KiOgon

Fitted today -` custom Black Pearl pickguard from Howard - 'that's nice'

Howard is a star - a scholar & a gent. Custom pickguard for my '51 P bass made & delivered in a flash! It doesn't get better than this, thanks Howard, a real pleasure to deal with you. Cheers, John

Good job GW - looks sweet & comfy Cheers, John

[quote name='Grand Wazoo' post='823643' date='Apr 30 2010, 02:29 AM']You won't believe this, geezer, but I have used some double sided tape and spent the last hour trying lots of different positions [b][font="Century Gothic"][size=1][i](oohh matron!! )[/i][/size][/font][/b] and when I have found the one that is most comfortable for me, I came back here to show the pictures and noticed your post showing that the position you have fitted yours is exactly the same I have found to be the most comfortable!! What a coincidence It doesn't get in the way of slapping and it allows you to pluck the E string without knocking your fingers against the thumb rest. look!! [/quote] Great minds - - - it must be comfortable 'cos I fitted my '51P bass first, then did the same process of 'where's it best' on my Frank Bello & ended up in almost exactly the same place. One word -(several actually)- of advice when drilling the holes, mark the spots on a piece of masking tape on the pickguard & drill a small (1.5mm) pilot hole through just into the wood. Remove the pickguard & open up the hole in the pickguard to a screw clearance size, (probably 3mm). Enlarge the body drilling to a suitable size for the screws to get a grip, (probably 2mm) then open up the start of that hole, like a countersink, with a 3.5 or 4mm just twisted in your fingers, just to take the finish away from the edge of the hole, it stops cracks in the laquer forming when you fit the screws. Before re-fitting the pickguard make sure the holes in that are de-burred so it doesn't scratch anywhere. HTH, John

I fitted mine where it feels right for me & my playing style - it's also from Guy Lewis, Maple single hole, aged my way [attachment=48629:__51_P_bass_008.jpg]

[quote name='oldslapper' post='823280' date='Apr 29 2010, 06:40 PM']Lovely job John! Can you build me a bass for £65?? plz?? gwan! [/quote] Cheers John - I'd be delighted to, do you know where there's some cheap bits going?

Completed:

Most of my time was spent on the neck; filling all the old holes, re-shaping the head, sanding, re drilling for new machine heads & 6 bolt fitting. Then re-varnishing, polishing, tidying the frets & cleaning the finger board with Lemon oil. The new machine heads were supplied with the neck, thanks John - oldslapper, but the screws that came with were rubbish so I used real Fender screws. The lovely P bass knobs were a freebie from Ou7shined thanks Rich & the thumbrest another gimme from Voxpop thanks Marc. I have a gold scratchplate (oldslapper) & gold screws courtesy of Dood - thanks Dan, not fitted yet, thought I'd try the original white for a start. I fitted a set of 'run in' flats of my '51P & set the bridge 'as low as it goes', when it's settled I may need to tweek the truss rod but at the moment it's fine with strings up 2.5mm @ 7th, 3 @ 12th & 3.5 @ 20th frets. I like it a tad lower but I'm happy with for now. The bridge would benefit from some shorter adjusting screws, I will investigate, does anyone know what bridge that is BTW? It's surprisingly good to play, plenty of output from the pup, no nasty noises & a good P tone. I set out to build a 'budget bass' & I reckon I've achieved that, total cost was £65 - thanks to a few freebies & bits I had - yes I could have got something for less off thebay, but where's the fun in that? At least I know this is put together & setup right I've enjoyed the build, ended up with another fretted bass which wasn't my plan but hey, when a fretless neck comes my way Comments welcome Edit: Picture limit exceeded - continued next post.

Nice one Doc I thought I was GAS free - now I've had a bad attack of G&L GAS, bu55er Here's Randy in 2002 maybe?

The *Headline Act* I got the Vintage P bass neck from oldslapper (cheers mate) & weren't too sure about the head shape So after filling the old screw holes, spot the vertical one! A lot of deliberation, a bit of pencil work, a few minutes with my coping saw & a while with sandpaper - we have More to follow, Cheers, John Edit; Pictures 4 & 7 removed.

