dos dedos

[url="http://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/"]http://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/[/url] is good for bits & bobs (cheap P+P)

Squier - Some quite unexpectedly improved equipment, recently

[attachment=45152:custombass.gif]
Precision body & neck (plus a bridge J pickup)
Scratchplate: somewhere between a Tele Deluxe and a Marcus Miller Jazz
Headstock: Gibson Victory

Kinda looks like a Peavey Zodiac with all the ugly pointyness removed

[quote name='4 Strings' post='778517' date='Mar 18 2010, 01:13 PM']A solution would be to put another strap button into the back of the bass 3-4 inches from the end of the body to shift the centre of balance to the right, if you don't mind making a little hole in the back of your bass.[/quote]
Interesting! I'd never thought about moving the button to the [i]back[/i] of the bass before. I've considered shifting it further along the edge (ie. to the left, when the bass is upright), but to me it'd look unbalanced and kinda ugly - yes, I'm shallow! ^_^ The main reason I switched to my current bass was for the colour and the painted headstock

Wow, this could be useful for me in the near future. Thanks for the info! ^_^

Look, no hands! ^_^
[attachment=44960:newstrap.jpg]

So I bought [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/UK-MADE-2-75-WIDE-BIG-SOFTEE-REAL-LEATHER-GUITAR-STRAP_W0QQitemZ350278734646QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Guitar_Accessories?hash=item518e3d5336"]one of these straps[/url]...

[b]Pros:[/b]
[list]
[*] Holds the neck up at a better angle
[*] Comfy on the shoulder
[*] Smells of leather
[/list][b]Cons:[/b]
[list]
[*] Neck angle could be [i]slightly[/i] higher
[*] Pulls at clothing on shoulder - I expected this, and it's not too bad unless I wear something loose
[*] Difficult to use with [url="http://www.jimdunlop.com/index.php?page=products/pip&id=142&pmh=products/accessories"]cheapo strap locks[/url] due to thickness
[/list]Overall it's a success; it hasn't [i]solved[/i] the problem, but it's a definite improvement for a small price. Thanks to bartelby for the recommendation

(Btw, the maximum length is about 51", which is ok for me but might not be enough for taller folks!)

[quote name='Mog' post='768624' date='Mar 8 2010, 10:36 PM']How does the P special sound BTW? was looking at one in vintage cherry with considerable GAS on Saturday.[/quote]
Not sure how well I can answer this, since I've never played anything better to compare it against! The P pickup gives me a nice fat tone for the classics, and the J is hollow enough for indie-type stuff. Sounds good to me!

Modulus did a purple metallic Flea bass but
a ) they don't make them anymore, and
b ) they were probably more than £300

So, uh... that probably wasn't very helpful really! ^_^

The Smiths - This Charming Man

[quote name='MIJ-VI' post='767510' date='Mar 8 2010, 04:42 AM']OP, try tethering one strap end to the headstock just behind the nut acoustic guitar style.[/quote]
What's the opposite of neck dive? Neck [i]jump[/i]? Cos that's what happened when I tried this .
The strap doesn't have any weight pulling it onto my left shoulder, so it slithers down my back and I end up with the bass almost vertical - the body by my knees and the headstock a couple of inches from my face!

My plan is to get one of the leather straps that bartelby recommended; I'll report back when I have results

[quote name='discreet' post='767298' date='Mar 7 2010, 08:57 PM']Also, PFD (Pixellated Face Disease) can lead to FBP (Full Body Pixellation) if not treated promptly. [/quote]
Oh god it's spreading, help meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee...

(That's me, honest )

[quote name='bartelby' post='767306' date='Mar 7 2010, 09:06 PM']I had the same problem but switched to [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/UK-MADE-2-75-WIDE-BIG-SOFTEE-REAL-LEATHER-GUITAR-STRAP_W0QQitemZ350278734646QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Guitar_Accessories?hash=item518e3d5336"]one of these[/url] and it's not been an issue since.[/quote]
Looks comfy, thanks! Is that kinda suede-y underneath?

Thanks for the advice Buzz!
I quite fancied one of these [url="http://www.monocase.com/mono-straps.asp"]ridiculously-cushioned, armchair-like straps[/url] but they're backed with slippery neoprene which is the [i]last[/i] thing I need. I'll see if I can hunt down a nice strip of cow to sling the bass from instead.
[quote name='Buzz' post='767293' date='Mar 7 2010, 08:51 PM']You are a tiny person.[/quote]
There goes my self-esteem... I'll have you know I'm five foot eight AND A HALF!

Hi folks! I wonder if you can help me with a little problem?
As I understand it, my fretting hand shouldn't be supporting any of the weight of the neck.
This is the playing position that feels comfortable to me:
[attachment=44365:bass1.jpg]
And here's what happens when I let go:
[attachment=44366:bass2.jpg]
It's not a [i]massive[/i] problem; I don't have to hold the neck up [i]much[/i], but supporting the weight still makes my left hand much less mobile and so affects my playing. Am I making a fuss about nothing?

If I shorten or lengthen the strap as much as possible, it doesn't really help - the bass still wants to "settle" in that near-horizontal position, and in addition it makes the playing angle more awkward for both hands. The strap I'm using is a fairly slippery nylon job; I thought maybe if I picked up a leather one with a rougher back it might keep the neck up a bit better by stopping the strap sliding over my left shoulder. Does this sound like a good idea?

And finally, is this generally what happens with a Precision shape, or is this one just poorly balanced because it's a cheapo Squier?