Twincam

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1440580918' post='2852051'] Im not sure they really understood as they didn't speak a word of english... I waved the card thingy and pointed at it and kind of mimed a box shape but was met with a blank look... It was only a matter of time until this happened, it's always a bit of a lottery as the couriers just deliver my basses to random people down the street I've never met. At least it was a deco and not the time they delivered my fretless Wal to an elderly greek lady, who had opened up the box to see what it was before realising it clearly wasn't intended for her... [/quote] I must say I would go ape sh*t!. Glad you got the Wal!. Touch wood I've never yet had any trouble with any couriers, although once a new mobile was sent to the opposite end of the country but still got it delivered the next day after it was due. Still I don't trust sending or receiving until it's in my or the buyers hands. Have you checked other houses in the street?. Or there yards/gardens etc

[quote name='Number6' timestamp='1440503322' post='2851293'] You can protect the fret board with masking tape. [/quote] Indeed also mask off the neck side a little bit, just in case.

[quote name='Beer of the Bass' timestamp='1440525374' post='2851598'] Several times now I've seen people reselling Deko instruments and necks (not on basschat), describing the stamp marks as small dents but failing to mention that they were sold as unplayable seconds for less than the price the resellers are asking. Is anyone else a bit uncomfortable with that? [/quote] I'm bit on the fence about it. More a feeling it isn't right. But if the item has had any problems sorted and it's perfectly fine then it's less of an issue if they have put the time and knowledge in to fix it. Ive seen much worse things been done in sales. But ethically it should be mentioned. If I was selling a Deko I would state it was a Deko but has had what ever it needed fixed. A lot of dekos have little wrong with them in some cases they just needed a good setup, fret work etc.

Or even easier idea is too use a set of roundwounds of the same size as your current strings to file the nut slot it takes a while and you have to be careful not to mark the fretboard, this is good for small adjustments. You can also use the strings your using just give them a clean after. Best to wear gloves else you will get blisters and the string cutting the nut gets hot!

Ok had it apart. Transformer was loose. I tightened all screws as best as I could with the transformer in situ. This has improved the noise. So I guess that's the issue. Going to take it too a pro still, just to give it proper once over.

[quote name='mikeydee' timestamp='1440412470' post='2850368'] Hi Twincam, A word of warning is that you should never operate a valve amp without a speaker lead connected as it can cause damage the output transformer. What is the make and model of the amp? All transformers and wound components will vibrate to some extent. Usually it should be so quiet that its not a problem ie ok for recording. Anything more than that then I would try and work out the source as you are doing by applying pressure to the various safely exposed parts. Sometimes tightening the transformer screws will fix it. Depending on the amp there are screws that pull the laminates together and then there are screws that secure the transformer to the chassis. Other sources are of buzz are neon lights, capacitors [/quote] It's ok was only a quick on off test. Ok tried moving amp to different location same problem so it's not interference. I will try tighten the transformer. The amp is a traynor yba2b 1972.

I've got a buzz coming from my amp. I thought it was the caps or the valves so all the caps have been changed. And I figured it was the valves but on taking all the valves out the buzz is still there. It's still there when no speaker attached. The buzz is constant it doesn't change with volume control or bass plugged in or not. Sounds like it could be coming from the transformer. I've tried pressing on the transformer in case it was loose but it didn't change. I assume it's not the output transformer as the buzz isn't coming through the speaker. Other than that the amp works great no trouble at all. Suggestions? Although I think it's now best off at an amp tech. Is there any harm in using it?.

[quote name='JapanAxe' timestamp='1440161828' post='2848749'] Shouldn't be a problem as long as you have the right capacitance values and don't go below the working voltages on the original caps. Oh and make sure you fit them the right way round (polarity) unless you want a little firework display! [/quote] Yes all within the correct values or a touch higher and all fitted the right way around. I did use many axel instead of radial ones as they were easier to get and cheaper. Was a little more awkward to solder i know that performance isn't effected but i do wonder if they will effect the amps value. So far the amp works great.

I've replaced the caps in my amp with just the main filter one to go, shall be doing that tonight. All seems well but for various reasons I've used a few different brands rubycon because they seemed to have a high operating temp and a very long service life, vishay as it was the closest value to original as I could find and jelly fish audio as it happened to be in stock and close to the value I wanted. Can't help feeling I should of sourced some higher end caps all of the same brand. I have heard it said in guitar amps it's not a big a deal than in say a audio amp. Anyone have some thoughts on this?

A mani replica. That while looks nice is way too expensive I don't even think it would be worth half the asking price if it was actually mani's bass. But what do I know. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Stone-Roses-Rare-Mani-Epiphone-Jack-Casady-Bass-Must-See-Item-With-OHSC-/291537135502?hash=item43e0f7a78e

I'm very sensitive. However I don't mind my own skills been called into question although it smarts a bit I'm still only a novice really, and my current level is I can play a bit. However I can't stand people insulting bass players in general. Easy or hard songs it takes patience, timing, good tone and much more to be a bassist. Most people know this, some will jokingly say things to wind a bass player up, others really do need a smack. It sounds to me like I would of been kicking off if people had spoken to me that way. I think it can be summed up in the saying "bass is easy to pick up, but hard to master".

