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DavidMcKay

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Posts posted by DavidMcKay

    The Psychology Of GAS

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    [size=3]Because it is too easy to get credit and instant gratification these days, and like a sugar rush, it is over very quickly.[/size]

    [size=3]I always think of TheThe's song 'True Happiness This Way Lies' when I think of GAS.[/size]

    [size=3]I remember my first guitar. A friend's Dad was selling it and I had to pay him [font=arial, sans-serif]£20 down and then [/font][/size][font=arial, sans-serif][size=3]£20 per month for 4 months. Then I could take it home and actually call it mine. This was 37 years ago and I remember more about this guitar than any other I have owned. [/size][/font][font=arial, sans-serif][size=3]I also recall spending hours learning to play it. Mind you - I didn't have the Internet to distract me.[/size][/font]

    [font=arial, sans-serif][size=3]Thing is - if you don't have access to the funds/credit then you make do and mend, you use what you've got.[/size][/font]

    [font=arial, sans-serif][size=3]Still, we should take comfort that we are no different than the armies of golfers up and down the country who pour money into the latest clubs and still shank into the long grass. And at least we don't get soaking wet playing the bass.[/size][/font]


    [font=arial, sans-serif][size=3]David[/size][/font]




    [font=arial, sans-serif][size=3] [/size][/font][size=3]and credit [/size]

    Towards a Boutique Bass

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    [quote name='sprocketflup' timestamp='1455390573' post='2978765']
    So what is that? As you say the body on it is rather lovely
    [/quote]

    Hi Sprocketflup


    It is a GMR Bassforce: http://basschat.co.uk/topic/274025-sold-gmr-bassforce-4-string-blonde-beast-sold/


    Hand-made in Poland. A 2005 model, or thereabouts. I just think it looks absolutely gorgeous - a really nice organic-looking piece that has beautiful lines and that boutique appearance.

    I think it just has to be fretless to bring its beauty to another level.

    Towards a Boutique Bass

    in General Discussion

    Posted · Edited by DavidMcKay

    I say 'boutique bass', but perhaps others would describe it as a very posh 'bitsa'. Anyway - to the tale.....

    [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]I recently bought a pair of Yamaha TRBX504 basses in Stealth/Matte Black from fellow BCers and I had arranged for [/font][/color][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Jon Shuker (Shuker Basses) to fit a fretless fingerboard to one of them. Not a fretless conversion but an actual full fingerboard replacement with a beautiful slice of Macassar ebony. But then I came upon this item for sale, fell in love with it and bought it ([/font][/color]I now have one of the Yamahas for sale if anyone is interested!)[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]:[/font][/color]

    [attachment=212333:Body.jpg] [attachment=212335:Overview.jpg]


    However there is a problem. I feel the bass is let down a bit by the shape and condition of the headstock:

    [attachment=212334:Headstock.jpg]


    So I got back in touch with Jon Shuker and asked if we could up the ante to a full neck replacement, fretless fingerboard and 33" length while we are at it.

    He said "Yes".

    I wont go into prices here but I was pleasantly surprised at the quote for the work - especially when one considers what Jon's products sell for. If you are needing any work or servicing done I would encourage you to check out his website for a list of options and prices. Did you know he even runs a course where you can build your own bass? How cool is that! I was 50 last year and if I had known about the courses then, I would have dropped a major hint to the current Mrs. McKay!


    Jon should receive the bass soon (I arranged for the seller to ship directly to Shuker Bass) at which point we will agree on woods for the neck. I say agree - what I really mean is I'll leave it entirely up to Jon's judgment!

    I'll post some more pics as things progress, but I guess my main point is that I have bought and sold many basses in my journey towards 'the one', but perhaps it isn't out there. Perhaps it is what you love from one bass, with a bit of what you desire from another, topped off with something else you happen to like.

    I don't know, but I feel I am getting closer with this one.


    As a side note. I am not loaded, but then again I am not actually paying that much for this work (especially when I consider what friends spend on golf clubs and clubhouse fees per year - so I guess it is all relative), and I can't even play the bass that well, but if I let that stop me I wouldn't get anywhere.


    Oh, and I am keeping the[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] other Yamaha as it is a total slap/funk machine.[/font][/color]


    Thoughts/comments welcome.


    Speak soon,

    David

    SOLD: Yamaha TRBX504 in Stealth/Matte Black - £260 Delivered

    in Basses For Sale

    Posted · Edited by DavidMcKay

    [b]Update: Sold on Gumtree but I am now selling the other one. Same Spec but in as new condition with 4 hrs on the clock.[/b]

    Yamaha TRBX504 in Stealth/Matte Black - £260 Delivered (possibly a bit more if shipping is to EU)

    Recently bought from a fellow BCer but then a GMR caught my eye, and - well you know how the rest goes! I actually bought 2 of these from Basschat within 2 days of each other (one from Marvin, the other from Vinny) as I was going to have Jon Shuker (Shuker Basses) fit a fretless fingerboard to one of them, however I am now going for a complete neck replacement on the GMR so one of the Yamahas has to go. I will be keeping the other as it is a total slap machine.

