Count Bassie

[quote name='BottomE' post='1350093' date='Aug 24 2011, 06:40 AM']Count! How the devil are you. I am at work and unable to play them at the moment but will later.[/quote] I'm in a hole, but trying to fix it... the vids are nothing if not personally compromising, but the show the bass bopping around slightly. The sound isn't very bass- friendly either, but if you have an eq in your system you can hear it. How you been man?

I know... that this thread has been dead awhile, but I got a little live footage of my modded Hamer Cruisebass getting played at a recent gig and I thought I'd post it. 'Tis here, at a Portuguese feast with my Portuguese trad/events band, Novera... yes it's me playing, in all my dour splendor. I don't know how to get the vid to appear here, so here's a linky: [url="http://youtu.be/tX6duR0ZLGw"]http://youtu.be/tX6duR0ZLGw[/url] Another, a better view of the bass I think. Please, ignore the player. [url="http://youtu.be/AVJyXvXG6TE"]http://youtu.be/AVJyXvXG6TE[/url]

That looks very cool. Really nice, and yeah I hope the neck fixes. I "see" a luthier somewhere lurking, running off to his shop...

If it's working, don't fix it. Less is more, right?

[quote name='Ou7shined' post='1335881' date='Aug 10 2011, 06:09 PM']I'm not totally against the front bevel idea but I'd prefer to see this decision based on playability rather than what looks best or what is easiest to do. With this radical neck approach, you are taking something iconic and potentially improving the design. The lower neck cutaway on these is an obvious inherent design flaw (maybe not so much by design than circumstance) that needs to be addressed too and here you are with the perfect opportunity, especially since you have actually compounded the flaw yourself by adding an extra fret. Take a page out of the books of the builders who have been proven to have this part of the guitar right. Start your cutaway ~2 frets back and let rip. How are you going to get to play "do" if you don't make it accessible? [/quote] Okay, well maybe it's not [i]really[/i] a T-Bird anymore... you have already cut its poor overweight head off , you might as well get it to be how you'd really enjoy playing it. It does seem to have lost the original mojo without a headstock- and now it's got a very cool look that's kind of all its own, and comes off more as 'modeled after' a T-Bird. With more frets, you're going to want to be able to access them when you're finished. I'd bet... I say go for some cutting-out at the lower bout- the change will be minor compared to what you've done so far. It's a danged nutty project- looks super-cool from here. I'm going to want to do something like this to mine.

[quote name='JPJ' post='1334794' date='Aug 10 2011, 06:59 AM']Just a thought, but how much time do you spend playing up at the dusty end? Is it really necessary to contour the body? And If so, is it not better to contour the back of the body, where your palm goes, rather than the front?[/quote] Depends if you're inclined to reach around the front, maybe even fold your thumb in and get your whole hand to the front of the 'board. I do that with my Epi T-Bird now... it's not as if I need to be there for long stretches, I'm not a big upper-register soloist/clinitian, so my forays up there are usually (blessedly) short! It's a T-Bird...

[quote name='ogrimark' post='1333202' date='Aug 9 2011, 03:57 AM']I showed the pictures on here last night to our lass who liked the look. The downfall was the second i started to say I really like she snapped at me, told me know and stropped off chuntering about never happy with what you got and always looking for more I have no idea what she means but i am seriously liking this Tbird.[/quote] Women. We love 'em!

This is looking promising. Nice job so far!

[quote name='Johnston' post='1325407' date='Aug 3 2011, 06:17 AM']Just watch. I was told the back and front layers that give the T-bird the centre "Step" are just glued on Ply fashion and they have a habit of de laminating. If you go deep you might not have enough "Body" wood to hold the pickups securely. But if he makes his template a wedge shape to allow for the angle of dangle won't it keep the front edge angled to suit the neck [/quote] That makes sense, the original neck pocket being a right-angle relationship between the floor/wall of it. It is, right? Anyway good idea to hold on it- why have to go re-routing deeper holes for pickups- increasing your 'margin of screw-up'? Less is better, as most always...

[quote name='neepheid' post='1325093' date='Aug 2 2011, 07:07 PM']Good news - having consulted with my Dad, his router can plunge until the collet/nut is beginning to show below the base plate. Perfect. Not so good news - the existing neck pocket is on a slight slope. Of course this was to make sure that the levitating monstrosity that is the 3 point bridge would be able to get down low enough. I'm pretty sure these saddles will be much lower down. Should I just take it level and shim if necessary, or try to replicate the slope? Maybe it would be prudent to wait until the hardware arrives...[/quote] I would totally make it level, especially with the new saddles. It's becoming a different animal, roll with it.

This is a cool project. Just got an Epi 'Bird, and I might go for a jig like this as well! Funky, different (well, not anymore! ).

