philw

[quote name='Clarky' post='976312' date='Oct 3 2010, 07:17 PM']I've no idea whether right or wrong but I would say it sounds logical that greater headstock mass reduces dead spots. My logic is as follows: well known players like Leland Sklar (who knows a thing or two about bass) use the clamp thing on the headstock which adds mass and clearly believe in it, thus a headstock with more mass/weight will replicate this better than a downsized headstock, all else equal. Probably b*llocks but makes sense to me.[/quote]

It's an enormously complicated phenomenon, but bead spots in a neck are influenced by not just the mass of the headstock but by at least five other parameters also: the mass of the body, the rigidity of the neck (and truss rod), string tension, the mechanical damping inherent in the neck, and the rigidity of the neck/body join (actually there's other factors, body rigidity for example, but those six are the major ones). The basic requirement for no dead-spots is to get the fundamental headstock-neck-body resonance above any of the resonant fundamentals of the strings (i.e .the notes!) So, what works for one bass in terms of headstock mass may be wrong for another bass. As a general rule however, reducing mass in a resonant system will increase its fundamental resonant frequency, so a lighter headstock (or no headstock) would seem to be preferable. However, it's also possible that a heavier headstock might on some instruments be beneficial through the phenomenon of "mass damping" where a mass compliantly attached to a resonant system can be tuned to act as a mechanical energy "sink" and kill the resonance (which is probably what Leland Sklar discovered).

Phil

PS. I don't know about Bass Guitar Mag but most magazines use external photography studios. Review samples will usually go to be photographed before they are reviewed too ('cause reviewers are notoriously bad at returning review samples on time). So in the case of the Manson and it's incorrectly installed G string, it's probable that the bass was photographed before anybody from BGM saw it. Some luthiers slacken strings when shipping instruments too, so the G could quite easily have popped out of its saddle. The only crime here is that the picture editor on BGM didn't spot it (or maybe they did and simply didn't have time to re-shoot or re-touch).

[quote name='Rich' post='965234' date='Sep 23 2010, 08:10 AM']OK, if you want to do that, do it via PM. See Buyers guideline no.5, as quoted by birdy above.[/quote]

OK, OK, but being told once would have been enough

Many apologies of course for transgressing but it seems I'm too late. There was a knock at the door earlier and a bunch of mean looking guys in mean looking uniforms are waiting for me to finish this before dragging me off to the cells.......

P

PS. How long has the "don't mention the price" rule been in place? Is it new(ish)?

PPS. This:

[url="http://www4.informatik.uni-erlangen.de/~koesters/Privat/Wal/walspec.html"]http://www4.informatik.uni-erlangen.de/~ko...al/walspec.html[/url]

is always interesting as a first stop when talking Wal serial numbers.

[quote name='birdy' post='964787' date='Sep 22 2010, 07:06 PM']I think you are supposed to PM members regarding price.[/quote]

Maybe if you're negotiating yes, but I'm not. I'm just opining that the bass is a bit on the pricey side.

P

PS. Just saw the pics. Really lovely bass but that's not wenge – looks quilt maple to me. I also wonder if Pete was doing gloss finish in '87. I thought that came rather later.

I'm sure it's a desirable bass and I too would love to see some pics (my Mk 1 is wenge and you don't see many)

Phil

[quote name='TheGreek' post='956266' date='Sep 14 2010, 05:29 PM']I was tempted but I found out on Friday funding for my job has been withdrawn so I'm out of a job as of 1 Oct...also Import duties last time were nearly £200[/quote]

Sorry to hear that Mick. No consolation I know, but there's a lot of it about.

Phil

All,

I just stumbled upon this slightly incongruous but wonderful example of understated bass playing (the song took me back a bit too).

www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEYepr0Zm1E

Phil

[quote name='TheGreek' post='949919' date='Sep 8 2010, 09:32 PM'][center][size=3][b]Anybody serious about buying one of these beautiful creations should follow this link.

[url="http://www.enginessuperstore.com/?keyword=veillette"]http://www.enginessuperstore.com/?keyword=veillette[/url]

There is a 1981 burgundy 4 string No 288 with a serious history (anybody know Art Fulman?) - see attachment[/b].[/size][/center]

Phil, I don't know if you want to let Joe know - she's a late one - possibly one of the last..[/quote]

Mick,

Sorry, only just noticed your post. I'll let Joe know. Are you going to buy it?

