crashdesk

Thanks Lozz196. I'll try and source an Ampeg locally just to give it a whirl. I don't think anyone stocks the BA-108, but if I can try another solid state it will give me an indication. Noticed the Ampeg uses Ceramic cones. First I've heard of this. Been out of the game too long so I'll have to do a bit more research. Cheers for your help.

@Lozz196 That's a shame about the Ampeg and it's tones fir slap and pop. I will check out the Line 6 though. I'm not really into the sizzling highs of modern sound like Marcus Miller but more Larry Graham retro sound. You think the Ampeg woudl sound okay for that sound? Thanks @Graham Checking out the sale section today. Thanks @Musky Yeah. Tricky one. Mostly I will be practicing at home and maybe the odd jam, but only a couple of times a month. What Wattage would you recommend for playing along with live drums :-)

Hi all, Been looking at small amps for home practising and possibly jamming with a drummer at some stage. I have spotted these 3 (Ignore the store they are on. May find cheaper elsewhere. Just what Google brought up :-)) [url="http://www.gak.co.uk/en/behringer-bt-108/940?gclid=CPyxrcPey7wCFUT3wgodWFcAvA"]http://www.gak.co.uk...CFUT3wgodWFcAvA[/url] [url="http://www.gak.co.uk/en/hartke-b200-combo/3069?gclid=CNys7Lzey7wCFeXLtAodTyQADg"]http://www.gak.co.uk...CFeXLtAodTyQADg[/url] [url="http://www.gak.co.uk/en/ampeg-ba108-bass-combo/45196"]http://www.gak.co.uk...ass-combo/45196[/url] Any advice welcome with regards to output, build quality. Price is a factor but I just need a good wee all-rounder so prepared to go up to £150. Don't really have a specific genre of music that I play. I do mainly just jam by myself (sad I know). Like to slap/pop but not so much tap. Have a Fender Musicmaster '78 with Seymour Duncan hot rail if that makes much difference in amp choice. Ideally I would like to plug my bass in and test but it's not an option as no-one stocks these locally. Thanks, C

Job done. Purchased Polytune. Great app!!! Very accurate. Thanks everyone.

Thanks again. Think I will use one of these, http://proto-pic.co.uk/audio-adapter-1-4-to-3-5-mm-stereo/?gclid=CL2u9euaybwCFXGWtAodQVQAPw. Bit cheaper :-)

Cheers. Still can't access the gstring app. Mustn't be supported on my iphone/OS :-(

Couldn't find gstring but did find ntrack. It says that you hold your bass close to the phone but doesn't mention anything about plugging in. Do you plug in your bass?

Been looking for an iPhone app tuner. Anyone any recommendations? Need one that you plug the jack lead in (how do I connect to the iphone?) Thanks, C

Very kind offer Milty but it is a bit far especially with work commitments at the moment. Probably shouldn't have needed them but the plastic can't grip the screws any more so need something to hold them in.

It's never easy. Went looking for two nuts for these screws only to discover that the thread on them is Imperial, not Metric. I ended up having to buy metric and the just about catch on the thread. Because there isn't much pressure from the springs I think these will do. Just a bit annoying that I couldn't get imperial threaded nuts. Ah well...

Sort of getting it now. Yeah, my springs were actually just sitting under the pick up, attached by the magnetic poles on each end. Is there a diagram online just to get it clear in my head how it meant to work. I feel like a dunce :-) Do the spring is to go between the pickup and the scratch plate with the screw going through it? EDIT: think I found what you mean?..http://m.ebay.com/itm?itemId=380713415556 LIGHTBULB MOMENT!!! Got it. Thanks. lol

Hi Milty. Sort of. The thing is the pressure of the springs pushes the pickup/cover out towards the strings. This means that the plastic 'wings' which the screws go through are the only thing keeping the pickup from coming out. Because there is no thread in the plastic wings and there is no way to screw it into the bass, it just wobbles about. Probably not explaining it too well. It's one of those things that you need to see . The way it is at the moment, I would have to put something between the underside if the scratch plate and topside of the pickup wings to make the pickup/cover sit less proud of the scratch plate.

Cheers! DIY bolt hunt is on tomorrow :-) I have seen old Precision screws that are the exact same but they are expensive. One thing I don't understand is how on this bass, http://www.eddievegas.com/store/photopop3.php?image_filename=a5e82988728acdd3246096c99ddbe883_huge.jpg the pickup sits less prouder than mine. There is nothing within the body for the screws to screw in to. The only thing stopping the pickup from the scratch plate is the bits if plastic with screw holes either side of the pick cover.

