tonyf

Measured the scale length based on matching my Lakland JO and then positioned it using string on the E and the G sides of the neck. [attachment=84991:100_1208.jpg]

Next step was the shielding. Again, necessary but my, what a phaff! [attachment=84989:100_1202.jpg] Then the exciting bit. Installing the controls and electronics. The EMG P pickup I'd brought was the quick connector type, the first time I'd used EMG's with these connectors. I've used EMG's in most of my recent basses and love them, hence the choice, but this was the first time I'd had the quick connector type. Briefly connected it up, checked the wiring based on a downloaded PDF and it all made sense. Went upstairs to do a quick check before screwing all the scratchplate screws in and NOTHING. Unplugged, checked the jack and fine. Double checked the diagram, all looked fine. Tried again. Nothing. Blinking heck. Finally, decided to check all the connections, pulling everything apart and lo and behold, realised that one of them was back to front. Phew. Checked it and it worked great. Then, as I screwed the scratchplate down around the controls, the sound disappeared again. Agggggghh. Another ten or so minutes of phaffing and discovered that the volume control was compressing onto the battery in the compartment. Simply turning it 90 degrees fixed it. Odd. But hey, it's done it. [attachment=84990:100_1205.jpg]

So, that's the paintwork and logo done. With a deep breath, in I dived earlier and commandeered the kitchen table. First up, decided to ease myself in by attaching the tuners and hipshot. [attachment=84986:100_1189.jpg] Next step was the neck. BIG STRESS. Logically, decided to position the neck plate and drill the holes in the body before positioning the neck and tapping the holes. All seemed to go well but I discovered early on that the scratchplate needed a bit of tweaking and semi-disasterously, I needed to position it in an EXACT position to cover the generous routings for the control cavity. TBH, the CH guitars parts seemed not to come together quite as accurately as I'd hoped and there was a fair bit of tweaking needed. In fact, I needed to dremmel the scratchplate a bit round the neck. If you look closely at the second picture of the scratchplate round the controls, one of the screw holes doesn't touch wood at all :-( [attachment=84987:100_1192.jpg] [attachment=84988:100_1191.jpg]

The monster lives! Yep, the final bits arrived from CH guitars on Thursday but after a lot on over the weekend, finally had chance to get the tool box out and crack on. Anyway, stepping back a few days, I'll do the "this is what I did and when I did it, in the order I did" thing. Completed the logo after getting some transfer paper and printing it off. First go went well but I managed to then scratch it as I pulled the backing paper off the headstock. Doh! A quick raid into Mrs F's bathroom cabinet and away it went thanks to nail varnish remover. Second attempt and job's a good un. In order to protect the logo, I then sprayed three thin coats of clear lacquer over the face of the headstock. [attachment=84984:100_1187.jpg] I spent a tedious few hours on thursday night sanding and buffing the body. Hateful job. However, as the shine started to come up from the front of the body, guess it all made the hard work worthwhile. [attachment=84985:100_1186.jpg]

+1 to all the above. Simon recently brought my EBS cabs. He's a really top fella, great comms and it was a pleasure to deal with him. Thoroughly recommended. Regards Tony

[quote name='allighatt0r' post='1300916' date='Jul 12 2011, 12:51 PM']You need to clean your keyboard, that's gross!!![/quote] Oh yeah, only just noticed it. <BLUSH> Getting the cleaning thingies out. Won't happen again. Honest guv'nor! :-)

[quote name='Doddy' post='1301838' date='Jul 13 2011, 02:47 AM']You're not familiar with Bobby Vega then? He's a really funky pick player-he subbed for Rocco with Tower of Power.[/quote] +1 Bobby is just awesome. Total monster player....

