387477'] I tried EQing it, using a different amp/cab, adjusting the pup and action, tightened neck bolts, different string gauge and makes... all to no avail. It annoyed me to the point where I sold the bass. [/quote] Oh dear, thats not good news for you ... or potentially me. I am heading off with screwdriver set now

Afraid I'm on my wife's Mac and can't copy the URL but if you go to the Shuker website, the stock list includes a JJ Burnel sig Precision (£1500). These are normally made to order so I guess this is a cancelled order. These are seriously good P basses, better than any Fender at the same price point. I know a few BC'ers covet one so thought I'd flag it up

[quote name='warwickhunt' timestamp='1317152340' post='1387457'] Strange you should have this issue even with a replacement pup as I had a very similar issue with a 'Sting' sig Tele/P bass and replacing the pup didn't sort that (I also tried tilting the pup etc to no avail and changing between flats and rounds)! [/quote] Did you manage to solve it in the end, WH ... or just sell the bass?!!!

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1317148518' post='1387397']There's lots of flatwounds and they all have different qualities. So you're likely to get a list of people's preferences. At the moment, I use La Bella Deep Talkin 760FS on my fretted Precision for a Motown/Stax sound (FS are standard guage and high tension, for a little less tension you can try 760FL light guage). Thomastik Jazz Flats (JF344) are on my fretless precision for a slightly brighter and middier sound - these are much lower tension - and La Bella Deep Talkin 760N Black Nylons are on my Lakland Decade - these are roundwounds with a nylon tape winding on top. I'm less keen on D'Addario Chromes which are fairly tense and initially bright, nor the Roto Jazz flats for the same reason. The GHS Precision flats are I think the same as the Lakland flats which I also like. For a sixties British bass thud try Pyramid Golds.[/quote] What he said. I am using La Bella 760FS on my 51RI Precision, Pyramid Gold flats on my 63P and Rotosound Tru Bass black nylon strings (really fat and thumpy) on my 'Herbie Flowers' tribute Jazz (cos Herbie does!)

Thanks Mart, sounds like a good (and simple) plan. Can't help feeling it will require more than this but - as you say - worth ruling out pickup placement before delving into electrickery nonsense!

So is the phasing sound on a hard-hit G string (now there's a vision!) normal on the '51 RI? TBH thats the lesser of the two issues as the volume issue is the one that perplexes me - I was hoping to do some recording next weekend but the track I will be doing has a downwards rake on the strings (permutation of 7th and 5th frets, G string down to A string) which just doesn't work on this bass as the G drowns out the A and D strings

I recently bought a '51 reissue Precision and swapped the round strings over for a newish set of LaBella flats. The bass has a Seymour Duncan replacement '51 P bass pickup. The problem I have is the G string is louder than the E/A/D and seems especially so around the 7th fret upwards, when the notes seem to swell and then almost move in and out of phase (wah) as they die away. The pickup is sat very square on (ie, its not raised at the G string) so I'm wondering what's going on here. Anyone have any suggestions? Muchos gracias, Clarky

That looks like a cracker of a bass in the making! I have really fallen for Antigua finish basses (anthomp has a fantastic collection if you search the forum)

In an ideal world I'd be PM'ing you right now, Wes (I have gone back to the TruBass black nylon strings on the Herbie bass and would like a Jazz with zingy rounds on too). However, I have overspent on gear this year (DBs are an expensive hobby!) and earnings prospects in my line of work look decidely dodgy right now .... Happy to recommend your work to another buyer though

Wow. Finished article looks stunning, Wes! Who is going to be the proud owner of this - you or is some lucky fellow lined up?

I've bought and sold a lot of basses but two still rankle with me as bad decisions: A Fender CS Pino bass that I sold back to Jas/Legion - every bit as good as my year-of-birth P bass (and half the cost!) and it just had something indefinably lovely about it (combination of the light weight, worn in neck, finish etc) Alleva-Coppolo LG4 (the Jazz shaped model) in sunburst - best Jazz I ever played, currently in Happy Jack's hands (though I continue to work hard to prise it out of his grip!)

Dave Lee Roth - Just a gigolo/I ain't got nobody No death relevance, just such fun [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN-4lX0QyZc"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN-4lX0QyZc[/url]

And bring a plectrum as backup!

Yep my left hand has cramped up into a ball a couple of times after playing DB for an hour or so. All I can do is peel the fingers back and fret with my forefinger or my thumb when this happens. It's very disturbing but it does go away

Hope the raffle raised a good wedge. So Hamster, how much was raised for charity, matey?

Nice one Wes! Still loving the "Herbie" bass

[quote name='steviedee' timestamp='1316814804' post='1383421'] I've joined the Wal club, Mk1 1983 wenge facings, this bass has been owned by a couple of BCers but now it's all mine and I'm loving it! [attachment=90064:wal.jpg] [/quote] Hey congrats Stevie! Looks good against the blonde DB

Unfortunately the management at Tin Pan Alley has just changed and is not honouring any gigs booked after September, so our gig is cancelled. Charming after all the hard work in securing and arranging for band practices etc