Big J

Spent 30 minutes sanding the body today, it’s in better condition than I thought, just got thick paint on it. The wear/relic is mainly on the paint so there are only a couple of relic marks to fill. I did a test patch of primer last night to see if it would react, and it doesn’t, so that makes things easier.

I couldn’t decide on a colour looking online, so I went for the one that jumped out on the shelf. It’s a gunmetal grey metallic, a bit brighter than the landrover colour if you’ve ever seen a Defender. Should look good, although I’m not sure if the tort pick guard would go? 
 

Felt up to some light fiddling today, I’ve finished reading the internet and I can stand ok so I went into the garage to fit the replacement tuners. Needless to say… none of the holes fit, and the drop D I bought was listed as the wrong part 🤦🏻… so I had to make that work too. They are as straight as I can get them without gluing wooden dowels into the array of holes already there. 
I cut the botched nut out first then the new one was too thick so I sanded it down for 10 minutes until it slotted in easily.

New one fitted with a bit of glue.

After re-drilling and fitting the 3 replacement tuners I had to make a template so I could drill the peg slots for the type of drop D I have. Bit of a fiddle on but it was cheap and it’ll work.

Finished with the neck for the time being. I’ll oil the fret board now.

So I’m waiting for some parts to arrive. Pick guard screws, machine heads, drop D tuner, and a new neck plate with screws that aren’t for plasterboard … so far I’ve resisted the urge to go for all new electrics, pickups and a high mass bridge… let’s see how it turns out first.

been thinking about couloirs for the body, and I’m not sure where I’m going yet.

i like most colours, if it had a maple neck I’d be tempted to go for a straight black and have a go at a vague roadworn look…. Bit like the Dusty Hill custom shop one. But I’m drawn to a bit of bling…so it may go metallic or glitter finish. 
 

time for some research… although I know I’ll probably not want to beat it up if the paint job comes out good😂

5 hours ago, tauzero said:

I think you need to do away with that shim and if it still needs one, get a full neck pocket sized one (set of 3 different ones: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/166313960606). Also get another nut.

 

You might finish up with a nice looking bit of wood which would be a bonus.

Yeah, it’s coming out. I was just going to cut one myself, didn’t realise you could buy them so thanks for that link mate 👍🏻

These were what held the pick guard on..

the body has a shim in the neck pocket. A poorly executed one. Would I be right in thinking that the shim was put there to compensate for the overly filed nut on the E string that has the string too close to the fretboard? It looks like it is when I compare to my other bass. Here’s some pictures:

nut:

I think it’s a kit, although the neck and the body have clearly been mounted to different bases? Maybe a kit body and no name neck. The neck plays well, so I’m happy to keep it though. 
 

tuners- utter garbage so I need new ones

pickups- sounded ok so I’ll keep for the moment. same with the pots. 
screws- need to order some new ones

Scratch plate - quite like it, but will see what the colour scheme turns into

bridge- basic bent bit of metal, has a random screw in there too. 

neck plate- standard squier, might get an F logo one for Armani value…

strings- nice flatlands, likely the most valuable part of the bass… so I’ll keep them. 
body- I’m going to work on it, if it doesn’t work out I’ll buy a blank one and start again. But if I can get it how I want it then it’ll stay.
 

So, I’ve had surgery so I’m stuck at home. 5 days after surgery I realised that I’d finished reading the entire internet and an old, cheap P I have was sitting in the corner of the room begging for a rebuild. 
here it is, I’m going to strip it after this cup of tea. 

I’ve looked at a handful over the years. At the minute, I’m not sure I want something that big taking up the corner of a room. I only play casually/ few minutes/day. It would be like having the Christmas tree up all year round… get in the way and bug me.

5 hours ago, Grahambythesea said:

Why not stretch yourself properly and get an Electric Upright. A nice NS Design would fit the bill or possibly the shorter scale Ibanez.

3 hours ago, miles'tone said:

Heed this warning. 

 

Between the two basses you've mentioned, you have it all covered really.

Why not deep dive into some new styles of music, ways of thinking about bass playing and spend time, not money, developing your skills, ear and overall ability? Everyday is a school day, whoever you are!

 

My advice is to ignore the shiny material things and polish up yourself instead. 

 

I say this as much to myself as to you, so it is said sincerely with only good intentions.

 

Have fun!

Wise words 👍🏻

you are not wrong.

If the offers above don’t work out then give me a pm, I’ll have it you post it to north east England 

👍

jas

Well, slight change in plan! 
I have just had surgery at short notice, so any chances of leaving the house for a week or two are slim😂

Ive been browsing the sales and I’m still bouncing around :

1: buy a cheap 5 er (Harley Benton or similar) and see how I fair with 5 strings before I drop and decent cash on one. just £100 to try it so I can do that without much issue.

