Dood

1 hour ago, fretmeister said:

How much does a refinish cost?

 It depends on where you go I suppose. £200ish?

3 minutes ago, Dood said:

 

 

Ok, here's what you need! @bassman_feb_64 will also want to read this too. Sorry Alan I meant to be in touch!

 

You're best option is to source a Fender non-export CIJ PB70-70US BK. This was actually a limited edition colour of the usual olympic white PB70 (US) available from Fender Japan. The non-export models have a few things about them that makes them better in my opinion too. The bass is black and may come with a mirror scratch guard (very Phil Lynott) but I have seen the odd version that comes with black. Possibly an after market upgrade. Mine I had to source the correct 70's scratch guard.

 

These basses come with chrome hardware, John Deacon's upgrades (that came with his black respray around 1985) includes a Schaller 3D bridge and very likely Schaller tuning keys, though I much prefer Gotoh's FB30 (Or the Wilkinson equivalent) simply because I find the longer key shafts more appealing on a 70's P - think pre '76 nickel tuners and you'll know what I am talking about.

 

Bass Player Magazine did a whole thing on John Deacon that I helped write, if it helps. 

 

Funnily, the Nate Mendel is an option as it's the next best thing, but the PB70-US is just a far better bass, I only wish it came with an Ash body. - On the subject of Ash body, if you wanted to capture John Deacon's early years, then I'd recommend the Fender non-export PB70-70US Ash RW which came with a sunburst finish, as his two precision basses were, stock (the TV script version and the silver spaghetti logo bass)

 

For my own basses, I am lucky enough to have a natural 76 Precision, which is just delicious and my next Deacon build is going to be a black version. I think this will be number 4, I can't remember! I sold my first black P to a lovely chap here on BassChat and miss it dearly! Such is life and bills eh!

 

 

 

 

@bassman_feb_64 @Edenburgh - thank me later https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/384722735901?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20160908105057%26meid%3D171f99b4d9184258a38c72fd118d9ad8%26pid%3D100675%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D15%26sd%3D384722735901%26itm%3D384722735901%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2380057%26brand%3DFender+Japan&_trksid=p2380057.c100675.m4236&_trkparms=pageci%3A10d368a3-8b1f-11ec-812d-12674ee53e80|parentrq%3Ae82a876c17e0a4d34c26b0f6ffec77ff|iid%3A1 

23 hours ago, fretmeister said:

If you search in the Build Diary bit of the forum a few people have made one.

 

I think @Dood has done 2 of them!

Thank you for tagging me   

23 hours ago, fretmeister said:

If you search in the Build Diary bit of the forum a few people have made one.

 

I think @Dood has done 2 of them!

Ok, here's what you need! @bassman_feb_64 will also want to read this too. Sorry Alan I meant to be in touch!

You're best option is to source a Fender non-export CIJ PB70-70US BK. This was actually a limited edition colour of the usual olympic white PB70 (US) available from Fender Japan. The non-export models have a few things about them that makes them better in my opinion too. The bass is black and may come with a mirror scratch guard (very Phil Lynott) but I have seen the odd version that comes with black. Possibly an after market upgrade. Mine I had to source the correct 70's scratch guard.

These basses come with chrome hardware, John Deacon's upgrades (that came with his black respray around 1985) includes a Schaller 3D bridge and very likely Schaller tuning keys, though I much prefer Gotoh's FB30 (Or the Wilkinson equivalent) simply because I find the longer key shafts more appealing on a 70's P - think pre '76 nickel tuners and you'll know what I am talking about.

Bass Player Magazine did a whole thing on John Deacon that I helped write, if it helps. 

Funnily, the Nate Mendel is an option as it's the next best thing, but the PB70-US is just a far better bass, I only wish it came with an Ash body. - On the subject of Ash body, if you wanted to capture John Deacon's early years, then I'd recommend the Fender non-export PB70-70US Ash RW which came with a sunburst finish, as his two precision basses were, stock (the TV script version and the silver spaghetti logo bass)

For my own basses, I am lucky enough to have a natural 76 Precision, which is just delicious and my next Deacon build is going to be a black version. I think this will be number 4, I can't remember! I sold my first black P to a lovely chap here on BassChat and miss it dearly! Such is life and bills eh!

5 hours ago, bassbloke said:

You might get away with a 4 string set with a heavier E, like Billy Sheehan rotos.  Or dadarrio exl160bt would probably fit bill perfectly. 

YES the D'Addario EXL160BT are brilliant for drop tuning to C#! Will do C as well, but I preferred the slightly tighter feel up a semitone. 

On the subject of shorts scale ray-alikes, this review has just gone live:

I really enjoyed this one. Quirky, fun and a bit different!

Please sub to my channel too

I forget which one, but there's a venue in Norfolk where the limiter is set so low that our drummer had to use an electric kit. I have a video where you can hear me clearly talking whilst stood 6" from the PA.

We explained to the audience when their singing tripped the limiter (which isn't something the band would have liked to have done) but thankfully the wedding party took it in good humour. The stupid thing is that at the time, the dance floor wasn't exactly full. It was one of those weddings where people like to sit down. 

The band already had a contract in place signed by the wedding party which includes noise limiter disclaimers. I think as a function band, you can't not have every eventuality covered (as much as possible) so you're not left out of pocket or any negative impact of not feeling comfortable with a gig situation arising. 

9 hours ago, Linus27 said:

That's reminded me, I think Derek Forbes also switched to fretless Vigier, possibly when he was playing in Propaganda. I should of remembered, I only interviewed him once and we talked about it and why he chose Vigier and not another manufacturer like Warwick, Ernie Ball etc. hahaha

 

I do remember those basses as well, I think @ped or @Dood on here played one???

