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@Happy Jack has a few weird ones, but I'd say this is the most notable... 😎

I was severely reprimanded by the Rickenwaffen for the use of the words Clank Plank.

How ridiculous. I've just posted an ad for one of my own basses and then found myself gassing for it! My mother had me tested and the doctor said I was sane but I'm not so sure.

I’ve only bought one bass related thing this year. A very nice JMJ Mustang. Definitely a Best not Worst purchase. Short scales are a riot and really seem to work for me. I thought I hated relics, flats and signature basses but I’ll make an exception for this one. Reliced player and bass pictured.

Buy it! Buy it! Buy it! Make yourself a low ball offer, you never know, your resolve might break! But not too low, otherwise you’ll start a thread about cheapskates and you’ll have to out yourself. 🤪

Sorry I'll start 1988 Vigier passion - bought as an empty chassis and with added Basstec pickups, Marleaux 3 band pre, Roland GK pickup and assignable knob + up/down buttons. I've had it eleven years now ❤️ I showed it to Patrice Vigier at a bass show a few years ago and he said 'thank you for looking after her' which was nice.

Yes, but you can still play it on bass. I've got the tab somewhere.

Do some research on the seller before you buy - just to make sure you know what you are getting into.

At the risk of sounding like blowing ones own on the most popular of bass forums, I bring you some news (which means a great, great deal to me) that I hope you will be pleased to read. I am super happy to have been invited on board and have joined the brilliant team over at Bass Guitar Magazine. To begin with I will be bringing you a column each month best described by BGM's editor in a recent social media post: "At the recent UK Guitar Show, a reader of Bass Guitar mag suggested that I run a monthly column devoted to solving bass players' problems, gear-related rather than connected to personal grooming or relationships, I should add. "A capital idea!" I said, and pondered who the right hack would be. Ideally someone who knows bass gear inside out, is an experienced writer, has the right facial hair and whose picture in the mag won't scare cows at 100 paces. I'm delighted to announce that the great Dan Veall is the chap who got the gig: you can read his first column on 10 Dec in Bass Guitar and 24 Dec in Bass Player. Round of applause for new bug Dan, team! "

I'd like to think this isn't something you'd forget in a hurry: Ot this:

If you are referring to this one... then yeah.

Thanks Andy - I just love it when you talk dirty 😄

And we have a neck! Looks decent And certainly it is the right length and the right number of frets Quite a bit to do on it in terms of reshaping the profile, sorting the headstock shape etc, etc, but at least I can now also start to finalise the bridge and scratchplate shape and positioning too.

There is, but one size doesn't fit all. I always adjust and set up my basses to what feels right to me, and I'd advise anyone else do the same. As mentioned, adjust the height of each saddle with a small Allen key so the string is at a height over the fret board that is right for you. Then you need to intonate each string which is done by turning each screw at the back of the bridge, once the string is in tune, then press down at the 12th fret, then adjust the saddle a little forward or backward until the string is in tune both open and at the 12th fret. Then you're done. 😃

