The Bass Doc

[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

No scale drawings I'm afraid but there's some good info available from guys called Fly guitars in the States - just Google it - the pictures have been useful for my project. Try not to get too bogged down with scale detail because the more you study the different styles of the EB3 range the more you will realise Gibson themselves were pretty approximate with things like scratchplate shapes, pickup positions and control spacings. If I can be of use in any way concerning the sort of advice that comes from my 'trial and error' experience I would be glad to help (maybe by P M if we think we might bore the backside off forum members)

I didn't realise you were 'router experienced' - in that case go right ahead and maybe publish the progress on here. I'm in the process of converting a 'dog' of a 1965 EBO to EB3 specs - the scratchplate and backplate are easily made if you have a scroll saw. Good luck!

I would definitely go with a recognised guitar repairman - a router in inexperienced hands can be lethal, not just a danger to you but one slip and you could end up with a Mi.. Wa... instead of a Mike Watt's

[quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='436995' date='Mar 17 2009, 10:41 AM']Nice piece of history there, Doc. I assume you still have the bass?[/quote] The bass in the picture was already in Leo's workshop - the one I owned at the time was a 78 Sunburst Stingray and I got his autograph on the owners manual - still have it. Unfortunately sometime after the visit I fell on hard times and had to sell the bass to a friend but on the basis I could have first option back. When he later got in touch it was to say the bass had been stolen - I'll always regret parting with it as it was my 'ticket' to meeting Leo having won the competion by buying the bass in the first place. In the 'not many people know this' category the first batch of Stingrays were issued with tapewound strings

[quote name='waynepunkdude' post='436727' date='Mar 16 2009, 10:32 PM']May I say you looked like a young Kevin Spacey.[/quote] I now look like Kevin Spacey's grandad