keef71

Good points made Sean thanks. I wouldn’t have considered that the quality might vary within the brand. The ones on my V96 are poor, I’m not overly fussy about tuners being Hipshot smooth, but they all vary in terms of smoothness. I took them to bits and cleaned them, then lightly lubed them all in the hope that that would help, but it never, they are just poorly made. I also discovered the Hipshot HB1 seems to be pretty similar but I don’t want to spend that much on new tuners. Guyker is a make I’m not familiar with, I will check them out thank you. Neck dive is not something that has ever affected me. I’ve had 60 (approx) basses over 45 years and I’ve never experienced it luckily for me.

I am a bit late to the party unfortunately. I will add though ….so much voodoo around the subject of bass bridges. On Fender style bass guitars, the original bridge works very well. If you are intent on changing out for an expensive one, I would advise against it. A good compromise is the Gotoh 203B….a nice low priced bridge, albeit it does have the extra fixing holes at the front which I think is slightly annoying. It is also thicker, so you may need a neck shim? It does however look the part still, but with good adjustment.

Hi...any help on this would be greatly appreciated. I have owned the above bass for about a year but the tuners although having an ok reputation? Wilkinson's are not great, they are sticky and jump. The web says they are WJBL200...and although my bass was bought brand new, they don't appear to be quite the same. Maybe there was a supply issue at the time of manufacturing? The upshot is that I'd like to change the tuners for a decent brand, Gotoh, Schaller, Grover? if possible. My problem is when I try to find the exact footprint/ screw hole combination that fits with my bass, I can't seem to find a match. The closest I have found according to the dimensions given, is the Grover 142. it looks a fairly close fit, however the dimensions of the narrow end screw holes for the 142 are 17mm, whereas mine measure 20mm. I don't have a problem filling or drilling new holes, but I don't want any previous holes visible with the new ones fitted. It's very difficult without having a 142 to try. Has anyone else had this issue and found a solution please?

They don't seem to list what I want. Can anyone help with high quality pickup screws that aren't made of solder soft poor quality steel?

Thanks for that Gary.

Hi Folks, I recently put a replacement pickup in my P-bass and the pickup screws from the original were too short. I purchased some new longer screws from Axes R Us and the screws were of terrible quality..very soft and the screw head damaged immediately. I would like to purchase high quality screws. Can anybody help with hardware /fastenings supplier who could supply these and any other screws in the future? Thanks Keith

Thanks Lozz 196......another good suggestion. The action is low (but with no fret buzz) and the pickup is set at 1/8" from the strings across. It just might be that the pickup magnet pull is choking the strings, I have heard this can happen but I've not known it happen to me before.

Hi SubsonicSimpleton.......the issue as I heard it was the bass was quieter across all of the strings below fret 5. I find your comment regarding listening through headphones very interesting and I will do that to see if I can hear the problem there. I am also wondering now after a few other people have suggested it that the venue may have been the cause. I'm not sure but I am willing to wait till the next gig at volume in another venue to see if these symptoms reoccur. Thank you for your input.

Hi Kev, we were playing off the floor...no hollow stage. Yes the 2 x 12 Can be deceiving I think. I play right next to a guitarist pumping out aggressive punk chords and I find my bass sound clears on the songs he doesn't play on. This was different though, the bass sounded dull and this problem with the first five frets being quieter than further up the fretboard. It's just weird! I'll try the other bridge I have followed by fitting the DiMarzio Model P I have sitting doing nothing if I have to. It might just be worth my while taking it to a good luthier?? Like I say it's early days though, someone may just chime in with "I had that problem and fixed it like this" thanks for your input.

Hi mcnach....I'm pleased you are really happy with yours...its the reason I bought one, everybody said they were great. I think I am just missing a simple thing here or I am extremely unlucky ?? It is however very early days yet. With regard to the poles they are set at about 1/8" when fretting at the last fret. I feel this may be a bit close but I took that figure from Dave at Dave's World of fun stuff on YouTube. Right or wrong....now I'm not so sure ? The angle of the pickup is dictated by the fret board radius/pickup height which will give a slope down effect from the A&D. The strings by the way are brand new installed by me last week. Dean Markley SS Cryogenic 45-105, I have always got on well with these strings. Hi Grangur.....I think you are right but I do suspect my bridge might be at fault as I cut the saddle screws down on the E & G to stop them digging in my hand. Whether I cut them well enough to get a positive contact with the plate I just don't know to be fair. I do have another bridge which is in perfect order...I may try that before I splash out on a Hipshot. I am based in Anlaby which is near Hull a couple of miles from the Humber Bridge actually. Muppet.....Hello, you make a fair point, I have only played in the one venue and it has been known for certain venues to make things sound all wrong. I think the one job I might do is change the bridge to see if that eliminates the issue?? I'm clutching at straws but I have this brand new bent steel bridge anyway. I think its a fair point to see what it sounds like in the next venue....unfortunately that is now February unless something comes in. We don't tend to play much.....the lack of gigs in my area is getting to be a problem and will likely retire me before I retire myself !! Cheers Keith

Hello Folks, I'm hoping someone will have the knowledge or has had the same experience and rectified the issue I have. I am all ears and open to suggestions. Firstly I'm fairly hands on and there aren't many jobs I would have to pay to have done by a luthier. I can handle the basic day to day issues...set ups....electrics/pickups etc. I would draw the line at a re-fret or truss rod job. So my issue is with my new Fender Classic 50's MIM P Bass. I have had to set it up.....neck relief....nut slot height.....bridge saddle height / string radius & pickup height. It was all a bit out but now plays like a dream. It sounds fantastic in the house string to string balance is good and no problems. I took it on a gig last night and it was a different story at volume. My rig is an Aguilar TH500 with a Genz Benz NX2 2x12. I play punk/new wave covers and it wasn't long before I realised it had a dullness to the sound. Also the string to string balance was out.....I adjusted the E side pup on the fly. My main issue however was that when I was playing below the 5th fret the bass was a whole lot quieter...above the 5th fret it sang out with more volume. I am dumbfounded. I have a Di Marzio Model P which I am contemplating putting in (Is the stock pickup poor?) and also thinking about a Hipshot vintage bridge but I don't honestly know if this will sort the problem? I messed about with my tone controls all night on the amp but could not find a point that I was happy. Has anyone ever had this issue? I am very eager for a solution as I really like this bass and want it just right. Thanks in anticipation of your help and advice. Keith

Bass Centre is a much smaller operation now. I don't even think they are in London now. I seem to remember Chris had moved elsewhere but I just can't remember. I feel there wouldn't have been the work there for him now...or was it to do with the move??

Thank you everybody for your help and input. I feel shorter replacement screws are my easiest option so Ikay......thanks for that useful link, I will be ordering the hex screws (one pack of 1/2" and one of 3/8") as I'm not a purist, I much prefer hex screws.

Hello all, I have just acquired this bass, Just a quick question re Fender vintage bridge saddles. I am finding the slot type saddle screws on the E and G are sitting high and making a nice job of lacerating my palm/side of hand. Its maybe not quite as bad as that but it is uncomfortable. I feel that shortening the bottom of the screws where they sit on the plate will be the answer. Has anyone had to do this fiddly job with the screws being so small? Alternatively are shorter screws available anywhere?

That's great thanks Ikay...that's answered my question perfectly.