Beedster

[quote name='thedontcarebear' post='1212622' date='Apr 27 2011, 01:57 PM']Why are you asking this on here? Put some effort in and find out yourself![/quote] Idiot

[quote name='Stuart Clayton' post='1196318' date='Apr 11 2011, 10:30 PM']Hey guys, Thanks so much for all the nice compliments, really pleased you've all enjoyed this video. I'll practice up another one! Cheers Stuart[/quote] I printed the transcription on Thursday evening and have spent a lot of the weekend trying to get my fingers to do some extraordinary things. Haven't had this much fun playing electric bass for a while! Stuart, thanks again for posting this link; I love your performance and the arrangement and I'm determined to master at least a substantial percentage of it. Having laughingly tried it on the '65 with La Bella '54s, I'm sending you the bill for the new bass I'm going to need C

[quote name='ThomBassmonkey' post='1204176' date='Apr 18 2011, 09:37 PM']I dunno, maybe it's because I don't buy into the whole vintage instrument thing. Technology's moved a long way in the last 50 years and it doesn't make sense to me to fork out more for an instrument made using old techniques and out of date machines than for a modern one. If they genuinely were better, they'd still be made using the same methods. If I was going to buy a vintage bass, I'd do all the homework and I'd never buy one off ebay or the like unless I could have it checked over by an expert of my choice first. Even if I bought one from a shop (however reputable) I'd take it to someone who really knows what they're talking about straight away and have it looked over. As shown by the recent Truckstop/Bass Direct thread, even people with the best intentions can make obvious mistakes. If you buy a bass that you feel is worth the money, then there's no problem IMO. If you paid a premium because of it's age, then that's your choice but if you find out the bass isn't as old as it says then you still paid the same amount of money for the same instrument, if you paid extra because of the date it was put together irrespective of how it plays, then feel it's somehow worth less because you find out it's a more recent instrument, sorry but I still fail to see the problem.[/quote] I don't disagree with any of that Thom, but it doesn't change my views about the guys building the 'replicas'

[quote name='KiOgon' post='1204001' date='Apr 18 2011, 07:38 PM']Oh dear! Wish I'd answered before i went to feed the cat Looking at my Frank Bello - La Bella 1954s - strung through body & over a Badass |||, the E saddle is all the way back squeezing the spring pretty tight to get close to the mark. So I'm not so sure a Badass || or ||| will help you much Cheerz, John[/quote] LOL, no worries John, it was already on its way, but thanks anyway PS, when I strung a DT E string through a bridge it didn't end nicely, you sure yours is OK?

[quote name='EBS_freak' post='1203998' date='Apr 18 2011, 07:35 PM']Send it back.[/quote] Yep, straight back Alan. No telling what abuse it might have suffered as an ex-demo model

[quote name='molan' post='1203985' date='Apr 18 2011, 07:28 PM']I must admit I've been quietly amazed at the number of these vintage basses that pop up all the time on EBay. . .[/quote] Yep, and with T&C statements such as "All sales are final, ask your questions before bidding", which hardly inspire confidence!

[quote name='TheRev' post='1203975' date='Apr 18 2011, 07:23 PM']I thought the AI was designed to work without an outboard preamp? Does seem a pointless to have two lots of preamping going on.[/quote] Agreed, it sounds great without, but I was blending two PUPs - a transducer and a mag - through the Baggs. It might well have been the combination of PUPs and not the preamp that sounded great (I'm using mag mostly now)

[quote name='dan670844' post='1203540' date='Apr 18 2011, 01:15 PM']This brings me onto the wider issue as I said before there where not as many pre cbs fender basses as people think, esp Jazzers. Combine that with worldwide sales, natural attrition and what not. There seems to be many more basses around than there used to be and this has come about just as old fender iron has got popular and valuable. Fender basses were very expensive in the early to mid sixties and I would guess the average bass player would make do with other offerings, I don't think they flooded out the gates quite as people believe.[/quote] Mmm, if you're right it's worrying stuff, and makes you wonder how many cherished vintage basses might have been knocked up in China or Eastern Europe. Or the UK

Well, I've a Badass on it's way so I'm going to see what difference it makes, and if it does the job, I'll start looking at ways in which the original brinde could also do the same job. I'll keep y'all posted Cheers C

