Ricky 4000

Shirley Bassey's vocals had to go through two studio compressors. If you heard her without compression, your effing head would explode. 😁

Really? 😁 I wonder how much the Korean shims go for... Here is the black beauty, and what I believe to be genuine Korean cardboard (though it could be fabric tape... it's well stuck down).

Yes, yes of course you're right... Well it went horribly. The cheap bass already has a bit of Korean cardboard factory-fitted at the "wedge end" of the neck pocket. Anyway, I found that the screws are threaded through the body as well as into the neck, so I worked out that If I introduced a further wedge or spacer, the screw threads probably wouldn't find the same threads that they've cut in the neck - which would probably strip the wood out, requiring fatter screws at least. So, next time I'm going to open out the holes in the body slightly, so the screws can spin, and hopefully I can get them to go back in the right position in the neck. Then I changed the strings, but I think I left the E string a couple of coils too long, perhaps introducing too much break angle for the plastic nut - because shortly after, a small piece of it dropped off. So I now need a new nut (perhaps I'll get a brass one). I'm enjoying it, but this guitar fettling is not as easy as it seems...

Why are they all standing on individual rugs? Did they bring them from home? I never thought of taking a rug around with me. It's a good idea, 👍

Might be worth absorbing a live version of the sheriff, as well 👍 Once you can do everything on this thread - if it still doesn't work, then it's probably safe to blame the drummer. 😁

So, just to confirm - are Bryan Adams covers back on the table? Too soon?? 😖

That was a forgotten blast from the past! Can't help with the bass player, but spent an enjoyable hour reading up about Gene, Carl Davies, Chi-Sound Records, Edwin Starr, Curtis Mayfield, and Chicago soul in general. Apologies if this has been posted before:

Rest in peace, Pete Shelley ☹️

I'm not surprised if Mr Flea likes a chunkier neck. He strikes me as a heavy handed sort of person. I bet he has a heck of a grip.

Thanks for bearing with me, fellows - that all makes good sense. 👍 I'm conscious of not wanting to hijack the OP's thread with my "thoughts" (it's just that we seen to be in the same last known position). In readiness - I've cut up some pieces of modern 0.3mm PTFE shim material (from a Lidl 4pt milk container). Wish me luck, I'll be back in time for tea and medals! 😁

Agreed. It would be easy to suggest everything I like ~ because I like the sound of it! After saying that, Manni's sound on this album (mixed in with his excellent playing)... Recorded at Rockfield. 👍 Not bad for a Track 1, Side 1. And it sounds a lot better on the CD!

I'm hearing the rhythm section playing tighter and better, and seeing the years rolling away. As a wise man once said: Worry ~ let it all flow over you. You are an inspiration mate.

Alright Stephen. 👍

You'd love them the most!! (I'm hoping 30.50.70.90 isn't toooo extremely funky!!!)

Reading this thread with interest. 👍 I see no mention of the Roto' FM66 "Funkmasters" that I've put on my xmas list...? *That's right - Funkmaster!* 😁

Interesting, thank you fellows. Yup, the saddles are all set pretty low, so bearing in mind what you say about saddle height / break angle, I might try some experiments with shims and/or wedges. 👍 The most I have to lose (financially) with this "Westy" project, would be the £60. I paid for it. 😁 Not wanting to stir up any hornets - but If it were an expensive bass, to be honest, there's no way I'd want to wedge it... from an engineering point of view - introducing any kind of a wedge between the body and neck can't be ideal, because (for one thing) it won't allow the screws to go back in straight. But, as I said above - this is a novice talking!

That's really good. 👍 Not sure if that's a compliment, when it's from an old fart who's more about slipped discs than Slipknot. 😌

Oh my actual God! 😲 Would you say that's the first ever "punk" single?? 😁

Umm, great tune, but you guys don't think that the performance on Dutch Top of the Pops was mimed? As said above -- I don't hear the fretless, and I don't see no instrument cables neither. 😁

I was wondering how the OP got on with the modification 👍? I have exactly the same problem with my (otherwise superb), "Westfield" P bass. 😁 Being a total novice at fettling guitars, I was thinking: As it's a standard "Fender type" bridge, and it's only the "G" that needs to go a bit lower, the easiest fix might be to simply file the groove in the "G" saddle a little deeper? (That's assuming there's enough pickup height adjustment to account for the lowered string). 👍

Back in the day, memorable life changing bass sounds, among others I haven't thought of right now: 1978 Stranglers - Black And White (Every track) 1979 PiL - Metal Box (all of it, obviously) 1981 Heaven 17 - Penthouse and the Pavement (both sides) 1991 RHCP - Blood Sugar Sex Magic (all of it)

Ooo, very nice. I'm ideally looking out for a J bass, one with that sweet raspy sound, that they don't all have... but I also keep scanning for Yamahas.... Is your BB a high-end model? I was wondering what the cheaper 234 and 400 series are like? Trying for a buget of around 3-400. There's a BB N4 (J design) going very cheap - but it's very rough, and I know nothing about them. I might just end up trying an RBX 374 because they're plentiful, and I like the look of the HH pups with the neat thumb rests. But then there's the TRBX504.... Sorry, too many thoughts and questions.... 😖

For about a year now - Caravan Palace... I think I'm in love with the singer... And for this week - Pomplamousse. My son put me onto them:

Sincere best wishes to the OP, and here's hoping for him getting all his stolen belongings back. I suppose the more folks keeping an eye open for those lovely guitars to surface - the better.

Here's an unusual bass for sale on the 'bay -- made by Tim DeWhalley who made Ampro active electronics back in the 1980s. ? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rare-DeWhalley-Bass-Guitar-In-Hard-Case/163396652617 I did a forum search for "dewhalley", and not one result came up. Not for me, but somebody here might be interested in it!? ATB - Phil