mcnach

[quote name='mike 110' timestamp='1360269760' post='1967923'] It's a great sport , very addictive and my 1st love really , but after nearly 30 years (25 as a coach ) I gave it up last year . And if it it comes to handbags with you know who , I know where my money's going ! Superb post by the way . [/quote] handbags are only a last resort and it requires close contact, I think we're ok

Nice, thanks! I will try to find one of those

[quote name='LITTLEWING' timestamp='1360066587' post='1964191'] I just fitted a set of five D'addario Prosteels to my Squier VM Jazz and recalled reading somewhere on BC about pushing the string down on the playing side of the saddle to make a slight 'break' angle rather than a useless 'arc'. I was a bit concerned that the 'steels weren't ringing as I thought they should and decided to give it a go. OMG, what a difference! They're ringing like a piano on all five especially the B. My only hope is now that this hasn't encouraged string breakage. We'll have to wait and see. Anybody else do this as the norm or am I the last to know??? [/quote] I always do that. It just makes the string take the shape it will eventually take a lot faster. I started doing that when I was playing guitar, and talking about how strings take a while to settle... then Stewart Ward, from Award Session amplification showed us that trick... no more unstable tuning after restringing!

nice idea! make sure you post pictures!

[quote name='mike 110' timestamp='1360268836' post='1967902'] Mcnach gets my vote cos he's a judo man ! Me too - rei ... ! And soon it could well be - Hajime ! [/quote] I haven't heard those words for a while! a couple of my bandmates are into wrestling and one does jiu jitsu... and I nearly convinced them to try judo, so that I'd have an excuse to go back to it.

[quote name='TheGreek' timestamp='1360268092' post='1967889'] Here, here... ..and from one who English isn't their first language.. [/quote] I feel humbled, thank you, I almost pressed delete rather than posting as I thought I had rambled too much for too long. I'm glad it's (so far) being taken well. Here's hoping. About languages... ha! I recently spoke on the phone for the first time with a BC member I had previously exchanged emails with. One of the first things he said was something like "wow! you have a strong Spanish accent, I thought you'd sound more Scottish!" It did make me laugh.

[quote name='BassTractor' timestamp='1360267649' post='1967877'] That looked like a great post, but I maintain that MacNacho is not food but mere filler. Sorry for my arrogance - I know I'm not the best cook in the world. best, bert [/quote] That's it, tacos at dawn!!!