I just realized, these pix are not on a setee. Sorry... but you guys are English, right? Will a garden work? Just got this in a trade for my Ibanez BTB405QM. The Ibby proved just out of reach with the 35.5" scale length, and I met up with a struggling young metal-hippie who was hankering for a 5-er. I've always wanted one of these, so when it became very easy I took a shot at it. I didn't come out the Deal-Shark exactly, but I like the bass. And after a few days and a gig, it's proved itself a fit. Here's the new Garden-Variety Thunderbird, Epiphone edition: The custom strap-jig- negates neck-dive and facilitates a work-around for a left arm nerve issue: And a little Family-Tree respect... this one's near a chair, at least... Mods to come will include a steel-wool rub on the back of the neck, new matching clover-style tuners, a thumb rest, probably some less murky p'ups, and a buffing for the finish... I'm something of a carpenter and the noticeable 'warble' in the finish under certain lighting conditions bothers me, somewhere in a recess of my consciousness. Nonetheless, I think this is one of the coolest shapes ever- and despite the heft of that Mahogany coffee-table body, I dig it.

One more... I don't have any straight-on or otherwise decent shots of me playing it, but one of my part-time party bands did a retirement-party gig for an old friend. As the party bloomed into the afternoon, their "Back-in-the-Day band", [b][i]The Bel-Airs[/i][/b], got up and did a spontaneous 50th Anniversary jam. Here's the cruiser in action: Sounded big, full and authoritative through the Trace AH250SMX/Eminence 3015-loaded EAW cab. Alright, I'll let this one go now! Your turn, Bottom E...

I still have my AH250SMX after 2 years- pretty good term for me to still have an amp! I got it as sort of an accident victim and "nursed" it "back to health". It seems to set just right in the mix, and give me what I would generally like to hear. If I want it to 'break up a bit' I just push a little harder. The 2-band compressor is a winner, plumps and tightens up the bass just enough. The graphic is super-sensitive, and although I'd like a little more headroom it seems to be enough, even with a single 8 ohm cab... It's pretty light for cartage, and even without the renown blacklight it looks sharp! Good gigging head.

[quote name='BottomE' post='1285187' date='Jun 28 2011, 07:43 AM']I am a sucker for a story with a happy ending. I love it Count and am really pleased its worked out as a good gigging bass. I really think its cool. Lovely bass. I forgot how beat up it was when you started the project. You got me lusting after another Hamer. My project has changed a bit. I got the solder kit and setup rulers, gagues and stuff for my birthday and then for some reason unknown to me started lusting after a P Bass? Never been my thing before. Anyway i have bought a Precision body off of the ebay - picking up later this week - i bought some PuPs and a neck from a guy on this forum (hopefully). Not sure what i am going to do with it when it all comes together...There is no method to my madness just a lot random impulse purchases [/quote] Thanks man, I'm glad it's worked as well. I kind of knew it would, just to what degree I'd be happy with it, I didn't know. Landed on the up-side! Your project sounds like it's setting itself up for you. Roll with it, and eventually there'll be a time in the process to make a decision- that's when it becomes yours! Have an adventure, see what you end up with. We'll want to see pix, etc., of course! A P-bass is a great mod-er, by the way. I've seen some very cool pimp-jobs on that venerable battle-axe!

[quote name='steve-soar' post='1285095' date='Jun 28 2011, 06:23 AM']I wish you could have them both.[/quote] I always say you can have everything, just not at the same time! But honestly, this is more fun to play. Given the chance to do it over, I'd do it again, I'm afraid! Now a Gibson EB-0 L... that would've stayed original, with a no-cutting pickup mod and some new guts.

Hey here's an updated, "more fair" before/after hit: [b] Before...[/b] [b]After...[/b] EDIT: I thought Id write a short blurb concerning how I feel about the state of it... Pros. I like the beveling. I also like the SG/Westone vibe it's taken on. Functionally it's a good deal friendlier- it's now much more the player for me. Cons. I miss the trad shape, and the fact it had pedigree. That is gone now, no matter what I do to try and 'bring it back'. This was a no turning back deal, I knew that. Summary. It's not that I'm sorry I did it, I really like playing it! It is my favorite in maybe 10 years , and it still sounds great even with the wood gone missing. I've actually gotten some nice compliments not only on the bass, but on my playing it (). That will be because I find it very comfortable, to the point where inspiration is "easy to reach" through the instrument- if you get me. Might have to do a new color at some point though. It's beginning to look 'unfinished' now...

[quote name='BottomE' post='1284413' date='Jun 27 2011, 12:54 PM']Hiya Count, Hope things are ok. Hows the Hamer? Have you had a chance to gig it yet? B[/quote] Hey Grasshopper! All is well, I'm back at work full-time just as we speak, starting a nice little cash job on Wednseday, and some fairly ambitious stuff coming up to last into winter. So I'm looking up! Yes, I've played the bass out a few times now, did a nice show with the "dead electric cowboy" band weekend before last, and it went very well. The bass is getting very good reviews, as is the old EAW cab I recently loaded with an Eminence Kappalite 3015. I'm hoping to get hold of a DVD of the show I just mentioned (we're actually called "The Millrats", we do a lot of country. Grateful Dead, 60s-70s hippy-rock), and I'll post a clip. Thanks for asking. You started that project you mentioned yet?