Hello folks, I have been playing sandberg and been a sandberg artist now for a while and have tried a few pick up variations in them. I have an Ida signature 4 and 5, and TM and VM 4 and 5’s. I get my Ida last and it’s the first time I tried the black labels and they blew me away. The Delano’s or the sandberg bid pole piece are good pick ups IMO. They are paired with the Glockenlang design sandberg pre amps. I will agree with them being more “hi fi” but I would not say dead. There is a certain sterility and glassiness to the sound on one level but loads of “punch” and authority and you can sit in a good place in the mix. However, I agree with Cuzzie, the Black labels are something else! Amazing pick ups. I have changed all mine to Black labels. For me they are the perfect balance of everything I want from a pick up. It has transformed my Basses. So much so that I get random folks and bass players alike asking me how I get my tone and commenting on how great my Basses sound. I have been playing the same bases for ages and all that changed is the pickups. Contact sandberg direct for where to buy them. The folks there are very helpful. I have played and used many pickups and combinations over the years in many Basses. DiMarzio’s (all of them), Hausell (P and MM), MEC, Seymour Duncan (various), Nordstrand (various), Aguilar (MM, P and J), Delano’s, Bartolini and all the stock fender/Musicman (the list goes on) and pre amp combos from all those companies. My target sound is punchy, clear from low to high, authoritative, leaning around 7 on the scale if vintage is 1 and modern is 10, and strong so here my favourite 3 pickups from each category that help me achieve that sound: P bass: Dimarzio Will Power, Sandberg black label, Seymour QP Jazz Bass: Dimarzio Ultra Jazz, Aguilar hum cancelling, Sandberg black labels MM: Sandberg black labels, Nordstrand BBM, Delano FE Pre amp: Sandberg Glock designed, Aguilar OBP 1,2 or 3, Sadowsky so basically, out of all the pick ups I have tried I Highly recommend the black labels. In combination with the sand/glock pre amp you have a versatility but most of all a really solid and satisfying bass tone straight out of the box. These are a triumph in the bass pick up world and I think if more people tried them they would go straight to the top of their list as well. And at a cost of around 90 euro per pickup they are a steal. happy hunting

Well that went well, bought myself a Stingray bass yesterday. Still, it’s not 2020 yet.......

the long unawaited Landfill Indie revival has just begun

Sorry I'm late, came as quick as I could but regrettably I'm subject to the same laws of time and space as mere mortals! Antoria's a UK-specific brand which has been around for a while, and has changed hands a number of times - at the time these basses were made it was owned by J. T. Coppock Ltd, in Leeds. Oddly, despite being identical to the Ibanez range, Antorias were priced significantly lower. As has already been said, they were made by Fujigen, and the serial number dates the new one to September 1977. These basses were identical to their Ibanez-branded counterparts and share the same model number - 2365B - which was a factory designation. Despite the differences both Antoria basses have the same model number. I've never been hands-on with a later bass like the '77 but I'd expect the older one to have a body made from mahogany butcher-block, (like @ead's appears to be) with front & back veneers, possibly birch. I wouldn't be surprised if the later bass was the same. Does the older bass have normal J type pickups, or are they 8-pole chrome units like these? The Gibson type nut and large chrome truss cover are early features, so I'd expect the older style of pickup - it's thought these were used because the basses pre-date the existence of accurate Jazz pickup copies - and they were intended to be hidden under chrome covers anyway. This is a '73 Fujigen bass - not entirely sure what the original brand was as I bought it sans neck. These pickups will usually have date codes stamped on the backs, which give a very accurate guide to the instrument's age. The neck on this was from an Antoria - the logo had been removed but the wood where it had been was paler so it was just about legible. The neck is much later than the body, as can be seen from the correct nut type and heel-end truss adjustment - however it was a perfect fit, even the screw holes aligning properly. Regarding the lawsuit question, if we're going to be anal about it (which some might accuse me of, although I cannot imagine why!) technically neither of them are. The only instruments the term really applies to are Ibanez-branded Gibson copies featuring an "open book" headstock profile, since that was the trademarked feature that Norlin (Gibson's then parent company) threatened Elger Hoshino (US arm of Hoshino Gakki Ten, owner of the Ibanez brand) with legal action over. I say "threatened", as no action took place, since Norlin started proceedings in June 1977, presumably unaware that Hoshino/Ibanez had stopped using the infringing design the previous year. It's quite reasonable to refer to them as "lawsuit era" but most nerdy MIJ geeks prefer "copy era".

Dood's 7-string Shuker.

Here's my back up, I've also used it as my first choice on a number of occasions as it has a really nice tone and plenty of oomph. It's the only white BX5 that I have come across too.

I’m fairly sure these 2 are known to be mine.... I’d like to think so anyway. Both one offs.

Everything about that photo is right

Here's mine.

It’s nice to think that if it ever got stolen the thief would be hounded for the rest of his life by a nationwide clan of sweaty hefty bass players 👍🏼 He’d end up sealed inside some old Trace cabinet in some damp rehearsal room. Probably.

