GreeneKing

I'm not sure if this is a build diary as such but, what the hell! I had a hugely enjoyable day today. Dave Perry picked me up and off we headed to sunny Moffat (indeed it was) for Dave to go through the very therapeutic process of bass conception. The whole process is no 'in and out' business but a sociable 3 to 4 hours of getting everything spot on and crystal clear between customer and builder. Dave, as many of us know, is a Status headless 5 string man. Having sampled Alpha Dave's 6 at the bass fumble he 'saw the light' and decided to embark upon the route to the Borders. So here's a wee photage of the day: Dave has done a lot of work around getting the Harlot body shape to tie in with his Status ergodynamics already as you can see: The refining of the 'bottom' of the body required someone with a flawless eye for ascetics and graphics skills par excellence, Mrs C. Discussing the fine details: The designer's view: This was the end of a lengthy process, a bookmatched fretboard: With this feature at the 12th fret: Sorting out the mock up. The variables are huge in number and include a last minute, oops I need the bridge pup 'here' for my thumb rest position Here's the final mock up bearing in mind that the bridge in reality will be a tuner unit for headless purposes. I believe the neck is 4 string width in the mock up: And no meeting of bassists is complete without a bit of the inimitable DP style: So with many thanks to Alan and his loverly wife and Dave for the lift and his good company. Dave you may like to complete the specs for me here. Peter

Add me to the lost of folk swearing because they missed it [quote]Given that ParcelFarce are the nominated courier it'll probably arrive in several pieces.[/quote] Given that's your experience and not mine. Maybe I've just been lucky, hundreds of times Peter

Just to be awkward [quote]active....or passive?[/quote] I don't think it's that black and white The way I see it is that 'Natural' passive sound is just 'processed' to a lesser extent that an active signal. Active signal processing allows you to modify the signal and either make up for any passive deficiencies or perhaps feck it up completely. I have both and love both. The sound you get depends on so many different factors (I can think of at least 8) and I'd have to say that pre-amps are vastly different. I've said it before and make no apologies but the filter based ACG pre-amps means that I have no active reservations whatsoever Peter

So far as I'm aware there aren't that many active pickups anyway so you won't be limiting yourself very much by looking at just passive ones. Passive will give you immense opportunity for changing the tone. You could always fit another pre too. ACG .... cough! Peter

Well Paul, it's a surprise. I expected the tone to be a little limited but in fact it's really good. A great 'bluesey' feel with the tone turned down and a lot of brightness added with it turned up. The original strings that were old and have now been replaced were very light gauge and with the medium scale they seemed like 'butter' to play, shame they were past their best really. Peter

[quote]isn't it just one of these? they all have downsized bodies like that.[/quote] It certainly is one of those, in that case ut's not Irfamview's fault. It's for sale at £800 plus P&P and its only seen about 30 min home use being bought new in Nov 2007. The Epiphone and the Les Evan's are also for sale. Why? I just have too many basses and I'm off to Uni in Oct Peter

The Aria is an '81' Nik. Older than a lot of BCers It's medium scale with a set neck.

[quote]How is it?[/quote] Extremely nice Alan, just about wonderful [quote]Nice collection[/quote] That ain't the half of it Peter

I suspect it's due to Irfanview defaulting to a size reduction format. As Irfamview is free yes you too can reconfigure all your basses for nowt Peter

Prompted by the need to photo my Jazz for a BCer and the fact that it's a beautiful day here in Lakeland here's a few basses for you. Thunderbird in the back yard. Previously mentioned Jazz deluxe Another of the T'bird Yes, it's the Ultimate Flea Japanese non export Aerodyne As nice a Bass Collection as you'll find Les Evans And my newest aquisition, Aria Pro II CSB-450, dinky The Les Evan and T'Bird are for sale and the Jazz may be. They don't seem to be attracting any interest in the 'For Sale' section so maybe here? Peter

Hehe, Gnat is like a small flying insect. Chuff is like it's bottom, bum or arse Me likey, Tool like. 'Shouting' vocals aren't my thing (I'm over 50) but otherwise excellent. I thought 'Post Offense' was a reference to a previous and much discussed thread but I see it's the name of your band - Lol Peter

I've sent back 2 items to them and they've been great. Login in and go to their customer services area and email them. Much easier than phoning. They'll arrange for the bass to be picked up. Funnily enough the PSU for my Line 6 Basspod XP live faied today and I've just contacted them myself. Peter

[quote]screw the lakes[/quote]

So if I'm right this'll be the 1st ACG destined for a Scottish basser? Congratulations. I'm currently going through the build process on my 2nd and it's 'only' a 4 but I just know it's gonna fit my needs. I think Alan does a great set neck btw. In fact Alan's necks are a bit of a work of art in themselves (I'm biased). Brilliant, it's going to look good isn't it Peter

Where's your sense of adventure, combine a visit with some walking in the Lakes/Borders Peter

Nice one Jon. You know looking at your collection again is really nice, it reminds me how classy they all look. Peter

If you're ever in my neck of the woods you're welcome to pop in. Kendal that is, and THE Ultimate Flea Mwahahaha Peter

I used fine wire wool followed by gun oil on the back of my Ster neck and it worked a treat. Lemon oil for the board was fine too.

I'm sorry but I don't think it was that bad. He's not after a fortune for the thing methinks and he wasn't making any false claims. Peter