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My latest "bored at home" build. I think it has turned out rather well Alder body Lightly flamed maple neck. Gotoh resolite vintage reverse wind tuners Lindy Fralin pickup Pre-compensated saddles by Evan Webb at Webbteca CTS ots and Repro Capacitor. Switchcraft output jack Milled output jack cup Vintage correct large diameter rear string ferrules Nitrocellulose lacquer finish Slot Head mounting screws throughout.

I refer to it as the Dark Lord. Guitar & Bass Build stingray body in gloss black Status Graphite neck with vintage wire frets (the last one they had left!) Aguilar Pickup East MM preamp with the fancy midrange Albridge Bridge Schaller Tuners Dunlop Straplocks The skill and patience of the amazing Huw Price Tonally it blows away my Sr5! I love it!

After 11 months almost to the day my special order bass is here in plenty of time for my birthday. After trying a much cheaper shortscale and really enjoying it, particularly when playing with a plectrum I decided to get something from my favourite bass brand. The Lionels are often quite lightweight anyway but they do sometimes get up to a massive 8.5lb... So I asked if a Superlight version was possible and it was, for only a modest extra fee of about £140 over the usual price. I also went for a rosewood board with abalone dots. I am informed that this is the first Superlight Lionel that has been built. It arrived this morning and I've had a 20 minute play. From previous experience I often find Sandbergs to be quite bright sounding basses and I was halfway expecting to swap the pickup or the pots or both. As it happens this bass is not excessively bright, in fact the top end is pleasingly mellow. I think I'll be keeping the electronics as is, at least for now. As expected the stock strings are not to my taste at all. I've got a couple of used sets of strings to try to see what suits it best - Ti Flats and EB Group flats (not cobalt ones) and I'll give each set a proper go before deciding on what new set to get. Now the big question. The weight... It's just under 2.6kg / 5.7lb !!!😲 It balances perfectly too. Massive thanks to Mark at Classic and Cool Guitars for the excellent service throughout the process - he's been top notch keeping me fully informed and replying to questions really quickly.

This was a bit of a spur of the moment decision but after seeing it on Thomann's B-Stock page at a very good price I thought I'd chance my arm. I've been looking for a lightweight bass for a while now due to back and hip problems as a result of lots of rugby and recently tried (and returned) an Epiphone Newport. I had bid on a Pelham Blue Jack Casady recently that sadly was withdrawn but was unsure of how the body shape would sit on me with a 34" scale neck. Anyway, I had one of these Guilds before and foolishly decided to move it on, so when one came up in Pelham Blue and weighing in at under 7lbs I decided to go for it. It arrived today and after a bit of minor tweaking (mainly pickup height) I strung it with a set of TI Flats which "just" about work from a length perspective (slightly too long on the G) it's ready to go and sounds great. For a B-Stock instrument I can't see a mark on it. After a break from short scales I'm really pleased the way this one hangs on a strap.

It is 'bass'ically finished... Need to do some final minor tweaks and give it a bit of a polish, but had a play with it on Rocksmith tonight. Very happy with it. The final steps from weekend and a couple of evenings this week - Shielding of pickup cavity And the control cavity cover, which I had to cut a square out of in order for the jack to have enough room. Hadn't really accounted for it, so quite lucky in the end. In with the hardware and soldering done. Then the copy of @Andyjr1515 no neck dive pics. Final weigh in 5.771 lbs. or 2.618 kg if it's easier. And finally a full frontal pic... 😮 Will take some glamour shots once the final bits are done.

In Isolation mini tour at The Fidler's Elbow in Camden along with X-Superstar, Gothzilla and Feather Trade. On the whole went well although with the venue not opening until 5, getting all 4 bands sound checked before Feather Trade were due on-stage at 8.00 was a bit of a struggle. However well done to the venue's sound engineer who managed to keep on top of all the bands' different sound requirements and made sure that everything ended up being plugged in where it should be during each changeover. And according to those members of the audience I spoke to afterwards made us sound awesome FoH. No photos as yet, but there were at least 2 professional looking photographers in attendance so no doubt I'll be posting something later. Off to York (Fulford Arms) tonight with Gothzilla and Eyrx London.