[quote name='Beedster' post='1203960' date='Apr 18 2011, 07:13 PM']+1 to all of the above Clarky, I miss that AI rig hugely. It's the closest I've got to decent DB sound live, every other rig I've played through has made the DB sound like an EB. OK, not a huge problem as I'm working on the basis that for the average punter this isn't a problem, and that for the gigs where it might be (i.e., Jazz), I'll use my PR-40 into the PA. However, perhaps given the amount of time you've devoted to getting a true DB tone with your band, I wonder whether in getting rid of the AI you might be getting rid of one of your best weapons? BTW, I use a Baggs preamp. I don't know how it compares with the Fishman, but it sounded outstanding and DB-like through the AI but still sounds pretty much like an EB though my Aguliar/Mesa rig. Life's a journey though, so enjoy the looking and trying, we'll never be happy will we! C[/quote] PS, try the AI extension cab with a decent head and you'll realise the AI's reputation is as much about their cabs as their amps. Given that your question seemed to be focussed largely on the amp, this might be something you've overlooking?

[quote name='Gareth Hughes' post='1203939' date='Apr 18 2011, 06:56 PM']Yes, in a nutshell. But, you might find that the Barefaced cab (or any cab that's great for slab) might not work so well for the upright. Obviously your needs and live scenarios will vary from mine and others. In my experience I've found that cabs that work exceptionally well for electric bass tend to be too muddy for double bass. The reduced low end of my Shuttle 3.0/10T combo works wonderfully for double bass at gig volume but not so well with the electric. The wide open low end of my Epifani cabs is everything I need for my 5 string live, but it's utter indistinct mush with the electric. So, before you sell on your Acoustic Image combo (and I know you're thinking of it) I'd see if you can try the Aggie head into the cab and the AI head into the Barefaced before making your mind up.[/quote] +1 to all of the above Clarky, I miss that AI rig hugely. It's the closest I've got to decent DB sound live, every other rig I've played through has made the DB sound like an EB. OK, not a huge problem as I'm working on the basis that for the average punter this isn't a problem, and that for the gigs where it might be (i.e., Jazz), I'll use my PR-40 into the PA. However, perhaps given the amount of time you've devoted to getting a true DB tone with your band, I wonder whether in getting rid of the AI you might be getting rid of one of your best weapons? BTW, I use a Baggs preamp. I don't know how it compares with the Fishman, but it sounded outstanding and DB-like through the AI but still sounds pretty much like an EB though my Aguliar/Mesa rig. Life's a journey though, so enjoy the looking and trying, we'll never be happy will we! C

[quote name='The Bass Doc' post='1203855' date='Apr 18 2011, 05:41 PM']Presumably you've tried washers on the ball-end of the string? (pleased I spelt ball-end correctly). I use the same set-up on my '63 and don't seem to have a problem but then again I get a nose bleed if I venture up past the 7th fret on the E string. As has been mentioned, try not to take too much notice of an electronic tuner and if the intonation is really 'far out' out, just call it jazz.[/quote] Cheers Doc! Re washers, yes, tried it, but it stopped me using the bridge cover (which may no longer be a factor TBH given the above). Perhaps Jazz it has to be then C

[quote name='Legion' post='1203805' date='Apr 18 2011, 05:01 PM']Chris, any idea if its OK with other strings? I'm guessing it would be but you won't have tried anything other than the Labellas... Might be worth striping/burning off the silk at the ball end of the string to let it sit better on the saddle and allow the saddle to run further back?[/quote] Fine with lighter La Bellas Jase, just with the heavies (and I've tried more than one set). No silks to burn on these babies I'm afraid! I could try filing but I have no doubt what'll happen if I do! Cheers mate C [quote name='redstriper' post='1203813' date='Apr 18 2011, 05:07 PM']Does it sound badly out of tune or are you using an electronic tuner and going on how it looks rather than the sound? How did they manage back in the day when there were only flats and no electric tuners - what would Jamerson have done? I play a 63 Jazz bass with heavy GHS flats and I had the same problem until I stopped using the tuner and accepted the situation.[/quote] Hey mate, well I can hear it. I don't use an electronic tuner, but i can hear it's slightly sharp and becomes more so as I go up the neck. Back in the day? Well, apparently they used to de-tune very slightly if hey were up the neck and then tune back up if they were down the neck. Also, there's quite a lot of out of tune notes to be heard in a lot of old tracks if we're honest, tuning's always a compromise isn't it. In writing the post above I was just wondering whether anyone's found a more elegant way around it? I guess one way is to take out the spring and wedge the saddle up against the backplate, which I might try later, although I think this will make the windings on the strings even more of an issue. This only really became more of an issue when I was trying to master Entwhistle's lines on 'The Real Me', which use the dusty end and the non-dusty end in in pretty equal measure. I think that in the context of other musicians in the mix, it'll be much less noticeable. Problem I have is that I'm awlays ranting at our guitarist about his poor tuning and his even worse habit of changing string gauges and screwing up his intonation, so I don't want to get the finger pointed at me! Cheers guys