2: buy a “modern” iby/yam/lesser known type 4 string with more tonal options to compliment my traditional p &J bases.Seems some decent stuff at the bass centre under £1k (MTD used?)

3: buy a short scale just for the hell of it, night be easier to noodle on as I sit in front of the tv… 

4: still keep looking for a fender 50s roadworn MIM P …that I once had then sold for £450 because I’m a fool. But that’s an ongoing search. 
 

thanks for all the replies guys, genuinely helped me realise that I’m buying more than one bass😂

jas

Thought long and hard about that Ibanez but the lack of a head puts me off it a bit…. A bit shallow I know, but no point buying a bass that doesn’t catch my eye

1 hour ago, ezbass said:

Short scale, fan fret, five string, unusual shape - https://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/product/201102363661025--ibanez-ehb1005sms-emerald-green-metallic-matte-short-scale-bass

 

Interesting, I’m going to check out the reviews on this. Cheers mate 👍🏻

21 minutes ago, Mudpup said:

Similar to me.....been playing for donkeys years on 4 strings and currently doing about 40+ gigs a year in a covers band. I use a detuner on a few songs and thought a 5er might work a bit better a few years back. Traded for one on here, tried to get my head around it for about a month, did a gig with it. Lasted about 6 songs and i had to switch back. Sold it....

 

Fast forward to a couple of months ago and I inadvertently tried a 5er in a music store. It was actually a £1500 fan fret headless 5er. Loved it and actually found it a lot easier to play than my previous attempt a few years back. I don't really know why but i can only think that it was SO different to my previous one that my brain was treating it as a different instrument rather than trying to adjust to something sort of familiar. 

 

So I now have a lower spec used version of the same bass bought from Basschat for a third of the cost of a new one residing in the rack. It's a no pressure situation and I'm treating it as a project over the next few months and having a noodle when i feel like it. I'm not rushing into any gigs with it. If i get on with it confidently I'll introduce it into the band or i can just have some fun at home. Or flip it of course.

Similar thought process. I like traditional fenders, but I’m leaning to something that feels and looks totally different as bizarre as it sounds, I think I’ll approach it from a different perspective when I pick it up

Just a general chat really, I’ve played bass for years, I’m not that good but I love playing to chill out. I have nice jazz and a bitsa P with flats on and I fancy a new bass now that I’ve sold all my 6 string guitars and upgraded to one “do it all” guitar for me… so I have space in the rack.

I browsed the fretless options to try something new because I like the mellow sound but then I wandered into short scales after a mate who plays swears by them…. Then before I knew what was going on I was looking at a 5 string fan fret Dingwall. 
 

I’ve never played a 5er or a fan fret… am I just attracted by the glittery finish of an unknown toy, or should I just go for it 
of course…now I’m looking at fan fret 4’s and standard 5ers too… lol.

what’s your thought?

I play a variety of stuff from mellow to rock, I detune for the occasional song. I don’t “ need” anything… I just fancy something to try that’s new on the bass.

Black Friday discount and 0% finance is calling me for £1500 ish but cash on £600 is the other option for new or used toys to satisfy my GAS.

Jason

I have the same bass, beautiful instrument feels and sounds great but looks bang on. GLWTS 

I played bass when I was 17 ish onwards, bought a Jackson guitar when I was about 30, didn’t commit to learning anything (aside from playing it as a small, fiddly bass). I’m now 52 and I’m equally rubbish on bass and guitar. Dodgy finger or not, I think if you play one, then you are half way to playing the other. 

Started properly on budget yamaha, then stuck to lightweight things .. then discovered old fenders. Had loads. Only got at 60th anniversary road worn jazz now … but I need a P so I’m on the look out.

Cheers for the replies guys, I went for a sonic port vx. Only £25 second hand so it should be ok to try it out. 
jas

Whats the best option to get ? I play my bass through a couple of amp/combos but I’m moving with the times and getting an iPad for Xmas. What interface is best so I can plug the bass into the iPad (use some random software) and listen on headphones as I play? 
 Its a standard new iPad, not the new squared off one though (this is where I discover it has no output jack or something isn’t it....)

Bowie. 
never been a fan but I’m liking some of what I hear and trying to learn a couple

Smooth worn waxed neck on aged fenders with dulled metals. Real or reproduced, I can’t walk past anything that’s worn without checking it out.

Thought I would say hi, used to hang around here several years back when I played more. Just bought a new bass after some years off and I’m pleased to be back playing. Got a fender 60th anniversary road worn jazz, love it. Probably the smoothest s, easiest bass I have ever picked up (and there have been a few, I’m 50)

jas