Bridgehouse

[quote name='MoonBassAlpha' timestamp='1489837743' post='3260199'] I've never noticed any difference in sound or sustain using a shim of card, on either basses or guitars. [/quote] I definitely have. And I've played a few old ones with a shim that have had a definite ski jump above the 14th fret..

[quote name='tonyquipment' timestamp='1489788634' post='3259967'] I used an old credit or membership card. Cut that down and shimmed using that. Worked alright for me and cost nothing 😁 [/quote] The issue is that all of the neck plate doesn't contact the whole length of the pocket. There's a step. As the wood is under tension via the screws it can warp a bit over time. Some say you lose a bit of sustain at the same time. It's not definitive, but it is a risk. And losing some sustain is certainly possible - after all why have through necks at all?

[quote name='chrisanthony1211' timestamp='1489786527' post='3259943'] I find set up with TI flats particularly troublesome, almost not enough tension to get the relief I want even with the truss fully loosened off, great sounding string though. [/quote] I have that issue on my 74 P a bit - it seems to prefer Chromes. The 64 P is def. under truss rod tension with the TIs, but it seems to be really straight naturally. It's an odd one, for sure, some basses suit low tension, some don't..

[quote name='ThePapabull' timestamp='1489783526' post='3259897'] Thanks all...... I had to make a decision and I,ve gone with the TI's from Strings Direct. said it earlier but this forum is brilliant ..... really appreciate everyones contributions ...... However I know feel the (real) need to start a new string related topic....... [/quote] You'll love them. Don't forget you may need to tweak the truss rod with lower tension strings as you may get a slight back bow with the TIs..

[quote name='Conan' timestamp='1489762099' post='3259616'] Cheers [/quote] You're welcome

Here you go: http://www.stewmac.com/Materials_and_Supplies/Bodies_and_Necks_and_Wood/Electric_Bass_Bodies_and_Necks_and_Wood/Bass_Necks/StewMac_Neck_Shims_for_Bass.html

[quote name='Conan' timestamp='1489761160' post='3259594'] I have a similar problem with my MIM Fender Geddy Lee Jazz, so these suggestions are useful. Where would one get these shims of which you speak? [/quote] Stewmac in the US. They have a shipping to the uk deal on at the moment.

They aren't cheap with shipping and customs from the US, but they are so much better (and safer) than a bit of card

Take your time, mate - you'll find the right mix.

I got a set of shaped and unshaped ones - they really are very good. Needed a little bit of tweaking with a sharp blade to fit my P absolutely perfectly, but its solid as a rock and I've noticed absolutely no difference between shimmed and unshimmed. Often, you notice a big difference, I find. I used the Shaped .25 degree and it raised my saddles by about 1.5 - 2 mm.

[quote name='Hobbayne' timestamp='1489753736' post='3259469'] I cant get the saddles on my Nate Mendel P Bass any lower. Its not a Badass bridge, (I think they were only fitted to the early models) but a Fender type. I cant get the truss rod set and the action set together. Would a shim be my best bet?? [/quote] Possibly. If you do shim then you are better off getting one of the StewMac full pocket ones so there's no risk of ski jump later on, and you don't lose any contact between neck and body. They do .25 .5 and 1 degree as a set for a P bass pocket size

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1489752926' post='3259461'] Good call! A clean amp with the TH pedal! Plus then you have the TH pedal for recording or gigs where you can just turn up with a high end DI.....OR, use the pedal with backlines that are supplied and get the TH tone. [/quote] Yeah that's what I was thinking. You can then get a nice rounded head with lots of clean headroom and something that matches your cab well, without worrying about the dirty or warmer tones. The TH pedal will cover that. Get a B7K and you're done for any kind of dirt or vintage you might ever need.. and when you need super clean, you've got that too! (And having the pedal in your bag for backup DI or for into supplied backline is a bonus)

Bass Direct have the EICH and a tonehammer in, and a D800 - you can compare and contrast and choose your favourite flavour. As an extra thought, if you find the EICH or D800 does a better job, you could always pick up the tonehammer pedal to get that sound when you need it. Less of a one trick pony then..?

[quote name='Osiris' timestamp='1489733206' post='3259235'] I'm only after a new amp at the minute. The cab that I have gigged with regularly for the past 5 or 6 years is a Tecamp M212 which, I believe, a direct ancestor of the Eich gear, so if I was to end up with an Eich amp, I think they'd be a superb match. Although I still haven't ruled out the TH 350 yet! [/quote] Worth trying them all mate! I tried as many as I could and I'm really glad I did. You will find the one that suits your ear..

