The Bass Doc

[quote name='Golchen' post='491114' date='May 18 2009, 09:18 AM']I can't see why anyone would want a signed instrument? I wouldn't.[/quote] Ageed - it just looks like graffitti to me and if people think it makes the bass worth more I take the opposite view. Having said that, I always kind of regret turning down a pre-CBS Precision offered by a bloke in a pub in Benwell for 150 quid on the basis some twit had carved the word 'Funk' in the heel of the neck.

I don't believe Noel Redding signed all these basses 'cos he's dead isn't he? Mind you, he died relatively young and I do believe he was survived by an uncle who lives in an attic room somewhere and perhaps he is responsible for the signatures.

[quote name='Hamster' post='490739' date='May 17 2009, 06:38 PM']I couldn't find my loft hatch, but undeterred I broke through and found an old retired couple living there. They said they'd lived at flat 47 for the last 14 years![/quote] I think you might find the man is actually your uncle.

Living in the area where Gordon Sumner grew up I thought I would check the loft for any Sting memorabilia - - Close - - I found a wasp's nest.

The nut Slots can be cut down to close to zero to assist the hard work of 'fretting' at that end. The whole idea of the correct nut height is to clear the first fret so now that it's not there you can go lower. Hope this helps - can't see any benefit in shimming at this stage .

I think you'll find most chappies on the forum would need to see 'under the cover' detail before opinionating on the origin of the pickups. On the basis that it's often not a good idea to mess around when you're about to sell (sod's law and all that) I would be willing to bet the pickups are Japanese - can't see why a special edition Jap product would involve 'mixing'.

[quote name='BigBeefChief' post='489255' date='May 15 2009, 07:33 PM']I had a dream about AM1 last night. Nothing sexual you understand?[/quote] Try partaking of something with aphrodisiac properties just before going to bed

I've mentioned this one before - when you hear someone say 'horses for courses' respond with 'Yes, that's how baby horses are conceived'.

[quote]That's right ! .. think they are No12's .. pretty decent tuners.[/quote] Be careful with those Wilkinson ones - I've found they don't quite fit the standard Jazz headstock without requiring some filing.

[quote name='rjb' post='488783' date='May 15 2009, 12:37 PM']2k+ on an old Fender that was bolted together on a Friday afternoon from a parts bin, or 2k+ on a handmade Celinder or Sadowsky. I can tell you which I would choose.[/quote] I reckon you would choose the Celinder or Sadowsky - as long as you appreciate that the day after the Fender at £2k+ has been bought it's worth is £2k+ (and rising) and the other two have probably lost a grand. I'm certainly not advocating everyone should avoid well-built custom type basses but just be sure you want to keep them if you don't want to suffer the depreciation factor. I have a foot in both camps as I have built some exotic 6 string basses for guys and at the risk of even losing their business I've pointed out that they need to be prepared for a shock if they want to sell one day since they will be lucky to receive an offer of half the build price. The other foot/camp is my personal preference for vintage Fenders - mainly stemming from having grown up musically in the sixties - they sort of fit what I still play. I really enjoy creating modern spec instruments for players who have specific requirements - there should always be scope for improving on earlier designs but try asking you favourite maker of the 'exotic' what they think of Leo's early products and I will be very suprised if any slate them.

[quote name='OldGit' date='May 15 2009, 09:38 AM' post='488545' What's the TV logo? [/quote] The larger block lettering (as opposed to the smaller script which wouldn't have shown up on telly)

There's good and bad in all eras - I would say that newer basses are more likely to be consistent in quality simply because of modern manufacturing techniques. The early ones varied considerably as a result of more hand finishing (You know the idea of a 'Monday morning' or Friday afternoon' one). If and when you are lucky enough to find a good early Precision or Jazz however there's nothing quite like it. The investment angle is a bonus 'cos they ain't going to go down in value whereas a new (particularly exotic high-end) bass takes a dive as soon as you walk away with it.

I have a 1962 Fender Jazz which I don't use now so I was going to store it in the loft. I'm now thinking that when my next of kin re-discover it and put it on E-bay you lot are going to jump out and say "Oh yeah...another 'genuine' old Fender found in a loft...yeah right". What shall I do? Answers please on a £20 note.

[quote name='BigBeefChief' post='487655' date='May 14 2009, 10:39 AM']Manring! Man-ring! As in a man's ring (piece)! Gedditt?? Funny ain't it![/quote] Wouldn't it be good if his folks gave him the first name of Roger? Carry on.

It may be that hitherto his prices have been perfectly reasonable and that this is just a silly phase he's going through.

[quote name='chris_b' post='486130' date='May 12 2009, 05:05 PM']Kenny Gradney has been playing Kubiki basses for years.[/quote] Guess I'm stuck in a time warp wherby I could only picture him on Whistle Test with a Fender Precision (and lovely afro).

Yes I was there - in disguise of course in case Kenny would be too embarrassed to play if he saw me. Super cool performance making everything look so easy. Thought it was an unusual choice of bass but he was obviously comfortable with the Factor. Might still try and make the Ry Cooder gig.

A 10K PA rig and a microphone - don't want to spend any longer than necessary there.

I always wanted to find a chorus pedal with about 6 inputs so that when it came to the popular part of a well-known number the rest of the band could all join in the chor.......never mind.

[quote name='Clive Thorne' post='480540' date='May 5 2009, 11:39 PM']but the drummer does look a little tired[/quote] Did you not mean exhausted?

Contenders have to be the Burns range with 3 or 4 piece styling. Mosrite do an interesting style in the 'one piece'.

Actually I meant to edit that earlier post - it wasn't an ordinary person in a top hat - for 'person' substitute 'basketball player' (you can stop worrying now funkyhobbit, OK?)

A friend of mine used to describe my action as one whereby a person with a top hat on could limbo dance underneath the strings - slight exageration perhaps?

It all depends on your playing 'weight' - if as in my case you are fairly heavy-handed, too low an action will cause notes to choke if you set the action low whereas you will get a 'cleaner, bigger' note if you stay high. I sometimes wish I could cope with a lower action but when you have learned waaaay back on poorly set-up basses with high tension old strings it's very hard to change to having a light touch - try asking an experienced drummer to hit softer - his technique would go to pot. You simply have to have the action that suits your playing style.

[quote name='jakesbass' post='479170' date='May 4 2009, 05:57 PM']It's all valid, reading or not, music is music. if it sounds good, it is good thats the only test... whether it was brought to you by readers or non readers or the soup dragon[/quote] Well said that man - there should be more of us who sit firmly on the fence with this one. I sit there so often that in the spelks department my bum looks like Desperate Dan's chin.