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I have had good results with 'screw extractors' and a power screwdriver (seized bridge screws). Before going down this route try the tight fit flat head screwdriver first, or find a luthier who knows what they are doing. good luck

Following on from Stewart and currently having a Peavey Firebass with Big One, have you tried adjusting the contour control - seems unlikely but it might be a possible cause.

It's going to be the one variable at a time solution: try another bass - if 3 have the same problem, unlikely to be the bass try another amp or two with the same basses, leads and cab, problem goes away, its the amp problem stays try different guitar leads with original amp, bass and cab. problem stays try different speaker cables, same bass amp, cab, guitar lead problem stays try different cabs, original bass, amp and leads problem stays try different bassist (have to eliminate all possibilities - unlikely as it is) problem stays I give up... unless you can think of anything else to change does the problem happen if you play above D & G on the E/A strings, this might help identify a frequency problem against a pickup / string problem Apologies if you have gone down this road already, hope you get a solution

Flexibility I think. Currently use G&L SB1 with flats, Peavey Firebass 700 / SoundCity 120 and the Big One. Like the sound, lots of bass, cuts through mix, good midrange, but have felt underpowered in 500+ audience (they were just too close or deaf). No PA support. Peavey clipped rather too much. Why are drummers so loud? So looking for more headroom (and use for guitar) hence power amps, and flexibility in the pre amp - I play anything from folk to blues with HM / punk / Jazz inbetween (+ double bass) Saw your Acoustic combo, very nice - I lusted after one of these in my youth - I had the 370 cab with Hiwatt 200 in my 20s (when they were cheap and heavy) . These days I need the lighter kit.

Mmm, I hear what you are saying (but not for long I suspect). My one big one was adequate (450W applied) with an audience of 500+ but our drummer was heavy handed. I just want to have an adequate reserve to put him in his place. I will have to explore the nulls due to destructive interference - I have some bright students who can calculate this for me - I see an assignment coming on, that will stop their fun. Advice on preamp needed (seriously).

What is Motorhead? Is it loud? I saw a beat combo with some chap called Lemmy whilst at University, is he part of this outfit? I was hoping for adequate SPL to see off my drummer at the Kerry Lamb. Perhaps Santa might arrive properly this year. Last year he failed to bring the Morgan +8 (so did my wife for the last 30!).

Dear Santa or wife I have a big one, I think I need more How does this sound (apart from loud) , where would (could) I use it other than for demolition jobs? Peavey CS3000 or QSC PLX (for the rich) power amp, big one followed by a spare 3 big ones for those larger than average venues (and yes, my Honda CRV will take 4 big ones without the seats folded, respect to Alex) - should drive 1500 watts rms into each pair of big ones (two each side of drummer). cost approx £550 + 4 x £675 = £3259 What pre amp should I use? Alex, what SPL will I get? Best wishes from a happy big one owner (possibly the first second hand owner?), just want three more of the same.

Excellent transaction, good communication, arrived quickly and beautifully packed. Highly recommended . Thanks Lee.

Jazz flats - amongst the best strings I have used in 36 years bass playing. Mine are 5+ years on G&L SB1. It/they just stay in tune, hot cold, in/out of case. Plenty of zing/bite/treble. Slapping / level42 no problem No fret wear unlike rotos on my EB2 (though modern frets are probably much harder). Thomastiks on my double bass not a happy experience. Loud yes, projection yes, but tension and finger wear too much. A bit pricey - maybe, but over 5+ years they are not.

Or is it just a matter of loosen the neck screws, tap the neck to close the gap and tighten screws again. Just like my 1970s precision which was badly setup from new. Without seeing the other side of the neck to see the fit we won't know. If they are letting basses out with poor setup its a shame.

I'm with warwickhunt on this one most of the way... 36 years ago HH 100w, 2x12, Vox AC50 1x15 34 years ago Marshall superlead, Hiwatt 100, acoustic 370 bass bin, 4x15 (what it was to be young and strong) 30 years ago Hiwatt 200 1x15 (homebuilt and I didn't blow the speaker) then at the time a good choice traded the Hiwatt (heavy) for a peavey 130W bass combo (lighter when I was younger). At that time you could not give Hiwatts away - how times change. Not a good decision with hindsight, I can't convince swmbo that a Maxwatt or Reeves 200 is now needed :! Peavey did gigs of up to 600+ with 150W PA support for vocals only for about 28 years. So now that speakers are much more efficient (I've just got one of Alex's big ones ) and PAs provide KWs what has changed that 5,6, 7, 1K watts bass rig is needed? Not being provocative or ironic here, just interested - its time to buy a new amp as the Peavey BW bass combo gave up - the glue on the speaker failed after 28 years & it has no secondhand value. (I have had my money from it after 28 years, 1000s of gigs, zero failures, I switched it on, it sounded excellent to OK depending on venue, it dealt with Fender, Gibson, Rickenbacker, John Birch, G&L, Double bass and Gibson ES175) Do I go for a Hartke LH1000 or a 1000W poweramp and pre or a Markbass or fire up the sound city 120 after a service? or what? aged and deaf (if these watts are needed) but liking lightweight gear

I did this move (addition) several years ago. Found a nice(? imho) solid top bass with ebony board for reasonable money & went ahead. Was able to set it up myself (and later told I had achieved a good low action when I had a pro setup). My Mistake - put spirachords on it - great projection, volume and tone however my fingers really suffered no matter how much I played. Changed strings to Corelli 370s (Bob Gollihur USA was best price at time) and never looked back - like playing a bigger precision bass - more of everything - expression, power, thump, air, string feel, size, finger tiredness!, feedback - proper double bass players no criticism please Pickups - I purchased a really cheap double piezo off ebay and its pretty good into a peavey bass combo. Ideally it needs a buffer but I can get away with turning it up. DB is nice, I enjoy playing it, its right in many contexts, it fills the car and you can get really physical with it. Go for it and enjoy!