rhythmbug

Thanks that was perfect!

Just recently complete a long return trip from Australia with my Stingray 5. Route: Brisbane - Fiji - LA - London. Airlines: Fiji Airways, Air New Zealand. I took it on board as cabin luggage in a soft case, but unbolted the neck first and folded the excess part of the bag over so the case was shorter in length (about 180mm shorter). Fiji Airways showed no concern when asking for permission, but Air NZ were hesitant and told me it would depend how full the flight was and that only the staff in LA could confirm. When I arrived in LA, I kept a low profile and asked no further questions. While at the gate, the gate staff repeatedly announced over loudspeaker the 7kg and 118cm overall lineal centimetre limits. I was worried they would collar me upon boarding due to the size (I'm sure it was bigger). But they said nothing. Bass made it aboard, not a penny extra paid in oversize luggage or flight cases. The fees for oversize luggage were heavy for these flights. The neck will take a few days to settle back into shape. For a one off transit exercise I feel it was worth it, but nonetheless a bit risky and stressful as you are at the mercy of the gate and cabin staff. My Stingray and I have been apart for over 7 years so I'm stoked to be re-united!

Apologies if this has been covered before, I'm looking for any advice or recent experiences of those who have attempted to take their bass as carry on luggage in a gig bag. I'm flying from Brisbane to London via Nadi and LA with Fiji Airways and then Air NZ. I've seen guys with guitars on flights before but not basses, just concerned about the extra length. Worst case I could unbolt the neck and fold down the gig bag? Curious to know how check in staff will react. Cheers mike

Ady bought my Delano pups. Friendly bloke and smooth sale no messing about. Thanks mate

Chrome bumpers belong on cars, not basses. First thing I did to my P bass was rip all that gunk off, after admiring it for 15 minutes.

Little point keeping them if they're not seeing any use or hold [b]high [/b]sentimental value. I've been a 5 stringer most of my days. Only 4 string is a P bass, which I feel is irreplaceable for vintage tones. I've not heard good things about Fender 5 strings, but never played one.

Oops just saw the previous post, Maplins it is!

Thanks guys, makes sense. I got bum steered by someone who said surgical spirits is the equivalent of isopropyl alcohol. Evidently it is not! Does anyone use isopropyl and if so, where can it be bought? Cheers

[quote name='gary mac' timestamp='1382695626' post='2255476'] I fancied trying something different on one of my P basses and had an amazon voucher, so I've just ordered a set of D'addario Pro Steels. Cost about £15 with postage. [/quote] I too just ordered a set of Prosteels for my P bass. For me, Dr Lo Riders and Rotosounds disappointed me. Good sound but just too rough for my fingers. Horrible for doing slidy / bendy / vibrato stuff, felt like sandpaper. The Rotos deadened pretty fast, the DRs lasted a good while, at least. I'm all about steels that DON'T kill your fingers and knacker your ability, personally. But I do have thin fingers, they're probably better for blokes with proper beefy mits.

[quote name='gjones' timestamp='1382987344' post='2258879'] He does now. [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Luxury-Suede-Leather-Guitar-Strap/190939592088?_trksid=p2047675.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222002%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D11%26meid%3D2307942820305623771%26pid%3D100011%26prg%3D1005%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D5%26sd%3D190875549598%26"]http://www.ebay.co.u...190875549598%26[/url] [/quote] Good man. Can't go wrong with 12 quid. Sold.

So I stumbled onto this soaking with meths technique. Bought a few bottles of Surgical Spirit from Sainsburys and left my strings to soak for 24 hours in a round container. Took them out this evening, bunged them in the oven for 5 mins to dry them off and restrung the bass. Result - strings sound dead as doorknob, knackered. Ok I wasn't expecting a miracle but to significantly more dead than originally, now that's odd. Could it be I used the wrong type of fluid? I don't understand how using a pipe could give a good result but using a container worsens them. Any scientists in the building?

[quote name='Conan' timestamp='1382620600' post='2254504'] Was that a drum machine on your Soundcloud tracks? Wow! I'm impressed. That's a great drum sound! [/quote] Yeah, I used Addictive Drums, it's fantastic. It was out of necessity, disastrous experiences with other drummers. I dunno about the rest of the UK but good drummers seem very hard to come by in London, but that's another thread!

[quote name='chriswareham' timestamp='1382534334' post='2253292'] That track's the dogs doodads - if Primus are in a similar vein I'll have to check them out! [/quote] Not really, Primus are more funk orientated, check them out if you like experimental (and weird) alternative heavy rock/funk fusion. Claypool is one of the most creative and innovative bassists in the alternative music scene, some of his tones have been stuck in my head for years, I guess this one came through subliminally. Thanks for the kind words guys, glad you dig the song! I'm not a flashy player though, wouldn't compare my ability to anyone even close to someone like Claypool. One thing we do have in common though, we both started out on drum machines! I'm still stuck on that one though..

Sorry to hear about the damage. I had this happen with a Citilink courier and it was through a corporate account. They claim up to £100 compensation right? I got paid out £55 for significant paintwork damage that warranted an entire respray. I decided to pocket the cash and do a minor DIY repair and just live with it, fortunately it looks kinda cool and heck it's only a MIM Fender, but if it were an expensive bass I'd be mighty peeved. Lesson learnt, collect wherever possible if it's an expensive one or send in multiple layers of corrugated cardboard / polyfoam plus the box and a preferably inside a hard case. Mine was sent in it's original box from Fender and the bass wrapped in bubblewrap, not strong enough to withstand transit shenanigans.

Spector noob here guys, apologies for the thread hijack but seeking a bit of advice from experienced Spector players. I've been toying with the idea of replacing my EMG loaded Corvette with a 5er that growls equally (or even more) but that is warmer in the upper register. The 'vette sounds great on the B/E/A strings but D/G sound thin & weak and get lost in the mix. I'm contending with heavy Mesa/Marshall driven Les Paul with tonnes of low end and guts. My precision performs much better in that regard. I've arrived at either a Euro 5LX or a NS-5H2 as a possible contender. So in summary, will one of these growl like a caged animal on the low strings and retains some warmth in the upper register? Any advice? Cheers Mike

Blimey, that's pulling out all the stops alright, glad I asked the question. And the issue with the leather strap pulling on your shirt sounds annoying, but it seems a lot of people must put up with it? I can't play with a jacket on, I'd sweat like a horse. For years I've just accepted the body imbalance but finally decided I've had enough. I'm not talking about my wife either (if I had one that is).

Vicious tune mate, and that's some fine bass work! Towards the end there you've got another farmyard animal like tone that I can't quite verbalise. Great stuff...mooo!!

Stumbled across this thread while looking for solutions for the neck dive on my Corvette. Seller no longer appears to have anything for sale. Any idea who else might sell this strap, or a good alternative?

Alrighty then, the demo track is done. Cow bass at 3:57 mins. Another bass nerd item of interest, twin bass (lead and rhythm) at 2:32 mins. Wasn't my intention but my guitarist didn't learn the part in time [url="https://soundcloud.com/loscrujientes/room-3"]https://soundcloud.c...ujientes/room-3[/url]