I think this is probably key.

Mine. A 1996 series III 5-string. Still as good as new! Those stainless frets seem to last forever! Still sporting the Kahler bridge, Benedetti single coils and the original Quasi parametric EQ.

Just don't mention Rick's to him!

If you're happy with the relief then basically drop each string until you feel comfortable - everyone likes a different amount of 'clank' or 'buzz' so it's all about feel, if you ask me - I certainly wouldn't go by any numbers or measurements.

It looks like the next batch of cabinet kits will be ready next week. I'll be in touch with everyone as soon as I have a firm date. In the meantime, I've put together a pack containing all the screws, machine screws, t-nuts, washers etc. that builders will need. This will save you having to order them from different sources and ensure that you have the correct types.

Yeah? Whatcha want? My Little Ponies - got 'em all, mate. How many you need?

I think we need to start a new thread ‘BEST LYRICS YOU'VE HEARD ON AN INSTRUMENTAL TRACK’ .........😀

I know, it winds them up something chronic. Love it it's almost as much fun as baiting the 'Raygestapo on the SBMM forums.

John Cage - 4'33''

Any AC/DC set list.

Calling @binky_bass with the rabbit on the fretboard!

Look what Bob's Decals made me:

I'm very sensitive to bass setup. On every bass I've had I try to get a pretty much flat neck (no relief) and seriously low action. If the bass can't do that, I can't get used to it and move it on. Series 2 Vigier basses are built to be almost flat whereas the series 3 with the 10/90 neck have a touch more as preferred by most players. I find it a tad too much so I did find the lack of adjustability an issue but then again the fact that they don't move is also a huge strength. As a result I think companies like Modulus and Status added rods to give the customer the belief that they could in fact adjust the relief to there preference, although adding truss rod arguably has sound and rigidity implications which go against the whole idea in the first place. I love the way Vigier stay making what they believe in and concentrate on delivering super high quality idiosyncratic basses. They've obviously expanded the range to cater for those who can't live without a jazz -ish shaped bass but there core range remains steadfastly individual and awesome.

None - I collect Care Bears instead! Gaaaaargh! How is it even possible that I've run out of TLRTs AGAIN!?!?!?!?!

@Teebs wow thanks for those pics it sure looks tasty 😁 @dave_bass5 what you said right there at the last sentence was a enlightenment to me, I think I should not worry about the multi-piece neck, body-stringing, etc. thanks for your words of wisdom @chris_b thanks. For learning purpose, Does changing the bridge will make the screw holes loose its thread?

Rebuild complete! New additions are the loop station, meatbox and thumpinator (underside) The meatbox is on a paralell loop through the LS2 so I can add it to any patch when I feel like it. This took a serious amount of pedal tetris to achieve. It's my most dense/power hungry board to date for sure. In- meatbox (dry) - fea comp - es8 (all loops) - LS2 (+meatbox wet) - loop station - microthumpinator - out

Simple Minds - Waterfront

Nothing exciting, and certainly not worthy of a photo...but Gotoh string tree and bronze nut fitted. The nut in particular is quite lovely and very nicely finished. The nut necessitated very, very carefully opening up the slot on the fingerboard by 0.5mm to fit, and it was so snug it took a few taps with a plastic mallet to get it properly seated. Nevertheless, a little bit of Loctite dabbed in place with a cocktail stick was also deployed. Control panel, locking strap nuts (Dunlop style) and strings and she'll be done. Mulling whether or not to go for bridge and pickup covers too, but I'll wait until everything else is done so I can eyeball the finished product and make the decision then.

Somebody said the "R" word!!!!

Reportage? Nah. I'm minded to sod off for another six months and leave you all in suspenders... Of course there will be a full breakdown and clinical report.

I've decided to have a go at building a rack myself, based on this one I've seen on ebay. Built a single guitar one as a practice run this morning out of cheap timber. Looks and works OK, so will choose some better wood and build a 5/6'r to fit in the space where my 3 guitar rack sits. It's a bit of a tight fit but hopefully it'll be fine.