Leaderboard

And the neck is on! The edges of the holes will be tidied up, but everything fits and the neck is on nice and tight. So now I can position the bridge. This needs to be at the correct scale length and also line up with the neck and - preferably - the pickup poles. I threaded a couple of 'test strings' through the back and loosely over the tuners, then positioned at the 1st fret with a capo. This allowed me to position the bridge until it was all lined up and mark the hole positions: So bridge holes drilled and bridge fixed. It's not playable yet because I have to plane off Wal's original neck heel shim to reduce the neck angle a touch - but it all lines up Phew! So tomorrow is about adjusting the neck angle to get the right action range, fitting the string tree and cutting the graphtech nut blank. Then we can see if we can get any sounds from it And then, it's just the final action and intonation set up and strap buttons...and then, unless I've forgotten anything major, it's pretty much done

I think there's a difference between an expensive boutique bass like a Ritter or an Alembic and the Fender Custom Shop stuff. With a Ritter you can look it at and see that it's different from other basses, there's nothing else like it. With the Fender you're always asking the question 'Is this really £7K better than a bog standard Precision?'

ha ha hahahahaha!

Using their logic, buying a guitar or bass is a complete lottery. As to hearing a more consistent tone from a particular wood in a band mix, I call snake oil.

And you get somewhere convenient to rest your thumb

Well done, that was quick given how late you got the cab and work demands. I'd better get on with the build write up

Well seeing I’m not a singer (I can’t sing at all). Though the odd thing is, I’ve never had to change song key in any of the secular bands I’ve played in. 🤔 & I still don’t get why even the female led songs get a key change too when it’s females singing. 😂 Anyway. Here’s someone making a very good point about worship bass in a rather humorous way...

Time to play a bit of Samsara at high volume

I must admit to not understanding the average large scale wedding. I guess I am not from that sort of family. Mine was just small, we didn't know that many people and didn't want a big fuss. Went to 3 big weddings in the same year as ours, none of them still married - I don't know if there is a correlation with that, just an observation. I would rather spend a lot less on the wedding and a lot more on the stuff afterwards.

I started with a plectrum in the mid 80s. By about 88 I was all fingers and occasional thumb. In fact I probably became a bit of an anti plectrum snob if I am honest. Now, get this. During the first lockdown, I bought a mustang. I also watched the AWB on Soul Train doing Cut The Cake and loved the tone. So I thought I would have a little dally with a plectrum too. I am now a fully fledged plectrum player who can still (and do occasionally) use fingers and thumb, but I get neither the satisfaction, tone I want, nor the feel and groove I get with a plectrum when jamming my own stuff. Obviously I will use fingers when playing along with or covering Motown, or that early Bootsy with James Brown stuff for example. But for my own style and sound "the pick is just sick" 😂 Sorry for the long post, but I am still gobsmacked at how the little. 73 nylon Dunlop has has made me her forever bi%ch. 😂😂

Education at that level is about the processes of critical thinking, research, evaluation etc. If the topic you choose to drive that is The Beatles then all power to you. It is certainly the equal of learning how to write fugues and studying Bluebeard's Castle by Bartók like I had to for my degree. However, the reason Universities can be (and are) a racket is that the UK gives NO kudos to anything but white collar. Vocational education is very much seen as 2nd class. I work in vocational education and I know this to be true. The UK is messed up.

Its virtually finished just got the electrics, put the strap buttons on and do a set up......... 👍🏻 On to the next one!

I've always used both. Some songs sound better with fingers, others sound better with a pick. I like to think that I choose how I play based on the tone that I want to create. The truth however, is that some songs are impossible for me to play fast enough with my fingers, so I have to use a pick instead.

The thing is, the more gigs you do, the more you know what the risks are and what you can easily carry to ensure the gig goes without any undue hassle. For example, I always carry a spare strap with straplocks and another cheap strap without. This is because a couple of times other people have had a disaster with a strap, or we have wanted someone to sit in on a gig and having a spare guitar strap to hand has saved the day. The reason I carry a box of batteries is that it is cheaper to buy a box of top quality procell batteries than it is to buy 3 or 4 ordinary duracells. If anyone else has forgotten to bring a battery then its no issue, nor do I have to remember to pop to the supermarket to buy an overpriced pack of batteries every time I have a gig and have had to change one.

