HowieBass

This guy's basses turn up all the time on eBay and he's been trying to sell that Squier VM fretless for well over a year. It seems nobody's prepared to make the trek to Annan and comply with his restrictive conditions.

I'd bet that getting the nut slot depths correct will improve the set-up and improve playability all round and you're correct in assuming that playing unamplified really isn't the way to go; we have amps for a reason so if you have to be mindful of how noisy you are when practising then get an amp with a headphone output and listen on cans; you'll probably dig in less and what previously seemed to be excessive fret buzz will disappear.

That humbucker is just a tad closer the bridge than a Stingray so does the Jaguar HB (with the three-band EQ, assume it's active?) sound similar but with more nasal bite?

You don't say where the fret buzz is occurring; if it's along the whole neck for a string then generally the action is too low; if it buzzes nearer the nut you have too little relief; if it buzzes up nearer the dusty end then you have too much relief. So, first off I'd say check what relief you have and adjust if needed. Next you need to check the nut slot heights, they might well be too shallow so that's compromising your set-up and I think often basses come with poorly cut nut slots. Only then can you adjust the saddles to achieve the action you're after and string heights will depend on the fingerboard radius. Fender offer a good set-up guide here http://www.fender.com/en-GB/support/articles/bass-guitar-setup-guide/

If only for the shape alone? Japanese, Matsumoku built... http://www.westoneguitars.net/guitars/raider-i-ii/

[quote name='Roland Rock' timestamp='1404394086' post='2492248'] Someone say Curve? Ahhhh...memories of a teenage me lusting after Toni Halliday.. [media]http://youtu.be/Q9Plourz3Xs[/media] [/quote] I'm glad you posted that! I've known their music for years, love that track and yet never bothered to look for YT videos so wasn't aware of the band's (esp Toni's) look!

I wish I could add to the slew of curve jokes but I can't, maybe I'll get round to it later...

Finally got around to watching the whole Pixies set and (being a fan) really enjoyed it. What struck me was the creative camerawork; some really interesting angles with objects of interest (individual band members; the stage) often placed towards the edge of frame. http://www.bbc.co.uk/events/errnc8/acts/amxwrz#p021gz53

I'm not envious... really I'm not... *sob*

As mentioned above, yes, go for heavier gauge in order to maintain an appropriate tension. If you drop tune the existing set you might need to loosen the truss rod a bit to achieve the correct amount of relief (since there'll be slightly less tension in the strings). If you go for a heavier gauge you might need to adjust the relief a tad anyway.

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1404135088' post='2489567'] Debbie Harry 69? [/quote] I used to be head over heels in love with Debbie... [quote name='Roland Rock' timestamp='1404135618' post='2489574'] I think I'm a little bit in love with St Vincent: [media]http://youtu.be/BWu28I44XRo[/media] [/quote] Love her looks, general quirkiness and guitar shredding; very nice black Music Man Albert Lee...

[quote name='Roland Rock' timestamp='1404069985' post='2489007'] Not seen Bombay Bicycle Club before, and not really my bag, but they have a good tight rhythm section - nice dynamics to the songs too [/quote] I think the bassist was using a Squier P bass too

Stunning!

Yeah I'd suggest the relief has changed and probably now has little to none. There's a nice amount of mwah with a fretless and then there's an irritating buzz/sizzle that doesn't sound good.

Did Metallica's Trujillo get his burnt Fender Jazz from that idiot who sells those unique, one-of-a-kind, tastefully reliced basses on eBay? I lasted roughly two songs into their set before I gave up as it sounded a bit weedy to me and I couldn't stand having to look at all the grinning fans standing behind them...

PM'd

Jack White (and band) resembles a bad party in somebody's cellar where everyone's on speed except you...

This media player seems to have a lot of useful input and output ports, doesn't cost much and has pretty good reviews http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B006S6F44W/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_3?pf_rd_p=479289247&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B004TD4O1A&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_r=1Q17FAZRFBM27A23KR4M

Maybe what Fender ought to do is have Limelight act as their agent for UK Custom Shop instruments in much the same way they entered into an arrangement with the Japanese makers...

I don't know Howard but I know of his reputation and how well thought of he is so I too would like to send my best wishes for a speedy recovery and so from one Howard (or rather Howie) to another... "Get well soon H!"

LOL

You only need to switch polarity if the existing tracks are already out of phase... this article should help explain: http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/sep12/articles/mixing-bass.htm

Well, I'm... shocked... and stunned. Yeah, shocked... and stunned. http://youtu.be/kgttPt_1IG0

Here's the Wikipedia page for room modes, the way sound of certain low frequencies can either boom or be diminished http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Room_modes If you have to play the same venue try positioning the speaker cab differently, say at an angle to all of the walls in order to create longer sound travel paths so reflected soundwaves do not bounce directly back at the cab.

Patch cables using solderless plugs will sound no better than properly soldered conventional plugs assuming the cable is the same quality.