Phil

[quote name='walbassist' post='948170' date='Sep 7 2010, 12:06 PM']Hi Phil

Well, small world eh? I grew up in Oxshott too, moving to Stoke d'Abernon when I was 11. We lived on The Chase off Wren's Hill; went to Royal Kent, and then on to St Andrews in Cobham.

The band was: Nic Ford on guitar, Ric Phillips on Drums, and Phillipa Grundon and Lisa Tickner shared vocals. Ring any bells?

Cheers

Gareth[/quote]

Very, very small world then Gareth. I went to Royal Kent also, then on to Hinchley Wood – my Mum and Dad didn't fancy St Andrews. I lived down the cheap end of Oxshott (Waverley Road) and I reckon I'm a little bit older than you (51 the other day) so we probably don't share too many contemporaries. I'm afraid the names don't ring any bells.

How weird is all that eh?
Phil

[quote name='walbassist' post='948144' date='Sep 7 2010, 11:43 AM']First song I ever played was an end of year school concert, Cobham in Surrey, 1981.

The song was "Since You Been Gone" by Rainbow, and I was playing a blond Satellite (remember them?) P bass with maple fingerboard and black nylon strings through an HH Bass Machine Combo.

I remember it really clearly, and can still recall the names of the rest of the band too!

Cheers

Gareth[/quote]

Who else was in the band Gareth? I'm from Oxshott originally so knew loads of people around there. My Mum's in a nursing home in Cobham (just past the petrol station on Stoke Rd) so I'm up there visiting pretty often.

Meanwhile, back on topic. My first gig was in a pub in West Hampstead called the Railway. It was probably 1983. The band was The Lemming Glass Company and I can not only name all the members, we're all still occasionally in touch. I played a fretless white Washburn (no idea what model but it had P & J pickups and buzzed horribly). Can't remember what the bass combo would have been. The song we started with was probably "A Twist of Lemming". I can still remember the bass part too.

Phil

Mick

A bit too far for me I'm afraid, but I'll let you know if I'm passing.

I'll past your compliments on to Joe. He's always interested to know where his instruments end up. Let me know if you do any recording with the bass – I'll pass it on to him.

Phil

Mick,

More from Joe. Looking at the old completion logs has obviously got him thinking.

First, there were around 60 basses built like yours so it's a pretty rare beast. Second, I was wrong about the wood – Joe now confirms it is all maple (is it heavy?). The fingerboard is rosewood. All the hardware except the tuners was made in-house by either Harvey or Joe – even the pickups were wound and cast in-house ("No wonder we went out of business." says Joe). Seems to me you got yourself a really nice bass there – and a bit of a bargain.

You're nowhere near Brighton by any chance are you? I'd love to get a look at the bass.

Phil

Mick,

Some answers for you. It's not very exciting I'm afraid.

According to the completion log that Joe dug out from under the stairs, your bass was completed on 22nd September 1980 – so it's just coming up to its 30th birthday (looks in fantastic condition for a 30 year old bas). It was a dealer order so he's no idea who originally owned it. He thinks the dealer was probably Make'n Music of Chicago (still going strong – www.makenmusic.com). You could always get in contact and see if they have records going back that far of who bought what (but I somehow doubt it).

Joe's wasn't sure of the wood it's made from. I'd be surprised if it's all maple (would be decidedly heavy) and knowing Joe, it's most likely an alder or poplar body with a maple neck. The fingerboard looks like it might be wenge or dark rosewood.

The buzz on the E-string could probably very easily be cured with a set-up by somebody who knows what they are doing. I'm not sure where you're based but there's bound to be a good luthier/guitar tech not far from you. Ask around the forum.

Joe suggested the best thing he could autograph to help the bass feel at home would be another bass

Regards
Phil

Greek,

I've not forgotten your questions... Oh, hang on, I've just been joined by my daughter's hamster on the desk and he's taking over the typing....

' h uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu..i.............mmmm;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;ok99999------------------99999999999999;;;;;;..===lllmgmg

Ok, normal service resumed. I've been in touch with Joe so I'm sure I'll have some answers for you in a few days.