[quote name='thisnameistaken' post='1297057' date='Jul 8 2011, 12:29 PM']With 'scene latch' mode, one stomp changes scenes, rather than turning one individual effect on or off, so on the M9 you could have 6 collections of effects available to switch between with one stomp. It's all in the online manual if you want to have a nosey.[/quote] Flipping hell. Thanks for that. Just shows, you learn something new everyday! I've really gotta stop this "fiddle and mess first, read manual last" approach to new kit! Tony

[quote name='PauBass' post='1296971' date='Jul 8 2011, 11:28 AM']T, thanks a lot for your advice, I see how the M13 works now, you've been very helpful. You have owned both, the XT Live and the M13. Are the effects on those two units of similar quality? Basically, I'm after something that allows me to save presets of various effects combinations, as mention in one of my previous posts and switch them on with just one click. Are there any other multi effects units worth considering for this purpose?[/quote] Quality wise. the XT Live and M13 are both great sounding units. Built like tanks too so reliability is great. Sounds wise, I must admit the M13 sounds better and more transparent to me but that could be because it's true bypass and there's no amp modelling getting in the way. Re saving your presets, yep, you'll be able to do that with your M13 or M9. Put your effects into your combination of banks, do all your mucho-tweakery-styleee, save the scene, then it's good to go whenever you turn it on. Maybe if you do a couple of bands, save 2-3 scenes for each band so you've got them organised into a logical order. If you go down the M9/M13 route, make sure you get an expression pedal or two as well. Cheap to buy but because you can then assign ANY parameter of any pedal to one of two external expression pedal, it so opens up the possibilities. Other effects units? I've had a Boss GT6 before and that was great. Typical Boss quality and sounds, brilliant bit of kit. They've updated it to the GT-10B I think so that's worth looking at. However, the GT-6B/GT-10B is more akin to the Line6 X3 and XT Live being a true multi-effects rather than a stompbox modeller as the M9/M13 is. As always, my opinion is just that, an opinion. Go out and try some, see what sound the best for you and work the best in your circumstances. Hope this helps Tony

Last update of today. Spent FAR TOO LONG last night in Photoshop doing the logo. Decided I wanted something fender'y to keep the vibe of the bass typically precision'y. However, having seen the "fecker" logo's kicking around, decided to experiment a little. What'dya think? T [attachment=84221:Funker_E_Bass_1.jpg] [attachment=84222:Funker_E_Bass_3.jpg]

I've started to pull together the parts now. Got myself an EMG P with all the harness and pots which I'll run at 18v. Love EMG stuff, I know some people trot out the same old "it sounds too clinical" stuff but hey, they've always worked for me. Got some tuners the other week and a HipShot d-tuner. Not sure at the moment about the tuners, may invest in a better set at some point but they'll do for the moment. Got the neck plate and screws too. Need to get myself the scratchplate, a suitable bridge and odds and sods like screws and strap buttons etc. Bridgewise, there's some really good Gotoh ones out there. T

[quote name='PauBass' post='1296876' date='Jul 8 2011, 10:11 AM']A bit confused on how this unit works What do they mean when they say you can use 4 simultaneous effects? I thought you'd be able to switch on any combination of pedals you had saved. I always have compression on together with an effect or a combination of effects. For example: - Comp + Distortion - Comp + Overdrive + Chorus - Octave + Filter - Comp + Octave + Distortion Is it possible to do it with the M13?[/quote] Yep. You have 4 banks of 3 effects in a scene. Maybe program three distortions in one bank, three comps in the second, your filters in the next and then your octavers etc in the last. Save it as a scene. You're then able to have one of each in each bank. If you've a completely different set of effects, create another scene and then you can swap between it. Try YouTube. There's LOADS of great stuff on there regarding the M9 / M13. HTH T

[quote name='escholl']If you don't need the amp simulation, you may be better off going for one of the M-series (M5, M9, M13) as they are a bit more compact. Supposedly, the effects modelling is better as well, although I've not heard it myself so can't say.[/quote] That's the whole reason why I went for a M13 which replaced my Bass Pod XT Live. I was happy with my amp setup, didn't need any modelling and wanted only quality stomp box effects. The M series fitted the bill perfectly. It's great because it's true bypass so that your signal goes straight to your amp when no effects are on. In terms of scenes, I've got a couple set up but to be honest, I think I only scratch the surface of it and really need to delve a bit deeper. There's SOOOOOO much in it. [quote name='PauBass']I have read that on these units you can use 3-4 Effects simultaneously but not sur if you can turn them on at the same time? I mean, can you combine a few effects, save them and then recall them with just one click?[/quote] No, you can't do that with the M13 but it's not designed to be a programmable preset thingie. Think of it as a floor board with loads of stomp pedals. In terms of stepping on two or more, hey, that's what you'd have to do if you'd gaffa taped and velcro'd dozens of your favourite pedals onto a bit of MDF ;-). It's not as flexible but then again, you can reach down and tweak. Change a flange type to another flange type in an instant. Change one combination of pedals on a board to another combination on another board by doing a quick scene change. As has previously been said, you'll "get it" when you've sat down with one for a little while. I think you need to look at what you want. The M13 doesn't do "amp modelling" so if that's requirement, maybe the X3 Live. However, if it's just loads of effects and a way to easily and sensibly play with them in a live setting with as much tweakery as you can throw a large stick at, the M9/M13 is the one. I really LOVE mine as it's just so great sounding and really flexible. T