    [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Great build quality and has some really great features. [/font][/color][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]It has both active and passive options. [/font][/color][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]I have all sorts of plates and pins in my left wrist yet I have found the[/font][/color][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] neck to be slim and very easy to play, similar to the Ibanez SR range. [/font][/color][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]The bass is well balanced and sits nicely on a strap. I was blown away by the build quality of these models and I believe they wipe the floor with other guitars in their price range.[/font][/color]

    [b]Scale Length:[/b][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] [/font][/color][i]34'' (863.6mm) [/i]
    [b]Neck: [/b][i]Maple and Mahogany 5pc [/i]
    [b]Fingerboard:[/b][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] [/font][/color][i]Rosewood [/i]
    [b]Radius:[/b][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] [/font][/color][i]10'' (250mm) [/i]
    [b]Nut Width:[/b][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] [/font][/color][i]38mm [/i]
    [b]Body: [/b][i]Solid Mahogany[/i][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] [/font][/color]
    [b]Tuners:[/b][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] [/font][/color][i]Die-cast [/i]
    [b]Bridge: [/b][i]Die-cast 19mm [/i]
    [b]Pickups: [/b][i]HHB5n (Alnico V), HHB5b (Alnico V) [/i]
    [b]Controls:[/b][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] [/font][/color][i]Master Volume, Pickup Balancer, Bass, Middle, Treble and Active-Passive switch (Battery Alert LED on back) [/i]
    [b]Hardware:[/b][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] [/font][/color][i]Black Nickel [/i]

    [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]It's in excellent condition and has still got the plastic that sits around the controls to say what they do. [/font][/color]

    [attachment=212285:IMG_0429.jpg] [attachment=212286:IMG_0431.jpg] [attachment=212287:IMG_0433.jpg] [attachment=212288:IMG_0435.jpg]

    Update: Photos of the neck - in response to a question on any knocks or dings. Please excuse the quality of the photos.

    [attachment=212814:IMG_0439.jpg] [attachment=212813:IMG_0446.jpg] [attachment=212812:IMG_0445.jpg] [attachment=212811:IMG_0443.jpg] [attachment=212810:IMG_0442.jpg]

    My Stolen Squier Jazz...

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    We microchip our dogs - should we microchip our bass guitars?

    I've got an iphone that is only worth #100 but I can locate it via software if it is lost or stolen. Why don't we feel the same about our instruments?

    if someone offered a cheap and easy way to 'mark' my bass I'd do it.

    Some love for Isis

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    [quote name='Roger2611' timestamp='1454525050' post='2970544']
    I run a training course on occasions, not done it for a couple of years, did it yesterday and I come to the Lost Profits Opportunity slide...I thought I really ought to reword that one!
    [/quote]

    Reminded me of the juxtaposition of fresh cucumbers at Tesco under the sign Perfect For Valentines!

    Fretless Conversion - Please Advise

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    [quote name='kevin_lindsay' timestamp='1454445542' post='2969878']
    Drop Chris Mcintyre an email. He's a star. I've used chris for decades - in fact, I used to fly to London to get my instruments worked on when he was based there.

    He now has a workshop beside the Easter Road football stadium in Edinburgh.

    [url="http://www.mcintyreguitars.com/mcintyre-guitars-clients.html"]http://www.mcintyreg...rs-clients.html[/url]
    [/quote]

    Kevin

    Thanks for the steer. I've emailed [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Chris Mcintyre and will take if from there.[/font][/color]

    [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]I'll let you know how I get on.[/font][/color]


    [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Cheers,[/font][/color]

    [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]David[/font][/color]

    Fretless Conversion - Please Advise

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    [quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1454444330' post='2969853']
    Not to want to be a spolier of a good idea, but wouldn't it be cheaper to buy a neck?

    The down-side of this, of course is having to put up with a Fender-look-alike headstock - That alone would put me off too.

    Have a bump.
    [/quote]

    Hi Grangur

    Thanks for the bump. I love the neck on the Yamaha and would wish to keep it - for the same reasons mate!


    David

    Fretless Conversion - Please Advise

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Hi All[/font][/size]


    [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]I am going for a fretless conversion on a Yamaha 34" scale, i.e. completely replacing current fingerboard with a beautiful piece of unlined ebony, having markers at the top, that sort of thing.[/font][/size]

    [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]I was quoted £300 by Jimmy Egypt in Glasgow. I rate these guys,and am confident that they'd do a sterling job, but I want to test the marketplace and be sure I'm not paying over the odds.[/font][/size]

    [font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]What can/should I expect to pay for a first rate job, and are there any other Luthiers in Scotland you would recommend for the work?[/font]


    [font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]Cheers,[/font]

    [font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]David[/font]

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