TIs on my 64. They are just the best string I've ever used. Bloody love em! I have picked up a set of la Bella low tension flats to try but can't bring myself to take the TIs off even for a day or so..

[quote name='Osiris' timestamp='1489673940' post='3258868'] Thank you, I'll try and get over to Bass direct who have some of the Eich amps in stock so I can have a listen, although hi-fi is not really what I'm looking for [/quote] Got mine from there. The Vanderkley cabs are better than the Mesas IMHO

[quote name='bassix' timestamp='1489672121' post='3258842'] Here's where its stated. EXL's.. https://uk.yamaha.com/en/products/musical_instruments/guitars_basses/el_basses/bb/specs.html#product-tabs [/quote] Pretty definitive that

[quote name='bassix' timestamp='1489671870' post='3258836'] I think they are D'Addario XL if I remember correctly, it states what they are for certain on the site. [/quote] If they are Yamaha own stock I bet they are made by D'addario anyway.. and XLs would be the closest match

Don't Yamaha use their own strings which aren't available to buy? Usually they are 45-105...

[quote name='Osiris' timestamp='1489668897' post='3258788'] Just had a quick look, they look interesting. Just out of interest, what it is you preferred about the Eich over the D800? [/quote] Good question. Well, I went for the T1000 - I suspect the T900 is closer to the D800, but in brief: - To get the same functionality, I would have needed the 800+ (fx loop etc) and it was well north of £1000 - Tone wise, I felt the EICH just had more range and tweak in them - specially the T1000, and the built in compressor was nice.. - The killer for me was the flexibility of the T1000 for what was broadly the same cash as the D800+ - you get 2 500w class D amps in the T1000 - so you can mix and match cabs with different ohms, you can set the volume for each power amp separately to balance cabs out, or you can bridge them for the full 1000w. To me, the EICH sounded more hifi, more rounded and more complete as a tone compared to the D800 though the same Vanderkley cab...

[quote name='Osiris' timestamp='1489667224' post='3258767'] There's some great advice and information above guys, cheers, I really appreciate it. There seems to be a consensus that the TH 350 will be probably enough for my needs, a mixture of pub gigs and wedding/party type gigs. In terms of volume, we're perhaps not the quietest band on the average pub gig, but we're by no means the loudest either. My gigging cab is a 4 ohm, 600 watt, Tecamp M212, which according to the specs has a sensitivity of 101 dB (although I have no idea if that's good, bad or average!). Bass is almost always through the PA too unless we're in a smaller venue when we try and keep things down anyway. Tonally, I tend to leave the eq flat with maybe subtle adjustments to suit the room if need be, and I like a bit of warmth to the tone too, not overdrive but a touch warmth/hair/grit whatever you wish to call it. Is the 350 likely to be man enough for this? Form what a few of you have said above, I think that it probably will be. It took me all of about 20 seconds fiddling with the TH 500 to get a sound that I liked and think would work well with the band and I love the simplicity of it. The only thing preventing me ordering one right now is that I'm hoping to try the Mesa Boogie Subway D800 at the weekend to see how I get on with that [/quote] If you are considering the D800 then have a look at the EICH range as well - I preferred the EICH to the D800....

Well, yes I sold a lot of gear recently and had to spend the money on something! It's definitely loud. Very loud. Most importantly the headroom is massive - With the cab taking 1200w you can pump all 1000w from the EICH in bridge mode into it and it laps it up. And the Vanderkley cabs are nice - these new ones do seem to be really rather good. I'm liking having a cab that will take a big output head without having to be careful how much I turn it up..

[quote name='The59Sound' timestamp='1489583258' post='3258127'] What a cracking looking bass! Nice string choice too. [/quote] Loving the TIs on it!

[quote name='largo' timestamp='1489532786' post='3257784'] Cheers, reason I ask is my dad has a '73 Precision bought from new & its finish is checked to an inch of its life & the paint is also worn off big style! Yours looks like a new bass in comparison. Great looking bass by the way. [/quote] I've got a 74 P as well and there's nary a check on it. It's Olympic White - maybe it's something to do with the colour? The 64 is a one owner, and has been mollycoddled (despite the dings) so I suspect it's just had a relatively easy life..?