Right, progress update time. Finally bottled the sparkle paint idea as getting hold of a large flake sparkle in a rattle can was a bit problematic. Doing a block colour seemed to be an easier option so I've gone for a white as I'm planning on either a red tort or white pearloid scratchplate. Did the initial priming and colour coats a couple of weekends ago, keyed the colour coat back and then the clear coats went on. Put loads of clear coat on as I wanted to make sure it's covered and there's plenty of room for error during the sanding and buffing process. To be honest, it went FAIRLY well. As the colour started to go on, there's some areas where I thought "erm, coulda sanded that back a bit more" or "perhaps I should have grain-filled" but on the whole, I'm pretty happy so far. If I was doing this for a living, I'd be a lot more rigourous but it's a learning curve and it'll be better the next time. If there is one! ;-) Waiting for the top coats to harden further. The rattle cans reckon a couple of weeks but because I've got stuff on over the weekend, there's no harm in giving it a little while longer. [attachment=84220:Funker_E_Bass_2.jpg] T

[quote name='mike257' post='1296013' date='Jul 7 2011, 02:24 PM']Been my go-to for years, and (almost) indestructible - can't go wrong with 'em really.[/quote] +1 I think mine is the oldest bit of kit I've got. Basses, amps, effects have come and gone but the tank like TU-2 has always been with me. Essential kit. T

Shep brought my EBS HD350. Perfecto "transaction", the man is a true gem and has excellent taste in basses, amps, fx and most importantly, coffee and biscuits. Recommended to all! Cheers mate, enjoy the amp T

Oh yeah momma! I likey very much.

[quote name='bubinga5' post='1279095' date='Jun 22 2011, 09:46 PM']This Flame maple fretted version with the black headstock is killer!!!!...[/quote] Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!

John brought my Korg DTR-2 tuner. He's a top chap. Very courteous, great communications and extremely flexible regarding payment and postage. I'd thoroughly recommend dealing with him. Cheers John! All the best Tony

John brought my Korg DTR-2 tuner. He's a top chap. Very courteous, great communications and extremely flexible regarding payment and postage. I'd thoroughly recommend dealing with him. Cheers John! All the best Tony

Well, after having the bits kick around for the best part of year, I've got back onto this. [quote]Alternatively, I could just bottle it and go for a block colour. Like the idea of a black with either a black or dark tort scratchplate. But I know I'll then kick myself for not having the sparkle done.[/quote] I've reassessed the "sparkle" thing and did indeed "bottle it". I'm now painting it white and it'll be finished with a tort scratchplate. Finally started the paining. Had a rush of blood and got my rattle cans from Halfords earlier. Roughly prep sanded the body and on went the primer. Then I realised I'd not prepped it as much as I should. Funny how you always realise that once there's a few coats on eh? Oh, well, plenty of time to fix that once the primer is dry and I can wet-and-dry it before the colour coats. [attachment=83004:photo_9.JPG] [attachment=83006:photo_11.JPG] Already been thinking about hardware and pickups. Think I'm going down the EMG route as I've got them in virtually everything else I have and actually like them. I'll get myself an EMG P and then run it at 18v (like my Lakland is). There's loads of room in the cavity for the two batteries (see below). [attachment=83005:photo_13.JPG] Need to get tuners, then the bridge. Gotoh make some nice high mass bridges as well as tuners. As I've got a Hipshot D-Tuner than I had installed on my old MM Sterling and G&L, will use MM style tuners. I'm really not bothered about the "it's a fender so must have fender-style tuners" thing. Will crack on tomorrow once the primer is dry. Tony