I co-host a weekly jam night which is attended by some very talented regulars, and there's a couple of hotel/cruise veterans (well, they're late 20s/early30s, so hardly veteran) and some pro musicians, and their ability to either know/remember or just bluff an enormous number of songs is astounding. I enjoy it because it's a constant stretch, playing stuff I've never played (or in some cases even heard) before, after a quick 30-second chat about chords or just watching the guitarist's left hand like a hawk...I also have a 'backup' iPad set up to look songs up, but I've only had to use it a couple of times (there's usually not enough time to search and scroll, plus I normally forget me glasses... 🙁). Oh, and the vets/pros can all sing, play guitar, bass and even drum to a ridiculously high level, too...then again, if I didn't have a demanding day job, and could just play all day, I'd be a whole lot better than I am...

The matching finger rest is one of my favourite touches! I did the same on my Shell Pink P-Bass. My 2 tone burst one has the finger rest sprayed in tobacco brown.

Compact and bijou Mostyn, compact and bijou...

My first Refret. Put it off for the past year but decided to go for it as I have all the tools. What's the worst that can happen. Turns out I have luthiery skills. The bass (Gob speedway 700) was originally fretted. someone de-fretted it. I wanted it back to its original fretted condition. Rather than pay £200 for a refret, I bought the tools instead. I took my time over it. 15hrs or so over three days with many cups of coffee and ciggies in between. Well chuffed. Jobs in order. 1. cleaned out, filled where needed, and recut the old fret slots 2. radiused the board 3. filled in the chip outs on the board and flushed 4. Frets in and rounded off at the ends. 5, Frets leveled, Crowned? and highly polished 6, New nut cut, shaped, and polished 7, New strings on, Nut slots cut to depth. 8, Set up. A couple of tweaks and bobs yer aunty. Plays sweet.

My first band (of two!) was a 4-piece rock/pop covers band, consisting of me on a bass guitar I'd borrowed, my mate's sister as lead singer, and then two guys in their 50s that lived locally and weren't half bad in the guitar and drums department. Having our young, talented female singer, we were able to cover a couple of fun tracks by the Gossip or P!nk that people recognised and most other bands in the burton area would avoid due to the remarkably high-pitched singing required. We did a few gigs and it always seemed to go down well enough. Admittedly, we did play to a few empty pubs here and there, but 25 gigs later and we almost had a name for ourselves. I felt like a rockstar, what with my 18 months of bass guitar experience... Alas it all came crashing down when the lovely singer quit. Finding a new singer was impossible, but we "lucked" upon somebody that was willing to give it a go eventually. Rehearsal number one came and went and a team meeting with the original three members was had to discuss the new candidate. Two of us voted that he had a terrible terrible voice, akin to the noise a dog makes when you stand on its tale, whereas the other one seemed to like him. Half the problem was the song choices being more attuned to a females voice, and not the voice of a broken car horn that this lad had got. Clearly, the vote was ignored as "a singer is better than not having a singer". As much as I begged the other two to not book any local gigs in, they were keen to go back out there and booked us into a pub on the burton circuit known to host VERY good bands on Sundays early afternoon. Anyways, long story short: The drummer was late. The new singer set up his drumkit... backwards. The lateness meant that we didn't sound check properly. The singer himself had bought a new microphone, a £20 wireless p.o.s. that immediately caused feedback. First half, the singer forgot almost every verse to every song. Second half: didn't happen. The manager approached the band during interval and told us we were not going back on. I couldn't have been more embarrassed, but also so grateful to not have to play any more, it was atrocious. Hey, here's my gig diary entry.

Lobster called out Fender on YouTube for advertising that the pickups in the shorty Gretsch were 'buckers, when, in fact, they were not. This resulted in a change in the description and an offer of compensation for anyone who had bought one (in a particular time frame). Lobster may be a bit whacky at times, but he has proved himself to be a champion of the consumer.

Hi all Just a note of a positive experience with Hipshot that I had lately I bought a Supertone bridge for my Gibson SG Bass that simply would not intonate correctly - I could get it close, but not exact. This was due to the intonation bridge screws not being short enough. I needed to lengthen the string a bit further than they allowed, which wasn't possible as the saddles are closed and therefore can only be moved back to the limit of the screw (probably not explaining this correctly!) I contacted Hipshot and they sent me four shorter intonation screws for free which solved the problem. Probably not going to break the bank for them but it's nice to see they care and were very helpful. Hope this helps someone in future Danny

@ezbassdoes this help?

I dunno. For a start £1500 isn’t worth what it was…

Wow, how nice is this! And unusually also available as a lefty https://harleybenton.com/product/enhanced-25th-firemist/ 443 notes

Most painful performance was my first ever gig, which was on lead guitar and lead vocals. Being young (16) even I had bags of energy back then so had a tendency to walk around the stage when playing. Not ideal when you’re meant to be singing through a mic on a mic-stand. This brought much amusement from the audience, the majority of whom I was at school with, so the next day at school was a difficult one. But none of those laughing had the balls to get up there & do it. I did.

