SpondonBassed

This morning was the first chance that I got to listen properly to your YT clips. Excellent. If you are just starting out with this venture, I have no doubt that you will produce some truly unique instruments.

To be honest, I have never seen her look any other way. I can listen to her all day long but I can't look at her face without thinking I must have left my fly open, such is the scornful expression that is usually on her face. It's not her fault. No more than it is Dr Brian Cox's fault that he looks smiley all of the time.

I'd be happy to lacquer over that just for a laugh. I've seen paint schemes that look a LOT worse.

As a hobbyist, I see that too. Some people on my side of the fence (if you accept that there is one) use the word clique to describe the weekend warrior set. I suspect that the word is used by those who aren't able to meet the demands of the perceived clique and who become resentful as a consequence. I resemble both aspects of that remark! Heeheehee You've correctly identified me with that description. I fully accept that where I am coming from is not what is required to become a player on the local circuit. Bass is the therapy for my mid-life crisis. I also have to accept that any opportunity I get to play in front of folk who I don't know is crucial if I am to grow much at all. That is the catch 22. To cross the fence and enter that pool you need an acceptable reputation. It is very difficult for someone like me to earn one without making mistakes. Once you've made those mistakes they stay with you on the local circuit. Pub jams then become like the school yard when two popular kids pick out teams for football. I used to always be the last one chosen. In adult life that's a hurdle that must be overcome in order to dispel lifelong feelings of inadequacy. To my advantage however, I get to practice lines for all of the songs that I like and none of the popular ones that I don't. My repertoire now consists of about thirty songs that I can drop into at random with a near passable bassline and another ten that I struggle with but persist nevertheless. I haven't added any new songs for a while since a domestic upheaval knocked me sideways a couple of years ago. My playing will become stagnant if I don't introduce some new practice songs soon though. I'd be silly to think that I could run a band but I haven't discounted the possibility of meeting someone in similar circumstances who is local enough to make up a two piece rehearsal band with no plans for gigs. If that happened I'd be a lot happier going to Open Mics and Jams.

That was a good find.

I've put a link to this topic in the pinned Blade Sharpening Guide. I will use this to restore Dad's bench plane. I have stored a kit bag of assorted chisels, planes and saws for over thirty years. I have only ever used a couple of the chisels and saws. I was never brave enough to use the planes, possibly because they weren't set up as well as you describe. This topic has inspired me to finally get down to cleaning and overhauling Dad's tools so they can be used properly again. My Dad was fond of working with wood. My thing was metal work. My workshop will now become a place with a usable selection of woodworking tools and cold metalworking tools. It will be nice to be reminded of Dad while I'm pottering about too. @ChristineI don't know what to say other than to sincerely thank you for that.

I thought it might be helpful to link out to your new topic on Bench Plane Tuning Christine. It's much appreciated.

Cool.

Thanks. In answer to the question "Would you pay for that?". Even if those instruments were never played they'd be lovely things to have in anyone's house. I reckon you'd easily sell them if they play well. Have you played them in yet? Also, did you have difficulty getting strings for the 36" scale bass?

Be assured, your writing style is fine. It's nice that you have a personality too.

I once used a poodle and was warned off by the RSPCA. (Doodle. It's a better name than Moonpig I suppose.)

I am the same. Steely Dan was an acquired taste for me. I wouldn't shortlist them as a band that I'd enjoy watching particularly. Nevertheless, I hope they hit the spot on the night for those who are going to see them.

I couldn't view the associated YT clip - "not available". Did you see it? Otherwise I am not sure why he is posting on JMB because he seems to be looking for support engagements.

That's probably a good method but for the need to cover your tracks when you've done. If you only have to do it on one of the triplets it's less of a problem but will they all balance the same? I was thinking of an elastic net bag that would behave as a cargo net. Then you could try hooking at different positions relative to the bass therein. It's not the best idea I've ever had, sorry.

When working four hour sets is the norm, it has got to be about the money. That's serious graft work.

Oh boy. I take it that you are trying to get a new band up and running then? I will follow with interest. Blue has put up a few similar topics which have a slightly American bias - rightly enough. It has become apparent that it is quite a different proposition in the UK. My own plan for a (fantasy) band is a maximum of three (Bass, Keys, Drums) with a core of two members (Bass, Keys/Drum Machine). All members get a mic. At our age it is not nearly as easy to find candidates, let alone pin them down, as when we were young adults with loads of mates who were single. From what I gather, even social media can't turn flakes into reliable band members. I met a local keyboardist through JMB who could program drum machines and I thought I'd met a match. It turned out that he wanted to branch into guitar more and took on a dominant stance that put me right off during the first jam. Then there was the six piece band who offered me bassist but were practising too far away. I felt it wiser to turn that down because I would likely become the flaky member who was always late or missing.

I am interested to see how heavy your case is at the end. It looks unique in a gothic yet colourful way. You won't struggle to find your gear in the back of an unlit van, that's for sure.

Yes. I have always used it for working out where I want to put a strap on my duck. If you own a gorilla there is a solution for that too. Sorry. I was being facetious. I'd worry about the residue that Duct tape would leave behind in the wood grain. I have nothing better to offer however so I'll shut up now.

Yeah. I'm not sure I'd like to witness Mr Astley being stuck up either. Good tactic.

I suppose that's why stacked J pickups are sold.

I thought you could get around that with a good shielding mod...?

Welcome to the forum Marco. The finished photos are nice but where are the photos from during the build? It would be lovely to see those too.

Is it induction noise you are on about then?

Would you explain that for me please? I've led a sheltered bass life. All I can guess is that it has something to do with the AC line voltage in the 'States but I don't know how that would be a problem.

Oh that's a brilliant tribute band name. Well done! I'd sort of like to see the Dan but as mentioned, it's a bit late to see the undiluted core of the band. I'd never be able to get a ticket anyway so no regrets.