EssentialTension

Always one or more of these. Looking wrong is as bad as playing the wrong notes.

I may have several heath isues but, nonetheless, I have come to terms with the fact that I expect to die by scooter on a pavement.

Ivory Embassy with two creamy cousins - all now gone to new homes.

I didn't express myself very clearly. I should have said: Before you set the witness point at the bridge saddle, relax the tension on the string and let it settle before retuning and then setting the witness point. This avoids a twist in the string that will prevent it from ringing properly. That is one way in which a twist can occur. Always wind the machine head and don't twist the string around the tuning peg by hand.

I particularly like the black one.

Adjusting the neck relief, the action, the intonation, the pickup height, i.e. the things you might do more regularly with, say, a new set of strings, are normally quite straightforward. It's difficult to damage a bass doing those adjustments unless you start winding the truss rod like a m*****f****r.

They'll be subsantially more expensive in fifty years time.

Sounds like a result one way or another.

Blonde, you say? No I didn't.

For me, PJB Briefcase is perfect home practice amp.

If anyone is interested in 'compliance' see here: Lutherie Myth/Science: Human Perception of String Tension and Compliance in Stringed Musical Instruments

Well, I'm not a lutherie expert but the rule of thumb (which I get from Lakand's setup video) is suggesting that buzzing at fret positions 7/8/9 means the neck tension needs to increase presumably because the string tension has increased. I imagine this logic applies equally to a fretless bass.

Surely, this is fake news?

Rule of Thumb: Buzzing below fret 6, generally loosen truss rod, but buzzing above fret 6, generally tighten truss rod. Where do you mean by 'mid-neck'?

Thanks.

But from what kind of 'tone'wood were the bench and the shelf made? 🙃

Yes, and on second tambourine. But don't know who is the keyboardist.

La Bella 760FS have black silks but, I think, only at tuner end.

Clarky, did I sell you those?

Medium scale Dunlop flats are also black silk both ends.

Did I mention that when I had one of these it sounded huge with EB Cobalt flats?

Yes, Fender basses were factory-fitted with flats from the beginning until the late 1970s.

It's been about twenty years of flats for me too. Two factors among others in the increase in use of flats are: 1) The internet has allowed the growth of bass forums, such as Basschat and Talkbass, where strings get discussed and people are encouraged to try new things e.g. flats. 2) The growth of the internet has also led to great and easy availability of a wide range of strings, ready to be purchased at the press of a button, whereas the old shops stocked a very limited range of strings and mostly not flats. Some might want to call it a fad, but flats are not going away.