I bought a Kappalite 3015, and with the WinISD Alpha version I got the ports to 5 1/4". My info wasn't 100% complete as far as the physical specs of the driver, so I approximated on the remaining cab volume with the inwardly protruding basket, bracing, and ports. Couldn't do every single calculation... but it sounds pretty dern good! Played out twice over the weekend, and I'm getting to know it. It's got a nice low-end punch, moves a good deal of air, and feels like it'll handle what I've got for amplification without a problem. It's new to me, and I'm still learning about what it does. I may need to add a third port if I get a stronger amp, to avoid "chuffing". But so far, so good. I sold my heavy Trace Elliot cabs, and boy is this thing light! I'd like to clone it, get another 3015, then I'll be in Piggy Heaven. Meanwhile I've got a GK 800RB and am getting an old Celestion 12 re-coned. I'll build an open-back cab for it, and will use it for a top-end to bi-amp the 800RB into... I guess I'll cross it over at around 1KHz or so. Here's the cab with the longer, pvc ports: Fun with noise!

I have plugged some t/S parameters in that I got from US Speaker and another site. It's a WinISD Alpha file. If you want a copy of what I have pm me your emails and I'll send an attachment. There are a few missing values, but much of it gets filled in automatically on the Alpha version.

[quote name='ThomBassmonkey' post='1256082' date='Jun 3 2011, 06:47 PM']AFAIK it's not the US's fault, I believe there's some materials used that don't follow EU legislation, I've always presumed it's something to do with lead, but I don't really have any idea.[/quote] Well we ate lead for breakfast over here until 1970, so it's probably just "The American Way". [quote name='ThomBassmonkey' post='1256082' date='Jun 3 2011, 06:47 PM']Theoretically the RB series of heads are designed to sound like the 800RB, there's a section in the manual about it (to do with the contour knob), I've never used an 800RB though so I don't know how accurate they are.[/quote] Didn't know that! Pretty cool.

[quote name='Delberthot' post='1256058' date='Jun 3 2011, 06:09 PM']you lucky Americans and your still in production 800RBs The closest we have is the 700RB II which is what I have but I'd love to have another 800RB[/quote] This one's an old road-dog actually, and missing one end of the steel chassis- so it's like a box that's open at one end! I have to write GK, maybe they have a spare part lying around. They tend to be pretty friendly that way. It pays to bottom-feed craigslist... I played the 1001RB, and that's a sweet amp. I'd sooner have the 700RB, but both are no slouch. As far as amps are concerned, I have discovered over time that the older it is, the better (read: "the more I like it"!). Some features on the newer generations might be quieter, more efficient in ways, but gimme a 70s SVT, Acoustic 370, older Trace, or an old GK over a new anything, any day. I only have 2 amps, both old buggers. And a new Hartke A-100 combo- for rehearsals... it sounds pretty good, but that one's all about convenience!

Yeah I know I might be opening a can of worms here, but I had to ask! I'm going to run it by a local tech when the amp arrives (I just bought it from a dude in the next state- craigslist!), and if it's weird-but-do-able, I'm going to go for it. If not, hey. I'll still biamp it, and someone on TB suggested using a guitar cab for the highs. Said it would likely be a better way to go than a 210, and I'm thinking I agree. We'll see, and I'll get back on it... especially if it turns out to be a good idea! Thanks for the replies!

Here's one for the amp tech-savvy folk: I'm waiting on the arrival of an old GK 800RB, and want to know if it can be modded to split the signal at the effects send/return so I can control where the return goes to. Know what I mean? I want to distribute the effected, returned signal between hi and lo (it bi-amps). Can this be done? I want to send the effected signal to the hi side of the crossover only, to an open-back guitar cab, sending no effects to the lows. I want to get the effects return split [i]after[/i] the EQ, and [i]before[/i] the Boost. I'm concerned that if my signal goes [u]through the Boost on the way to/from the effects loop[/u] it might end up being [u]too 'hot'[/u] for the effects, especially on the 'hi' side. Thoughts?

[quote name='Balcro' post='1254450' date='Jun 2 2011, 02:18 PM']Have fun with that. I find both brilliant and maddening! Check out the "Help" menu on how to enter data and in what order. The minimal entry of data seems to work best. Try the Eminence 15" Kappa LFA. Balcro.[/quote] It's hell in a graphic user interface until you get a clue! I think I've found a driver that rools off near 45Hz- might have been that Kappa you mentioned, or the 3015 (not LF). Anyway, I think I'm getting near a purchase. And some PVC for new porting. Thanks!