Norris

I can't remember the last time I went in one of my local shops. The ones that deal with "premium" brands like Fender and Gibson have to take the minimum orders - and usually do so with guitars rather than basses, presumably because they are easier to shift. The other shops stock entry-level stuff that I'm not interested in. Consumables are usually not the ones I'm after and are more expensive than online. What I do miss are the shops that used to sell second hand gear, as you never knew what you would find. They were all killed off by eBay years ago though Music shops in Leicester effectively died for me when Humbucker Music went up in flames all those years ago. It was the one place you could hang out for a cup of tea and a laugh, and not feel like you were imposing on the staff

I like my Squier. I think I'll only swap it out when I get round to making my own from scratch

Have you got an Arno Carbur2 (?) burnishing tool? They are in a class of their own for sharpening cabinet scrapers

Looking lovely!

In my first school band I was the keyboard player, although didn't actually own a keyboard, or an amp. We didn't have a bass player and that was more important than keys. I didn't own a bass either, but soon got hold of a short scale, SG style, plywood plank. The guitarist wrote both our songs, heavily influenced by Deep Purple, minus the twiddly bits ('cos we were kids and not very good). Jumpers for goal posts...

I've heard some people describe wenge as a bunch of splinters held together with snot. I've never worked with it myself though

Those are going to look stunning when they are finished. You have some lovely curves going on there

The blooper reel?

Beautiful

I'm watching this with interest. Lovely wood!

If you are set on routing it, warming the lacquer first with a hairdryer may help avoid chipping.

Why would a bass need to be recyclable? They live forever don't they? In a "journeyman" existence, slowly being sold/traded amongst the BC collective...

I think that my musical training (A-level + grade 8 bass trombone) has certainly helped my bass playing. However I do use only a tiny fraction of that knowledge when playing most of the time. My guitarist is self-taught, he can't read music. He probably doesn't know if he's playing a first or second inversion of a chord - because that's not the way he thinks. He certainly knows exactly what he is doing though. He learnt by copying his favourite guitarists. Now, if he's heard a song, he can play it - with all the correct chords, solos and little nuances. I didn't particularly enjoy my A-level music. I found that analysing and deconstructing music took away some its "magic". Similarly, "unconscious competence" can be a beautiful quality in a musician. Look at how many bands had cracking a first album or two, and then went off the boil once they "knew what they were doing". Having said that, I'd still recommend that bass players learn some theory. Not every player is a savant, and may need to make an effort at playing. A good understanding of time signatures can help you nail a groove. Knowledge of arpeggios and chord structure can help you come up with interesting bass lines.

500W with an extension cab, 350W on it's own. And thanks - I love it Edit: Oh, and 2x10 plus switchable horn

Peaveys can be quite weighty too. I gigged a Peavey Databass (450W 1x15) for years. I wouldn't go back to it - the Rumble is streets ahead on sound quality as well as weight

Another vote for the Fender Rumble V3 500 combo. It'll easily be loud enough for any pub you'll play in and is a one-hand lift. Your back will thank you! Great range of tones, knobs that really do things, and even a great sounding overdrive. For the price/weight/heft there's not much to touch it

I've already got it on pre-order

Check in the builds area for stuff that @Andyjr1515 has posted. He's done quite a few wipe-on poly finishes

That's what it says on the replacement TRC that I made - "Genuine 4003" Yes it is actually. I just made it look like a faker out of spite

I prefer "Don't go frollicking naked" or is that more of a 1-1-3-2 ? 😂

Want me to bring mine to the next Midlands bash?

Try to use the finest "0000" grade if you do. Mask off your pickups if you don't want tiny fragments of wire wool hanging off them for ever more

You're measuring to the correct point now, and your scale is 30". The saddles will always need to be adjusted further away from the nominal scale to intonate correctly. That's classed as a short scale bass. I wouldn't worry about cutting the strings to length. Most strings will need to be cut to length when fitted. A 90 degree bend in the end, tucked down into the centre hole of the tuner before you wind the rest of the string on, will usually stop any "fraying".

I just noticed that the top half has possibly an unconscious nod to a Rick 330. Lovely shape and blends in well with the bottom half. RIC would never do a gorgeous back scallop like that though, or use such beautiful woods. Splendid work!

You're rubbing it too hard