[quote name='JapanAxe' timestamp='1439659168' post='2844776'] How hard are you plucking the strings? Although I'm not the fastest of players either, I have found that using a [i]lighter[/i] right hand touch helps me to play with more speed and fluidity. Playing hard (a punk trait if ever there was one) can make you tense up, and thus slow you down. If there's a piece I don't need to nail for a gig, but would still like to conquer anyway, the dots go into my 'Bass Challenge' folder (and I maintain a corresponding iTunes playlist). In my practice time I will sometimes pick out a song from the folder and have another go at it. If I crack it it goes in my general alphabetical song folders (yes I am that organised), otherwise it stays in there for another day. A few pieces have made the transition. The latest song to get the treatment is the Jacksons' 'I Want You Back'. It's still in the 'Bass Challenge' folder, but not for much longer I reckon. [/quote] [quote name='bassman7755' timestamp='1439667523' post='2844881'] This may or may not help but ... the trick with playing fast (that I learnt on guitar and carried over to bass) is to appreciate the simple physics of the situation. Your fingers can only move at a certain speed which I guess most people max out on after playing for a couple of years and therefore to play more notes in the same amount of time your fingers have therefore to move less distance between each note. It applies to both right and left hand, play something slowly and see if you can eliminate any unnecessary movement. +1 to japanaxe's comment about a light touch as well. [/quote] Both good points. I think something that holds me back on speed is my muting and floating thumb technique which is fairly robust. And I try play very clean, even if I'm not clean I'm trying. That does lead to those slight milliseconds adding up.

No I don't have to gig it. But I do like the tune and feel its something I would like to learn. And if I learnt to play certain styles correct it would better me as a player. I guess I'm striving to reach a certain standard, which isn't that high so feeling a bit frustrated again. I nail one technique to find there a whole lot more to learn. I would never want to really play funk music in a band so to say but I do like listening to it.

I'm struggling on certain uptempo songs and making things sound right. If I can nail the tune at a slower tempo it's fine till the tempo goes up. Take hit me with your rhythm stick I can play it fine at lower tempo but can't get it to sound right at its correct tempo. Lots of funk songs I can play ok but soon as the tempo goes up I struggle it's not the speed I struggle with although I'm not a fast player naturally. I just don't seem to have the funk. Maybe it's a practice thing as I'm definitely more inspired by say Motown, or classic rock and punk so I tend to play that type of thing. And can play at any speed no problem. I want to be well rounded but certain style doesn't seem to Suit me.

Some fantastic amps. My little 25w Traynor looks a bit pathetic in comparison. Although it's perfect for in the house and more than capable of pissing off the neighbours. Has a great sound although oddly enough I prefer it open backed, still has plenty of bass. All 100% original at the min although I'm servicing it soon as possible. [URL=http://s330.photobucket.com/user/Twincam2008/media/image.jpg1_zpstmbfp6xn.jpg.html][IMG]http://i330.photobucket.com/albums/l415/Twincam2008/image.jpg1_zpstmbfp6xn.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s330.photobucket.com/user/Twincam2008/media/image.jpg1_zpsdpq8txnn.jpg.html][IMG]http://i330.photobucket.com/albums/l415/Twincam2008/image.jpg1_zpsdpq8txnn.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s330.photobucket.com/user/Twincam2008/media/image.jpg1_zpsnjydcynn.jpg.html][IMG]http://i330.photobucket.com/albums/l415/Twincam2008/image.jpg1_zpsnjydcynn.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

Yes we want pics.

Inspired by the dirty/clean mojo thread. We all know the story of jamerson and his funky=filthy old flatwound strings. And various people using fried chicken grease on strings. There's also the famous story of the kinks and there razor slashed or knitting needle stabbed speaker (depending on which brother you believe). Anyone know of any other good tone voodoo stories like that, from famous people or the guy down the road swearing Vaseline coating his speakers is where he gets his tone. Or even your own.

Yuck no "dirty mojo" for me. My gf just bought herself a used bass and I spent ages cleaning the fretboard I actually had to scrape it with a razor. It was like someone taken a dump on the fretboard. Although oddly enough after cleaning I honestly didn't think it sounded as good. I don't know how people let there basses get in such a state. It's a pet hate of mine. Dust etc only needs a little going over with a cloth. Fretboards can be wiped quickly with a damp cloth or when changing strings a bit of oil. Takes all of five mins. Strings I can appreciate they get dirty and are a pain to clean.

Ok I switched some fender flats to another bass, and I'm sure they were fine the other day, but now they sound a bit odd well the E string is the problem mainly but only on a open note, it's a very prominent Bowwww noise. I've checked the bridge and nut, they seem fine. Un amped I can here it. Tried a different amp and get the same. Wondering if because the other bass was a string through body and this one is the normal through bridge design if it's had an effect on the strings inner structure. Oh I did have a problem with the g string making an odd noise when I very first got them, I bought them cheap as they had been opened but not used so who knows how long they sat there open in the shop.

[quote name='3below' timestamp='1439414798' post='2842758'] What valves are they? You mentioned death cap so I surmise this is an early(ish) Fender amp. [/quote] A little 1972 traynor bassmate. All original parts. Works great but I know it won't for long. 2x 12ax7a 2x 6bq5's.

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1439414361' post='2842751'] If this is true, why do the manufacturers ever fit the earth? The earth is there in case a fault was to occur. The only way to electrically isolate your strings would be to cover them in insulating material. Trust me, there is something wrong with your bass. You simply haven't found it. [/quote] The primary reason for the ground is hum not for safety. Put it this way nylon tapewounds are isolated, are they dangerous to play? No! they have no earth (many people experience buzzing with them). So to disconnect your bridge earth is not dangerous. Unless of course you happen to touch both a positive and negative with the strings at the same time, or if you touch a positive and the earth wire will shock you still etc etc etc. You should track down the cause of the hum properly however. When I've had hum it's only been because the bridge to earth wire had come off or not enough shielding from interference. Or both.

Fantastic looking bass.