Marc S

Can't seem to get the images from imgur (again) anyhow, here's a link to the imgur album - which should work, hopefully [url="http://imgur.com/a/iAxkg"]http://imgur.com/a/iAxkg[/url] Edit, as soon as I had finished that last P bass project I advertised it for sale on a facebook group. I was really pleased with the bass and it sold the same day - with several further enquiries about the bass Before the buyer (a guy I know) collected it - I told him I'd do a band rehearsal and an open mic night with it He was happy with that, and agreed that it was a test for the bass Anyhow, I really liked it even more. And I found it quite liberating, to play a gig with something that only cost you a few quid Since then, it has made me want to get something similar - good enough to gig with but something I wouldn't mind taking to "certain" venues

Following on from my cheap P bass quickie re-build a few weeks back, http://basschat.co.uk/topic/270736-not-so-much-a-build-diary-as-what-you-can-do-in-an-afternoon-p-bass-re-build/page__fromsearch__1 I decided to finally start on a similar sort of project. A Japan-made Jazz bass from the 70's or 80's Now this one was super cheap! My lad bought it a few years back, from a colleague of his, and he only paid a tenner for it! I realised it was a Japan made bass, probably from the 80's or more likely the 70's, due to the engraved neck plate However, the neck is clearly a replacement. The body has a channel / slot for heel adjustment, but the trussrod in this neck is accessed from the headstock end. The body is rather chipped and a bit scratched & chipped here & there, but I'm not concerned about that. It's an old bass, after all The binding is sound and the frets down the bottom end have a bit of wear & tear - but they're OK... Since the photos, I sanded the headstock, and opened the holes for the tuning keys (I bought a cheap set of Squiers, which were too wide for the holes) the tuners it came with were clearly added later. My lad had done nothing with the bass at all - except lose the control knobs. When sanding the headstock, I was hoping to discover the name the previous owner had clearly tried to cover, by chipping away at the logo, and adding something else. However, I was a bit too quick with the sander! and couldn't see anything apart from bits of what must have been letraset If someone can identify what parts are by what manufacturer, or brand, I'd be most greatful it'd be nice to know the provenance of the parts - particularly that neck. Photos when I can get imgur to work again

On the Eminence, the T-shaped bit on the bottom of the endpin allows for slight side to side movement It doesn't swivel at all, but the sideplay is enough for the player to "dance" as much as you'd normally need to with a DB There's actually no risk of the Eminence swiveling like the Stagg can do The Eminence also has a small wooden plug in T shaped device, to rest the bass against your body This works rather better than those odd wire assemblies on the Stagg although due to the general stability of the Eminence, I wouldn't be worried if I'd got to a gig and had forgotten it. The Eminence also comes with a stand, which you can play the bass on This is useful for gigs where you're doubling up with bass guitar too.... Making switching between the 2 much quicker. Beedster, I just wondered how much risk of swiveling there was with Clarkson, but as you say, its' mass probably stops this risk occuring I just wondered whether you'd have more peace of mind if you had some sideframe thingys fitted? I recall one gig with my Stagg, where the stage seemed fine to everyone else, but my Stagg EUB just kept moving! I don't know what sort of polish the proprietors of the venue had used on it.... lol

Pretty much sound advice given by Bilbo there There are EUB's that sound and feel more like a DB - but these tend to be expensive! My first foray into the world of DB was with a Stagg EUB, and if it's just for you, to learn your way around a DB, and generally "play about" then a Stagg represents fantastic value However, as Bilbo points out - an EUB is less likely to fulfill the sounds / needs of your MD You could keep an eye on the marketplace here, and if you know a friendly experienced DB player who could look it over for you you may end up with a great instrument, for a reasonable price.... But in my experience, DB's always seemed to come up for sale nowhere near me! I've heard people rave about Gedo, and some of their basses look lovely I'm sure Thomann are fine too - BUT, in my experience, avoid G4M !!! A luthier set up is also highly recommended Good luck in your search, and your new exciting journey

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1444827278' post='2886429'] ....Yesterday I picked up a seriously cool, almost mint condition Encore P in white, with the TR adjustment at the heel. I'm actually tempted to simply keep that and sell out some other basses that fall short of its sound in my estimation. [/quote] Just wondering how good those old Encore basses are? The one in this thread looks pretty good IMO, and you've done a great job re-sanding / refinishing it I recall playing one, years ago, and at the time, to me it didn't play very well Of course, it may just be that it wasn't set up well, or that it was just a "bad 'un" But what are they like, generally?