Or anyone else who's had this problem of course! It's never bothered me overly as I've not until recently tended to play at the dusty end on the E. but using the original bridge, I have never been able to get the intonation right on any La Bella Jamerson Set E string on my '65 Precision, the saddle simply doesn't go far back enough. This is a serious enough problem (coupled with that of the winding on the La Bella not sitting very well on the old-style saddle anyway), for me to consider installing a Badass, which has greater movement away from the nut and therefore will most likely address the problem. However, I HATE the idea of a Badass on a Precision, especially one as old as this. Ironically, although I love Badasses with rounds, I've never found them all that good with flats either, and I worry that it might take something away from that lovely vintage thump. Kinda ironic to have a Badass and then stuff foam under it to kill the sustain isn't it! It also means I'll have to leave the bridge cover off, and I love that aspect of the bass also. Any thoughts on alternatives? Cheers C

Send them off to Wizard or someone equally good for a test and a possible rewind for the weaker coil (or both if necessary). I had a pre-CBS PUP rewound to original Fender spec (via Bass Doc on here), and it sounded way better than I could have anticipated C

[quote name='warwickhunt' post='1203187' date='Apr 18 2011, 08:23 AM']You just have to ask the question, 'WHY'? As has been pointed out; to graft on a tatoo of the Fender logo etc to make your copy (or even luthier made replica ) look like a Fender so that it fools the general public etc. is dubious practice but I've personally got no problem with that as I'm a tart when it comes to labels the same as the next guy. However... stamping a part of the instrument that will never be seen by Joe Public can only (IMHO) be a practice done to dupe someone either now or at a later date, it serves no other purpose WHAT-SO-EVER! I do have to say that the heel date stamping etc has been discussed on here before and iirc the bass in question was produced by a 'name' UK luthier, I stated then that the replication of markings not visible under normal useage was tantamount to blatant fraud and this neck is no different.[/quote] [quote name='Happy Jack' post='1203249' date='Apr 18 2011, 09:29 AM']That's my Bravewood Precision. John Eliott doesn't put any logo on his headstocks AFAIK, and this one certainly left his workshop with nothing on it. One of the two previous owners stuck this decal on. Dubious practice? Bollocks!!! It's an attempt at deception, it's fraudulent, it's a lie. There's so much of this around already, and so many luthiers who will happily do it for you to order, that I'm genuinely surprised at some of the outrage this listing seems to be causing. ps: Next time my Bravewood needs work done by a luthier, I'll be having that decal removed.[/quote] I think John was referring to a luthier-built '63 that had the Fender heel stamps also, and I'm not sure whether this was a Bravewood Jack. Either way, whilst I can understand the 'homage' factor of a headstock logo on a replica, I can see no honest reason to replicate the heel stamp, especially on a bass that is also built to look and feel like one that is 48 years old.

[quote name='uke' post='1202994' date='Apr 17 2011, 09:47 PM']Just forwarded it to the fender legal dept ([email protected]) Lets see what they do![/quote] Good on you mate, I should probably have done that myself rather than rant about it here! It'll be interesting to hear their response; I guess the obvious line of thinking from Fender is that the vintage market doesn't hit their current sales, so they have no business interest in stopping this type of thing. They might however wonder whether, if the market gets flooded with high-quality vintage replicas, it could hit their RI and relic market badly? Keep us posted? Chris