Clarky

And there was me thinking it was a scoop first picture of Pink's new baby son

[quote name='Moos3h' post='1041772' date='Nov 29 2010, 10:46 PM']Just read the latest issue this evening. Only comment is what a bell-end Jeff Berlin comes across as in the letters page![/quote] Read mine on way to work this morning. The letter that prompted Jeff Berlin's response was a bit silly but Jeff Berlin's ego is off the scale. He might be a great bass player (and is undoubtedly amazingly technically gifted), but what an arrogant SoB. No wonder he divides opinions - and thats before we even mention the 70s porn star moustache and the waist high jeans and Hi-Tops!

Well a weather-ravaged version of Rattlin Bone (5 out of 14 made it!) played in the Proud Gallery, Camden tonight to, erm, Mrs Clarky, the other two bands, and about a dozen other people. Outside it was blowing a blizzard and the pavements were treacherous. Got home without any accidents, mercifully. I guess it was a free rehearsal .... Thank you, British weather

[quote name='pete.young' post='1044436' date='Dec 1 2010, 10:32 PM']I'm just wondering how the tension of the strings can have anything to do with how hard it is to adjust the rod. You are loosening off the strings before you increase the tension in the rod, yes?[/quote] Yep, I always loosen the strings before adjusting the truss rod. What I meant about string tension is that higher tension strings exert more pull on the neck so the truss rod needs more tightening clockwise to compensate.

[quote name='EddieG' post='1044016' date='Dec 1 2010, 04:50 PM'] Coolest picture EVER![/quote] He used the fur coat for string dampening. Fact

Other than scarcity value of this particular model, I have to say (well I don't but I will anyway!) I prefer the contoured Precision shape to this. It looks a bit woodwork class to me

Its such a b*gger. We were going to video the show as well for promotional purposes. Now I imagine it will be like a part-band rehearsal in front of Mrs Clarky and 1 or 2 other stragglers looking for a drink on a cold Wednesday night. Hey ho, worse things happen at sea

Seems we are going ahead, using backing tapes as the drummer and guitarists definitely cannot make it. Line-up may just be Vocals Trombone Trumpet Double bass .... err tapes Far cry from the 14-piece that played on Halloween If anyone was thinking of coming along (especially those with broken legs!), please don't feel obliged as this is such a stripped down version of the band

This is looking dicy as half the band (including drummer, guitarist, souzaphone player and leading lady vocalist) have to come up from the South Coast and trains are being cancelled/delayed ... Looks like a 50:50 this may be cancelled

As an alternative, you could always do a Keef and imbibe a load of drugs and booze and it would probably sound great Edit: I know the bass player was Bill Wyman but if I suggested doing a Wyman it might bring up other connotations

[quote name='Clarky' post='1042331' date='Nov 30 2010, 01:31 PM']it may just be that the issue here is I have a very stiff truss rod that is making me tread too carefully with adjustments for fearing of over-doing it[/quote] Looks like a stiff truss rod was the issue. I was a bit braver with it yesterday (couldn't find the WD-40 unfortunately; it literally is bicep-busting to turn the truss rod) and I have the neck nice and straight now.

[quote name='EssentialTension' post='1043021' date='Nov 30 2010, 09:45 PM']When will this thread be renamed Clarky's Wall of Shame? Anyway, congrats on all the new basses Clarky.[/quote] Sorted, Dave!

[quote name='The Bass Doc' post='1042358' date='Nov 30 2010, 01:46 PM']OK, ok, It's correct to say I've handled lots of bass players nuts over the years but Clarky would have to live a bit closer for me to have a 'feel' for what the problem might be. Thanks for this oportunity WH. [/quote] Thankfully there's 300 miles and 248,000 tonnes of snow between us

[quote name='Ou7shined' post='1042330' date='Nov 30 2010, 01:30 PM']A wee (and I mean wee) squirt of wd40 won't do any harm... try not to get it on the wood though.[/quote] Thanks again mate, I will go seek the WD40 tonight.

[quote name='lettsguitars' post='1042325' date='Nov 30 2010, 01:27 PM']as for max'ing out a rod, i can't imagine that ever happening. if somethings 'rattling' and the rod is in tension, you've got problems.[/quote] There's no rattling. I have heard of people snapping truss rods by over-tightening, thats what left me a bit fearful. In fact it turns out that the previous owner of the bass (he just PM'd me) found the truss rod pretty stiff to adjust, even with lower tension strings. So it may just be that the issue here is I have a very stiff truss rod that is making me tread too carefully with adjustments for fearing of over-doing it. Thus Warwickhunt's WD40/grease suggestion (for which thanks WH!) may be the solution to my problem here. Well its worth a try anyway

[quote name='bassotaiteilija' post='1042301' date='Nov 30 2010, 01:11 PM']Nice Clarky! I've heard so many great things about the Pino, that I gotta try one of those (n/a in Helsinki stores). Might be a bad luck charm for my wallet. I'll let my fingers decide. They usually reject the P neck. How are the TI strings? Like rubber bands? Cheers! Joona[/quote] Hey Joona! In answer to your question about TIs, I used to love these strings but now prefer something a little less thin/flexible and with a bit more tension so I have swapped over for Pyramid Gold Flats

[quote name='lettsguitars' post='1042266' date='Nov 30 2010, 12:51 PM']sounds like a single action rod to me, though i could be wrong. basically single action rods will only pull the neck to its original straightness and the only fix once a neck is bowed at full truss rod tension, is to level the board and refret.[/quote] Thanks. I guess its possible that teh truss rod is not "nearly max'd out" but just incredibly stiff? If so, is it possible to oil truss rods. Never thought to ask? Mind you, if it is slipping then that wouldn't help ...

[quote name='Ou7shined' post='1042255' date='Nov 30 2010, 12:45 PM']The obvious thing to try would be to put on some less tension strings for a day or two and see if the same thing happens. Depending on the type of t/r, you can eek a few extra turns out of them buy slipping a washer under the nut.[/quote] Thanks Ou7shined. Silly question but what/where is the nut (is it the cross-hatched truss rod screw head you are referring to?) If so, how would I get a washer underneath it - ie, would I need to completely unscrew and remove this first?

[quote name='BobTheBassist' post='1041647' date='Nov 29 2010, 09:10 PM']You think 5's are ugly. Take a look at this. [url="http://www.alembic.com/info/fc_trip.html"]http://www.alembic.com/info/fc_trip.html[/url][/quote] 5s and Alembic 5s at that can be things of beauty (doesn't change fact I am better on 4 strings, mind) [attachment=65382:Copy_of_...paFive_1.jpg]

On one of my basses, I have some medium tension Pyramid flats which tend to pull quite hard on the neck, resulting in very slight bowing. For those who like medium/high action this would not be the slightest problem, but I like a pretty low action and so this results in buzzing at the dusty end. I keep tweaking the truss rod clockwise and - for a short time - the problem is fixed. But then the next day, its almost as if I never touched the truss rod and the buzzing returns. Is it possible it is "unwinding" or slipping, so that the adjustments I make are not registering, or is it just natural settle? Any thoughts peeps? FYI, I am getting slightly nervous as the truss rod is near maxed out, judging by how hard it is to turn at this point (it really requires brute force), and I have to unscrew the neck each time I adjust so I worry also about stripping the screw holes in the heel.