gjones

Does Rickenbacker make any models overseas? I can't see any evidence that they do, so have to assume they don't. Trying to fight manufacturers in the far east making copies is a losing battle. They should do what Fender did and licence Rickenbackers to be made overseas. At least that way you get something from the thousands of copies made rather than nothing at all.

MBass cheap as chips http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ashdown-MiBass-Amplifier-550-Watts-and-Fits-Gig-Bag-Ex-Display-/150667520033#vi-content

No local pickup. Probably because they're in Malaysia.

[quote name='Dr.Dave' timestamp='1363087156' post='2008080'] Get something like a reliable , mid price job ( I use the GK MB series) that doesn;t break your back and transports easily - and have a holiday or some other life experience. with the rest of the grand. It's just a black box with knobs on whatever you get - sound is such a subjective thing anyway and the williams wouldn't know the difference between a hi fi sound that cost you a fortune and a kick in the nads. [/quote] I like your style Dr Dave

KiOgon and basskit_case are talking about the original MiBass 550, which is semi parametric. I have one as well and they tick all the boxes and are reasonably priced now the new version is out.

This looks handy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GoQDWVuCes

I think they're called ghost notes. I play them by just lifting my left hand off the fretboard slightly and and pick the string as you normally would with your right plucking finger. This produces a 'dunk' noise but you can't hear the note. It gives a rhythmic feel to the bassline. It's used a lot in funk and motown stuff. If you're playing Jamerson stuff with ghost notes it doesn't sound like beginners basslines to me?

I've refused to do a gig because of the past experience of the knuckle dragging clientele. Of course the band got a dep in and of course trouble flared, there was both a glassing and some other dude got a good beating with the heavy end of a pool cue. So the moral of my story is....... if you suspect there will be trouble just cancel. Gigging is supposed to be fun not a horrible ordeal.

I certainly have a much better idea of bass values than before I joined basschat. I play a game where I guess the asking price of basses in the marketplace (or the eventual selling price on ebay) and usually I'm within £50 one way or another. I can also tell when a bass is a bargain or overpriced. If antiques roadshow ever want somebody to price secondhand japanese Fender Jazzes, I'm their man!

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1363087410' post='2008086'] But, if you read the whole of that thread you linked to, it's still in dispute as to whether they actually are knots and whether they are the cause of the problem. [/quote] I've googled for possible links on warping due to knots in the wood and there seems to be quite a bit of evidence, from experts, to support that over time a weakness can develop at the point of the knot. The OP has also asked for advice from Talkbass and The Fender Forum too and there is some anecdotal stories of similar problems from other bassists and guitarists. I have an open mind about it now.

[quote name='chrismuzz' timestamp='1363054734' post='2007731'] I'm actually inclined to agree with the luthier. We all know about Fender's less than perfect QC.. And I have a neck on my first ever Peavey with a knot that looks very similar to this one around the 17th fret... Which is exactly where the frets begin to buzz! It was my uncle who pointed it out to me, who happens to have been playing bass for the last 40 odd years, AND is an extremely talented carpenter, so knows his way around a plank of wood! The issue could well be sorted with a fret dress and nothing more though! And with a bit of luck there will be no more drying out / moving by the wood, [/quote] You know........you may be right? I've been reading this and the guy in question took it to two repair guys and both concluded it was the knot that caused the problem [url="http://forums.fender.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=55505&start=15"]http://forums.fender...=55505&start=15[/url] Good old Fender QC.

[quote name='drTStingray' timestamp='1363049701' post='2007713'] ANyone know if the OP got his Fender CS fixed yet? [/quote] He sold it to the guy that told him the neck was knackered.for a fiver and a packet of fags.

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1363025303' post='2007194'] But they aren't the full set. [/quote] Those are the ones I knicked from Haimsey and put on my facebook page to show the perils of smoking.

[quote name='mckendrick' timestamp='1362923587' post='2006206'] Damn! How did this happen? Only just seen this. I'd love to have seen those pix. Come back haimsey, come back! [/quote] [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1362932450' post='2006362'] What? When? How? Where? How many melons were used? Aw, I want to see the filthy bass pics! [/quote] Psssst....wanna see sum dirty pictures! Before [attachment=129646:63226_10151559426852292_1399185415_n.jpg] After [attachment=129647:426458_10151559427797292_1735710044_n.jpg]

Glad you're back. By the way the pay hasn't got any better in the last 23 years (just in case you were wondering).

I usually have a good sense of rhythm but when things get messy one thing that helps, and makes me tighter with a drummer or drum machine, is to tap my foot to the beat. I don't usually do it (I know many others do) but when it's a difficult rhythm or a drum machine, which is difficult to hear clearly live, it makes things easier. I know it seems simple but it's very effective.

[quote name='skankdelvar' timestamp='1362929570' post='2006307'] Don't mistake this guy for a martyr - he's a self-obsessed intellectual pygmy with nothing to offer the seeker of truth. He is a Judas. He is a liar. He's watching this debate now and he's got one hand inside his trousers. [color=#ffffff].[/color] [/quote] I think you're right. The troll is laughing maniacally at the fact we're still talking about him, even though he's f***ed off long ago. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrWxPUSJoeg

[quote name='tedmanzie' timestamp='1362927302' post='2006263'] gjones - when you say two fingers is easier, what do you mean? more fluent? less stress on one finger? i don't mind working on two finger as long as i can understand the long term benefits [/quote] It's easier to play fast fluent basslines with two fingers. I play a lot of fast octaves which is difficult if you're only using one finger. A lot of the time I'll just use one finger for simpler stuff but it's good to have the option.

Welcome to basschat I like the music.

I notice he has 'Temp banned (TOS Violation)' under his name. Has he pissed Talkbass off too?

James Jamerson used one finger. He called it 'the hook'. So it can be done. It's just a lot easier if you persist at using both fingers. You'll get it eventually. This guy is showing Jamersons technique . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsWlkamlqH4

Music is all about 'feel' not perfection. If the performance and feel of a track is good it doesn't matter if the actual playing is a bit sloppy. The quest for perfection can sometimes result in sterile and soulless music. It's called the human touch.

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1362856307' post='2005467'] I'm slightly confused. Were there 81 guitars all hanging from a rope in a living room full of smokers? [/quote] I have seen smelly guitars before, damaged by years of gigging in smokey pubs. But this does look quite extreme. My theory is that it was caused by smoke damage from a fire rather than chain smoking Rastafarians. But however it got into this state, I have to say it's a lovely restoration job.

[quote name='haimesy' timestamp='1362852030' post='2005391'] Thought this might interest some of you , I picked up this bass from a local music shop who had bought a number of guitars and basses in an estate sale , the story goes they were in a room where it appears some heavy cigarette smoking had been going on for i assume 20 to 30 years. The pics that follow should maybe go on the back of a cigarette packet as a warning message. I took a punt and bought it , having never attempted any of my own repairs in over 20 years of playing bass , it was i little risky...But my god what fun it was bringing this lovely bass back to life. It was a grim cleaning process in the kitchen [understanding wife you know] The bass stank up the place and so did the turps , t cut and any product i thought might clean it , also the bass was actually sticky..Almost finished now ...Hope you like , here are just a few of the pics i took ..John Thanks to BCer Kevin Lindsay for all the amazing Fender advice..Top man [/quote] Aha.....an enthusiastic smoker and guitarist, from Edinburgh, has just told me that 'Guitar Guitar' got a hold of 81 smoke damaged guitars all in the same state (but different vintages). Would that be the shop you got this one?

Now are you sure it's not smoke damage from a fire? I mean that would take some HEAVY, HEAVY smoking.......rastafarians maybe?