Gust0o

I've managed to kick the wife out for the weekend, armed with one of my old credit cards and my mother for company - it's a risk; they're expensive creatures; but it buys me some quiet time.

Quiet time to get some work done, at any rate.

I've been tinkering with a bargain BCR ST Bass I picked up from Ebay. Some of you have been kind enough to lend advice when I've asked, and we're stripped, wired and almost ready to go... but I still have to paint the back of the neck!

I'd thought this would be relatively easy, through the haze of naivety - now I'm not sure.

My big question is: should I remove the fretboard for painting?

I'm a little too novice to do such, with any real hope of reattachment, so it would need to go somewhere. But, I had thought I'd just be able to mask the fret board then paint the back - before finally applying clear laquer to the rear of the neck and the side of the fretboard, leaving the body of the board untouched.

We've still a few days before I get into this, but any help or tips would be more than welcome.

+1 for the low-end!

I think I'd be totally unworthy of anything too nice - what would I do with it? Play it in the pub?

I play with two, but have been trying desperately to play with three.

I have tended to tape the fourth and third fingers together. It's the knuckle of the pinky I'm missing, so the tape help stops if flap.

Probably not everybody's cup of tea mind! Works for me, but I had to escape a car crash to make it work

T-Cut is the way, as far as polishes go. It's designed for cars, where you get all kinds of scratches, and it's abrasive nature just cuts through them all.

I use it, and it works a treat

It's not my style of music, but I have a lot of time for Jamserson - he knew how to put a line together. I've picked up the odd bit.

Paypal will be of no use, as their Dispute option only runs to 45 days - that said, if you made the payment from a credit card (via Paypal) then you may still have some options.

I just don't understand, despite all the problems, why this guy is acting like this - it's real head-in-the-sand behaviour.

[quote]Just for the E usually. They work brilliantly.[/quote]

That's probably for the best. I don't think I'd have a headstock with the relevant room!

I've seen these before, and they look like a neat bit of kit.

Is it just for the E-string, or should you install an entire set? Sorry if that's a very amateurish question!

Sadly, all I own is crap!

I do think the loan-around 5-string is a genius idea - does anyone know if that's still running? I've never tried a 5, and that would be a fantastic way of doing so.

Barry Ollocks.

I've managed a pub, and you can make £300 with your eyes shut - it doesn't take a busy night with a band on.

You've been short-changed on this one.

Les Claypool, surely?

His blog makes mention of some medical problems, amongst a general theme of problems slowing the work down. Recession? Overstretch? External issues? In any case, he should mention them - you are a paying customer, after all.

Let us know how you get on with this one.

I've seen people do this a few times - I've even seen some wannabe try it in Fibbers, only for it to go horribly wrong. Who would have thought it wasn't something for small venues?

This whole thread reminded me of the scene from The Mighty Boosh - glam rock folk band, anyone?

I took up playing bass again to help iron my hand out after an accident - so I've already started from the basis that I'm knackered anyway!

I broke my right arm twice across the forearm, and once over the elbow. This did the nerves no favours, which were already damaged from break in the hand - which broke two bones and pushed my knuckle to my wrist.

I view any pain in the arm as a healthy glow - we're back in business!

As for the shoulder. Laptop bag, man bag/briefcase, luggage, suitcarrier, golf clubs, kayak gear... the bass is only one small element of that abuse.

I do read about a lot of injuries to peoples' backs, from long-term playing.

The Beast is a mad design! Badgerific had one on here for a smashing knock-down price, but it's just a little too pointy for sense!

[quote]A mate of mine at college was in a Descendants/Propaghandi type punk band and had a flourescent green BC Rich Warlock at one point. He said it was the best sounding bass he'd ever owned, but he had to get rid because it looked so bad![/quote]

Ah, the danger of Warlocks!

My mate has a reverse headstock Warlock, with a snakeskin paint job - real '80s rock!

There was an awesome Gibson Flying-V parts mash-up on here - that appealed, on the exact same basis (bass-is?), of having something a little perverse to draw people's attention.

BC Rich would give you plenty of examples - Ironbird, Stealth, Bich... not all of them blacker-than-black, but with enough spice to flavour the looks.

I have Shockwave's old pink BCR Eagle - which raises eyebrows everytime it appears from the gig bag!

I've played my BCR Ironbird at a few pub gigs where we've done nothing but pop/rock covers. That's probably been a bit of overkill!

[quote]Glad you're liking the Eagle as well; that is relatively light and balances perfectly I'm pleased to say and it sounds lovely too![/quote]

I'll second this - my Eagle is the lightest of my basses, and is a fantastic player!

They really do break through the misconception that BC Rich's are all silly points, and flat sounds.

I'm looking for a band for my wedding! Maybe I should save my pennies, with some cunning DIY?

You're always going to lose the first set. It's not a gig, it's a wedding - and the couple and proceedings will be getting the attention, not the band. That's just something you have to face, having been there.

If you're on again later, that's when you'll have some fun. People should be fed and watered (liberally!) by then, and looking for the music.

I'm hoping, whoever we hire, might let me on for a token disco number... sobriety providing!

Nicely done chief!

[quote]C'mon - no one else find that funny?[/quote]

Nuts make a huge difference, or huge nuts make a difference?

Great minds

[quote]For a modern, agressive deathmetal tone I like basses with two big humbuckers like the Ibanez SRX and similar instruments. They sound big and fat but with a bright and agressive edge to their tone which really makes them cut through and gets you heard in any setting.[/quote]

My memory could be failing me, but I seem to remember Sepultura being endorsed by Ibanez?

Sexy bass, I used to own one prior to smashing my hand to bits... a little bit of neck dive, but what hasn't with this shape?

Pick-ups may be a little 'muddy' for those loving the funk, but it's a great rock/pop bass with plenty of looks!

Have a bump