Norris

I'd be tempted to either get a fretless neck for your roadworn or get a cheap fretless bass to try out. If you really want to de-fret your bass it's not that difficult, but re-fretting afterwards isn't quite so simple.

A lot of pubs are struggling. The stricter drink driving enforcement, cigarette ban and tax have led to a decline. Like the way that a lot of WMCs have gone out of business a lot of pubs have closed too. The ones that survive are the ones offering something extra, like food, entertainment, etc. However most pubs that have bands on have punters of a certain age - those that went to see bands in their youth. The music pubs that attract a younger audience are very much in the minority. I've been playing in pubs for 30 odd years. Things are not as good as they used to be, but then it did get a lot worse in between. It's not dead yet, but I'm not sure for how much longer with an aging bunch of lovers of live music (and I'm not counting mega-corporate festivals)

I usually get one of those longer matches, shave it down to fit snugly in the hole, dip it in PVA wood glue, then gently tap it down into the hole, wipe off the excess glue then trim it flush with a sharp knife. Give it 24 hours to dry then stick your screw back in. Pretty much essential if you're fitting Schaller strap locks as the screws are quite narrow. I've never had one fail yet

Sounds tempting. You can't beat a proper analogue buzz - so much better than these new fangled digital buzzes

Sensible decision

It doesn't matter how nice the bass is, there is a "right" thing to be done...

That's scrubbed up well

I get what you mean. I get a similar feeling when my fingers are still tingling the day after a cracking gig

It's been a cruel winter this year. Such a sad loss. Another great gone

That looks better I'm looking forward to this - I do enjoy your builds

Having actually looked at the picture those tuners are completely different to my SB. They look more like a Kluson style

I used Grovers on my SB-1000 although the holes needed enlarging a tad. They were the closest in appearance though. The original heads had become severly pitted so could not be saved during the renovation

Ah - it might warn of a risk when installing on Windows as I don't think the installer is "signed". i.e. the developer didn't want to pay wads to Microsoft for accreditation

I use it (on my PC) with Reaper. Create a midi track and patch in the synth. It should be a similar process with any software that supports VST plug-ins. Well worth a dabble considering the price of the real thing!

A few months ago I downloaded a VST Odyssey emulator for free and it's pretty darned good. If you're making demos, that should do the job and it works fine in Reaper Edit : Here - http://www.synthschool.com/free-plug-ins/index.html

In the mid 80s I was doing about 3 or 4 gigs a week and only had one bass. In the mid 90s I was doing about 2 gigs a week and bought a second bass... I now do about 1 gig a week and have 6 basses. At some point in between, I joined Basschat

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]1. Si600, GK MB212 (house rig), Fender P V.[/font] [font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]2. The_Ox (exams permitting)[/font] [font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]3. tauzero, Sei Original fretless 5, Sei Flamboyant 6, Antoniotsai 5, maybe something else interesting, and possibly Mrs Zero.[/font] [font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]4. Harryburke14[/font] [font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]5. Len_derby[/font] [font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]6. Andyjr1515[/font] [font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]7. seashell, Fender P[/font] [font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]8. Bottle. I[/font][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]banez bass, Line 6 Lowdown 110, amp rack and effects boards.[/font] [font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]9. Annoying Twit. Who knows what I will bring.[/font] [font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]10. GrammeFriday - Sandberg VM5, TC RH750, TC RS212, maybe also pedalboard [/font] [font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]11. Jabba_the_Gut - A couple of homemade basses (if I finish them in time...again), Markbass head and TC RS112 cabs[/font] [font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]12. Kev - Alpher Mako, ACG Finn, [/font][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]couple of pedals.[/font][/color] [color=#282828]13. Norris - Aria SB-1000, Squier P-bass Special, Fender Rumble v3 500 combo[/color] [color=#282828]I've not decided what to bring yet. Any interest in my Stagg EUB again?[/color] [color=#282828]Seashell - I might just let you make me an offer for my Thunderbird this bash [color=#222222] [/color][/color] [color=#282828]Edit: Actually, the Aria SB-1000 is looking a lot more finished now, so I'll bring that. Plus my Squier seems to have evolved into my main gigger at the moment & I don't think that's been along previously[/color]

I saw them at Leicester Poly way back when. Pretty good live as well. Ade had a great pair of lungs on him and could play a mean guitar too. I found the ticket a couple of months ago

If they are a bit tricky I will listen to the tracks for a few days on constant repeat while I'm at work. That is usually enough to hammer in the structure, lyrics, bass line and other audible cues. Then when it's time to actually pick up a bass, break it down into sections before eventually putting it all together. Then when the bass is solid start on any vocals

Excellent work. I've often eyed up old mahogany furniture with a view to recycling it into a guitar. You can buy it really cheaply as it doesn't seem to be in fashion theae days

Smile. Say thanks. Do your own thing.

Any Quo - Rockin' all over the world would do ZZ Top - Gimme all your lovin'

A giant has fallen. RIP

It depends how fastidious you are about your setup, and the bass of course. Chances are it won't change much if at all. Do check your intonation though - it will have an effect on the bridge compensation (related to string mass & compliance or "bendiness")

A foot switch for my Rumble 500 so I can switch the overdrive with less scrabbling around. Some nice woodwork tools for guitar building including a lovely set of chisels and a precision Dremel router base for doing inlays.