[quote name='Antiloco' timestamp='1360247162' post='1967310'] a) It works. It works perfectly. It may not work for you but that's another story. b ) Actually no. I don't need to tell where my ideas come from. Because I don't care in the same way an amateur bass player doesn't get better than he needs to get. The main difference here is that it's not me demanding to be respected in a philosophical forum... but here all amateurs and inmstrument collectors demand their views to be respected as if they were the ultimate truth. I'm very sorry but that's not going to happen. Not until you know more than me in my field. My apologies but that's the way it is and it has nothing to do with peoples value as human beings. It's all about knowing your place....You get that point don't you? It's your urge to know were my thinking comes from so its your job. You have the tools, not me. People use math all the time without knowing the theoretical part. Does it mean they can't use math?... Please. [/quote] I nearly stopped reading this thread when I saw what it was becoming... but I'm glad I did not, because this that you wrote relates a bit to a conversation I was having with another BC member a couple of weeks ago when he visited my town and he came to a gig of mine. He is an engineer, and loves music and bass in particular. I started out towards engineering but I became a biologist, and I love music and bass in particular these days. The conversation we had was about how professional musicians must feel about us non-professionals discussing their field. I can only imagine it can get tricky. I am not sure how I would feel if I joined a conversation of "weekend-molecular-biologists". But I know how I feel when I read what some people who know a little (but not much) write about subjects I know a fair amount more than they do, and I can see their errors. It happened yesterday, for instance, when a colleague of mine received a chapter in a "book" that some guy wrote about human disease and cancer and diet in the western world... The guy clearly is no biologist, has no medical training or scientific training of any kind in fact... I was *annoyed* before I reached the second page. His lack of unerstanding was so vast that it would just not be reasonable for me to discuss it (I just don't have the time for it)... and had he been in front of me, I think he could have probably felt I was just an arrogant scientist belittling him because he does not measure to the standard I hold myself to. Hmmm. I can imagine a professional musician feeling similarly "unimpressed" by some of the ramblings of us, largely untrained non-professionals. Am I on the right track? I think this gets complicated because we are talking something we call "art". If we talk mathematics, physics, chemistry... we can be right or wrong and be certain about it to a reasonable extent. Biology is a bit "fuzzier", as we know a great deal, but there is a lot more that we don't know, and we work on the data we have, making assumtions and interpreting results... and next year's results can tell us that a certain "truth" we hold today, cannot be true for we found data that contradicts it. But we can discuss things using discrete hard data. But how do we discuss art? How do we discuss music? On the one hand, there are theoretical aspects or harmony etc that one can use. I know very little. My brother, however, trained for years and is a professional... Because I am interested in all things musical, I have been present when he and others were discussing the whys and hows about a certain composition my brother made... and it was quite amazing for me that there was a lot more behind the music than I had at first imagined, when I listened to the piece being played. For me, music is emotional, above anything else. That is enough for me (it just would not be practical for me to dedicate the time that would be required for me to learn so much that I should learn). But emotion is only one part of it. Other people can understand the music way beyond the level I can. And that's ok. I can accept that wholeheartedly. It does not feel good if someone puts me down, however, because I am stuck at that mostly emotional level. Why? It's a beautiful part of music. But, like I said above... I can see how someone who studies music a lot more deeply and makes it his profession (his life, in many ways), can feel exasperated sometimes with people who do not take the time and effort to study music and still carry themselves (or are seen as carrying themselves!) as "artists". It's a tough one, 'though, because art, music, generates passion. Something that connects with us so deeply at an emotional level, and makes us passionate about it... well, belittle someone about it and he is going to jump and bite your jugular. If I play a simple ska song, with no more than 4-5 chords and very simple bassline patterns... it makes me feel good. I enjoy it. Many others enjoy it. Then I hear the trumpets and saxophones doing their thing (a professional would have a better name for "doing their thing" and could appreciate some clever interplays better than my simple "makes me smile" emotion), and wait until the trombone comes in and sits between the trumpets and the bassline... When it works, it's beautiful, I enjoy it and people dance like mad to it. Great. I can imagine that from a purely musical point of view, that ska song can get boring before it's even started,, for some. I can understand and accept that, and I don't have any pretensions to create any great music... because I know my limitations very well. I enjoy music the way I can enjoy it, with the tools and knowledge I currently have. I admire those who go beyond that and can produce something more "elevated"... and just because I cannot understand the ins and outs it doesn't mean I cannot admire it and appreciate it to some degree. Obviously, my "review" about such a piece is not going to be of much use to that creator, as our levels are so mismatched... But I can still enjoy it, perhaps, in my own way. Is it necessary to call me ignorant (even if it's true I am not very knowledgeable, so I guess I am ignorant to some degree), a clown (because I enjoy the fact that others enjoy and are entertained by what I play), and a whore (because I take money for it)? You call that to one person... and they may respond or ignore it. You call that to a whole group of people... and you are going to get sparks flying. I have always tried to surround myself with people better than I am, in everything: when practicing judo, when playing guitar, when learning science... That's what pushes you it helps you improve. For that reason, I wish we could have a hundred people with your knowledge, ability and experience in this forum. I think that makes this place richer. I also want the "weekend warriors" who do not know what a chord is but have been playing bars for 20 or 30 years, for they have other things to contribute. And bedroom players of all skills and ambitions. And the gear geeks who know everything about the nuances between different envelope filter pedals... and those who are not very good players and don't know music, but are good at the electronics of things that can produce musical notes. I am sure we all know our place, something I think you criticised earlier. You do have a point, I concede, about people talking about things they do not understand as well as they think they do... but if it happens I am sure it's motivated by passion, a passion for music, that I hope you could relate to even if most don't pursue it as deeply as you have. And I wish you could accept that and not have to be condescending towards them (us)... I am not sure what you gain from contributing here, but you must obtain something or you would have left already, and I have been in the past annoyed at the way you say things (usually not so much the real content, but the form) but even with that I can see that you have something that could be of interest for me, even if I do not study music and lack the ability to comprehend music's finer details... I do listen a lot more than I talk, and read a lot more than I write. That's ok by me. My question to you: - in my ramblings above (sorry if it seems to jump a bit), have I touched a bit of why you say the things you say? - if the answer is yes, is it possible to say them without sounding so hostile? Obviously I do not want to and it would be too arrogant of me to try to change the way you are. But if it were possible to communicate your thoughts in a less confrontational manner, I know quite a few of us would rather enjoy having you around, for you clearly have a lot to offer... and I hope you find here something that's also of interest to you (most probably not from me, granted). Peace?

