pfretrock
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Posts posted by pfretrock
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P pickups have different magnet polarities in each half (one side is North pole, other side is South pole). This means if you use a P/J configuration then each of the four strings are in phase when mixed. Due to the two halfs of the P pickups being wired "back to back" to produce a humbuck effect, the magnets need to be so arranged, to bring both sides back into phase with the J.
You might need to consider this when you arrange the P/P configuration?
You can check magnet polarity by using a weak magnet to check which side repels the magnet. Strong magnet to be avoided some modern magnets are VERY strong, best avoided and its easier to feel when the poles repel.
Actually Leo's split P pickup was genius, presumably avoiding the Humbucker Patent. It is wired as a humbucker, back to back.
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...Just noticed Ampmaker now only sell full kits, no parts. Might be a supply problem, some Farnell resistors took a few weeks to arrive earlier this year.
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13 hours ago, ezbass said:
They are brilliant and I don’t mean that sarcastically. I’ve had to do some loom splicing recently and using lead solder has made this operation much easier.
Yes they sold me "outlawed" solder no questions, avoided the ebay offerings as I was not sure of the quality. Also got from Farnell some big resistors. The half watt are way too small these days to put into valve gear so I was using 1W even if this rating was not needed.
The other place I have used is:
Did not buy their full kits but got some parts when building a copy of a Fender Bassman amp.
Getting hard to get some components these days
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1 hour ago, nekomatic said:
Er, I don’t think that’s lead free:
Yep, 60/40 lead tin. No wonder it tastes so good. Incidentally, RS Components would not sell me leaded solder (i'm not a trade customer) . Farnell did not care.
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23 hours ago, Thunderbird said:
Valve radio sounds like great fun nice one 👍
There were two. One had 4 valves and the other 21 valves. Just needed to replace one valve and a whole load of leaky capacitors and aged resistors.
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On 16/06/2021 at 16:40, EBS_freak said:
I mean, pulling a jack out of a socket is pretty radical, right?
Especially if you have one of those silly locking jack sockets on your bass, which are not easy to remove. As I don't gig but usually have a bass lying around on the sofa, i'm too lazy to keep unplugging.
Neutrik make some interesting stuff like the silent plug:
https://www.neutrik.com/en/neutrik/products/plugs-jacks/plugs/professional-1-4-plugs/silentplug
and the timbre plug:
https://www.neutrik.com/en/product/np2rx-timbre
Maybe they can be persuaded to make a switched plug?
Neutrik might be the only jack plugs worth using! (see what I did there, a plug).
Actually decent quality locking sockets may not be a bad idea, my Mex P failed after one year and a Squier Telecaster is loose after a few months.
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Lead free is the work of the devil. (or maybe I've used 60/40 for so long and don't like lead free). just restored a very big valve radio, had to pay £30 for a reel of the thick solder required. Another problem is getting spare bits for my old Weller for 60/40 - the bit determins the iron temperature in these old irons. New higher temperature bits are way too hot for 60/40. I've also done some lead free soldering on very small surface mount components, lead free is dreadful stuff!
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A Movie soudtrack like you've never seen before. Spot the Warmoth bass neck!
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I thought A 432 was only used by members of the Flat Earth Society.
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"I use a Linn drum, it doesn't argue"
Keith Emerson in his studio circa 1986
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No not a new guitar or bass. I spent most of last year working at home, so looking at more TV and social media that previously. Covid has seen a lot of TV/media where zoom etc. is increasingly used. Usually they are sat in front of their book case. Then I noticed a gradual increase of guitar or bass sitting in the corner. I'm sure they are just following a trend or is it just that guitar ownership is more common than I thought.
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43 minutes ago, Dan Dare said:
I got a three-sided concave fret file from eBay cheaply, which I find works well.
I would worry about taking the top off the fret with a concave file. Do you mark the fret with a Sharpie to see where it cuts?
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On 11/10/2021 at 18:39, ikay said:
Having successfully rustled up a DIY notched straight edge, next on the list is a DIY fret crowning tool of some sort. I've toyed around with a few ideas (below) without much success. The results are as flaky as the tools look! I'm finding this one a bit trickier. The benefit of your experience and any practical advice or suggestions would be appreciated.
