scrumpymike

Agreed hubrad - I get my basses set up by a professional luthier and have no reason to believe he doesn't do a good job.

[quote name='markstuk' timestamp='1472727505' post='3123680'] Try some DR low riders if you want some extra tension (less compliance technically :-) ) - just put them on my Jazz 5 and made a noticeable difference from the existing Hi-Beams.. [/quote] Problem is I don't know if extra tension/lower action is what I need - I'm just trying to understand what will require least effort/input from my hands/fingers while still producing an acceptable sound in a general covers band. I'm guessing the DR Low Riders allow for a super-low action that's very fast - but is it easy too?

I'm nearer to the end of my bass-playing life than the beginning and am having to find ways of 'playing round' some specific physical issues plus general bodily wear and tear. Deciding that I needed well-balanced, light-weight, properly set-up short-scale basses was the easy bit, and that's what I've done - but I can't get my head round where I should be going string-wise. I've actually changed my basses over to D'Addario EXL220S (040/060/075/095" super-light nickel rounds) for the lower tension - but I now understand that the greater vibrating amplitude of the thinner strings calls for a higher action to avoid fret buzz. So would I be better looking for some standard-gauge, low-tension strings - or would the wobbliness that presumably comes with the lower tension still require extra string height? There are sooo many variables to this string choice thing that I just don't get it! Given that both time and money are in limited supply nowadays, any advice (preferably based on experience) would be appreciated.

Thanks Si - is that chambered as in no sound hole(s)?

I've had my nose pressed up against Public Peace's virtual shop window too!! Anyone know if his chambered bodies and hollow bodies are different things? I'm looking at the Mensinger Cazpar 4, and the hollow-bodied version has an f-hole.

[quote name='bonzodog' timestamp='1471516308' post='3113544'] I went into a cold sweat just reading the title of this thread. I have back ups for every part of my gear and could not enjoy a gig knowing I had no spare. Many will disagree but that's just me. [/quote] +1 - depends on your approach to risk management (in my case, leave nothing to chance).

OK, trying again: [url="http://[URL=http://s1149.photobucket.com/user/scrumpymike/media/003_zps[IMG]http://i1149.photobucket.com/albums/o598/scrumpymike/003_zpsd4rfyoav.jpg[/IMG]"]http://[URL=http://s1149.photobucket.com/user/scrumpymike/media/003_zps[IMG]http://i1149.photobucket.com/albums/o598/scrumpymike/003_zpsd4rfyoav.jpg[/IMG][/url]

Ooops - something wrong there! This link takes you to my modded SWB-1, then click left Photobucket arrow to see the Ibanez Talman TMB30 'bargain'.

And here's another s-s bargain: [url="http://[URL=http://s1149.photobucket.com/user/scrumpymike/media/003_zpsd4rfyoav.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1149.photobucket.com/albums/o598/scrumpymike/003_zpsd4rfyoav.jpg[/IMG][/URL]"]http://[URL=http://s1149.photobucket.com/user/scrumpymike/media/003_zpsd4rfyoav.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1149.photobucket.com/albums/o598/scrumpymike/003_zpsd4rfyoav.jpg[/url] Better positioning/balance on the strap than the stock SWB-1 too (I've modded mine)! [url="http://[URL=http://s1149.photobucket.com/user/scrumpymike/media/008%202_zpsa94lyois.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1149.photobucket.com/albums/o598/scrumpymike/008%202_zpsa94lyois.jpg[/IMG][/URL]"]http://[URL=http://s1149.photobucket.com/user/scrumpymike/media/008%202_zpsa94lyois.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1149.photobucket.com/albums/o598/scrumpymike/008%202_zpsa94lyois.jpg[/url]

Not very original or the pinnacle of absolute excellence but definitely the bassists that influenced me in my formative years, namely: Jamerson Macca Bill Wyman Andy Fraser Jack Bruce And the five that I feel really bad at leaving out are Chas Chandler, Chris Squire, Pino, Phil Lynott and Nick Seymour.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1470467598' post='3106157'] Truth and Beck Ola, real rock and roll! Blue [/quote]They certainly are that! I like the way that he's always just got on and done his own thing. In his later years, he seems to have developed the happy knack of surrounding himself with hugely talented female musicians (lucky bugger).

Thanks for that Pinball - always rated him highly but hadn't heard anything from Loud Hailer. My vinyl copy of Truth (Jeff Beck Band with Rod Stewart on vocals) still gets a regular play.