Paul S

Sold Phil my frankenfender p-bass - nice smooth transaction. Nice guy. Nice flat, too, right near the seafront!

I bought a pack of 3mm x 8mm screws in the end - they fit a treat as they have the correct thread but maybe a little short. I'll get another pack of 10mm (as I originally said). An easy and quick fix. ta.

[quote name='HarryPotter' post='817090' date='Apr 24 2010, 11:31 AM']If a westone thunder suits your hands its all the bass you will ever need.[/quote] +1 I just bought two of the damned things for £72 (Thunder Jet) and £110 (1A) and I don't see how you could get more for your money anywhere. The 1A in particular is totally superb - I am actually considering parting with my Fender Jaguar as I will probably use the 1A all the time.

I wondered about that but the problem then becomes losing the ability to palm mute, which I do sometimes. No, I think shorter screws one way or another - either cutting them myself or getting some.

It would have to be one heck of a shim for it to work, though - they stick out by up to 6mm! I've asked on the Westone forum in the hope that someone on there knows which are the right size.

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/saddle-bridge-height-screws-allen-key_W0QQitemZ170475330112QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Guitar_Accessories?hash=item27b11f1a40"]Found some on eBay[/url] just need to decide which to get - I am guessing metric for the Japanese guitars and probably 10mm as the existing ones are around 16mm. Ta.

I have just bought the 7 way Rockstand and am very pleased with it. Nice and simple.

Shorter screws - supremely logical and completely obvious now it has been said. Thanks. And to prevent me from having to do any thinking whatsoever - any idea where from?

Probably a dumb question as the obvious answer is move my hand somewhere else... but it is comfortable there and the most natural place to rest for a lot of tracks I play. But for those bridges that have them sticking up (and I now have 3 out of 4 basses that do) it can get a bit sore to keep rubbing on them. So how do people get around it? Is there some simple thing you can stick over the top but doesn't damp the strings?

+1 Comfort Strapp - my Washburn Scavenger weighs as much as a busload of overweight elephants AND is neck heavy - makes it much better.

Partial update. Got both basses back yesterday afternoon and took one to rehearsal last night. Westone Thunder 1A dropped a semi-tone. Compared to the Tomastik flats on my Fender Jaguar, which I had been using previously, the D'Addario chromes were MUCH better. The extra guage and obvious tension in the strings made playing feel more natural. We also drop down the E to D for 'Slither', so I effectively dropped down to C# - handled it nicely. I can still make no comparison with same strings played with regular tuning but as it was last night was a big improvement. Have to add I am loving the Thunder 1A bass, too. Exactly the right sound I have been chasing when used active but rolled back a quarter turn. And it is a joy to play.

Well, courtesy of OldGit's generosity I can now try one out for myself. I doff my cap to you, sir.

More praise for OldGit - I asked 'what are string winders like' he says 'I'll send you one of mine to try. It came next day. yes - TOP man.

Tom just bought my fretless jazz - as smooth and easy a transaction as you could hope for. No BS, immediate payment, good communication - enjoy the bass, Tom!

Personally I think it is all the more important to show gratitude if it is a gift. 'Do as you would be done by' and all that. I believe the feedback thing is great - one of the many HUGE plus points of Basschat is that it really is a community and I feel I can deal with pretty well anyone without feeling anxious about the outcome.

One from my first gig in '08. I don't have that heavy old Hayman 4040 any more. Replaced it with other heavy old planks instead. [attachment=47792:me.jpg]

My God that Ernie Ball thing looks rather overkill! Mr Git Pm on it's way.....

That sounds like an extremely kind offer I can't refuse. Although, if they are pointless, it would save you the postage! How do they work, exactly?

I believe there are various gizmos that can speed up winding strings when changing them, although I don't think I've seen one that is designed for a bass (then again I haven't looked that hard). Are they worth bothering with? If so, any particular recommendations?

Very interesting. Thanks Fran.