The Bass Doc

When discussing the amount of meat on a fingerboard it sugests that it may have been butchered. A stroll down to see those chaps at Smithfield Market would be adviseable as they may be able to supply a particularly close-grained piece of steak to use as a replacement fingerboard. The only other option I can think of is perhaps a cut of pork but this should only be considered if you wish to achieve a sound similar to say Stu Hamm or Tony Bacon.

And remember - keep practising those chops.

(coat at the ready)

To Marcus,

I see I made it into your chart at No 6 - if only your tea had been ready earlier I'd have been saved the embarassment of saying 'Ta very much'. You're right to mention the connection between myself and Donald 'Duck' Dunn as I overheard someone recently say I was a Mickey Mouse bass player.
Anyway you're no mean performer yourself - next time we get together you must demonstrate your thumbing and pull-off technique and, if we've got time, you could also show me your particular style of playing the bass.
I normally end missives of this type with kisses on the bottom but perhaps I'll save it till we meet again in the flesh
Cheers pal

P M'd re Machines

Congrats to Messrs. Tyne and Hunt on organising a splendid afternoon. The event was well named as apparently residents in the neighbouring houses were ready to bash the living daylights out of any bass player who stepped outside unaccompanied. Here's to the next one....

[quote name='wmsheep' post='422531' date='Mar 1 2009, 06:32 PM']Doesnt the "Webright" stamp on the neck pertain to early/mid 70`s necks?[/quote]

Yes but the odd thing about that is 70s necks would have a 'cambered' fingerboard as opposed to slab. Also the shot of the back of the headstock proves it's never been fitted with anything other than reverse Klusons - the later 'fan shaped' heads only line up with 3 out of the 4 holes so it would show a fifth hole for each head. I'm begining to think it's a repro neck with a fake (oooh sorry Erik) pencilled date.

Be careful about showing any interest in his sister - could be fake i.e. a bloke dressed up

[quote
It's the morrow!


[/quote]

Sshhh... Warwickhunt thinks it's 1st April

Neck could still be real, pegs definitely re-issue - worm and cogs too 'busy'-originals are more 'spare' in that department (does that make sense?). Truss rod adjust nut replaced with hex - hopefully with correct thread. Re-fin would explain the strange laquer behaviour. This guy has some cheek to say he 'no sell fakes'. You know what? if he told me he was a liar, I wouldn't believe him.

[quote Are the filled in screw holes on the neck normal?
[/quote]

Nope -that's where they've filled in the holes that lined up with the original 60s body and made new ones to suit what I think is a much later one. I'm pretty sure the neck is an original although most likely re-finned at some time. The rest of it - Naaah

Good job Phil Lynott (Gawd rest 'im) wasn't around to hear that - there is NO playing style that should be outlawed - otherwise we would not have had the innovating talents of so many pros who have different ways of playing to get 'their' sound

I know this model fairly well and confirm the pickups will have a reasonably healthy output for passive performance. If you can carry out the work yourself - fine, but if you need any help and can make it to Newcastle I could do the necessary for a small fee

Some good spots there guys - there's one that does it for me though - the bridge pickup is back nearer the bridge in the style of 70s Jazzes. I've had enough Pre-CBS examples through my hands over the years to know that pickup should be closer to the edge of the control plate - something they get right on most repros!

70s Ibanez Roadsters/ Blazers can perform bloody annoyingly well against the real thing

Oh, how could I forget?.........who?

I shall phone Yanna Marrigan int marnin and see if he fancies it - there might be a ferry from Holland to enable him to arrive in time

[quote name='Eight' date='Feb 24 2009, 06:57 PM' post='418647']
Is that being too cheeky of me though? Its like ringing and asking them to work their day off. Or trying to slip through usual appointment/shop processes.

Yes that is being cheeky and you shall be rewarded for your cheek - I'll be happy to carry out a set-up unless Dave Wilson beats me to it. It would help to know what bass you have so that I can carry the right tools. I guess if you've bought it from HarryPotter it may be a Quidditch J-type fitted with Hogwart Super Slinkys? My usual rate will apply even though it will be a Sunday - the exception would be that it would be free if you were female and bore a striking resemblance to Elle McPherson. If however the resemblance was to Jodie Marsh I wouldn't touch it (apparently Ms. Marsh has many bruises on her body where men have indeed touched her with a 10 foot bargepole)

See you Sunday

Yes I was puzzled by the fact that it was OK before the change over - any chance you can specify the make/model of the J pickup? P-bass pickups do vary in terms of how they are put together i.e. which half is north and which is south in magnetic polarity and whether clockwise or anti-clockwise winding, but it only really matters when mating them with another pickup. If the problem persists I'm sure the guy at Wizard will be interested enough to help out.

I reckon obbm is on the right track - it's usually easier to get the phasing right when the J pickup is a 'side-by side' humbucker. You might try however reversing the two wires on the side of the P pickup covering the D & G strings.

You may wish to publish directions to the venue but would it involve any right hand turns?

Welcome Tom,
I'll be 62 in June and consider it's never too late to become a bass player - mind you I did start in 1964. I note the church reference and reckon my grounding in playing organ in a Methodist church at an early age gave me a distinct advantage in appreciating bass parts - there are some great bass lines in hymn tunes as you will know. Good luck and enjoy the forum.

Forgot to mention that to be completely accurate Fender used 0.05 value capacitors but 0.047 is more readily available and you would not be able to hear any difference

0.047 is correct for early 60's and most re-issue and reproduction models but Fender themselves used 0.022 from the late 60's into the 70's (less treble bled to earth as you turn the pot anti-clockwise) - at the cost of cappies, try one of each.

Just in case it's thought I only create 4 string F & MM types - here's an example of the last 6 string I built about 18 months ago - I reckon it was No. 11 in a series with this body shape - 1 was a 4 string, 1 5 string and 1 fretless 6 - mostly with walnut bodies and a variety of hardware finishes and electronics

[attachment=20345:DCFC0410.JPG]

This particular guy requested active EMGs without active circuitry but the control layout lends itself to an upgrade to two band actives by completing the 'diamond' shape of the pots - and if he does decide that in the future he'll be as happy as a man with four knobs.

I wouldn't bother with locking stuff unless they feel really slack when you are finished turning

Yup, they're meant to be adjustable-just stick a screwdriver in and turn

I thought good but listening to the final mix I reckon he thought bad