The Bass Doc

[quote name='Beedster' post='462187' date='Apr 14 2009, 03:07 PM']When A-B'd on the same bass my '73 Jazz neck (rosewood) sounded different to my 77 Precision neck (also rosewood), the Precision neck had a bit of a mid scoop to my ears. Although the boards are the same wood, the Precision neck is wider and deeper, so perhaps this has an imact? Is the TF neck Jazz width? If so, and as you're getting all scientific on this (it'll be double-blind random-controlled trials next), it's perhaps worth checking the impact of neck dimensions as well as materials?[/quote] Oops see below

I have built a bass with a P-style body, jazz neck and a pair of J pickups (it was fretless as it happens). The bass is somewhere in Manchester now - I've lost track of it's owner. I can recall however it did indeed sound like a Jazz as the pickup placement was precisely measured. This leads me to believe that the overall body size and shape has little to do with the end result once plugged in. Trust this helps you in your deliberations.

[quote name='fryer' post='461444' date='Apr 13 2009, 07:32 PM']Aren't you as old as the Woman you feel.[/quote] Yes and my dear (meaning expensive) wife is 35, aren't I lucky. Mind you, I've told her when she reaches 36 I'm trading her in for two 18 year olds

OK this is me at age 60 (two years ago). The bass is my main gigger a 63 Precision (with added Di Marzio Jazz - sorry!) The bass has been playing the same length of time as me but as you will see is in slightly better condition than I am. The relicing is entirely natural in the case of the bass but in my case there was some deliberate damage caused by tabs & beer.[attachment=23746:Mouth_of_the_Tyne.jpg]

[quote name='wateroftyne' post='460121' date='Apr 11 2009, 08:57 PM']Keep up at the back! I've established that the J pickup is kinda surplus to requirements...[/quote] One of the reasons for suggesting the blend kind of options was you might find the J more useable if you didn't simply dial it in on the same settings as the P p/up as in the clip. Anyway it looks like you are now firmly 'anti -J' and at least that's established and just leaves the quandry on neck material and overal looks - I sense a definite decision coming on...possibly...maybe...

[quote name='cd_david' post='460038' date='Apr 11 2009, 05:49 PM']Why dont you sell the TF and put together a fretless hybrid to YOUR specifications not Tony Franklins.[/quote] That's exactly what I was going to to try to sell him..er I mean tell him...er I mean sel...oh never mind Seriously, an improvement over the TF would be separate vols (or vol and pan) rather than the selector switch. Got to be an ebony board though.

Yep middle one for distance,(i.e. not cutting into the scratchplate) but with the halves reversed as per no. 3

[quote name='Shonks' post='459304' date='Apr 10 2009, 02:07 PM']how much for a black/white/black??[/quote] £15 posted - Let me know if you want it

Here's an idea - try swapping the necks over to see if it's the ebony or the J pickup option that gives the appeal over Pietro If you end up still confused, you can class yourself a truly qualified, time-served proper bass player -we all do it.

[quote]You truly are BC's answer to Ed Friedland[/quote] What a rude answer

I've found a black-white-black one which was copied from a real white one before the guy in question decided to go for tortoiseshell - the original white one may be available but I don't think it would do the look of the bass any favours. As you might guess I am able to copy guards in any standard colours that are available so once you make a decision I should be able to help by using the template I keep around

Any idea what finish you would want - I may have a spare pickguard around after making a copy for an EB Stingray.

[quote name='Greene-Mann' post='457154' date='Apr 8 2009, 10:39 AM']Sounds like a cool idea, however can you send me some pics and the dimensions so i can double check they'll be ok before i buy?[/quote] As mentioned in my PM the fit can be guaranteed as I have an early 70s Mustang in the workshop at the moment and have tried the swap and it works - buy with confidence - 'Forty years of Fiddling with Fenders' (any more Fs we could fit in?)

I personally have never 'heard' a difference - there may be a difference in terms of string tension. It's often claimed that through body stringing increases sustain but my top loaded ones can sustain quite enough for me. You will notice a lot of pros using dampening aids such as sponge under the strings(especially in the studio) which suggests they prefer to 'kill' the note quickly and avoid one note droning into the next i.e. the opposite of sustain. No doubt the discusion will continue on the perceived pros and cons but I think dear old uncle Leo probably got it right by favouring through body stringing on lots of models (or at least routing the bridge into the body as in G&L) but also then fitting dampers to early models to give us the option. Discuss....

I should be able to help - it looks like you will need the string post, cog, washer and bolt. These are the same dimensions as the early 70s full size ones Fender fitted to Ps & Js - only the backplate and worm/key were larger. I wouldn't charge an arm and a leg (I could do with a new wrist and a couple of fingers but that's another story). Price would be £18 posted - PM me with your address if acceptable.

Isn't this an idea pinched from custom builders based in Carlisle - can't quite remember their name....?

First gig 1964 - highlights - supported The Tremoloes, the Move & Peter Greens Fleetwood Mac in 1968-1969. First bass - Burns Nu-Sonic, then Gibson EB3 then Fenders - hated the fact that they were so common - then realised why. Didn't do drugs - grateful now after seeing Peter Green in Splinter.

I'm going to try to see them in Gateshead. I'd love someone to introduce them by saying "Let's have a big hand for Little Feat".

[quote name='wateroftyne' post='447547' date='Mar 27 2009, 05:41 PM']Hi all I'm playing with [url="http://www.billymitchell.co.uk"]Billy Mitchell & Friends[/url] at Seaton Delaval Arts Centre, Northumberland[/quote] when I read the first bit I thought it was an invitation to some kind of soft play but I see music will be involved . Have a good one if I can't make it

( By way of an aside...) As this looks to be the first posting by our new friend, why hasn't anybody said 'we've been expecting you Mr. Bond'

I think the seller's taking the pith

I can recommend the JBX model - they are an almost exact reproduction of the Di Marzio Model J DP123 so if they are coming in cheaper than the American product, go for it. They are a 'side-by-side' humbucker so you can expect more punch in the mid-range than single coils.

How did you know Leo spoke like that?

I'm available in your area for set-ups and advice on string choice (including the ability to accurately measure the existing string sizes) Let me know if I can help