John AKA oldslapper = great guy to deal with & a true gent I got a bargain P neck with tuners & a pickgaurd from John, both were well packed & posted as promised, exactly as advertised, very pleased with the deal. Shame the PO didn't deliver when they should have - I had to go to the collection office & prise the neck from them! All I have to do now is talk him into selling me his mini 48 cab Cheers John, a pleasure to do business with, John (There's a lot of us about)

[quote name='skankdelvar' post='816831' date='Apr 23 2010, 11:45 PM']Do a deal with the Bass Doc. Leo Fender shook the Doc's hand - the Doc's hand touches [i]your[/i] scratchplate - instant Mojo and £100 on the value of the bass. [/quote] Cheers skank - it's already happening

[quote name='oldslapper' post='815749' date='Apr 23 2010, 08:38 AM']For those that can make it. I've gone ahead and booked a venue/date as it seemed the only way to get a bash "going". If I'm there by myself, I'll win all the raffles prizes..! 11th July 2-5 p.m In Shaftesbury. Map link below. Shaftesbury Christian Centre, Christies Lane, Shaftesbury SP7 8PH Venue is free (Big low ceiling hall), free parking, free tea & coffee in a nice coffee bar area, bogs, Tesco over the road, nice pubs in town and Gold Hill is worth a visit. [url="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=SP7+8PH&hl=en&ei=6kvRS9CNOJeTjAeFwKHBBA&vps=2&jsv=230b&sll=51.008435,-2.189405&sspn=0.006295,0.006295&ie=UTF8&view=map&geocode=FZdSCgMdOpTe_w&split=0&iwloc=A&ved=0CBIQpQY&sa=X"]http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=SP7+8PH&am...BIQpQY&sa=X[/url] Not exclusive to Dorset dwellers, just easier to call it a Dorset bash as there was some debate as to whether Shaftesbury could be called South West Will get a local luthier to come along for some "set up", general guitar care advice and a drummer for a "jam" (ACM graduate). Be nice to give both some dosh for their time, so maybe a small contribution from those that attend? I'll attempt to extract some goodies from music retailers for a raffle in aid of basschat. If anyone is coming that works in shops around and about the dorset/wilts/somerset/hants area please feel free to badger the owners for some freebies. If you could let me know who's able to come, then I can make a list and have an idea of numbers. Bring your gear (the weird and the wonderful) and your plectrums/fingers and we'll have some fun, should be a grin. John[/quote] I'd like to - but google maps makes it 143 miles & 3.5 hours from me - so I'm a frayed knot this time Have a great time all that attend - send us a postcard Cheers, John

[quote name='BurritoBass' post='815450' date='Apr 22 2010, 08:52 PM']I've bought a few on EBay. Does it have to be UK? I've had several imported from the USA & they only take a few days[/quote] I often get strings & odds from the states with no problems, thought I might be able to save a few bucks getting one closer to home! [quote name='Platypus' post='815453' date='Apr 22 2010, 08:56 PM']Sims Custom Shop will do you a custom one: [url="http://www.simscustom.com/html/00pickguards.htm"]http://www.simscustom.com/html/00pickguards.htm[/url][/quote] Thanks for the link - they seem expensive - I'll ask for a quote when I decide exactly what I want. [quote name='The Bass Doc' post='815471' date='Apr 22 2010, 09:06 PM']I have been known to make 'one-offs' - anything in particular you're after?[/quote] That sounds like the best offer I've had I'm fancying the 'Black Abalone' as in the ebay link, maybe a little more black than that particular one if that makes sense? The Sims Black Pearl I suppose is closest & yes it's for my '51 P ri MIJ. Cheers all for the replies, John

Does anyone know where to get custom pick-guards in this country? Something like this: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220577921635&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT"]Nice pick-guard[/url] Cheers, John