[quote name='Muppet' timestamp='1445295672' post='2890446'] Should be fine as long as you're using a speaker lead rather than a instrument lead....! [/quote] I'd heard this too. But just wondering why, and what would happen if you used an instrument lead?

but there's never been a better time to buy a sandwich toaster

My first ever DB was a Stagg EUB (just a couple of years back) One of the annoying things I found when playing this, particularly at a gig was its' tendency to swivel around on the endpin during playing - esp when you really didn't want it to That may have been due to a not particularly good rubber stop / grip on the endpin Or my incorrect useage of the funny little sideframe pieces on the stagg... It did this swiveling rather less at home, but then when you play a gig, you're on different surfaces, some of which might make it more prone to swivelling I just wondered, is Clarkson prone to this sort of movement? Or is it less likely to do so, maybe due to a greater mass than the Stagg? Do you intend fitting anything like those frame pieces, to mimmick a "body" to rest the bass against yourself? .... or do you just not need this? Are you playing Clarkson while standing, or seated? Oh, that's lots of questions Still, I'm so glad you completed this build, and pleased you're chuffed with the result

[quote name='geofio' timestamp='1445285803' post='2890330'] This Fender mexican thing is all misunderstood, all the parts are shipped from usa to mexico and put together by mexicans and as you can see a large part of the staff in the usa factory are mexicans lol. [/quote] Thanks for posting the pics - very interesting

A thread that doesn't exist? Wonder how long we could keep it going for?

Glad you decided to keep it and finish it Let us know when it's set up, and what it plays & sounds like

I'm in several bands, plus helping out open mics, recordings and the odd gig with a couple of acoustic guitarist/singer/songwriters It's probably too many projects, if I'm honest. However, we are all in the same situation; i.e. we all have full time jobs, and play the music for enjoyment, and not just for money. The most "serious" of the bands rarely gigs, and I couldn't live with just playing in that band alone - it's just not busy enough There will be times when other bands clash - but we are all in a few projects, and so far, have been understanding about other commitments. One problem I found with being in only one band - you rehearse for a good while, get it all as best you can then someone leaves and the band falls apart, or someone gets disinterested.... I find, having several projects on the go keeps you motivated, as there's always more stuff to learn A pal of mine was bassist in the same cover band for years, doing the same songs every gig They were all bored of it for ages before they decided to pack it in

Hello from South Wales My sister lives not too far from you. So when visiting her, I might bump into you in GAK lol I'm sure you'll find lots of good people, great info and helpful advice here I too have been playing longer than my ability might suggest But as you say, it's the smiling every time you pick up a bass, is what matters

[quote name='JapanAxe' timestamp='1444386447' post='2882753'] Another Precision. One is great, so two has got to be better, right? The thing is I'm unsure which way to go with this. Options include....... .......[list] [*]A cheaper/newer model to use as a 'beater' or for reduced risk (dodgy pubs, overnighters, overseas gigs). [/list] [/quote] Yes, two P basses are definitely better than one, of course! Need you ask? I'd agree that a nice vintage P would be a good option. But for said "dodgy pubs" and overnighters A nice relic, or even a Squier P is a great option I've recently discovered the sense of freedom / relief of playing a bass you're not quite so precious about, as I've joined a pub covers band, and we'll be playing some of those pubs So rather than my lovely mint US P, I'm taking my Squier Classic Vibe (I'd rather get a scratch on that than my US) Have you tried the Squier Classic Vibe range yet? They're absolutely brilliant - honestly Also, my other bass is a Roadworn Fender Jazz, which is my fave bass ever I haven't tried the Roadworn P yet - but people rave about them, another option for you, maybe? Good luck with your search

Sometimes, it's nice just to have a "knock about" bass Something to keep beside the sofa, for when you feel like a jam and if it's lightweight, then that's a good thing for rehearsing, and mucking about on - your shoulders / back don't tire so quickly.....

Not owned one myself. The only one I ever played, was a fretless one, and it was going cheap That was a few years ago. It was a really nice bass. As you say, I couldn't believe just how light it was Maybe the fact that it was cheap, and so light that put me off buying it? Who knows... However, I really do wish I had bought it now If you're not gigging the basses, but you play them regularly as long as you're enjoying playing them - keep them Perhaps use one as a backup for gigs? Or try gigging one - maybe they need some different amp settings / EQ'ing? I never used to take much notice of the weight of a bass, unless I noted it was really heavy However, as my age advances, I can see the benefit of a lighter weight instrument Also, I've come to realise the benefits of gigging with an old, or roadworn, or inexpensive instrument

Hello Che, Yes, bass is where the groove is - definitely! Welcome to bassschat, I'm sure you'll find lots of help and useful info on here, and make new friends Just thought I'd say Hello from Wales Cheers now