daz

I have just returned from two glorious weeks of sun in sunny Torbay. I was holidaying with my parents and we rented a large apartment flat in a quiet 'suburb' of Torbay, known as Babbacombe.(where my White [i]George Cox[/i] brothel creepers caused quite a [i]stir[/i] in some of the quieter bars ) I already knew that our elderly landlord and his wife were living below, so i knew that a bass guitar was not going to be exactly appreciated, but i was determined to take my bass and keep on practicing. So i sneaked it into the car without even my little practice combo and zoomed off in the middle of the night leaving my parents to make there own leisurely way down on the train, which they prefer.( As would I, if we didnt need to have the car whilst down there) When we got there we were greeted by the owners, all smiles and pleasantries and before we could unload the car she was taking us around the flat, showing us every switch and button. So after we eventually were left to unpack I made sure there had been no sightings of them for a good 10 minutes before i swiftly darted out of the car with bass in hand and up the stars into the wardrobe in ten seconds flat. So every day, as per usual i would take out the bass and have a little practice and noodle to myself, with no chance of anyone else further away than 30 feet away hearing me, even with a window open. I must admit i was certainly very glad to actually be able to hear my bass when i got back. I had in desperation sometimes found myself pressing my ear to the body of the bass to hear it properly (try it) The strange this was that after i had returned, I'm sure that there had been a small but definite improvement in my technique. Two riffs in particular that had left me all fingers & thumbs were now coming easily to me. This left me pondering if a break of amplification had actually been in any way responsible for this improvement, or was it just co-incidental ? What do others think ?

I must also add, by 'Bass' i mean a [i]four stringed instrument[/i], not a six or even a five(barely passable) . Less is more, and more is four. Any more just looks wrong, sort of, you know, guitarish .

[quote name='Golchen' post='866642' date='Jun 13 2010, 11:59 PM']Oh surprise, another bash the guitarists thread. Such insecurity here. I go to loads of different instrument forums, and bass players are the ONLY ones with a permanent chip on their shoulder. So, I'm a guitarist who also plays other instruments. I've been told that I play bass like a bassist and that's good enough for me. I'm outta here ....[/quote] Is quite possible some bass players do have a chip on their shoulder. But then they are constantly hearing know nothing guitarists and even non musicians spouting about how any guitar player could pick up a bass and master it in an hour.

Half way down this[url="http://www.21frets.com/squier_jv/serialnumbersanddates.htm"]JV serial numbers[/url] at the serial number [b]JV076xx[/b] page it says "Squier logo sanded" ? whats that about ? Admitidly its is a strat not a P bass but still something of interest dontcha think?. also they all seem to be Japanese.

Here is the gist of the reply i got off the guy selling the bass. "As far as I was concerned this bass according to the official Fender website is a genuine 1982 - 1984 with no logo sanded off. Surely there would be the name 'Squier' printed on the headstock as well as a logo." I dont know enough about Fender or Squier bass guitars made in Japan to comment. (hint )

i just messaged him and asked about the squier logo sanded off.

I looked out of the window yesterday to see some guy in a blue van with one of those fuzzy boom microphones on the pavement outside our house. Has some music hating (loving?) neighbour rat finked me out the environmental mob? I wouldnt mind but as i dont live on my own and we are semi detached it cant exactly have it loud! Anyway i am pretty sure it was the guy 2 doors down, he'd love to get me for something. Wot a snobby sneak :snob:

[quote name='4 Strings' post='838413' date='May 15 2010, 08:37 PM']A leather scratchplate, great idea! Here's the pics I promised (very poor pics I'm afraid, couldn't get the camera to work so had to use a video on still mode), I doubt the words will be to all tastes but, that's the point of bespoke isn't it? Must admit wasn't keen on too much fancy stuff and under the straplocks there are special 11mm holes, not the usual slits. All for £21.[/quote] That looks like a single length strap that cant be adjusted for size. Does he not do the other trype with the buckle and strap device? Do you need to specify this when ordering? Also you say you got it for £21, but on ebay the guy sells them for £25 + £3 postage?

[quote name='thisnameistaken' post='840711' date='May 18 2010, 12:05 PM']Do you know I've actually given up chocolate hob-nobs because I've put on two stone since I quit smoking. It's a miserable life as an ex-smoker. [/quote] Dont wory after 12 or 15 years you barely crave a smoke at all.

