3below

I had what I thought was a misaligned bridge, 1977 Precision brand new. I complained to Fender UK, v prompt and helpful reply. Loosen strings, loosen neck bolts, tap the neck on lower side at headstock, (moves E string side upwards in pocket in rotational movement, increases string to neck edge gap on G string). Retighten neck bolts and strings. [url="http://www.tdpri.com/forum/tele-home-depot/174767-how-align-neck-body.html"]http://www.tdpri.com/forum/tele-home-depot/174767-how-align-neck-body.html[/url] Ron Kirn's post has a good photo that explains what I mean. This may be part of your problem, then again may not. Can we have a photo of a straight edge (metre ruler etc) against G (D with your tuning) side of neck. Hope you get the customer service you need.

Very nice, reminds me why they were so desirable at the time. Class is timeless.

Do not be worried, it is very easy to do. The neck screws can take a remarkable amount of torque, you would have to be seriously hamfisted or determined to do any damage.

Have thought about this a bit more (not sure of brain power after day at work though). The unit only working when presence pot full on could be symptomatic of a 'fractured' solder joint. If the pot is a pcb mounted one it seems even more likely. The fix might be as simple as 'reflowing' the solder joints of the pot on the pcb.

Do Sansamp have a repair service in the UK?

In a similar incident this week, my dog knocked Rockbass Corvette 5 stringer over (yes I should put back in case). I go to play it, no sound. Open up control cavity, one wire detached from potentiometer. Easy DIY fix, and was not surprised, the soldering in this bass is not the best I have ever seen.

Where is Mr Foxen for the experienced viewpoint please?

Be brave, open it up and have a look. From what you say it could be something as simple as detached screen lead on a jack socket. If it is this obvious it is an easy DIY fix.

Must be an unreleased prototype model, never seen before. Hard to estimate scale length, the plastic drum must be some type of bass resonator?

[quote name='GreeneKing' timestamp='1358891065' post='1946795'] A local shop to me are simply brilliant and they are also developing online sales steadily.... Promenade Music. [/quote] Had great service and price from them online.

If they are 'black nylon covered' or similar tapewound then the scientific answer is yes (don't ask, I spent 3 years researching such stuff). The pragmatic answer is how long do you want them to last? My Roto Tru Bass strings on my Eko acoustic bass are the originals and are still good to go. I bought the bass in 1979? so 34 yrs old or so without use of freezer. Seems fair value for money.

Basschat.co.uk - the range, the price, the customer service [size=4] [/size]

All good so far, I will add Robert Cray, Big Bill Broonzy, Sonny Terry, Brownie McGee, John Lee Hooker, Savoy Brown, Groundhogs, Freddie King, Robon Trower (some), The late Jeff Healey, Walter Trout, Colin lake.... It is a wide field, I just love the blues, my type of music.

At this point it is the options time: i) measure pickup(s) output with suitable voltmeter, ii) visual inspection, look for dull / cracked solder joints, resolder. iii) Beg/Borrow an oscilloscope and investigate the output from pickup(s), and at various stages in the circuit. Ideally with a signal generator. Might be a faulty op amp (unlikely) or dry solder joint, more likely. iv) pay someone to find same ££. v) replace pre-amp £££. vi) buy high output passive pickups, more ££ and possibly not to taste. With logic and a circuit diagram i) through iii) will solve most issues. Find someone (Physics / science teacher or Electronic Engineer) to borrow the kit. It is not hard. Warwick have diagrams available on net. Pm me if you need further advice.

My s/h Rockbass Corvette 4 is my bass to go. Well built, lightweight, stays in tune, easy to play. One criticism, weak pickups - in comparison to G&L USA and Kramer USA. It was cheap as chips and the build quality is superb. s/h 5 stringer Rockbass fretless is even better built, ebony fingerboard staggering build quality for the money, cheaper than chips. A good set of strings costs 30% of these basses, the world is nuts.

I feel guilty about this, but here goes [i]Never in the field of human bass playing was so much available by so many to so few at such good value..[/i] A great time for GAS if you have the readies

[quote name='Hutton' timestamp='1358759934' post='1944412'] I know that it is all down to personal opinion but I just wonder if enough people say enough times that Fenders have quality control issues then it will become a generally accepted fact. For myself, I think that the current range of Fender guitars and basses display excellent quality control. Mind you, I didn't have much problem with the previous offerings either (apart from late 70s) but the current product is first class considering how many are made each day. This, I emphasise, is only my humble opinion. [/quote] Agree totally, it is all personal taste. My 1977 Fender Precision (bought new, in the days of student grant lol) was excellent, once I had fitted the neck correctly and closed the pocket gap. It had the best low action I have ever had on a bass to this day. It had the 3 bolt plate (like my G&L has) but I never had any problems with it. Do not think 1970s Fenders are 'bad', use your own judgement on what you have in your hands. What you spend your own money is your own choice, at the moment I play my £150 Chinese made bass as first choice (the vintage USA basses are kept in reserve, too 'valuable' to use?). Had my Chinese bass been available 40 years ago, with the quality to price, I doubt I would have spent vast amounts on other basses (Ric, Gibbo, John Birch, Fender). I see there is a Warwick Rockbass on the forum for £100 - the quality to price ratio on that will be beyond belief. The neck pocket will be tighter than a tight thing, the paintwork flawless. It is all down to personal choice. I am starting to wonder if we are on another bass forum, tolerance and a broad church is a good thing.

The bottom line, you have free choice, it's your own money. Spend it as you will. Shame my 54 P bass (bedroom condition, with tags and bill of sale signed by Leo) has a 0.5mm neck pocket gap, guess I better sell it on the bay, since qc was poor. Any takers? hope I get lucky. (I do not have that particular bass btw)

Me neither, and I have that exact bass in sunburst, used but not abused is how I would describe it.

pmd

Has April 1st come early this year?