3below

String spacing at bridge (too narrow) was the terminator of my short lived 5 string experience. As mentioned, 'try before you buy'.

After 43 yrs playing I can still have times when it is as if I have never played the bass before. I have reached a point where I can usually play well enough to enjoy playing in a band. I will never be the next Jaco (or whoever) but it keeps me happy. Do you gain enjoyment from bass playing? HOw good do you want to be in view of the time available, commitments you have and potential rewards available?

Many, many years ago saw a Band Called O / The O band in Hereford. Really good live so some time later bought some LPs. OK, but not a patch on the live performance.

[quote name='Truckstop' timestamp='1454952346' post='2974559'] ......Because of the weight of the flight case, you won't be able to carry it if you come across soft ground which means you'll need to take it out of the case, leave the case in the car and then dick about putting it all back in at the end of the night. Padded covers are cheaper, they fold away, are lighter, just as smart and offer enough protection. [/quote] [quote name='4stringslow' timestamp='1454955403' post='2974599'] Flight cases may well protect your gear but have you seen the damage they can inflict on cars, vans, doors, walls and anything they come into contact with? That may not be a problem, but it should be a consideration. [/quote] Even with a van you will need a loading ramp. So, unless you are a professional touring bassist with road crew and suitable transport the reasons why not are above.

The low tension is a 'strange thing' I play with a heavy touch and have found TIs to be excellent on all of my basses except one. This covers 30", 32" and 34" scale lengths. They are flexible but I do not suffer fret buzz, my basses are typically 3mm at 12th fret. Buy them s/h to try, about £20 to £25 when they appear. They seem to last forever, I have one set running at about 8 years now.

[quote name='BassBod' timestamp='1454615324' post='2971414'] Great pickups too.. [/quote] +1 on the bass I fitted them to. Plenty of reviews about.

As suggested by RhysP Might be one of these [url="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_STRAT"]https://en.wikipedia.../wiki/The_STRAT[/url] More info and helpful pics [url="http://www.guitar-list.com/fender/electric-guitars/fender-strat-cbs-models-1980-83"]http://www.guitar-li...-models-1980-83[/url] I have x3 late 80s very early 90s USA standards (Strats / Tele) and they are all very good in terms of fit and finish, one is an outstanding guitar to play, one is good and the other is just ok (somehow it does not inspire me).

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]The active tone control Mk IV amps can in some cases be noisy. There are answers to this on the Internet, varying degrees of success are reported. You may get lucky and have a 'quiet' one, I have no issues with mine. Internal build quality is variable, some are very neat (approaching Hiwatt standards) others less so. [/font][/color][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] You will not lack volume with one of these. A cheap enough L120 can be rebuilt with the Hiwatt pre amp at a fraction of current Hiwatt prices.[/font][/color]

Have wondered what the 'lifetime' of forum members is, or perhaps the 1/2 life, time for posting rate to halve? I wonder if is a 'constant' over all forums.

[quote name='Beer of the Bass' timestamp='1453666332' post='2961608'] ... I guess my point is that it doesn't make sense to assess instruments in terms of a binary "does this bass have a dead spot, Yes/No?" approach. It would make more sense to ask "Is the dead spot on this bass in a place that bothers me?". ..... [/quote] A very good take on the issue. Just to confuse the matter, my G&L SB1 (somewhat Fender like) suffered the opposite problem, G string 7th fret D massively louder than any other notes. Cured by a setup and not using strings with a single core over the saddles (I forget what they are called, seemed like a good idea at the time). TI flats or Chromes every time for me, YMMV.

What will the 'conversion' cost. There are many seriously good value fretless basses or fretted for conversion (diy) about at the moment. As with others in the thread, if you have a really good fretted bass, keep it that way. Find something else that 'does not matter' or get a fretless neck e.g. mighty mite to try.

Yes please, at some point I need to leave the boonies of Mid Wales, locate one of these and play it. Wallet might even open

In my peak (a long time ago in so many aspects) 70+ gigs per year plus weekly rehearsal. This lasted for about 4 years. One bass, Gibson EB2 (£80, circa 1975, seems unbelievable now ). It even fell off the strap and the headstock stayed on. Built my own flight case as they were not readily available (and I was 16 and broke). Not in my peak - as in now, OMG 9/10? basses of which two are main players. Gigs - hmmmmm not many. Accumulating basses is another worry. As per casapete, I have this strange need / want to get another Warwick Corvette. Why? I have one, it is my first choice bass at the moment, it does what it should and very well IMO. Why do I feel the need for another?

Fender Flats or Pyramids? what is the bass btw?

As above, no visible cracks, splits. They would usually radiate from the screw holes or rarely along a grain like the ones in your first photograph. I go with the HowieBass and AndyTravis on this. Is just marks from a hanger.

[quote name='stevebasshead' timestamp='1451681248' post='2942480'] Could be a torn speaker, or a cone coming away from the surround maybe. Does it do it at all volumes and on all notes/worse on some more than others? [/quote] Check the two 'duff' speakers for signs of this - they can be repaired (if you are lucky). I destroyed a peavey BW speaker with cone detaching from surround - failed to really recognise the issue before damage done, lesson learned. I did get 25 yrs out of it though

Plenty of good advice in the thread, It could be worth contacting Alex to see if the glue used is waterproof and to see what he suggests.

[quote name='3below' timestamp='1450709787' post='2935056'] Result and at a fraction of the Warwick cost. [/quote] Satisfying self plagiarism Am pleased it has worked out well.

This hurts, it hurts very much, it reminds me why Mid Wales is not a good place to live at times. What is a Cash Converters? I am told there is one some 32 miles from where I live. I think you should donate the aforementioned equipment to the rural poor at a significant loss to yourself, thus helping reduce the rural poverty imbalance. They are a bargain with capital B

Hope this brings stability keep us informed on what happens.

[quote name='Dan Dare' timestamp='1451831219' post='2943756'] For a quality instrument like that, get it resprayed professionally. Stripping to bare wood can be difficult. The tough finishes some makers use resists all chemicals and has to be removed with a blow lamp (I know. I've done it. Takes for ever). [/quote] +1 This. Better and easier to get another colour put on top. This was done by Fender at various times on production basses.

Sansamp VT deluxe and at the other price range Joyo JF-14 American pedal. The Joyo is incredibly good for DI recording, more so for the price. I think it outperforms my Sans Amp Tri-Ac on the equivalent 'Blackface' setting.

[quote name='Pbassred' timestamp='1451768464' post='2943332'] You still don't want 2 X 4ohm cabs in parallel. (buuzzzzert poof!) [/quote] So I do not really want / need the full power my amp is capable of delivering at 2 ohms? (I have my fingers crossed behind my back as I type this)

[quote name='alyctes' timestamp='1451747309' post='2943042'] Not the same problem, if I read you right. It wasn't the silks that were the problem; the actual round wire which the string is made of was the problem, because of the angle the E string makes where it goes through the bridge. [/quote] You read me right, a different problem (similar to the Gibson 3 point bridge silks/windings over saddle problem). Agree with you on great tone, my bass has great clarity and 'just plays itself'.