mybass

[quote name='mcgraham' post='105062' date='Dec 16 2007, 09:25 PM']Hi there, The neck on my main bass seems to need a truss rod adjustment maybe once every one or two months, although that's the average, sometimes in weird weather I've adjusted it up to 6 times in a month. I'm not sure if anything can be done or if that is perhaps normal in response to changing weather throughout the year, or at least on the 'needs more adjustment' end of the spectrum. Points to note, I like my action lower than most, and I like my board only fractionally away from zero relief; it also has a paper/card shim that has been in since I received the bass. It doesn't help that I need to take the neck off to adjust the rod either. Any thoughts or experience on how best to deal with this? Mark[/quote] Sounds a bit drastic all that adjustments per month stuff. I would check it into a repairer for analysis.

[quote name='Jebo1' post='101802' date='Dec 9 2007, 05:29 PM']Hi everyone, a friend of a friend is selling this bass (http://bristol.gumtree.com/bristol/94/13397294.html) I've been offerred it for the seemingly reasonable £750. To support this, I'm going to take lessons to get used to the darn thing, but what should I ask the seller etc? Give me a hand people! Cheers, L Oh, and I'm 6'2" so a full size shouldn't present too many problems for me.[/quote] Is that the "Frampton Cotterill" one asking @£900? I guess £750 these days is a pretty good price for a beginners double bass. Check out the fingerboard anyway. It would be better to have an ebony one on a double bass. Some cheaper basses had a softer wood f/board fitted and stained black, so heavy use will wear it down much easier than an ebony. Any major work on a double bass is expensive as the repairer often has to dis-assemble the bass to repair correctly. If you are already getting it for £150 less, that saving could be put towards a f/board replacement. I remember there was a string instrument shop ( above and in the vicinity of the Colston Hall theatre in Bristol), ask for a quote from them maybe for a replacement f/board or even to inspect it for you. Many basses have cracks. This shouldn't affect the bass IF they have been repaired correctly, often by the repairer gluing thin "inserts" along the line of the crack. Also, look inside the body to see if there are any internal "patches" where the crack(s) were. These are also used by repairers to help by strengthening the new repair. Hope this helps.

[quote name='steve' post='88883' date='Nov 15 2007, 12:17 PM']Just bought a bass case from Pete, he's a brilliant chap to deal with, - friendly and helpful, I can't recommend him enough, cheers mate[/quote] Thanks Steve, feedback is always appreciated. Glad the case made it up to you ok.

[quote name='anthomp' post='95250' date='Nov 27 2007, 06:55 PM']Just a few words on dealing with said fellow. Great communication all through,met me half way in the dealing and travelling. And what a lovely bass i got,immaculate and my recent favorite. anyway , a pleasure. anthomp[/quote] Likewise and many thanks Anthomp. I'm glad the bass was all you expected.

I found an address through Basschat for a supplier of Decal transfers, "The Decal Shop". However, I have recently spent over two weeks trying to get an order sorted with these people. They will not supply a phone number, (maybe something to do with them making "Fender" logos?) and there isn't an online page(s) to peruse for ideas. My first email went unanswered but they have replied since the second was sent. This reply gave a hint of some form of ordering but still not a direct contact detail. Has anyone dealt with these people successfully? I am sure someone must have been able to order. Any help appreciated.

Just did some business with Martinbass7750 and everything was excellent. A well packed item was at my house within 48 hours and he was a pleasure to deal with. Top stuff. cheers Mybass

[quote name='obbm' post='83855' date='Nov 5 2007, 09:10 AM']I've hit a real problem at the last two gigs. 1. The lead guitarist has started using a Marshall Amp with his 2x12 cab sat on the floor instead of his usual Fender. 2. They've both been on hollow stages. Result is that I keep being blamed for the sound being too bassy even though I'm running the amp flat, the DJ4 biased well back to the bridge pick-up, the bass wound down on the J-Retro and a slight mid boost. I stood out front during sound check yesterday and the Marshall was just so muddy it drowned out any bass. In order keep my house in order I think I need to isolate my bass cab from the stage. I think that a Gramma pad is the answer. Anybody use one and where is the best place to buy? Failing that I'll use my in-ear monitors and turn the amp right down so there is no bass guitar and see if people still complain.[/quote] Why should you turn down for the guitarist? Tell him to get his Fender back in. Also, Guitar players love trying to have a full range of frequencies, I think the Gamma pad was more designed for them first than bassists.

