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[quote name='davebass66' post='1343193' date='Aug 17 2011, 02:47 PM']It also gets much worse when you touch the pickup.[/quote] This suggests that it's an earth problem of some kind. Does the hum change when you touch the strings or only when you touch the pups? Try stepping through some of the diagnostics on this link which might help to isolate the cause [url="http://www.guitarnuts.com/technical/electrical/trouble/genericnoise.php"]http://www.guitarnuts.com/technical/electr...enericnoise.php[/url]

How about using stickers instead of paint? [url="http://www.inlaysticker.com/"]http://www.inlaysticker.com/[/url]

DR Sunbeams have a softer feel than most. I have them on the 72 Jazz in my avatar, great strings IMO

The Artec preamp will have different sound shaping characteristics (eq centre points, roll-off slopes etc) to the Fender Lyte preamp and these will be superimposed on the sound if you swap this pre into your Lyte. Doing this is unlikely to make the Lyte sound any better and, being a cheap and cheerful pre, it may be a step backward. All preamps sound different and the only way to find out which ones work for you is to try a few. Easier said than done I know and can be an expensive experiment! Ask around on BC and see if there's anyone in your area who has a decent aftermarket preamp such as John East or Audere (or anything that you're interested in) that you can go and try to get a feel for what they sound like.

You've pretty much said it- one is split shaft the other is solid shaft. Good range of knobs for both here - [url="http://www.axesrus.com/axenob.htm#Knobs"]http://www.axesrus.com/axenob.htm#Knobs[/url]

Steve's Amps in Godalming (www.stevesamps.co.uk) and Joe White in Ash/Farnborough (www.jwhite-guitarworkshops.co.uk) seem to be well regarded. Check out the recommended luthiers thread here - www.basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=26654

[quote name='bubinga5' post='1322673' date='Aug 1 2011, 12:22 AM']Anyone got any idea how much the original Yamaha TRB5 MK1's were when new...expensive? What do you think of these basses..[/quote] They were around £750-800. For reasons that escape me they don't hold their value well and you can pick them up for around £400 or so. Which is a completely stupid price for such an excellent bass. The Mk 1 is definitely the one to have. Build quality is outstanding and it just sounds and feels 'right'. The Mk 2s were clunky in comparison (at least the ones I've tried have been). I've had my Mk 1 for over 10 years and still use it regularly. Great bass, get one if you can.

Clarky I seem to remember you flagged another one of these on ebay in May. IIRC that went for about £1,050. Pretty fair price considering that used ones in the US seem to go for around the $1,600-1,800 mark. It's difficult to get hold of a used one from across the pond for less than £1,400 after shipping and tax. Very rare beasts over here, I've been looking for a while and also talking to Rob A to find one in the UK to try. Definitely on my list of things to acquire at some point. When the ever so variable planets of cash and opportunity are eventually aligned. Be interesting to see what this one goes for. With the high starting price I guess all of the action will be in the last 10 minutes. May get no bids at all and turn up on BC (wishful thinking!)

[quote name='chris_b' post='1312486' date='Jul 22 2011, 10:53 AM']You could get a couple of strips of the acoustic foam and just place it under your cab. That would cost about £10-£15.[/quote] You can get strips of Auralex platfoam from Studiospares - [url="http://www.studiospares.com/sound-insulation/auralex-platfoam-x1-piece/invt/461330/"]http://www.studiospares.com/sound-insulati...ce/invt/461330/[/url]

Rosetti do them - [url="http://www.rosetti.co.uk/product/gibson-pickup-cover-treble-black"]http://www.rosetti.co.uk/product/gibson-pi...er-treble-black[/url]

How about this - [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Dual-Gang-Potentiometer-1M-Logarithmic-RP289-/160593670405"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Dual-Gang-Potentiome...9-/160593670405[/url]

[quote name='davebass66' post='1309121' date='Jul 19 2011, 01:37 PM']Any other ideas?![/quote] Er no! Sounds like one for Audere. Be interested to know what they say ...

Sounds like it might be a phase problem - try switching round the hot/cold inputs for one of the pickups and see if that makes a difference

Sounds like the problem is with the underside of the saddle not making proper contact at one end. If it's just the B string that's isn't as loud as the others then try putting a small strip of adhesive copper shielding foil on the underside of the saddle at that end.

[quote name='bubinga5' post='1291184' date='Jul 3 2011, 05:05 PM'].. i do think that a note should sustain, but when do you ever play a note for that long? most basses sustain long enough to make good music..i really dont buy into this 'my bass sustains for days'... who cares[/quote] +1 ... I often stuff foam under my bridge to get less sustain and a bit more punch and thump. Depends what you play I guess

You can get bridge saddles+screws+spring sets which should do the trick from Allparts here: [url="http://www.allparts.uk.com/online-shop/guitar-bass-parts/bridges-parts-tailpieces/bridge-parts/bass-saddles-c-277_1_630_25_31.html"]http://www.allparts.uk.com/online-shop/gui..._630_25_31.html[/url]

[quote name='philw' post='1281088' date='Jun 24 2011, 03:01 PM']Forgot to say earlier...If of course you fancied a short scale Archtop/Minotaur hybrid, such a beast could be created. P[/quote] Phil, thanks for following up. I'll pm you to find out more about likely costs and build times for a Veilette. Cheers

[quote name='largo' post='1280943' date='Jun 24 2011, 01:22 PM']Have you thought about Jon Shuker's Artist range?[/quote] Hi largo, yes I'm very tempted by the Artist. Another one of those rare beasts - it's almost impossible to find one to try out but it appears to have all the characteristics that I'm looking for. I may give Jon a call and find out what sort of wait time I'd be looking at for one of these. Cheers for the suggestion

[quote name='philw' post='1279474' date='Jun 23 2011, 11:04 AM']Anyway, you're welcome to come to Brighton and have a go on my demo Veillette Paris (the blue one in my avatar) some time. Not a short scale instrument like the Mouse but not so many miles away in terms of concept. Joe Veillette makes the Minotaur model too (www.veilletteguitars.com/electric_bass_nylon.shtml), which is much closer to the RA Mouse in concept.[/quote] Thanks Phil, much appreciated. I'm keen on the shorter scale of the Mouse to be honest but didn't know about the Minotaur. Listening to the demo on the Veilette website though it sounds like a very different animal to the mouse (haha). Much more tightly focused sound and less of a db impersonator. Maybe the chambering in the mouse is what gives it its more airy upright sound? I will take a closer look at Veilette though, I do love the sound and flexibility of the semi-hollow piezo/mag Archtop model on the Bass Player video on youtube.

[quote name='chris_b' post='1279441' date='Jun 23 2011, 10:30 AM']I'm looking for a good used, 35" scale, 5 string MB. Most RA basses are in the US and Americans don't seem to like posting abroad, so it looks like I'm in for a long wait![/quote] Good luck and yes I know what you mean! I'm scanning Talkbass every few hours and they also sell ridiculously quickly when they do come up. The last Mouse came up just a couple of days ago and sold within 19 minutes of being posted!