Chiliwailer

[quote name='Twincam' timestamp='1420847271' post='2654304'] Some good advice here. I think im going to stick with doing small repairs for now and possibly see if there is someone local(ish) who does builds i could volunteer my time too. Also yes a business course would be good to. But also ive decided against getting any money from my friend. As it doesn't seem right. I would certainly love to do small scale builds and i love working on guitars and basses. But i think i probably have to work on some other life priorities first. Before starting my own business. [/quote] Most businessmen I know started from OPM - other people's momey. They then paid off the starting debt and we're all square, people that have made money can often get pleasure out of supporting someone else to do the same. Why not get a small loan to get some tools, take out some basic business insurance and advertise locally to do set ups at a decent price? You'd be putting your toe in the water at little commitment and can make a better informed decision then. I was taught in Denmark Street how to do set ups at the tender age of 15, it still amazes me how many people are not willing, or confident enough, to learn the basics, which are not rocket science or even particularly difficult. What I'm saying is, there is money out there to be made via set ups so if you're drawn to doing that then why not give it a go? I get great pleasure of doing them, it sounds like you do too.

I never understood why for so many years the Ray 5 had a ceramic pickup, yet the Ray 4 had the lovely alnico ones. I wonder how many people that disliked those ceramic version fives would like them again if they tried them with an alnico pickup?

Could be a prototype for the introduction of the 54 Les Paul Custom, some of those had Bigsby units. Strange that they didn't use that ABR1 bridge until 56 on std models, rather than the wrap around, I'd love a 56 with that bridge and P90's, that's a unique year before humbuckers were introduced in 57...dream on..... Anyway looks like a Black Beauty proto to me.

You've arrived! Congrats!

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1420497567' post='2650115'] Very cool, Albert is scary when it comes to truss rods. [/quote] Yup, it was the first, and only, time someone has ever requested one that lose. I always guessed that he wanted the strings to be really springy when playing the typical reggae rhythm guitar stabs, nice to bounce off the stings and feel the groove that way. Cool pics you posted Blue.

I was lucky enough to meet Al, way back in around 2002 I think? I was working in Denmark Street at the time and he needed the truss rod on his electric guitar adjusted as he'd just arrived. I couldn't believe how lose he wanted the truss rod, everytime I adjusted it he kept asking for more relief, to the point where the action was seriously springy and the frets at the top end weren't happy. But, he's the man, super talented and he knows what he wants. He was verykind too, we chatted about the Wailers gig of theirs I saw the previous year or so and he was all excited talking about Family Man's immense bass sound. And what a girlfriend.....super sweet 20 something blonde from Sweden or Holland. Al Anderson = too cool.

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1420018511' post='2644801'] Yes I like mine, great for noodling on, bit of a feedback monster when you plug it in though! Has yours got the nice book matched back? There isnt much about them on the net is there, mainly pics of a slightly newer version with a different shaped head and different knobs. I think I paid £250 used for mine in about 1999? I have never changed the strings and the ones on it are not even a matching set [/quote] Oh yes, my electrics go ripped out years ago, terrible! I used to gig it with a Fishman Rare Earth sound hole pickup and a set of flat wounds, that really did sound amazing. I still have the Fishman but never get a chance to use it. I got mine in around 1994, I was working in Andys and it came in, instant GAS when I was setting it up so I swapped it with Andy for a Hohner Jack. I got to use it the other day when my friend who's leraning acoustic came over for a play. Mine has the funky looking back too, really pretty, the new ones, and others in that size, sound awful, never did find out how they made these so good and so cheap?

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1419974008' post='2644577'] It is indeed, well spotted [/quote] I have one myself, got it in 1994 when I was 16. I can't believe how good they are for cheap ones, nothing has ever tempted me away from it. Great to see another, yours is the first other one I've seen.

[quote name='NoirBass' timestamp='1419932262' post='2643995'] Loving that collection, great choices! [/quote] Thanks pal, it's great to finally be settled!

