Funky Dunky

Crumbs. No idea. I'm a total noob. This is going to require a lot of research then!

Corts are good....immensely playable and fantastic value. I intend to pick one up at one point. You made a wise move good sir, those are both lovely.

I have gimpety hands. Not that small, not the most agile. I found a Jazz bass was nice and easy to play, and the 3mm did make a noticeable difference - I learned on a P, so my technique was horribly out of wack when I tried to slap - particularly the pop, my finger automatically tried to grab a string where there was none!! I ultimately bought a Squier VMPJ bass, which gave me the best of boh worlds tonally - one P pup and one Jazz pup. As others have already noted, Ibanez basses have remarkably thin necks and I think.you could whizz up and down them if you had small hands. I found the neck too thin for my liking, but it.should be noted I'm an old fusspot who is extremely hard to please!

40-100 gauge - pros and cons please? I know the old adage about tone being better with thicker strings, but what advantages could I fain from using a lighter string? And would I get more buzz from light strings? How about slapping with light strings? Would it be better or worse? The reason I ask rather than just go out and try is that strings ain't cheap so its a pricey experiment!

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1390685537' post='2348375'] almost played a festival in Lochwinnoch that our singer was involved in organising. [/quote] Dodged a bullet there mucker :-P

Yeah I went with that one before I did the adjustments. It didn't go well. I haven't the tools to do the nut filing and I don't have feeler gauges either. But the truss rod adjustment seemed straightforward enough. All I've done is make it worse. Now my neck is bowed and my action is higher than ever. I loathe myself.

You a dons fan chief?

[quote name='Ou7shined' timestamp='1390668222' post='2348157'] DON'T adjust your trussrod for this! (especially if you don't know what you are doing or why) The tr's is job has very little to do with the symptom you describe. The intonation may be out (and probably is) but you said you have a weird noise no matter where you play. This strongly suggests the permanently fixed points : ei. your nut or the saddles. A single string issue indicates a saddle problem (or a duff string). 2 or more strings narrows the culprit down to the nut (given a regular configuration). 8 times out of 10 this sort of pain in the arse anomaly can be attributed to the nut not being set correctly. It could be alleviated by dampening the string beyond the nut but it doesn't address the main issue that's causing it. [/quote] Ah, now this is very interesting! Thanks for sharing this information, most helpful for diagnosing future problems.

By novive, I of course meant novice!! Doh!!

I'm in Beith sadly, about 18 miles from Glasgow. Thanks for the offer though, I appreciate it. I'm a novive bassist so I'm a bit out of me depth.

I will try the scrunchie. Seen Guthrie Govan with that on his guitar, genius idea. I attempted the truss rod, a quarter turn at a time. I have made the action significantly worse. I then tried tweaking it back in the other direction and it's still somehow worse. I will just have to sell.a kidney and get it done by a pro. I ain't fooking with it any more. :-(

Right then, I will give it a go. You'll know if I've overtightened it because you'll hear me sobbing :-D

Well this is the thing - the nut seems like it may need filed down. I'm no expert, but the action seems very high there. I'm terrified to touch the truss rod, and don't have the tools to file down the nut. I would rather a pro did the first set up but as I say, skinto....so that's out. I'm scared I make it worse or damage it and cost myself more money in the long run. Watched some videos on setting up the bass but I'm only confident enough to tweak the saddles.

I don't know if this is a gear issue or a technique issue so mods, feel free to relocate this to the appropriate forum. Whenever I play, the harmonics at the 9th fret keep sounding, regardless of where on the neck my left hand is fretting. My Squier VM PJ has a pretty high action - it hasn't had a set up yet because I don't have fifty quid to spare right now lol. Is my issue related to this, or simply something to do with bad technique?

Maybe a Wal MK 3 for me. Or a vintage Fender Jazz.

The SX basses are in expensive, look fabulous, are highly rated and have begun popping up in the shops over here. Worth a look by all accounts.

Wow cheers man! That's amazingly good of you! I'll see how it is upon arrival and give you a shout if it needs owt done :-D

Cheers Skej. I'm past that stage now but they have a 30 day exchange policy so I'm taking advantage of that.

Going with the Precision PJ. Not everyone's cuppa, but meets my needs.

[quote name='Leon Transaxle' timestamp='1381840626' post='2244363'] Try something with a Jazz neck? They are even narrower. You might find that even more comfortable. I know I do. [/quote] Yeah, gonna try Jazz basses tomorrow and see how they suit.

[quote name='Funky Dunky' timestamp='1381511003' post='2240151']After speaking with one of the sales team, they are willing to exchange it provided I can package it safely and it returns to them in pristine nick. [/quote] Spoke to them, told them the score, they okayed it.

Update: I managed to get a cardboard box and packaging (styrofoam popcorn and bubble wrap) for a mere £3.99 from a music shop in Paisley. While I was in the shop, I had a quick go of a Squier P-bass and found the neck far more comfortable (3mm makes a huge difference - who'd have thought?) so I'm now thinking I should send the Troy back and exchange it for a VMPJ. The Troy is a smashing bass, it's just not 100% right for me. I had a wee play there and it's lovely. It's not a nightmare at all. The silverburst is awesome, but I can't get to liking the shape. A setup would perhaps help the playability, and I'm a certain a lower gauge of string would make a sizeable difference.......but.....just.......arrgh......I dunno......it's still just not speaking to me.

Cheers Graham

By any chance are you reliably informed how much he charges? :-D

Hey, thanks to everyone for the advice and links, I'm still swithering over sending it back to Andertons and swapping it for a VMPJ - the combination of pups is really appealling to me. After speaking with one of the sales team, they are willing to exchange it provided I can package it safely and it returns to them in pristine nick. Finding a way to do this is another matter entirely! And as for shipping, UPS want £35 but Parcelforce want £15, however Andertons want £20 for....well I don't know, but they want £20 off me. The next issue is buying another bass without trying it out first. This was foolish of me of course, and never again would I buy online unless the merchant was within a couple of hours' driving time. Maybe I should keep the Troy, set it up myself with the aid of the video posted and whack a lighter set of strings on it. I will continue to 'mullet' over and let you know. Many thanks again :-)