4 Strings

I notice on the diagrams the treble pot should be 1M Ohm and the bass 100k Ohm. It may be worth checking those installed have the correct value (can't quite see from the photos). Incorrect values would give the effect you describe. (I'd be surprised, though, as the board looks unmolested - unlikely that EB got the installation wrong) If they are the correct values, a quick spray with contact cleaner may help.

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1468625656' post='3092302'] She played on two of my favourite records. Bass on River Deep, Mountain High and guitar on You've Lost That Loving Feeling. [/quote] Do we know she was on River Deep? No reason to doubt it, just curious. Iconic song and vocal performance (my mum bought it when it came out as she couldn't believe anyone could give the singing so much commitment! She bought few records.) The bass, like all the instruments - including the 8(?) pianos - is actually quite difficult to distinguish and, I would suggest, a written line.

Hope you have deep pockets: http://www.wdmusic.co.uk/pickguards-c62/musicman-c198/ernie-ball-stingray-4-string-bass-c199/stingray-bass-matte-black-p3674

Been playing for many, many years, don't know anyone who's had any gear stolen from a car. Struggling to recall anyone who's had anything stolen.

[quote name='4stringslow' timestamp='1467220959' post='3082075'] How could the insurance company ever know if the stolen item was covered up or not? Or, perhaps more importantly, how could a theft victim ever prove to the insurance company that the item was covered up? [/quote] Good point, I suppose photos. Never really thought about, just leave the cover in the car and pull it across. If it was down to me to prove it was covered before they pay out, probably find that I have no useful insurance. It's up for renewal (along with the public liability insurance) so I'll ask.

Unless they rip the tail gate off, pretty difficult to get anything out a window anyway. Any nudge of the car and the alarm goes loopy. Our gear insurance is simple, if it's covered, it's covered. Have a barge of an estate to get loads of stuff in and carry around a blanket sort of thing which I can pass over it all to cover it up. Our insurance is then (apparently) at work if its covered out of sight. Sometimes leaving gear in the car is unavoidable, (services stations and cafes en-route, having just arrived at a venue and getting organised etc) but, if there's the opportunity, my bass comes out.

Fab - I love the 'school' note!

[quote name='chrisanthony1211' timestamp='1461093777' post='3031466'] Big thumbs up for the pyramid golds, they are my new favourite flat, a few hours of playing and the G string has settled down nicely, they're quite a mellow string, I love the tension, they really seem to have got that bang on, these are quite expensive so I would hope they would be good, and they will stay on my bass for quite some time. I love TI flats, and will probably stick them on another bass at sometime in the future, but I think the tension and low end thump of the pyramids win out for me. I'm sure these will just get better and better. [/quote] Sounds encouraging! (I wonder why they are so expensive though?)

If you can play with people better than yourself, you'll be on a wonderfully steep learning curve and will benefit no end. I love the challenge of being in this position, learn not to keep making excuses (other musicians generally have us sussed in 30 seconds anyway) and get on with it. Other musos are generally as helpful as can be. By all means keep things simple as has been suggested but, if you want to improve, keep at it. You'll be all the better for it!

[quote name='chrisanthony1211' timestamp='1460789965' post='3028701'] Put on my new Pyramid Golds yesterday, straight out the packet the G seems a little lively, but I'm sure that will bed down nicely over the next week or so, other than that these strings are beautiful, very smooth, and great tension, not as high tension as a lot of flats, and not as floppy as my other favourite flats TI's, but a very nice balance. They sound earthy and thumpy with sing song highs, they could well be my new favourite flats, although they are a little prices, you get what you pay for! [/quote] Let us know how they bed in