franzbassist

I have an American Special, a 2012 honeyburst. The neck is [i]fantastic[/i] and it's a great all round bass. Weighs 8.5lb, great balance, beautifully put together, and the hand rubbed stain finish on the alder body gives it a lovely organic vibe. I've made a few mods: Dunlop straplocks, a mint green scratchplate, tug bar, and Hipshot Lollypop HB7 tuners. Really happy with how it's turned out. I posted these pics in another thread, but they're worth showing again

3mm did the job just perfect

Hi guys, sorry for making this such a big deal! The old p/g and the body both have holes drilled, but whoever did it obviously used too big a bit! Not a problem for the body, which was plugged and redrilled, but I want to make sure I get the new p/g holes correct. Thanks again for all assistance. Gareth

[quote name='gary mac' timestamp='1412147842' post='2566027'] Right, just removed the tug bar from my 75 to have a look. A 3/32" drill bit is what you want. In metric I think approx .8mm [/quote] Thank you!

Thanks, although I should have said the body's not the issue as the holes are already there... it's the new scratchplate that needs drillin'!

As above, what's the correct size drill bit to fit a tug bar?

[quote name='fretmeister' timestamp='1412076521' post='2565340'] A full sized Harp? [/quote] We like our harps in Wales. I played in a band with a lass who had a full fx pedal board under hers - sounded amazing when she kicked in the overdrive!

They're all looking far too smug for me, but yes, talent on the bass...

I've only ever used Picato nickels so can't comment on their steels, but I would imagine the smoother feel of nickels has a part to play.

I had a go on them at Guitar Guitar a while back. A decent, well-made cab. Have you seen [url="http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Ashdown_Neo_408_cabinet.html"]these[/url]?

Thanks for all the comments guys. Yes the bass has Lakland flats on it (made by GHS). Bit higher tension that the last set I had (black silks) , but fine for now. Really love the neck on this bass, it's very much like the early 70s necks (Slim "C" Shape, 9.5" radius, 1.625" nut), just perfect....

[quote name='Matt Golgotha' timestamp='1411217506' post='2557600'] After having lollypop tuners on by '69 Jazz for a long time I hunted down the Hipshots about 4 years ago for My midi bass build. Managed to get hold of one of their lollipop drop tuners too [/quote] Looking good! Yes, the HB2s have been around a while, but the HB7 versions are new.

Not sure how widely publicised these have been, but Hipshot are now making the HB7 tuner in a late 60s "lollypop" stylee

Picked this up recently and it is a [i]superb[/i] bass, the American Special 2012 version in honeyburst. Weighs 8.5lb, great balance, beautiful neck and the hand rubbed stain finish on the alder body gives it a lovely organic vibe. The body is three pieces and really resonant, sustain for days! I've put Dunlop straplocks and a tug bar, and just added Hipshot Lollypop HB7 tuners yesterday. Really happy with how it's turned out. I'd love another, to put a fretless neck on. Enjoy...

[quote name='Marc S' timestamp='1411043573' post='2555845'] Which brings me back to one of my original questions as to whether the Aria - having a small hollow body has some of the resonance of an acoustic?[/quote] You've probably seen these, but... This Aria has a hollow body (played by someone who doesn't appear to know what he's doing) [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvic5gVvpSI[/media] This one does not (played by someone who does appear to) [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtfBF7lgDRI[/media]

I just bought a set of flatwound strings from Neil. They were totally as described and the purchase was as smooth as the strings themselves (see what I did there?!) I wouldn't hesitate to deal with him again

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1410798553' post='2553286'] The bsx looks and sounds great but I've not played one so I'd be interested how it feels in comparison with a real DB? [/quote] [quote name='TheG' timestamp='1410825527' post='2553689'] The BSX Allegro (above video) looks interesting as well as it says it has a sound post and bass bar just like a Double Bass, so again even more of a resonant chamber. Ive not tried one though.[/quote] Tha advantage the BSX has over the Aria and NS ranges is that it's a proper acoustic body, just trimmed down, so you get that proper acoustic tone. It also has a neck and fingerboard that's much more ike a readl DB, thumb stop included. I'm persuading myself to keep mine as I write this!

[quote name='Marc S' timestamp='1410792239' post='2553168'] But would you say the aria was a good option, compared to the NS? Obviously, it's only an opinion - but it's good to hear the thoughts of as many players as possible [/quote] I am actually selling my BSX here on Basschat, as I've decided I don't play it enough to warrant keeping it, plus I'd prefer a 4 string. I will almost certainly be downsizing to an Aria.

[quote name='Marc S' timestamp='1410786826' post='2553084'] Thanks for that walbassist I assume the magnetic pickups on the Aria don't work with silver slaps though? I've got a set of Innovation Honey strings These have a nylon type core, but are metal wound So these should work with mag pickups, I assume? Cheers again Keep the thoughts coming folks.... [/quote] Correct, the Silver Slaps are piezo only, so the cheaper SWB Lite would be the logical choice Honeys should work, yes. I should add my main upright now is a BSX Allegro, which is far better than the Aria was. [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Re3pmUR6Oxs&list=UUD0IgAym2tXB_Ud2i7SFWBQ"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Re3pmUR6Oxs&list=UUD0IgAym2tXB_Ud2i7SFWBQ[/url]