@Cuzzie - basschat says its you so now its you! The laws of basschat have decreed it so! You must now live with the choice basschat has made for you. 😁

+1 ^^ My ideal back up is a passive pull switch on active basses, and failing that a spare 9V battery in the gig bag and quick check on battery voltage tester (cost just a few quid) before I set off.

I don't know others, but I even bring two hands to every gig, and two ears although one may not be plugged in. I wouldn't like having to rely on whetever the sound engineer has in his bag of stuff...

I shipped out the 16-24th Feb batch on Friday so they should be arriving next week! If you haven't bought your set yet, get to it!! The more I send at once the cheaper the shipping is, and the more quickly I can send a batch! Cheers ped P.S Don't forget to show your strap locks in place when you get them!

I think spending several thousand on a bass that is extremely customised to your exact tastes, scale, wood choices, neck, pickups etc. and that doesn't exist out there in the retail world, and it brings you joy in any capacity be it playing, looking, holding etc. and you can afford it without going into debt, then I see absolutely nothing wrong with it! The same would apply to a vintage instrument that you can't buy new. It's all horses for courses, and if you're perfectly content with a serviceable cheaper bass, then that's all good too! I like to discuss opinions and see where other people place their values, but it is our differences that make us unique, we should celebrate them! (Of course anyone that doesn't agree with me is WRONG!!!! 😁 )

I have a spare of everything I use on stage, other than a speaker cab. So spare mic & lead, bass and leads, strings, strap, stand, tuner, DI box, amp, speaker cable/mains leads etc. Most of my gigs are in theatres so my spares case is usually in the wings just to my left. Must admit I do get confidence from knowing I’m okay for most eventualities.

Wondering whether to keep it natural or stain darker. Here it is wetted

I agree. It is such a bizarre thread. Commented earlier about my top end 2017 Warwick and say again that it is exceptional, at least equal with anything else I have used in finish quality, it's stunning. But yeah, Warwick stopped paying for a License to use the NS design Spector used for their basses when Spector stopped invoicing them, so they must be rubbish.... Silly Roger, someone better let him know.

Found it...dimensions, etc. https://drumsoul.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/how-to-build-a-blue-man-tubulum.pdf

My Bloody Valentine at Bestival 2008, the field was shaking. The (free) beer in my gut was re fizzing.

It’s good that it doesn’t need powering as I am a noise freak and want option A to be a 100% clean and silent path

I’m late to this party but BRIGHT ONION ALL THE WAY - I’ve got various of their pedals and they’re all sweet.

Interesting experiment, bet it was great fun. It's not a fair fight though if you're wanting to compare amp types (as you conclude). The Hexavalve Vs TC RH750 is full fat Ferrari Vs a Ford with all kinds of engine efficiency management going on. I'm as big a TE fan as the next guy but compare the Hexavalve with an absolutely premium Class D head (Mesa TT) and you'd be in for a clash of the titans.

This discussion reminds me of Michael Flanders' remark to the audience in "At the Drop of a Hat", on explaining that the show was being recorded in new-fangled stereo: "So wherever you're sitting now, that's where you'll be on the record."

I guess if someone is very rich, their whole concept of what is 'worth it' is different from ordinary people. I mean if you've got tens of millions of pounds, why not pay a few thousand for an artistically reliced bass?

Yes but there's still the matter of perceived value. Indonesian factories are just as capable of making a Fodera type bass, they can do it more efficiently. Although Fodera do the same thing as PRS and let their necks sit on a shelf for a year or so to calm down as they work on them bit by bit. What we never find out is how much time that takes above and beyond the basic manufacture of a neck somewhere in Asia and whether the mark up reflects that extra time. Same goes for roasted necks (although that budget brands like HB are offering them on instruments suggests that the roasting process doesn't add a significant extra cost). It seems like some of the US boutique brands are running very high overheads. None of which can be rationalised to overseas customers beyond 'that's just how it is'. But THEN you have the makers who are set up for mass production jumping on the boutique band wagon, more or less saying 'oh yeah, we produce instruments that can be every bit as good as Fodera - they're hand built [from CNC rough cut parts], we use the finest [within budget and spec] woods and the best that forty year old technology can offer, we're gonna charge you twenty percent less than a Fodera! What a bargain.' And the more gullible players, who perhaps are inclined towards the social aspects of brand loyalty than a tool for gigging, want to buy into that. And the mass manufacturers are laughing at what they can get away with, all the way to the bank.

I would add the Ritter Princess Isabella to that list.