Today i got a [url="http://surfpick.com/"]Lignum Vitae picks[/url] in the mail. I heard about them and decided to give one a try. Has anyone else any experience of this rare hardwearing wood? Its actually used to make bearings from, it so hard. But the trick is it also has a pungent oil impregnated throughout. Anyone here used any themselves ? Here is the Winkpedia page that explains the hardness test that puts this wood right at the top. [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janka_hardness_test"]Lignum Vitae - Janka hardness test[/url] Interestingly it puts [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basswood"]basswood[/url] (the stuff many modern guitars are made of) right down the bottom with Balsa. Basswood[b][size=4]*[/size][/b] trees are generally called lime or Linden in Britain and linden or basswood in North America. Not trying to be a knowall. I'll admit I didnt know this till I looked it up and Wiki either. I have no connection with that website. Scouts honour. Anyway apparently its against USA law to export that wood out of the country! Got mine from a place called stringsdirect, and im not affiliated with them either. [b][size=4]*[/size][/b] [b]Not[/b] Pronounced "Basewood". Bass in this case is pronounced like the fish and to rhyme with Lass

I think this is a UK site for Lollar pups. Very expensive, I'd love to hear a test and see if they're worth it. [url="http://guitar-xperience.com/onlinestore/index.php?page=shop.browse&category_id=158&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=38"]charlie chandlers guitar xperience[/url] They do some nice looking 50s P bass pickups. (dont you just hate it when you see a thumbnail image with 'View of full sized image' then when you click it you get the same tiny thumbnail in a huge box!)

Im in Chester and would love to give one a whirl. cheers. Daz

Mini solid brass Gamelan. (The[i] Gendèr[/i], specifically)

Arggh I hate headless basses they look like someone sat on them and snapped the headstock off I have not been over to Holland for several years, though I love Amsterdam. What a beautiful city with all its different buildings and great historic architecture. I used to hire a bike for the week and spend the monings just cyling around the city, getting to know all its interesting nooks and canal bridges. Great people too, never met a native 'Dammer who couldnt speak English, unlike us lazy English who rarely learn a foreign language. Welcome onboard.

why dont you have a mess around in Photoshop or sumsuch, then you can try any colour or pattern of pick cover you can think of. First off take a good quality pic of the Fender to base it on, then try any colour or pattern. There are a few different methods to do this in Photoshop, or if you dont have that maybe someone could suggest a free or time limited programme ? (Is Paintshop Pro still going anyone know ?)

I remember that track on Top of the pops, waaaaaaay back when.

[quote name='Johnston' post='837550' date='May 14 2010, 07:43 PM']Personally I blame you. It is a bit strange. I know when I asked in my local dealer they said fender were short in stock and they were waiting on more coming in before putting in a stock order. I wonder if the new stock in Europe has included with a new price too. OR Maybe it's because of the Tories [/quote] Aha i think you have found the link. Tories in Downing Street = Bass Guitars up in price. No doubt to fund their tax cuts for the super rich.

[quote name='Johnston' post='837483' date='May 14 2010, 06:42 PM']Dawsons had the '50s CV for £229 the other week £299 now Any one know the reasons why. thats what a nearly 30% increase.[/quote] Wow that is a hefty increase, didnt know any of the range had gone up that much. Maybe Fender have finaly started to realize what a little gem they have been selling so cheap.?

Im happy and puzzled to say I am 47 and got all the way to 20KHz very faint though, nothing at all at 21 or 22 though.

Probably been mentioned before but i have noticed price increases in the Squier CV range in several places including the place i got mine. It Was £286 now £300, several other Squiers have gone up as well. ie: The James Johnston JBass now £350

Been meaning to ask for ages but kept forgeting. Why do so many bass straps come with bootlace type devices on the end of them. To what purpose?

Viewed the greatest rock movie ever again [url="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088258/"][b]This is Spinal Tap[/b][/url] last night (bought the tripple DVD 25th anniversarry edition from HMV £8!) Call me a fool but i never noticed before the song Big Bottom is performed with three basses. Well four really to be accurate as the groups regular Bass player Derek Smalls plays a double neck bass. Wot a fule I am, not noticing Davidl St Hubbins and Nigel Tufnel also wielding bass guitars. :blush: