benebass

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGxSDOOZPPA[/media] [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDi-Pph6UK4[/media]

A few of my faves: - [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdorgC9qUkI[/media] [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6h5yQVkntA[/media]

[quote name='Rumple' timestamp='1316878439' post='1383991'] +1 Get Howard (Bass Doc) to make you one. [/quote] +1 here too - his plates are great! B.

[quote name='mcnach' timestamp='1316806605' post='1383308'] Do you have a brother in Aberdeen? Because you use the same avatar... [/quote] Well spotted! We probably both nicked it from the same place

[quote name='Monckyman' timestamp='1316785618' post='1382885'] Wobble firmly cemented in me the credos that Less is indeed Best when playing bass and it`s still my mantra now. [/quote] Totally agree - seen him live a few times & he can stick on a simple riff for ages without losing your interest. His book is well worth a read too... Cheers, B.

Bought some strings from Batfastard in a postal deal. Great guy to deal with - everything went smoothly & a well-wrapped package arrived right on time. Cheers! B.

Went over to the Gallery on a recent trip to London. Unfortunately I had the same experience as the OP & I purposely didn't go near anything more expensive than a Squier. I nearly pulled the trigger on some mail order stuff in the past & I'm not sure I would now after my experience. If there are loads of timewasters through then it might be worth considering becoming a 100% appointment only store - it nearly is anyway with the shutters down & buzzer access... Cheers, B.

[url="http://www.andertons.co.uk/electric-basses/pid21948/cid682/fender-jaguar-bass-in-cobalt-blue-metallic.asp"]http://www.andertons.co.uk/electric-basses...ue-metallic.asp[/url] Looks good! B.

Had a trip to London a few weeks ago & had a very similar experience in Denmark Street. Loads of staff looking down their noses at potential customers & vast numbers of tatty overpriced instruments. It's a real shame as it used to be a real treat to go & check out gear that you just couldn't get your hands on up North. Mind you, I also went to the Gallery - the guy in the shop was extremely frosty to say the least & I didn't ask to try anything more expensive than a Squier! Is it a London thing? The shops up in Newcastle may be small, but have friendly staff that are really helpful... Cheers, B.

Thanks for the positive words. Funny the top horn gets a mention - I thought it was a bit pointy at first, but now I think it looks a lot more in proportion than a Jag, which can be a bit 'stubby'. Helps with the balance too... Cheers, B.

[quote name='The Bass Doc' post='1341517' date='Aug 16 2011, 09:28 AM']Cheers Ben. Good piccies. I particularly like the body shot where you appear in the reflection of all three knobs. Trust it's settling in OK and presumably you're as happy as a man with three knobs. [/quote] It's settling in just fine - think I'm as happy as a man with four! Cheers, B.

Hi - thought I'd post a few pics of this beauty, which was put together by The Bass Doc over the last few months. He somehow managed to make sense of my ropey attempts at graphic design & turn them into this: - [attachment=87105:IMGP2544.JPG] [attachment=87106:IMGP2545.JPG] [attachment=87108:IMGP2542.JPG] Neck - Made by the late, great Jim Cairnes years ago & is a slightly smaller 32" scale, with a really comfy fit for me. The decal was put together by Rothko & Frost, who did a great job. Over the years Jim & the Doc quietly put together some amazing custom builds up here in the North East. I wanted to acknowledge this rather than just whacking a Fender decal on, so ended up with pre-CBS Jazzmaster 'J&H' logo that sits nicely on the painted headstock. I settled on Electric IV for the name - blatantly inspired by the Fender Electric XII guitar... Body - Tulipwood. Not a wood that seems to be used a lot by luthiers, but a great sound board. The shape is a sort of Jaguar / Jazz Bass hybrid - the Doc did a great job here & kept the Jaguar look, but streched it slightly for better balance. It's finished in Dakota Red & the Doc suggested the pearloid plate, which is a classic combo. The shape is an adaption of the '70s Tele Thinline idea - like the way it fits in with the whole offset shape. Machines - Think they're Schallers. Bridge - ABM. Well-crafted piece of kit. The string spacing is a touch smaller than Fender standard, so the adjustable saddles were really useful. Electrics - Kent Armstrong vintage hot P & J (the WD ones), with passive vol/vol/tone. Had to put a neck J at the bridge for the string spacing to fit with the (hidden) pole pieces. It's currently strung with Status flats, which are pretty dead sounding - in a good way Really pleased with how it turned out - cheers Howard! B.

Always had a soft spot for the Young Disciples - their 'Road To Freedom' album is a classic... B.