That looks seriously stunning, really suits the fan vibe perfectly.

Nice one!

Great thread! In - 2014 Fender CS Ltd Edition 1955 Relic Precision and a Mike Lull P Bass. Out - 1966 Precison, CS Precision There were a lot of others that were part exchanged to me or bought and sold whilst finding my keepers including a few CS Precision Basses, a couple of USA Std jazz Basses, vintage Jazz and Precisions, 3 JV's inc Fender logo ones, an Ibanez Musician Fretless and some Modulus Flea/Funk Unlimited's. All were great basses, I ended up keeping the ones that I had an affinity with. I am looking forward to a very quiet 2015 when it comes to ins and outs. At worse, one will have to go due to needing a new car, though I damn well hope not and fighting for that not to happen. But I don't see myself buying anymore, I hope.......

[quote name='gary mac' timestamp='1419856430' post='2643203'] Might take you up on that, cheers. [/quote] A hot cuppa or dram of Scotch await you!

[quote name='gary mac' timestamp='1419852722' post='2643167'] Handsome collection once again Dan. Must try out a Lull for myself one of these days. [/quote] Cheers Gary, much appreciated. As you know, I've been through a few basses the past year or so as I rebuild my collection and find the right ones for me, I've now got all my angles covered again which is nice. The Lull is an incredible bass if you need something super light, excellently balanced and with a good tone, for me it serves it's purpose perfectly. If you're in NW London pop in for a go on it.

A big thank you to Matt for my lovely Mike Lull Precision Bass. I emailed him on Friday night and he personally delivered it on Saturday morning, that's what I call quick GAS relief. Clearly a very nice chap and very trustworthy, Cheers pal!

Now relieved from GAS, here's the bass family.... [URL=http://s1381.photobucket.com/user/chiliwailer/media/63%20Jazz/P1060937_zpsb1ec1930.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1381.photobucket.com/albums/ah227/chiliwailer/63%20Jazz/P1060937_zpsb1ec1930.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

[URL=http://s1381.photobucket.com/user/chiliwailer/media/63%20Jazz/P1060940_zpsf245e853.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1381.photobucket.com/albums/ah227/chiliwailer/63%20Jazz/P1060940_zpsf245e853.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

Lake Placid Blue, Closet Classic. Love it [url="http://s1381.photobucket.com/user/chiliwailer/media/63%20Jazz/P10602242_zpse6b1e30b.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s1381.photobucket.com/user/chiliwailer/media/63%20Jazz/P1060235_zpsb2bfe711.jpg.html"][/url]

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1417467720' post='2620726'] [/quote] Pete, is that an old Ozark acoustic bass at the end?

Gorgeous bass, how did the Mrs know to pick such a cool one?

Great to read about what you're all doing. I'm hoping to be able to play with old mates by Aoril as I'm having surgery in January thst coukd make that possible. Due to another condition, I'll never play seriously again but....to play even just once a week with good friends would be bliss. I got a new Lull bass last week, light as a feather, perfect balance and sounding sweet, bring on 2015! Like Blue says, good luck to y'all and happy groovin.

[quote name='dood' timestamp='1418830797' post='2633810'] Can I ask a question to the P bass collective? If I were looking for a precision with a great big chunky, fat sounding resonant neck, would I be looking at the 50's versions mainly? I've reviewed the Fender Cabronita and actually, I liked what that had to offer, though I'd probably change the pickup! I'd love to hear your thoughts and of course, pictures always welcome! I love the look of the Tele headstocks with the reverse kluson tuning keys and maple boards are a big thumbs up too! [/quote] Dood, if you're ever in NW London you've got to pop over! I have a CS 55 P Bass, chunky maple neck, superlight ash body and stacked pickup. I have NEVER heard a bigger sounding Fender bass than this one!

Cor, there's some cool looking bang for buck there!