This. "Uhh... have you got a spare 4-way?" "No, sorry, I haven't. Where's yours? Did you forget it?" "No, I just haven't got one. But you've got a spare socket on yours. Will it reach over here?" "Yes, if I fish it out from where I've tucked it tidily behind/under all my other stuff, and instead drape it (and all my cables that are plugged into it) right across the middle of the room/stage." "Well, we'd better do that then, because I need to plug my stuff in." "..." Although this is not quite as annoying as the time we arrived at a gig to find that the PA guy hadn't finished setting up yet, so we dumped our gear and went off to get a beer while he finished. On returning, I started to set up my bass gear, only to discover that my 4-way wasn't in my leads bag. I then noticed that this was because the PA guy had taken it from my bag and used it to plug one of his amp racks in...! He was quite alarmed and seemingly surprised when I unplugged it... 🙄

I like buckeye burl... it's my weakness, it's a bit like crack, rather moreish once you had just a taste... I have a few buckeye basses, a buckeye pen and even a buckeye handled chef's knife... I know, its foolish, its vein, its all of the above. But I LIKE IT so bullhockey to anyone who says otherwise! 😜 Jewellery isn't for me, not too fussed by the car I drive, my other tastes aren't overly lavish (save a good bottle of single malt here and there). I like buckeye and I like basses and even better when they're combined! It all really boils down to what we each like in life! Plenty of people on this forum split their expendable income over various Interests and spend less on basses and more on other things, some live a modest lifestyle by choice or otherwise, we all are individuals, we all have our opinions! So long as we're all as content as we can make ourselves and hopefully a few others around us, then we're doing OK. Or, we can fall into the hopeless pit of despair and feel overwhelming guilt for every little luxury we buy because we didn't give that money to someone less fortunate... it's a fair point, perhaps one for another thread. For those who feel this guilt in such a fashion that compels them to tithe away their spare pennies, then I will raise my glass to you and declare you the better person. I helped a fallen granny once, I've done my bit. 😋

@Tech21NYC can you shed any light on the EQ center points for the VT Bass DI for us please and in particular if some versions have 500 Hz and others 1kHz center f for the mid EQ?

Here’s my ACC Acoustic rig. The 301 cab I bought new in 1973 w/cover. I was in the 11th grade. The 370 head I got a couple of years ago. It a terrible brown tolex recover. I re-did it with Duratex. I had the catalog pic on my bedroom wall as a teen...amp porn.

If I charged £8k for a build, I'd feel obliged to give the new owner my car as well, which wouldn't please MrsAndyjr1515 a great deal....

Thanks folks, I have a Bright Onion on it's way as we speak!!

Yes, BrightOnion are a good choice. I'm running a Dual AB Looper with Tuner Mute and it works just fine.

I know this isn't a 'relic rant' thread, but I just don't understand the relic look... in any other industry it would be classed as insanity - 'Come buy your brand new relic'd Ford, we've smashed it up a bit for you to make it look like you've rolled down a genuine Californian hillside'. Why pay 60% over the odds for a bass/guitar that's been sandpapered a bit and had a few rocks thrown at it. They just look like battered instruments to me so why pay more for damage?? I don't get it. Even with true vintage instruments, the better the condition the higher the value, so it just seems like the attraction is people wanting to make it appear like they've been gigging for years and are seasoned pro's when they likely are not. Just my personal 2 cents! Opinion is subjective and beauty is in the eye of the beholder so really who am I to judge!!

You may consider Custom Shop prices outrageous but when you consider the instruments they're replicating - mass produced by largely unskilled labour using some of the cheapest, most plentiful woods at the time - sell for multiples of even Custom Shop prices, it might change your perspective, no? What's worth considering is how cheap some instruments are, not just how expensive others are. There's a whole lot of exploitation built into your £99 Harley Benton. When you consider the cost of the raw materials alone, never mind the taxes and duties, the transportation, everyone taking their cut along the way, it does't leave much for the poor bastards who built it, does it? Comparing the cost of something made where worker's rights don't exist and living standards are barely above the level of vermin and using it as means to gripe about how expensive instruments made elsewhere is just a little misguided, in my opinion.

No, they're not. But people with money seem to be able to be persuaded in parting with massive slabs of it for something functionally identical to a £99 Harley Benton. 'Fender' is one of a number of very expensive words, it would seem.

Is it just to switch a loop on/off or looking to clean blend too? I have bright onion pedal https://www.brightonion.co.uk/mini-looper/ I always found it clean with no noise and they're pretty cheap in comparison