wrinkleygit

Just got home so let me be the first to thank Mike & the Scrumpettes for a brilliant day once again, the food was to die for with a special mention to the rhubarb crumble & clotted cream. Oh & apparently there were some basses there as well.😉

First in the que for Jabba’s stand ? might have to arm wrestle you for the shortie, but then there’s apple pie & crumble on offer so it’s difficult to know where to head for first!!

Anyone have a EUB they could bring, not sure if the wrinkly joints could cope but I’ve always fancied trying one

Finally sorted myself out, this time I can spend the whole day there so at last I get to try the “scrumptiousness”. Will be bringing Jabba’s original semi hollow fretless so you can all see how it has faired over the past year, Mike B.

good grief !!! haven't dared tell the wife my plans for April yet, she still hasn't forgot what happened last year.

Hoping to make to SW bash this year, mainly to see what you are going to turn up with, will bring the semi hollow fretless so you can see how its holding up, all the best, mike.

Naked for me every time, mike

I've used " Guitar toolkit" for years now,, loads of other useful stuff on it as well, easily worth the few quid it cost me

Can't wait for the SW bash to see what else turns up, that would make an amazing pair, Mike b

Here is a link to a couple of video clips taken recently in a pub beer garden on an iPhone , a word of warning tho' if you play them back on a phone or tablet the sound quality is not good, however with some decent h'phones or sound system its fairly representative of how the bass sounds thro my SWR working mans 10 combo & matching ext cab, mike b. https://www.dropbox.com/sh/1309lt80ra1iiqk/AABd9pNdlaotYYJag67C0HW6a?dl=0

Hi Jez, double balls only available in 34" scale, Newtone may do other lengths to order but I suspect cost may be prohibitive , string clamps should be ok with conventional strings. I think the Kidd Carryon Eubs use D'addario ground wounds on a 30" scale with a clamp arrangement I also remember an add on clamp used to be available for the Hohner & Steinberg range of headless basses to allow them to use conventional strings, looking forward to the next instalment , Mike .

Always had a thing for a headless bass, 30" scale sounds tempting. The Fretless is going down a storm by the way, this looks just as good will be interesting to hear how that scale length sounds, keep up the good work, Mike

other bass is my trusty old Sei Origional, played a lot of notes together but sadly longterm issues with arthritis are causing me problems with wider necks, hence the reason for going to a shorter scale with one less string.

Anyone at the recent SW or Midlands BBash's will be familiar with this, for those that haven't seen it there is link to the build thread as well as a couple of pics. Finally got my hands on a lightweight ( about 6lbs ) med scale ( 31.5" ) fretless, the workmanship is stunning, check out the pic that shows the neck flowing into the body pocket , the balance is superb, with the top horn strap button just over the 10th fret, this feels more like playing a guitar than a bass when hung on a strap & despite the low body mass there is no neck dive either playing seated.The neck is a joy to play with a slightly rolled feel to the edge of an ebony board it seems like I have had this for years rather than days. As for how it sounds, the combination of LaBella flats, Shadow undersaddle & John East simple vol/treble roll off circuit all work to give a well defined acoustic tone with excellent balance across the strings. If like me you are starting to show your age & not everything works as well as it used to one of these will keep you going for years to come, Jez is a top bloke to deal with & I can't thank him enough. Looking forward to see what he comes up with next, mike b. Semi Hollow Bass https://www.dropbox.com/sh/4kizwfi7j094u78/AAAAb1WxD-4Iv1BzP0Z2zTAza?dl=0

Big thumbs up from me as well, all credit to Mike ,The Scrumpettes & everyone else involved in running this event, I'm still traumatised that I had to leave just before lunch, sincerely hope this becomes an annual event ( that way I might get a double portion at next years lunch ) . Spent a great couple of hours there & as for Jabba, I'm still left speechless by his wares, Mike B.

excellent comparisons, wish I was that clever !!!

I always used Bass Centre Elites from Strings Direct, only available as rounds but excellent value for the money, have just discovered that Bass Direct carry La Bella double balls , ordered a set of flats yesterday, (set of four plus a loose B string), arrived this morning & strung up my trusty old Sei, the windings are not as neat at the ball ends as some other makes I have used, but fitted without any issues, they feel great & initial impressions are they sound good, have a rehearsal on thurs so will get a better idea then. Status hot wires can be a bit marmite & they don't carry the range they used, good luck in your quest, mike b.

look out for a late model Marshall Class 5, early models had design flaws, check the rear panel, valves should be seen hanging down, also h'phone socket & low power switch, ideal for home use plus almost enough volume for small gigs & jams, mike b.

check out Roland cubes, I did some hotel gigs in a trio with a 30x, for larger gigs I just miked it up, a 60 or 80w version would be hard to beat unless your in a motorhead tribute band, amp simulations are pretty good on these & built in effects quite useable, mike b.

almond oil for me, was recommended by a local ukulele maker, buy it from holland & barratts or health food shops, a little goes a long way, so good the wife uses it to bring up old/antique furniture, mike b.