4 Strings

Looking at the pics of yours, gafbass, it looks like a two piece neck too, just back from the headstock, is that a slanted joint?

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1337809345' post='1665957'] for an electric instrument like electric bass or guitar i have a feeling the distinction is immaterial to an extent. [/quote] Ouch! Not sure many would agree with that, but certainly for mass produced stuff like Fenders the blur will need some discussing.

Originals sort of fan here, gritty, non matching cab stacks, Musicmaster bass etc, was exactly where I was at at the time. Rockin' All Over the World was the end for me. Be great if they played the old rocker songs (Most of the Time, Big Fat Mama etc)

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1337801012' post='1665756'] so many mexicans! [/quote] Its been a long time soap box of mine that your Fender will be made by machines and Mexican people regardless of which of the two Western factories it is made. No reason why a Mexican will do a worse job of their production activity than anyone else. Not sure where the line is drawn between 'luthier' and skilled or semi skilled production line operator.

Definitely yes. If I was just playing for myself maybe that scooped Marcus Miller sort of sound would be satisfying and flattering or a nice Jaco 'powp'. However neither is going to work in any band I'm (mostly soul and Motown) which generally needs a fair bit or wallop at the bottom but with plenty of mids so I can hear, not just feel, what notes I'm playing. The down side is, for a muck about during a warm up, flats and a warm tone doesn't sound so impressive. Until the band chime in, that is.

Sold an Aria SB600 which was beautiful, no real regrets though but I had traded a '73 Fender Precision + money for that. In hindsight a pretty poor move but at the time I was happy. Biggest regret is an old Hiwatt, one of the plated Sound City amps by Dave Reeves. It was definitely an ex-Townshend amp but found that out after I was happy to let it go for £70 (what I paid for it). How things have changed in both cases!

How long did Alex give for a delivery time? (I was very fortunate, he had the Compact in stock and completed the Midget in time for me to pick it all up.)

You're fortunate to have such deep pockets. Mine two cabs are out more than once a week so I'm feeling it will be justified in a couple of years! It'll be a long 2 months!

Wow, go for it dude! What made you choose in the end?

Goodness, that's laborious even mechanised. Watching a similar job done by hand at the Fender factory is way quicker. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHdQLaoDOoU from 2.30 on

[quote name='lettsguitars' timestamp='1337683256' post='1663815'] Correcto. A lot of big names use wood that was cut the day before (exaggeration). All of my timber is air dried. [/quote] This is my theory on the 'roast' effect on some Musicman necks. A quick dry method being marketed as a super finish.

[quote name='lettsguitars' timestamp='1337681037' post='1663751'] When you're fretting a note you are also holding the wood itself which at most points will deaden the vibrations (resonance). Holding the neck at the 5th fret for example will allow the wood to vibrate, 4th fret, dead. [/quote] Don't quite get what you mean with this, could you elaborate, please? Also it happens even if you just press on your finger rather than squeeze from behind in the normal way.

[quote name='Warwick_Official' timestamp='1337680289' post='1663731'] Warwick necks made in Germany are contructed of multiple laminates, selected by hand, to insure the grain runs like this: \\\|||/// Its done for stability, and as an added bonus looks nice when carved. The Rockbass and Pro Series use a multi-laminate neck made of maple with ekanga veneers...again, for stability and to prevent twisting. [/quote] Funny how, with all this effort, their prices compare with Fender necks. Bet you don't get dead spots on Warwicks.

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1337680237' post='1663728'] That grain pattern would have been singled out for criticism if the bass had been reviewed by Stephen Delft in IM in the 70s. You rarely saw anything other than completely straight and close as far a grain patterns go on the neck of any good quality bass made before the late 70s. [/quote] Here you go, this was my original question. So things HAVE changed?

Like you I would also fail a blind test of that nature and would challenge anyone to consistently pass such a test. However, you can do a blind test with dead spots. I can offer two basses (both maple necks, made by guess who?) one will give you a shortened sustain on 'C' on the 'G' string while vibrating on your belly (which I would say was fairly typical of this well known maker of maple necks), the other will sustain and vibrate (resonate?) far less noticeably. The second has the graphite rods. My old Jaydee has a mahogany sandwich neck and has no dead spots. (How could I tell if it is quarter sawn? Can I assume that being a sandwich that it isn't?) (Just by way of other resonance type experiences I find most basses really go on the 'B' on the bottom 'E' string!)

[quote name='gsgbass' timestamp='1337648066' post='1663524'] What ever Maple, and the cut Fender used on my 2012 Am. Std. Jazz, they made a good choice. The sound is great. [/quote] Great example, thanks, see all that figuring in the headstock? My 2006 Jazz has that, so does my old Squier. Older Fender necks I have and my (also old!) Stingray neck have little or none of this. I would add that my Jazz has the separate maple finger board and this piece of wood has very little. All could be coincidence, of course, but does a 'better' bit of wood get chosen to work as the fingerboard?

[quote name='skankdelvar' timestamp='1337616872' post='1662862'] If your mate is Mr Radcliffe, I saw his Feelgoods outfit supporting Wilko last year. Fantastic gig and outstanding work by the band. Mr R channelled Brilleaux while projecting his own presence and personality. I'd pay good money to see them again with a longer set. And - whisper it softly - the bass player blew Norm away (S[i]ensation! Cries of "How can this be?"[/i]). Lovely tone, fluid yet solid as the proverbial. [/quote] How can this be?

[quote name='BRANCINI' timestamp='1337533771' post='1661531'] Love that version, and the pier one ( going back home video). Sparko' s very underrated I reckon. There aint a right and wrong way though is there ? Norman plays it on the 3rd fret and that sounds good as well. [/quote] Sparko is playing like a Quo style rhythm guitarist.