paul h

I'm going to start a UPS thread. Lets get those buggers in here to explain things!

[quote name='funkle' post='1265496' date='Jun 11 2011, 11:03 PM']Cool - how'd you go about that?[/quote] I found this place [url="http://www.monteallums.com/enut_tuning.html#ensupp"]http://www.monteallums.com/enut_tuning.html#ensupp[/url] which supplies a zero fret. Basically an oversized fret without a tang that you file/sand down to size. I went for a height just between the top of my first fret and the bottom of my nut slots. Then file the nut grooves down so the strings sit on the zero fret. Then you put the zero fret up against the nut, tune up, set your intonation and bob's your uncle!

I just ordered a small, non electrical part from the US. Postage cost me $4.50 and it arrived in a jiffy bag in about a week.

[quote name='Machines' post='1265402' date='Jun 11 2011, 09:31 PM']I've just approved a validating account for Ken Smith, expect a response in the near future.[/quote] :buys extra popcorn and beer:

I think you've done very well. I have to be honest the only thing that keeps TRB gas at bay for me is the gold hardware but it's still a great bass!

I love it! The bass and your return! (4StringFortress buys new bass. Wife/girlfriend/parents/friends just don't get it. Solution? Basschat!)

+1 for a Yamaha BB615 or BB415.

[quote name='funkle' post='1265113' date='Jun 11 2011, 05:02 PM']BUmp for an old thread. I've a MTD Kingston Saratoga on the way - I'll stick up some pics and a review when I get it. Pete[/quote] Ooh, exciting! I have just added a zero fret to my bass to stop me GASing over a Saratoga! I had an old Kingston years ago and it was the best playing bass I have ever owned. Damn Youtube videos giving me gas!

I think there is a scientific reason. I just don't know what it is. However I do know that there are micro-tonal notes that work within scales. So I imagine what you have noticed is occasionally when playing slightly flat, you may be near to a relevant micro-tonal note. This is of course all guess work based on the fact that blues guitarists make use of certain micro-tonal bends all the time. Please ignore me. I have no idea.

It's here...and it's on! It was one hell of a jumbo fret so it took quite a bit of work to get it down to size. I compromised and filed/sanded/polished it down to a height slightly between the height of my first fret and the bottom of the nut slots. My nut wasn't actually cut low enough anyway so playability at the first fret is much improved. Intonation is most probably improved although I can't categorically state that. It's fine now but I didn't do a before test and I have never noticed bad intonation before. I put the zero fret in flush against the nut and I am sure I could have improved things by playing with the angle of it. The tone is nice and even over the open strings and the lower action by the nut feels great. However, the main reason I did this was so I can move on from my zero fret obsession without buying a new bass. So even in that respect alone, it's a massive success! A quick £9 mod has just save me a bundle.

Every single one of them worth more than my car!

0. I'm just a blagger I'm afraid. I learn the song (ish) and then make it up as I go along.

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' post='1260490' date='Jun 7 2011, 11:06 PM']I couldnt be in a band with that guy! you should make him do a blind test IMO and from another thread I am now equipped with a hat made from tortillia so bring it on [/quote] [quote name='lemmywinks' post='1260983' date='Jun 8 2011, 11:33 AM'][/quote] We A/B'd some cables together a couple of rehearsals ago. He's right. The difference in tone is very similar to the difference between new/old strings.

[quote name='Alec' post='1259604' date='Jun 7 2011, 12:59 PM']And, as we've said so many times before, the main benefits of decent cable are resilience & flexibility. The main benefits of decent connectors are reliability, strength, and ease of termination. The Neutrik/VDC combination hits this target head on. Other quality cables/connectors can also fine, but by following certain brands, you know it's going to be OK.[/quote] Slightly tangential but my guitarist doesn't like the sound of my Neutrik/VDC cables. They have less top end than his cable of choice. (Dunno what that is.) They also have less top than my Planet Waves cable. I however prefer them for that same reason. (Am I about to get lambasted now?)

Okay, so IMHO if he doesn't mind if it's a bit weighty, and if he is handy enough to do his own set ups and any minor mods that maybe needed it's worth a punt for £100.

I had a Shine 6 string which was a really good bass. Great tone and really low action. It was incredibly heavy though and the nut was apparently made out of butter.

I played terribly in the first set but recovered somewhat for the second. Crowd was a bit apathetic for most of it until Sex On Fire which got the whole place singing and dancing as usual. Bit of a meh gig really.

Premature post for tonight's gig. I have just swapped my skinny nickels for a set of heavier steels. My fingers were pretty sore after last week's rehearsal so I'm hoping I get through tonight without too much pain. The highlight for me tonight will be Kelly Osbourne's version of Papa Don't Preach!

Just bought one. £9.10 including shipping. :excited:

@Count Bassy: I think you're right. This seems to be pretty much a a jumbo fret without the tang. And as you say, it's probably worth a punt for the money. @ThomBassmonkey: I have only played a couple of Sandbergs but they both played great.

Obsessive? Me? The thing is they are less than $10 and only require a small mod to the existing nut. I think will probably have to get one so I can at least try it and move on! p.s. Ok, hands up, who didn't actually look at the link? Hahaha.

I have been a little bit obsessed with zero frets ever since I owned a MTD Kingston for a year or so. It was the best playing bass I have ever played by far. I just didn't like the sound so it had to go. Now I fully understand that just because that one was great it doesn't mean another zero fret bass would be as good. However I can't move on with my life until I have another zero fret bass! So after a quick google I found this... [url="http://www.monteallums.com/enut_tuning.html#ensupp"]http://www.monteallums.com/enut_tuning.html#ensupp[/url] Has anybody had any experience of this or something similar? I can't make up my mind about it. I know the Buzz Feiten system brings the nut closer to the bridge but does it really move as much as just sticking an extra fret in? Is it going to nark up my intonation? Thoughts appreciated. P.