Norris

For larger jobs I use my old DeWalt DW613. For lighter jobs I use my new Makita RT0700. The Makita doesn't have a plunge function, but being a smaller and lighter router, it is much easier to handle without becoming fatigued. I don't think there are many guitar building tasks that I couldn't tackle with the Makita

For the first time I can ever remember, when I last re-stringed my bass all 4 tuners ended up perpendicular to the headstock when tuned up*. So now I simply carry a set square around and tune by setting the angle. *This bit is actually true Really, G-E although I don't think it really matters. They are never out by much anyway and usually due to relative heat/humidity in the room.

You'll never work again!

Planned "wardrobe malfunction"?

Or indeed to remember that plonking your bass on your Hercules top-hanging stand during the long Moby Richard drum solo will flick the lever back up. It doesn't sound so good in E when you come back in and the guitarist is still drop tuned to D. I have several t-shirts for that one Edit: Gotta love the profanity filter!

The weight difference is negligible One other very minor aesthetic issue I've just thought of - mine is nickel plated rather than chrome like the rest of the tuners. Nobody has ever noticed it though and I don't give it a second thought

Very useful bits of kit. After years of drop tuning by ear I can now do it in an instant, even mid-song. The only slight criticism is the sloppy thread on the adjuster screw - which was easily "locked" with a dab of clear nail varnish. It does make tuning up marginally more awkward as you need to drop it down and up to even out the tension, but not a major problem

I bought my son a Hofner Ignition Violin Bass for Christmas from Anderton's. It arrived with lovely low action, intonated, and even pretty much in tune out of the box. Not all online retailers are bad

One of the more insightful comments hereabouts. Top marks Skank - you win this thread

I actually spent some time looking at my fretting hand at tonight's gig. It would seem I use a baseball bat grip most of the time, switching to thumb for more intricate bits or stuff on the E string. It's not something I concisely do. IMHO if it's comfortable, doesn't cause any stresses and allows you to play all of the notes you intend to, in the places they are supposed to be, then do what comes naturally. I've never had a bass lesson in my life and have been playing regularly for 34 years injury free. I probably have a sloppy technique. I could probably play slightly faster with training. I have fun though and get enough positive comments to stroke my ego occasionally. Having said that, lessons are so much more accessible these days. If I was starting afresh today I'd probably have some

That bottom piece looks beautiful

Beautiful. That neck joint is a work of art

Just the Geddy Lee book I bought for myself Son #1 got a Darkglass 3BK, son #2 got a Hofner Ignition violin bass (he likes the Beatles) - so I still have new stuff to play with 😜 I may have to give up hopes of the Norris family band though with 3 bass players, unless we just play Big Bottoms over again

I had a quick noodle on the Hofner violin bass that son #2 wanted for Christmas. Just a cheap Ignition, but actually a very nice little bass which arrived set up, intonated, and even in tune from Anderton's. I've never really fancied one before myself, but it's rather fun

I've not dared to open the cover on mine yet. Too much clearing up and food preparation going on, and I don't want to upset the good lady wife by spending the big day with my head in a book. I'll wait in anticipation of a quieter moment later on

I don't find the change in length an issue. All my basses hang about the same. I do have a second strap though, with the reversed lock for my Thunderbird "back of the heel" mount

Alternatively you could aim for notoriety by reproducing one of Madonna's ditties of the era. Like a Virgin? Papa don't Preach? You could get even more juicy by delving into the 90s

Motorhead without Eddie Clark and Phil Taylor were never as good imho. The slight tongue in cheek attitude to some of their songs disappeared once they became "louder than everything else"

Mine unpacked itself, wrapped itself in paper and jumped under the tree. I didn't lay eyes on it

If it's a 2-way rod, it should be straight when not under tension. You should be able to pull it out and replace it (?)

A bit of candle wax on the screw threads will help them go in without shearing

YouTube seems to be the viewing of choice for the younger generation. My kids (21 & 17) rarely watch tv, but will spend hour after hour watching videos on YouTube given the chance, and the more puerile the better as far as I can tell. The ability to add "witty" comments is a bonus. For a lot of people it seems to be that if you can't become famous, you can at least become notorious through trolling. YouTube comments and Twitter appear to be the main vehicles. As has been said, it's the online (and therefore much more public) equivalent of mindful vandalism. It's a sad part of human nature, so it would seem

This one's coming out real nice

This reminds me of a time we hosted an open mic, get up with the band (or not), night. It was always pretty busy. Two guitarists decided they wanted bass only accompaniment to their original numbers. I just watched their chords like a hawk and tried to make some deep noises that fitted with the music. It was absolute winging it. To be complimented afterwards was a bonus. That's probably the most seat of your pants situation I've ever been in, and a "did I really do that?" moment

Ha ha! 😆