Once you've straightened the neck, surley you need to level the frets (or at least check them) before crowning?
I also took a DIY approach and stuck 400 grit (or finer) wet/dry onto a 16 inch spirit level (reasonably flat, checked against an engineers rule) using very thin double sided tape. This tape is about as tick as fag paper.
Worked Ok, in this case the proper tools would have cost much more than the bass was worth! The fret levels were dreadfull anyway and would have been unplayable.
The frets were crowned with a fine flat file having masked the neck with tape and marked the frets with black Sharpie. A bit tedious. Then finish off with increasing grades of wet/dry.
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4 hours ago, ikay said:
I just bought the ruler but don't have a fancy notching guillotine so have a few hours of filing to look forward too!
Actually should not take that long. Frets are under 1.5mm high so a 1/4 inch fine round file should be quite quick, put a 3or 4 mm notch at each position. Looks like the ruler is Ali. ? A bit thicker than mine so shoud not bend, (mine did) if it's bowed not easy to see the alignment on the neck.
My 30" gauge was for a kit built short scale which had neck and fret problems.
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On 04/09/2021 at 07:34, Jimelliottbassist said:
Hi I’m on the search for USA Ampeg svt Pro 4 lid screws. 12 of them and the rear rubber feet with the screws as well. Is there anywhere online that you can purchase them or does anyone know what size they are?
I guess they are UNC threads? Problem is identifying the size. Then finding a small quantity. Do you have one similar that can be measured (diameter, length, threads per inch).
Odd fact: on one of my basses (not sure, maybe a Fender) the pot screws are the same thread used on Meccano sets (useless fact No. 137).
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As good a way as any for ruining a cheap ruler. One side is 30" scale, I think the other is 32".
Not worth doing unless you have access to a notching/guillotine tool - way too tedious to file!
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23 hours ago, chris_b said:
I saw The Stones at the O2 and the whole evening was anchored by Charlie's drumming. He never missed a beat and underpinned the band in a simple, effective and fantastic way.
You will probably need some isolated drum tracks then. Incredible.
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On 01/08/2020 at 10:44, Lfalex v1.1 said:
I'm sure some of these close-ups are actually shower hoses...🙃
Mine is a really, really, really low B. Way off the end of the keyboard.
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4 hours ago, Hellzero said:
Matches do the trick too and are (were ?) made out of alder.
So is (was) gunpowder. No real connexion!
String trees were invented so Leo could get more necks out of a plank.
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On 28/01/2021 at 10:04, christhammer666 said:
dpd seem to be the only decent courier around imo. The driver we have in our area goes above and beyond and is quite jolly
My last dpd delivery gave me a one hour time slot and arrived 10 minutes into it
UPS please note. (knocks once, leaves card, drive off)
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23 hours ago, NickD said:
... a typical party line yes man...
Are there any other sort?
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Lat time I ordered parts from outside the EU (USA) I paid around $50 priority shipping (72 hours?). The stuff took 3 weeks to arrive, customs in Coventry lost it for a week. Had to pay VAT and customs charge before delivery. EU could be like that now. Thomann was good while it lasted, usually had delivery within 3 days.
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It should be noted that the petition has only run for a little over a month and has already reached 280,000 signatories. This is unusually high, I think only petitions about the B word have reached such numbers.
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(NOTE: Petitions are debated in the smaller Westminster Hall, not the main Chamber of the HOC. Usually very few attend, they just could not be A###d. The Government usually gives a "Rubber Stamp" reply.This is a politically neutral statement! I'm sorry that's the way it is.)
But do contact your MP, this is a serious loss to the economy and to the arts.
More details rom the email:
"On Monday 8 February the Petitions Committee will hold a virtual e-petition session to discuss arrangements for UK musicians in the EU.
MPs will discuss arrangements for UK musicians in the EU in light of the petition you have signed calling for a Europe-wide visa-free work permit for touring professionals and artists. Caroline Dinenage, Minister for Digital and Culture, will respond for the Government."
Watch live from 4.30pm on Monday 8 February:
https://youtu.be/VsaAKoULWNs
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in General Discussion
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First used them around 1996, ordered on line, posted US$ bank draft to Seattle to pay invoice.
Stopped using them 18 months ago. Can't support carbon headed global warming cardboard box tax evaders.