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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.

Just to complete the set lol

Some old ones I had then sold on - the Passion 4 (above) has seen them ALL off - I got lucky the first time round! Passion 5 Series III - Not really a five string player, didn't do it justice Passion series 3 'Delta Metal' fretless - beautiful, realised I can't play fretless Arpege series 1 fretless five - great idea; I'm not a five string payer or a fretless player... I wonder how I'll be on a five string fretless? Arpege series 2 - amazing bass, sold to buy my dream bass. Couldn't quite get the action right somehow Passion series 2 - again couldn't quite get the action as good as my '88

You mean this one @ped Sorry but I can't remember who bought it.

Without blowing their trumpets for them (oooer Matron) but many of @Andyjr1515 and @Jabba_the_gut builds are instantly recognisable as their creations. I would say that both of my @Andyjr1515 creations (The Psilos and The Silk Bass) are known as mine along with my "Green Machine" Overwater. In fact,the ACG Harlot SC, now with Frank Blank, is equally well known though it has been own by several BCers.

I have a habit, when playing something that is frankly boring, to transpose the whole thing up to 12th and beyond. But I've got to be very bored playing it and very very confident that I can play it once I've moved.

Don't get fooled if you have big hands, someone can help you.

Like Hooky says, there can be but you don't need to follow it. You'll probably find that naturally yours will follow the profile anyway but for example I like my G string REALLY low and the D slightly higher so it's not uniform gam under each string (for me).

If the neck is straight and doesn't need adjusting, just lower the saddles on the bridge. It is really that easy. Just find a screwdriver that fits. If you lower a string too much, then raise it. Generally with setting up a bass, if you do something wrong then you can always undo it. Some people are very set on a having a certain 'set' action height that they prefer, and take measurements when setting up. There are obviously benefits to this, however I do mine by feel, as some of my basses sound better with a higher action than others. If the action feels right 'in hand' then that is all I need.

12 replies and no one has posted this emoji? Surely BC is slipping. Let me rectify the situation...

Well I've had a fairly busy year buying and selling gear this year, however I can't really tell you much about the stuff I've bought as it's not turned up 🤣 The first thing I bought was a Limelight 1960 fretless Fender Jazz. This was back in April and told about 12 - 16 weeks. However, a few issues along the way, mostly CITES and it's still not here. However, Mark has been great and I believe it's not far off now. The second thing is a maple fretless neck for my natural Fender FSR 70 Precision. It's going to be a replica of the one Sting used to play. Told it would be 6 - 8 weeks so sent the bass off back in July and still not got it back yet. I've also just bought a Stagg Deluxe EUB. Paid and got email confirmation from the shop and now nothing. Need to contact them tomorrow to find out what's going on. So at this rate, I might get 2 new basses and an electric double bass for Christmas 🤣😂 Of the things I have got, they have all been ace. I got a Barefaced Two10 from Chris on here and it has simply been brilliant. Such a loud, clean, punchy, lightweight cab. I also bought an Ampeg PF500 for a stupid £150 and I really love this amp head. I've never had an Ampeg and just wanted to scratch that itch and I love it to pieces. It sounds incredible through my Barefaced Two10. I also bought an Ashdown CT15 valve head and Ashdowm Mi 1x10 cab just to play through at home and again, it sounds amazing and looks so hot. So my two new rigs are great so that's a start.

Worse! How could it be any worse? Rickenbacker Rickenbacker Rickenbacker

I am immensely grateful to Ms beabadoobee for having taken such trouble to release this song. It is very easy to evaluate one's like or dislike for a piece of music but far more difficult to quantify one's indifference. She Plays Bass will in future be the yardstick against which I shall compare my apathy towards other releases. I shall ask myself: 'Does (song X) provoke a greater or smaller amount of crushing ennui than She Plays Bass? Is it more or less mediocre?' and the answer will be either 'Yes' or 'No'. To be gifted that sort of mental clarity is to receive a priceless boon.