One of the worst basses I have ever tried (didn't own it) was a MusicMan Stingray. Incidentally, one of the best was a MusicMan Stingray The bad one... was just in such poor condition, you would have never guess it was once a decent bass. The neck had lots of gouges, the body had gone to war... and lost, by the looks of it. The strings were some kind of rusty wire... it sounded and felt like crap. So much of people's impressions are forged by the set up in a particular instrument, eh?

[quote name='Fat Rich' timestamp='1360257632' post='1967603'] You might be able to just get the threaded saddles, maybe on eBay or through someone like the BassDoc. Can't believe the 75 already has a Badass How did those Fat Beams work out, by the way? Were they the strings you were looking for? [/quote] Yes, the CIJ75 has the Badass... and the J-Retro I have for it... has a black plate (I know, I know! shut up! ) The Fat Beams *look* like they are the right stuff, but I have not yet tried them! Too many other things got in the way. I could change them easily enough rather than being 10min on BC, but... "Hi, my name is McNach and I am an addict" I have used the Stingray instead of the SUB for those gigs where I normally would use the SUB, and I am lately using the Jazz (or the L2000) for the others... but I have another one on Sunday for which I'd like to use the SUB, so the Fat Beams will be on this weekend. I will report back.

[quote name='KiOgon' timestamp='1360255043' post='1967510'] Just measured my AV '62 Jazz sitting next to me & it is set with each string at 20mm almost exactamundo, on the standard Vintage style Fender bridge with the screw saddles. [/quote] That's promising! Could I please have you go back and measure again? This time from the groove (string centre) on the E saddle, to the groove on the G saddle. This is because measuring 19 vs 20mm sometimes can be innacurate, but by measuring between the extremes you get a better reading. It should be 60mm for the 20mm bridge, and noticeable shorter otherwise.

[quote name='Cygnus x-1' timestamp='1360252802' post='1967454'] My solution; get a BBOT baseplate and source some Squier CV P or jazz saddles and screws (they come in chrome or brass) depending on what CV they came from, 20mm spacing. Fit it all together, bingo, BBOT with 20mm spacing. HTH. [/quote] Now that's an option, I suppose the extra 1mm per saddle would not cause much trouble, it just means the saddles will be slightly, a tiny bit, angled... I shall try! I already have all the components, I am sure.

[quote name='Fat Rich' timestamp='1360229674' post='1966934'] Strings seem to stay put pretty well, I guess if you're using lighter strings there may be less tension holding them in place. You could always choose the grooves that work for you and open them up with a file. I think new Badass bridges come unfiled don't they? That way you could choose your spacing (plus it's the bridge Marcus Miller uses ) [/quote] and a hundred more Well, this is for a black/rosewood Jazz, not the CIJ75... which... already has a Badass (not my choice, previous owner's!!! I'm not a MM fan! I promise!!! ) I think your idea is so far the closest one to a solution.. if I find one that doesn't cost too much just because it's "vintage style".

[quote name='neepheid' timestamp='1360243648' post='1967237'] Surely all you need is something with sideways adjustability - Schaller 3D (an excellent bridge IMHO) or the Hipshot A Style (Fender mount) would give you this flexibility and [i]should [/i](no guarantees) retrofit over where an old BBOT used to be. Worst thing is you'd have to fill/redrill a few holes. EDIT: Ignore me, I've just re-read the OP and just realised that you've already been down this route. That'll teach me to skim read [/quote] no problem yeah, I have no problem getting 20mm spacing bridges. In fact, I already have one! But I'd rather keep the look... what can I say, I'm vain that way!

best way is... to get somebody else to do it. What a pain in the butt this can be! It looks like nitro finishes are easily removed with Nitromors... The one I tried it took a lot of persuasion with NItromors, but with the help of steel wool rubbing gently after I let Nitromors act for 30-50min, it was ok. Except... there was a semitransparent filler coat that Nitromors just will not touch. Eventually it came down to sanding. This is not too bad on the larger flatter surfaces, but it takes a long time and a lot of effort to get it around the body contours, horns etc. After this experience, if I ever do it again, and that's a big if, I will sand from the beginning, since I'll end up there anyway, unless you know the finish is something that will be easily removed chemically.

That's an idea, although wouldn't the string tend to fall back into a "straight" position with just a small amount of encouragement? There must be a proper 20mm out there. I can't be the only one who likes that spacing!

[quote name='gjones' timestamp='1360179597' post='1966315'] Hope you find someone. If not l expect I'll get a call from Gaz. [/quote] Quite possibly Left him with 4h to fill!

