Marc S

As others have already said though.... check it at volume, through an amp. I would add that you should maybe try it in a rehearsal studio, firstly on its' own, but then with full band. I'd also say, try recording something with the bass - then see if it still sounds the same in the recording. You never know - you may be partly convincing yourself of something that isn't actually the case. I would add though, I recently tried a couple of necks on my Pbass, and the original neck just sounded that bit better than the other necks. It was a good experiment in Rosewood V Maple board, and chunkier neck V slimmer neck. Took a while, but it was noticeable just how much more sustain and "snappiness" the original neck produced. Perhaps the woods were just matched really well at the factory?

Hi @Pirellithecat did you sort the nut out by the way? I only just read your post about the E string not sitting quite right in the slot. As someone also said, a decent quality nut will also help - but make sure the string sits firmly in the slot. This will of course require some careful fettling with a file. But don't file the slot too deep - as that can cause buzzing issues that end of the neck.

My, what a lovely P bass

Fields of fire - Big Country

Sometimes @Smanth, that's all that's needed, and it can really add to the overall sound anyway. But perhaps its also something the OP could try - if they find that easier to do?

I sing backing vocals in the bands I'm in. I always found it hard to play bass and sing at the same time. Even now, I find it hard on some songs - there are ones I just can't sing on, no matter how hard I try. As others have said, practice, practice, practice is the only way. But perhaps a good starting point, is to play along to something at home first - make it a song you know really well, with simple, i.e. not too many words. With your band, start doing backing on just one or two songs. It's tricky, and I don't know why. It maybe because guitarists often start learning with those sing-along-while-you-play-chords sort of books?

I rarely pay any attention to subtitles these days - so I hadn't spotted that doh!

I'll give you £100 for it 😀

Just came across this Youtube video, re Paul's original Hofner Violin bass. I found it quite interesting, and was just wondering whether someone, somewhere has unknowingly got it in their attic? EDIT: I was unaware of the whole back-story / theories

Nice looking bass. It's funny how P basses can be so different from one another. A strings is just up the road from me.... wish I'd popped in to at least just try this one out. Ah well, I'm still smitten by my 60's Classic series MIM Pbass. Enjoy 😀

Hi @bassjim- how did you get on with this problem? As has been suggested, try a fret rocker tool first. Also, it may just be that you have a fret that is high because it has become loose. Sometimes, these only become apparent when the strings are under normal tension. A luthier would be able to correct this. They sometimes need just gently tapping back into level - but sometimes a thin, fine glue is needed to hold them in place. I once had a bass with high, loose frets. I couldn't work out what was going on, but a luthier sorted it quickly for me. Let us know how you get on. Best of luck

Not seen one of those before. Nice to have it as a two project bass! Happy NBD. Enjoy

Fish n' chips - Eddie & The Hot Rods

I just noticed that my original post in this thread was exactly a year ago today - and funnily enough, I've a few "experiments" to report on. Since buying this bass, and absolutely loving it - I have tried a couple of different necks on it. I recently bought a Fender US Jazz neck (from this very forum), and had a Fender MIJ neck (which I'd intended to put on another body.... and will try, at some point). The Jazz neck being typical Jazz width, and the MIJ neck being slightly narrower (42mm) and slightly more shallow, front-to-back. I like the original neck on this bass - it feels nice & smooth. But I was looking for something a bit slimmer. The same, original pickups were used throughout, as were the strings (TI Flats) - so the neck was the only factor to change. Sadly, I'm not "tech savvy" enough to do a decent recording, for proper comparison - but I did try each neck configuration through the same couple of amps, and my headphones. So it's my ageing ears that we must trust for these comparisons! I had wondered about different wood types, and talk of Maple v Rosewood boards - the MIJ neck, having a RW board, and the original P neck and US Jazz neck being Maple. The sound was definitely "snappier" on both maple boards, and slightly "softer" with the MIJ Rosewood-boarded neck. The added width of both the original, and the MIJ necks definitely helped pronounce the low-end notes a bit more. The original P neck definitely producing more sustain than both other necks - but perhaps that's partly down to a slightly better fit in the neck pocket? The original neck being just a tad more snug.... Of course some of this may also be down to better matching of wood types at the factory? You would assume that with this Classic series, the selection process at the factory being more rigorous for the more expensive models. I did some recording as part of a new project last night - at a music school studio, and really liked the sound from this bass. The engineer also commented on how much he liked what he heard. What I can say for definite, is that one year on.... I'm still really loving this bass. I really regret selling my Squier Classic Vibe P bass - but don't regret buying this one.

Sorry folks - I've not had chance to do anything re getting a pickup for my Bououki as yet. I've been rather busy with DIY "stuff" - my garden fence blew down several weeks back, and I've been digging, repairing, rebuilding, concreting new posts in.... as well as work and looking after Mam. Also, I got myself a new upright the other week - a rather lovely BSX slim bodied EUB / acoustic bass, and I've been rather distracted by that. Funnily enough, I've just started a recording project with a Greek gent (a really decent bloke), who is the lead guitarist & studio engineer in the project. He also plays Bouzouki - so I've forewarned him I want to pick his brains in the coming weeks. I'm hoping he has some ideas & suggestions to add re a pickup. (Plus, he's a music teacher, so I'm hoping he can offer some guidance on playing techniques too) I really wish I had more free time - cos I love the sound of the Bouzouki