A big positive for Marc, he helped me out & sent a thumbrest - no charge - just a donation to the basschat fund. Great guy, very helpful, good communication & delivery as promised, 10/10 Cheers, John

[quote name='silentbob' post='814323' date='Apr 21 2010, 09:31 PM']Hi, doing a cheap(ish) p-bass rebuild myself and was interested to know weather the wiring was re-soldered as you found it, or did you reposition any of the wires/capacitor, as the wiring on my p-bass seems to be totally different. Thanks, Rob.[/quote] Hi Rob, Re-soldered as was, nothing changed but the brown wire soldered to the copper foil is my addition. I haven't got a neck yet, so not able to try it with strings but seems to work OK. How different can your's be? If mine doesn't sound right I'll probably try this: [url="http://support.fender.com/diagrams/basses/0190115C/SD0190115CPg2.pdf"]Fender '57 P bass[/url] which I think the only difference is the way the cap is wired in. Good luck, John

One of the many great guys here, I put a wanted ad for some P bass knobs & Rich came to the rescue, posted them straight away & was happy for me to send a donation to the forum funds, no payment required. I'd be very happy to return the favour if the occasion arises, it's the little things that make this such a fantastic place. Cheers Rich = great guy, nice knobs ! John

Chris bought a Speakon cable from me, great communication & instant payment, super guy to deal with. Cheers, John

[quote name='Grand Wazoo' post='813987' date='Apr 21 2010, 05:33 PM']Ok, I think now we can put the matter to rest as Mr. Anonimous has read this message and made the correct amends, as per the message below: Thank You, Anonimous That means a whole lot to me. Enjoy the rest of the week. Cheers Fran ------------------------ Matter is now put right, let's close the book on this one. Cheers[/quote] Everybody loves a happy ending - nice one Mr Anonymous - 3 cheers - - -

It may not suit everyone but I reckon the Ashdown Little Bastard is superb. Exactly that old school valve sound I was looking for that you just can't get out of solid state IMO. It's so straightforward, no need messing with tones, effects, emulators, pods, pedals or whatever, set the controls to 12 o'clock - plug in & play. The 'Bass Shift' switch is all you need to go from old school to modern. Cheers, John

[quote name='Paul S' post='813619' date='Apr 21 2010, 11:48 AM']Personally I think it is all the more important to show gratitude if it is a gift. 'Do as you would be done by' and all that. I believe the feedback thing is great - one of the many HUGE plus points of Basschat is that it really is a community and I feel I can deal with pretty well anyone without feeling anxious about the outcome.[/quote] As above ^^ I'm still a newcomer here & agree with just about all the comments on this so far, it's just bad manners - I was dragged up proper like - politeness & manners cost nothing but speak a fortune about an individual's character IMHO. I know I'm one of the *old's kool* (best pun on words I've seen for ages) but it's not an age thing although I have to admit the general lack of manners & common decency is perhaps a sign of the times. The forum community spirit is great here, I've already benefited from the generosity of a few members & in return have happily sent small donations to help keep this place running - for every sale I've made + for every 'gift' received. Feedback matters too, especially to encourage new members + just about everybody uses ebay these days & it has sort of become a way of at least making a superficial judgment on a complete stranger! Cheers all, John (Grumpy old gits rule OK)

[quote name='wateroftyne' post='811801' date='Apr 19 2010, 08:23 PM']Apparently they've just changed, and some of the lines are now rebranded D'Addario Chromes.[/quote] I have a set of the 'New' Flats (in the Black/Green pack) 9050ML Stainless I bought because they were cheap + on next day delivery when I was in a hurry Most often I get GHS strings from the USA, 1/2 the price they are here, but that takes a week or so without Iceland's fallout! Anyway the Fenders felt a little 'edgy' at first but soon settled in & now I'm very pleased with them on my Frank Bello, it's got great P bass sounds on the neck pup & a real J growl on the bridge, (high output passive SD 1/4lbs). They feel mid-range tension wise, not floppy or stiff, (Goldilocks moment), just right There's no markings on the pack/inner bag other than Fender & Made in USA. Cheers, John