Phil

[quote name='silddx' post='938260' date='Aug 27 2010, 05:00 PM']There was a Veilette Piccolo on sale here on basschat a few months ago. Have to admit, it looked gorgeous.

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=61359&hl=Veillette"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=...mp;hl=Veillette[/url][/quote]

That was Gareth Morgan's instrument for a while. I think it's at the Gallery now.

Phil

[quote name='TheGreek' post='938224' date='Aug 27 2010, 04:10 PM'] I've left messages at the Veillette site with no response - Harvey on the other hand replied the same day - what a great guy!! - looking forward to hearing from Joe [/quote]

Hi Greek (and apologies for missing the "r" last time),

Sorry you didn't get a reply from Joe. I have to say that's unusual – he's usually very happy to talk guitars, but of course he's only human and the odd email might have been missed. What was it you asked? I'll find out for you.

Phil

[quote name='paul h' post='937562' date='Aug 26 2010, 09:37 PM']IIRC the Uk rep for Veillette used to post here. Phil I think his name was.[/quote]

Paul,

Yes, I think my name is Phil too

Phil

Hi Geek

That's a relatively rare and very lovely bass you have there. Congratulations.

Joe Veillette and Harvey Citron no longer work together, having amicably gone their separate ways a good few years ago. They are both still busy luthiers however and there's even a few Veillette basses in the UK these days (a couple owned by Gareth Morgan who's often seen around these parts). How do I know all this? Well I'm Joe Veillette's UK distributor.

You can get an idea of what Joe is up to these days at www.veilletteguitars.com

Regards
Phil

DR Sunbeams fitted. They feel great – nice and loose and not at all "sticky" on the left hand. They sound a bit bright at the moment but I'm sure they'll calm down a bit. Thursday's rehearsal will be the real test but I have very high hopes.

P

Thanks all. I'll maybe try a couple and report back.

Phil

All,

I've been using Status half-rounds on my fretless Wal for ages. They're lovely strings but I fancy a change. The bass has an ebony fingerboard so I don't need to worry too much about using round-wounds on it, but then again, I don't want anything that sounds too bright. I usually go for 45 - 105 gauge or thereabouts. Any suggestions?

Phil

It's not so much the bass that's interesting here but the picture reproduced of Pete Stephen's order list at the time.

[url="http://cgi.ebay.com/John-Entwistle-s-1978-Wal-Fretless-Bass-Guitar-/230490243879?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Guitar&hash=item35aa4a0327#ht_15488wt_1139"]http://cgi.ebay.com/John-Entwistle-s-1978-...ht_15488wt_1139[/url]

Phil

Gareth,

The plan is to do a fretless five string Alpha Bass like this:

[attachment=47614:Veillett...pha_Bass.jpg]

But give it my favourite P-bass vibe with a white P-bass pickup, white scratch plate, Lake Placid Blue body and maple fingerboard.

The rational, apart from it being a nice bass for me to mess about on, is simply that it seems to me that two of the most common themes that get discussed in forums such as this are P basses and "acoustic vibe" basses. So why not combine the two?

Phil

PS. Thanks for the EMG/Shuker heads-up Velvet.

Paul,

Now you look after my old Eko ok? She's a bit special.

Phil

All,

I'm on the point of commissioning a somewhat unusual custom Veillette bass and the instrument needs a rather unusual pickup – a 5 string P type split pickup in white (rather than the usual black). Anybody know who makes such a beast?

Phil

Andy

Yes, "arse of the month" was a bit over the top. I mean, there's an election going on so there's numerous folk with their heads above the parapet that are far more deserving of the title. However, not only would Paul Herman I'm sure be offended to hear somebody suggest he's just "licensed" the Wal brand, so would Pete Stevens. Over the years, and especially towards the end of his particular road, Pete, I understand, turned down a few offers for the Wal brand from much bigger outfits. Offers which would have made him a tidy sum, and ultimately most likely see the Wal brand devalued. He held-out because it was important for him that Wal was left in good hands – Paul Herman.

Yours is a lovely Wal, but I think you're asking too much for it, and trying to justify the price by ignorantly casting aspersions on Paul and new Wals is, well, it's just not cricket. If I had £3.5k to spend on a Wal I would undoubtedly be knocking on Paul's door to order a new one. The majority of people here who know what they're on about would I suspect do the same.

Phil