 

Not fretless YET, but I can hear from playing a few fretted models that a fretless would sing! Lovely basses.

I'd also love to own a Pedulla PentaBuzz. I've played a couple in the past, one at an original Bassworld Bass Bash and it was insanely nice - it wasn't yours was it @Kiwi?

The only thing stopping me from getting drums is space. I will absolutely have another kit one day, even if it is another tiny fusion set up. Basses and guitars and my moderate studio set up (a work in progress) for my job are all catered for, so it’s really just a full on acoustic kit 😍 needed  

I’d have these immediately, but I’m down to selling body parts for funds. Great cabinets I am sure!

I had the same 200W IBS amp head pictured. I bought mine new and it did many years great service.

Here’s an updated review featuring the 5.15 firmware. Version 6 is also available.

Brilliant amp. I bought mine off the back of that first video review 👍

"Mmmmmpfrrrfmph. Mmmrr, Fmmr Hermpf Rfffff Ommm Hrffffh!"

"I can't hear you whilst I am playing with IEMs in"

"Mmmmmpfrrrfmph. Mmmrr, Fmmr Hermpf Rfffff Ommm HHRRFFRF!"

"Look, I can't hear you, I'm busy playing and I have these in"

"MMMMMHFRRFF MFRRHHRRRMMMFFF!!!!!"

"Ask me later!"

"Mmmmmpfrrrfmph. Mmmrr, Fmmr Hermpf Rfffff Ommm Hrffffh!"

"FFS, ask me later"

and still they don't get the message!

1 hour ago, mcnach said:

 

Not quite the same but... I once, erm, I mean I know someone who once forgot his drummer's snare.

 

This was only realised when setting up in Inverness, and we drove from Edinburgh. Oh how I laughed.

Fortunately the sound guy knew someone drinking downstairs at the bar who was a drummer. He kindly offered us his snare... only trouble is he stayed about 15 miles away and you can't go too fast on those little roads. We managed with plenty of time to spare, but it was a bit more stressful than I like.

 

Drummer never left anything with me again

 

Oh mate!

We did the same with a box of cymbals once! We were in Braintree and the cymbals were left in Norwich. I zoomed back towards the drummer's home and his dad jumped in his van and met us half way. When we arrived back at the gig we both walked straight on stage, no sound check and zoomed straight in to the first set. I was playing guitar at the time, so the other guitarist set up my gear for me. Can't comment on the drums but there was lots of one-handed metal drumming going on at points in the first set!

1 minute ago, 40hz said:

Thanks for the suggestions, surprising how little videos there are out there that demonstrate Compressors at full pelt. I kinda get most people want them to be transparent/subtle, but it makes it hard to figure out what ones would suit my needs!

 

Seymour Duncan should arrive tomorrow. I'll update once I've had a mess around with it!

Then I will endeavour to remember to add some squish to my reviews! I'll take that as a tip - Indeed, I have a pedal here now that is on my review list for Bass Gear Magazine! 

2 minutes ago, Frusty said:

 

Yes I do own it, I was responding to @Dood's question about this bass but yes I am perhaps contractually obliged to sell it now

my email address is... lol 

8 minutes ago, Frusty said:

OK it tuns out my photography skills aren't up to much

 

But as you can see she still doesn't have a mark on her. Over the years I've had a few people try it, one pro and another semi pro told me it was the best P bass they'd ever used - and these are folk who have tried 'real' vintage P basses - frankly the things wasted on me!

 

One of my mates who gigs on and off borrowed it briefly for some blues gigs and again the rest of the band loved the sound.

 

To be honest she's gotten very little use since I bought her - at time I think about selling her but at others I think with rampant inflation happening I'm better having a really nice example of a top end instrument rather than money sitting in the bank.

 

Great to hear from you by the way! Have you done any more bass builds/customizations since you did this John Deacon signature model?

 

 

 

@frusty It looks stunning as I remember! Do remember me should you decide to part with it! 

Thank you, I guess that's testament to my set up and build skills eh! Although, I agree, the bass was pretty amazing completely stock and it does pain me to think that I had to sell.

Yes, I've done a couple of JD style P basses. I'm actually getting ready to do another black and gold soon. I have the hardware here, just waiting for the donor vintage P to arrive. It's not a Fender, but also not surprising, it's one of Japan's finest period copies. 

Thank you for the pictures, fantastic. 

1 minute ago, Frusty said:

 

She is still with me and well looked after! Gimme a sec I'll snap a photo

AWWWWWW Yes Please!!! 

22 minutes ago, Acebassmusic said:

You sold this? 😲 .......and NOT to me! 😲 😁🤣...why oh why?...lol

The new owner is a really good guy and I see his posts quite a lot on Facebook, but it pains me as I put so much work in to that bass. It's a Dingwall one of a kind in many ways. The half Pickguard was my idea that I discussed with Sheldon Dingwall and received his blessing. The pickups in the bass weren't even available at the time too!

2 minutes ago, 40hz said:

Not myself, but one night in Oxford, we played with a band who's 'Bass Player' had forgotten his Bass. He asked to use my Flea. I laughed. 

I know a bass player who forgot his drummer once.

I had to drive all the way back to collect him.

And this lovely bass.

There's a few more that I don't have pictures immediately available to me. It was a very sh*t year for the Dingwall's  

DEFINITELY THIS ONE

This one too..

And this one... @Frusty, you still got this one?

This one. It's possibly somewhere in a studio in SUFFOLK. I'd love to know where!