[quote name='barneyg42' timestamp='1360156625' post='1965714'] Lost to us on this day two years ago.....always will be a legend!! [/quote] The first decent size concert I went to... Gary Moore, back in 1987.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1360152629' post='1965602'] Not sure... I think it might be an idea to give myself a bit of space. I love me, but I'm not [i]in[/i] love with me if you see what I mean. It's not me - it's me. [/quote] Sometimes I wake up, and I don't even want to talk to me. I go to work, and when I come back I pretend I don't see me. Then I go to bed, and stay still. I think I am asleep, but no, I'm just pretending I am asleep so that I don't ask me something pointless like "how was your day?"... I just need some space. I understand what you mean. If only I could listen to myself a little sometimes...

[quote name='BigAlonBass' timestamp='1360094032' post='1964802'] A Loooong Time ago.....I gave my eldest lad a little clapped-out Grundig record player when he was 4, along with some 'bargain bin' LP's I had picked up. The idea was, if he learned to treat stuff carefully at an early age, it might continue as he got older. It seemed to work, as he spent most nights sitting in his bedroom, playing the LP's over and over again, carefully removing the needle from the record, putting the next one on, ad infinitum. One night, while I was sitting with a room full of friends and family, it all went quiet, and after about ten minutes, he shouted "Daaaaaaaddyyyyyyyyy! Can I borrow one of your Status Quo records?" Proud of my son getting a taste for decent music, and smiling at the assembled throng, I shouted back "Why, son?" His reply "Cos I'm f*cking pissed off with Wally Whyton!" [/quote] fantastic!

[quote name='hamfist' timestamp='1360050959' post='1963934'] It's definitely an option, but being an unusual bass it'll be a custom 'plate and therefor I expect not cheap. I'll get a quote at some point for sure. [/quote] as long as you have a template, it won't be extremely costly providing you or BassDoc has the material you want. Do get in touch with him, you may be surprised. He has copied a few scratchplates for me in the past, including an unusual one... and I am very happy with the results.

[quote name='MiltyG565' timestamp='1360017284' post='1963733'] Ok, so that is a picture of the pickup that came out of it. I'm thinking it's red-power in, White-power out, bare-earth and green and blue for the coil switch. This was in a double humbucker model, and i want to make it a single humbucker version, so i removed the coil switch. The preamp had 1 wire that went to the coil switch which I assume was live, then all the wires of the pickups went to the coil switch, but how do i now wire the pickup straight into the preamp with the coil switch? Cheers guys. [/quote] Do you have a multimeter? That way you don't have to guess and you will know which wire is which, from the pickup.

Does anybody know where I can find such a thing? It's not a big issue, 19 vs 20mm, but I do feel the wider spacing more comfortable and I'm thinking about replacing the bridge in my Vintage brand Jazz for that reason. I'm playing it a lot lately and for her birthday I want to make her feel even better. Sorry, I meant for ITS birthday and make IT feel even better. I have found enough 20mm spacing bridges (60mm between E and G ridges), but not in the traditional look, which I prefer. Does anybody know of such a beast?

Sharing members across various bands is nice: it helps scheduling and you already know them (and like them, otherwise why are you with them?) But when one lets you down... So, we had a double bill gig scheduled in a well known music bar in town. At 9.30 Radge Against The Machine. At midnight Sea Bass Kid (originals). Now we share vocalist... and he just told us something came up at work and he will have to be away on that date... leaving both bands in dry land. How very frustrating! It shows you you can't have everything... If any of you wants to be Zach de la Rocha for one evening, in Edinburgh, on the 21st... do let me know! I started with that question but not being serious... however, hey, you never know! If any of you is interested, it would save us from cancelling both gigs

[quote name='uncle psychosis' timestamp='1360141793' post='1965329'] Good work. I've owned three Vintage guitars/basses---one of them was very nice indeed (ask McNach about that one...) and the other two were solid, decent budget instruments. My main issue with them is the name---"vintage" is a horrible name to google when looking for guitar gear! Not sure I could ever be an endorsee of anything, though. I don't think I could keep a straight face when asked to do that moody "this is my bass and I rock hard" publicity shot [/quote] + 1 in everything, except for the 3 Vintage guitars/basses. I owned 4 That Jazz, by the way... will never ever leave my side again. I have been using it a lot live lately (tomorrow, again!), although I have changed it a bit since I got it back from you. I restored the wiring to standard, and I put some better pickups that I had in my drawer (US Fender of some sort, came originally in the CIJ 75RI, which the original CIJ 75RI owner had removed and replaced with Nordstrands. I think the Fenders sound great!).