Serious carpel T syndrome will hospitalise your hand for quite a while. Beware of that. I go to see a really good "muscle n' bones" expert a couple of times a year. A really good osteopath type practitioner can do wonders, believe me! But, you can start by always massaging the lower arms, hands and each finger for a few minutes before playing or practise. Don't over pressure it, its more like getting warmed up. "Kneed" the palms up into each finger. I do this especially in winter when the old digits feel a bit cold at a gig. Also stretching the old body can help realign the back/neck/shoulders. Again, my osteo man will often go to another area to treat a problem than the one that I think is the problem, finding the cause rather than the sympton.

A positive feedback for Anthomp, pleasure to do business with and pleasant reliable contact all along. cheers.

"Galli" strings. Anyone use them? If not then they may be worth a look at. I have been using the nickels on my fretless for 18 months and was happily surprised that they last ages. I used to change a set of my previous strings after 10 gigs or so, this being because of loosing the brightness of the string, important for my fretless sound. The Galli are staying on for 40 gigs average and staying true to sound.

[quote name='Alun' post='82402' date='Nov 1 2007, 05:43 PM'] After seeing him live last night with jazz painist Geoff Eales I have to urge all Upright enthusiasts to see him if at all possible. I've heard him before and knew he was good but his playing last night was unbelievable - tone, solos, groove - everything. Makes me sick Alun[/quote] Yes, he is a great player. I took lessons off him many years ago and he was terrific. He used to play a six string Fender too, the almost guitar sized bass that is, with Barbara Thompson's "Paraphenalia" many moons ago and I think he was once in "Soft machine".

[quote name='DHA' post='81606' date='Oct 31 2007, 08:58 AM']Hi Pete, I don't think it will have an output valve being a pre-amp. I expect it's more likely to be a setting thing, try turning the levels down and see if it's still there. Could be you are overloading your amp with the output level being set to high? Dave[/quote] Thanks Dave. Yes I will check that. seem to remember I was fiddling about with the settings as I hadn't used the pre amp for some time.

I have an Aguilar DB680 pre-amp. It hasn't really been used much and is in storage at home but I thought it best to plug it in every so often. As a note tailed off, there was a very slight and decreasing with the signal "hiss" type noise. I would guess it is the output valve? Can you shed any light on this please. cheers, Pete

Still can't figure out how to delete a post. Anyone advise me please.

Can anyone advise me please on the simple way to delete a post. I know its there, somewhere, somehow, someday! cheers folks. By the way, I do not get a "Delete" button on my pages, only on the occasional replies. I have also just tried to do a quick edit with this page and there was no "submit modified post" button coming up.

Yep. Gig cancelled on behalf of commercial rugby TV importance on a big screen on a Saturday night just as we should all be settling into the first set and a nice pint. Suddenly everyone likes rugby in the pub! BAH FOOHEY. [quote name='chris_b' post='76274' date='Oct 19 2007, 12:35 AM']My gig was also cancelled because of the rugby!!! It's cost me, so England had better win![/quote]

That is the problem once a double bass gets to compete with a loudish ensemble, the volume. As you stand next to the bass, the bass's maximum volume gives off from the front of the instrument and moves away from you. Volume does come off the back too but as you are finding, not enough. I used to sometimes shove my ear against the neck, a strange style! As you have electric guitar and I assume drums, you may actually need a small amp for yourself. Raising the strings will give off more volume but will also make you change your playing style, possibly causing undue strain. I cannot comment about different string volumes as I've always used the same make of Thomastic strings. If you haven't taken double bass lessons, even a few from an established player will possibly enlighten you on your technique. Now you know why the Fender Precision became so popular, easier volume over drums and horns and finally, the bass player was HEARD. Whenever I watch those old big bands playing, I give respect to those hard working double bass players. [quote name='subaudio' post='75917' date='Oct 18 2007, 10:07 AM']Hey all I had my second rehearsal with my new band on Double bass last night and I am loving it, we had more band members today, electric guitar and another acoustic guitar and I was struggling to be heard a bit, i am pulling on the strings quite hard, so I dont think it's a technique issue (could be wrong though), I was wondering if strings make a difference, the ones on my bass are still quite new, or if raising the action helps, although it is pretty high already, any advice would be greatfully received.[/quote]