That looks amazing! Where do you source your necks and bodies from? (That’s a weird question in any other context). Do you buy them finished or do you do them yourself? I really fancy building my own bass.

Or change your name to Mark Maison

My trusty old '66. Just feels part of me when I'm playing it. Been together for close on 40 years now.

And that’s all that matters. That’s a lovely trio of 51/54 types you have there and I must admit that this style of P is gaining in my affections of late.

I like everything about that except the colour-matched finger rest. Not sure why that upsets me, I guess I could grow to love it.

Gone a bit Tech21…..

Well, you cannot go round blaming Brexit for everything, willy nilly. I am currently in Australia and they are saying that prices have gone up 20% post covid: Obviously due to Brexit. The pound dropped around 10% against the dollar last year, largely due to Trussgate. But, even so, how does that explain the reported current increase in bass prices? Answer: It doesn't. Brexit has happened, and is unlikely to be reversed anytime so, whether we like it or not, it's pointless going on whinging about it and blaming it for things that it blatantly isn't responsible for. There are enough things it has caused, but it's still pointless moaning about it. It'll just do your head in (well mine anyway).

Oh how I loathe that 3+1 headstock on a J-style bass

Don't be daft, they end up on ebay for £300 plus...

Last gig shenanigans, Got the big guns out, SVT and 410. Recorded direct from the desk ( zoom Livetrack L20) mixed and video edited in Reaper

Yes, again as I understand it, it would be dodgy to run a 300ma pedal on a 100ma supply ( it would overheat I think) but the other way round, ie a 300ma pedal on a 500ma power supply is absolutely fine..

Anything is worth what people will pay for it. Having said that I struggle to see how a P bass is good value at the prices they charge. I don't think it takes many hours to assemble one and the components are pretty simple when you actually look at them. I can't think of any other item where such basic construction and components commands a similar price.

It depends - if the workers are being paid a proper living wage commensurate with the cost of living where they are based, then maybe it’s justified. California is very expensive, my daughter happens to live in San Luis Obispo where Musicman is based and it’s one of the highest cost areas in the state.

But I do agree with this too.

£2,999 for a Stingray. I love Stingrays but that is just nuts...

The thing that I don't understand is what happens to all the old basses? Not the 'vintage' Fenders and what have you, but all of the other ones. Where do they all go? It's not like they rust away. Surely by now there must be more bass guitars in existence than people who actually want one.

Getting there! Neck bolts/inserts drilled and installed, and fretted. Neck carve to do next, and lots and lots of sanding

I sometimes buy the neck and body, sometimes I make them. On this build I got the body from Guitarbuild in the UK. The neck was made twice as I tore out the wood while routing the headstock shape on the first one - aaaagh!!!!! I sprayed the neck and body using nitrocellulose lacquer.

This one. (Not the SF Yamaha 1000) Been gigging this Ripper for 47 years.

I personally hate the You Tuber stuff, and I can entirely do without the enforced wackiness, but this was investigative journalism and he deserves the plaudits he got for that.

My lot at the Coach House Paignton last Friday ( Fri 17th feb 2023) doing a little Beatles number. ive got a feeling coach house.mp4