Okay, after a weekend of buffing the bass (not a euphemism) here are some, not so great pics. One is a before shot, of the bridge. One of on the head which I am happy to leave. It's just the lacquer is coming off. [url="https://www.dropbox.com/sh/qbuz8daiknnlfcq/9snrwE20hI"]https://www.dropbox....lfcq/9snrwE20hI[/url] I'm really pleased with the outcome, so thanks for all your input. There were times when it was frustrating, like the time I screwed the scratch plate back on and I had forgot to put the 2 springs on the back of the pickup. Most of the swirls are gone and few deep scratches are left. Happy with that though because I jus wanted to put a bit of life back into the finish without an overhaul. There is one small bubble on the body. I think it may be a cigarette burn, "Rock n Roll". I actaully also found out why the bass sounds so good. I thought it had the original 6 pole telecaster pickup, but it turns out that it was swapper for a Seymour Duncan scpb-2. One think I would have to fix is the height the pickup is sitting at. The screws don't actually hold it in as the plastic holes in the pickup can't hold it. I am assuming, from other pics I have seen, that there should be 2 nuts for the screws. There is one visible here, http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i85/blackinternational/guitar%20stuff/Image003.jpg on the original pickup. Anyone know where to get a couple that will fit the threading of these screws. I may just have to visit a hardware store with the screw and try a few :-) Thanks again, Clinton

@Paul going to pick up some T Cut today. Are there different types and which one did you use? Also, did you do it by hand or have a rotary buffer. Took parts off and started cleaning last night with some duraglit and tin foil. Worked really well. Frets are cleaned and saddles/bridge too. Will hopefully get pics up tomorrow. Thanks again.

That bridge looks pretty darn good. May give the coke/aluminium on a small area and if all else fails get some T-Cut. @Paul_S Did you have to polish the body at all? I will be looking to do that also. I did notice that some kind of thin glue has got onto parts of the body. For example, if you breath on it and then rub, you get this film like residue of a sticker on it. If you keep trying to polish it you end up just moving it all over the bass. Some ideas for the body would be good too. Thanks!

Regarding the 'Chrome' I will try and clean up as best as possible and use preventative measures from here on in. Fine balance between keeping thing original and keeping a bass in good knick. I know it isn't an antique, yet :-) but if something was re-coated it would seriously devalue an item. I would be content with cleaning some of the rust without damage and leaving the rest to show the age. I think I will stick to a brand cleaner so thanks for that advice. I will be doing the dreaded clean this weekend and let you know how it goes. I'll also try and get some pics up. Thanks again, Clinton

Different opinions on old, but it's 1978. It's actually a Fender Musicmaster. Thanks for all the advice. Does anyone, per chance, know what the metal/finish the bridge/saddles are, just so I know I am applying the right stuff. Thanks, Clinton

I know there are various threads and info scattered around here and the internet at large but I was hoping to get all that in one place, here and for it to be bespoke to my bass. I have an old music master bass which is in okay condition. Main things are that there are chips out if the body and the laquer is coming off the head. I don't want to fully restore the bass as this adds character but I do wang to clean it up a bit. Main areas are: 1. Fret board and frets (rosewood). Just some gunk and tarnished. 2. Bridge including string saddles. There is done rust in these. 3. Tunjng keys and string guide. Slightly rusted. Any advice in how to clean these up properly would be greatly appreciated :-) Thanks, Clinton

Here is another pic if the tuning keys. http://imageevent.com/nicksguitars/fendermusicmasterbasss8;jsessionid=qpfvvt17d1.camel_s?p=15&n=1&m=33&c=4&l=0&w=4&s=0&z=2 Just can't find these anywhere.

Hi all, Posted this in Tech and Repairs but didn't get m/any replies. Reaching out in desperation here :-) I bought a Musicmaster this week, all original parts and plays like a dream. It's just a few cosmetic and non critical parts that I need. Due to the bass having all original parts and me being a fastidious so and so I would ideally like parts from the same model of bass from the same era ie. 1978 1. First on my list of requirements is a screw and washer for one of the machineheads. Please see image below... https://www.evernote...79be8a902604558 Any advice on my quest would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Clinton

Cheers bluejay, posting there now :-)

Thanks folks! Hartke looks great and gets good reviews so I will pop that into the list. The Line 6 110 is a bit deep dimensions wise but looks decent. Roland Micro Cube is now added to the list. Did they discontinue this model? I would love a GK but way out of my price range :-( Would definitely go for this if I could get a cheaply second hand one.

A combo please. Discovered the Pathfinder 10 and Ampeg BA108. Oh yes. It would need to have headphone jack :-)

Any super compact amp recommendations. This probably doesn't exist but ideally it would be no bigger than 12" square and plug into mains (I know that some very small amps are battery powered). I remember there used to be very small pig nose amps years ago. Basically it is just for about the house. Many thanks, Clinton