Careful with that router! Always clamp the wood securely to a solid worktop. Wear eye protection and shoes that don't slip. Some routers have a devastating high pitch motor so you may want ear plugs. Wearing noise reduction headphones AND eye protectors will steam up your goggles so be careful of that too. Practice on some waste wood first to see how the router works and always cut a little depth at a time. The router will "pull" along ways to one side when cutting so test for this. A 1/2" router machine cuts easier and quicker but a 1/4" router is good for finer work. I used a 1/4" for profiling body and neck blanks but it takes too long. String sound will be "tighter" nearer the bridge side of pickups and more "bassy" towards neck side. Hence some people liking a P bass pickup for D and G towards the bridge for a slightly tighter / treble sound. Just try playing the string near on the bridge and the same string then around the neck. Quite a lot of difference there and the pickup placement will show that difference. [quote name='LordAvon' post='73499' date='Oct 12 2007, 06:02 PM']All, Ok, got my first DIY bass, all good. It's assembled (pics are somewhere around here). It's a J bass (two standard J pickups) and I've received my Seymour Duncan STKJ2 Hot stack (WOW! what a sound) and my SPB2 Hotpickups. So two questions, 1) Which way round to position the P pickups? the most common configuration seems to have the D+G pickup nearer the bridge, but I've been reseraching and many people seem to think the E+A pickup should be nearer he bridge. Anyone any opinions and why? 2) I've never used a router before, I assume I'll need to clamp down my bass body, mark the position of the P pickup holes, and take my time and make sure I don't go too deep. I plan on using the existing J pickup hole as the starting point for both halves of the P pickup holes, so I shouldn't need to pre-drill any corners or start points. I'm going to buy myself a router (slightly more than renting, but I've had enough fun with this project that I"m going to build a second so It'll come in handy in future), any advice on what ttype of bit I need? Oh, I've also made my own pick guard for the P pickup which currently has no holes for pickups as I'll wait until the P's are in place before doing that. I've also got enough plastic left to do another two if I'm not happy. Any/all advice very much welcomed. Paul[/quote]

Find an allen key that fits this, apply it to the head that is loose, (and if you do have two truss rods, then just try the one that is ok to get a feel for it). Now try the loose one, attempt to align the head level and on the same plane as the truss rod is lying inside the neck, slowly turn the allen key in the head until you feel the thread being taken up, not forcing it but it should "grab" the thread and wind on easily. Maybe you know someone who is competent with metal work who could figure it out if you aren't confident. For instance, I once visited my local hardware store that had a full machine workshop and a chap there helped me out with some metal parts for basses. Just DON'T force anything, I did once bend the end of a "quality"(?!!) trussrod. [quote name='SIXARMSOFCHAOS' post='71115' date='Oct 8 2007, 04:37 PM']Hi there Bassists. Yesterday I was playing and suddenly I saw that one of my trussrods had slipped out!? WTF! I've never seen this happen. My action is still ok and I haven't picked up any warping on the neck. Should I just screw it back in?[/quote]

The pickup system on a decent bass would cost more than this bass alone, so, you'll get what yer pays for, a cheap n' cheerful starter bass. It isn't a lot to lose for a knock about bass, is it? Maybe they will do a deal on a bass plus the orthapeadic mattress? [quote name='RalphDWilson' post='72993' date='Oct 11 2007, 06:36 PM']Hi there, anybody care to offer an opinion on the electro acoustic fretless basses on ebay ? For £59 (£74 delivered) they've either got to be utter dogs or the world's best bargain! [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Fretless-Electro-Acoustic-Bass-Guitar-new-43in-Black_W0QQitemZ200134594123QQihZ010QQcategoryZ4713QQcmdZViewItem"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Fretless-Electro-Aco...3QQcmdZViewItem[/url] Please help me decide! And no, I'm not associated with the company, I just don't want to waste 74 notes! regards Ralph[/quote]