A little while back, you may recall, I became the rather proud owner of a Shuker Uberhorn Fretless 4 (Serial 001) Well, its a superb bass. It's build quality is exquisite, it looks utterly incredible, and it plays like no bass I've ever played before (even with my hamfisted attempts at fretless I know it's something special). Here it is on arrival: Well (and it's a bit of a Jackanory this, so get a comfy chair and a coffee..) I was never really happy with the electrics side of things. Firstly, the under-board mag Jazz pickup was single coil, and noisy - so that got swapped out for a Nordstrand. Then, I noticed that it was running an EMG gain boost which was as noisy as anything, and ripped that out. Then, things went properly south. An odd noise developed from the piezo preamp, which eventually became a not so odd noise, and eventually no noise at all. Investigation revealed two things - the ghost acoustiphonic preamp had died, and the summing board for the ghost piezo saddles had effectively eaten itself. I tried many a re-solder and extra bit of dabbling before ripping the whole lot out in a fit of Uber-rage. It was just mightily frustrating that I had a bass which looked amazing, played so damn well, but was completely let down by an electronics package that wasn't doing it justice, and if I'm honest, was past it's best at 10 years old. Now, to be fair to Jon, it was top drawer stuff when built, and it's lasted really well. However, my big problem and frustration was finding a suitable replacement - the options were limited at best, and in reality pretty much nowt at all. Number one option was looking like a new ghost board and replacement preamp. Ugh. I'll be honest - I don't like the ghost board. It requires you plug any mag pickups into it and forces you to separate it all out. It's messy and it just isn't very logical. After some ruminating, kicking chairs and generally feeling rather miserable about the whole thing, in a fit of last ditch desperation I emailed John East and simply said "Can you do anything that might get this up and running again?" Of course he could. In fact, he said there were options aplenty and I can pretty much have what I want. Sounded spendy - but it really wasn't. John East is a legend of a man. Apart from being a genius, he is polite, enthusiastic and utterly pleasurable to deal with. I'll say it now in case I forget - if you are thinking of upgrading any electronics, go to him first. He will sort you out. His kit is absolutely the best and it's just so easy to install. Anyway, we discussed options and I came up with my preferred configuration. John spent a bit of time ruminating, then came back with a "yep - all possible". So he built it, I paid for it, and he shipped it. It came this morning: I decided to ditch the frankly terrible ghost summing board and soldered them all together to two wires - a hot and a ground. That gave me this: John's stuff is just so neat and easy to install. Given how much gubbins there is in this bass now (like about twice the amount there was) it's a miraculously tidy install: And now I have a bunch of new knobs and a lot more stacked ones than before! So what configuration did I go for? Well.. - The Piezo goes into John's own Piezo Preamp/Mixer which allows you to set gain and sets the right impedance etc, as well as allowing you to have a piezo treble roll off to get rid of any quack. Nice. - The output from this goes into the Uni Pre 4 - the Mag pickup and Piezo output go into the volume board and allow volume, blend, individual balancing gain for each pickup, and a bunch of other tuning options - There rest is a standard Uni Pre 4 except for the passive tone, which is also now a piezo treble roll off when active, and I have a mute switch added. So the knobs are now: 1. Volume/Blend 2. Passive Tone/Active Piezo Treble Roll Off 3. Mid/Mid Freq Sweep 4. Treble/Bass and the two switches are: 1. Active/Passive 2. Mute The real difference (apart from the quality) is the fact that both piezo and mag feed into John's preamp so no matter what the blend I can get the most out of the piezo and set mids, treble, bass, treble roll off etc. as well as have full control over the mag just the same. I also get a passive mode which means I can use it passively and run a booster pedal on a board for more oomph. The Nordstrand sounds like it should now. The Piezo is just so different - far more full spectrum and far far more tonal possibility - from clanky spiky almost acoustic to a proper dull thumpy double bass sound. The Nordstrand gets me mids till my eyes bleed as well as that traditional Jazz type of sound. Blend them together and it's like a Jazz with a whopping great low down thump from a double bass all in one. It now actually sounds like it looks. It sounds like it plays. It sounds flipping great and though I thought it sounded really rather good before despite the niggles, I had no idea it would open out like this.

As always the market decides. If something is truly over priced then it won't sell.

1981? An unspecified pub in London, I was much refreshed when I got in the van, so I have no idea where I got out, Peckham came to mind so I'll go with that. Arrived to find we were the third band to play on a bill of three so I had time for more snakebite. I remember lots of people arriving who had come to see us from my home town, by gig time the place was rammed. I sat down behind my drums (yes, I was drumming in this band), counted the first song in with drumstick clicks and, on the third click, I vomited profusely over my entire kit. When I say vomited, I mean gushing geyser-type, dam busting style, a proper outpouring tinged pink from the blackcurrant in the snakebite. I managed, somehow, to complete the count in and begin the song which was mostly a floor tom/snare pattern and, as both drum heads were just lakes of pink sick, this first song was very splashy indeed. The throwing up cleared my head a bit and I got through the song, some kind soul took pity on me and brought me over a pint of what I thought was water which I downed before song two, it was actually lemonade and, half way through song two, the fizzing lemonade decided it didn't like my insides so it flew out spectacularly all over the back of the singer. Still, managed to finish the gig somehow, can't remember getting home nor how my kit got back but it did. We were finding little dried lumps of pink puke everywhere for weeks. Luckily for me everyone, including the singer and the people from home, seemed to find the whole thing hilarious so I counted myself lucky and did another years worth of gigs with them. I still have the t-shirt I was wearing that night that which I obviously used to wipe down the drums with, it is streaked like it's been bleached. Excellent.