mcnach

[quote name='hamfist' timestamp='1358688764' post='1943328'] The answer to that is definitely ...... "not enough band activity". My band has been rather dormant over recent months. For me, my GAS and my band activity are inversly proportional. the more I play, the less I obesess about gear ! [/quote] That too! when there's music to be played, I rarely feel " *need* something. And when I feel that way it's because I identified something I would like different, and I change it. Other than that, I only buy stuff if I see something that I fancy, but I don't think about it actively. When things become slow... that's when I can go crazy about amps, cabs and a million pedals I could get...

[quote name='Blademan_98' timestamp='1358702531' post='1943645'] I have four electronic tuners. None of them agree with each other and only one agrees with my ears! [/quote] how odd. are they calibrated to the same frequency? I had a tuner once, can't recall which, a Korg, and it just did not tune right... until I realised that somehow I had it calibrated A=441... all it needed was a couple of taps of a tiny button on the back (one to engage calibration, another to go up to 441... two would have meant 442...) It happened by accident and I was very frustrated by it for a while as I was not tuned right when using it... other than that, every tuner has worked alright for me. Some are more sensitive, some take a while to get a stable reading, but they all worked for me, and my ears are not exactly covered by cloth, before someone suggests that

[quote name='DarkHeart' timestamp='1358629230' post='1942630'] I am totally gobsmacked how the builds have turned out, granted all ive done apart from the first one was put things together but ive managed to source 2 identically finished bodies in identical wood from across the pond not knowing who the original supplier was, both the cherry burst basses have identical hardware . All i need now is an ash P/Bass body coss on it way from japan is a maple/maple neck! i need a cheap ash body to fulfill the range, :-) [/quote] what a collection of beauties!

[quote name='Billy Apple' timestamp='1358687306' post='1943275'] I hadn't realised the Squier did not have the Badass. There's mixed opinions about these anyway, I doubt it makes a huge difference anyway. [/quote] I'm not a fan of the Badass anyway. I find them unsightly and clunky and the standard bridges work for me. I bought a japanese 75RI Fender Jazz that was "upgraded" with a badass bridge. I wish it had the original. When a bass does not feel or sound the way you'd like... I can think of many thinks I'd change before I look into changing the bridge.

Stay away from the FOR SALE section of this forum for a bit. It works for me Although I still check it from time to time and... whoa, was that an Audere preamp? (still uninstalled... I just painted the bass this weekend... so maybe next!)

[quote name='DaveFry' timestamp='1358637753' post='1942779'] Some New Agers claim that tuning to A = 432 Hz is better for us than 440 Hz Of course they have dug up all sorts of ancient evidence to support their claim . There is loads about it on the 'net if you search for 432 hz tuning . Stuff like this ; [url="http://www.omega432.com/music.html"]http://www.omega432.com/music.html[/url] and [url="http://www.carnaval.com/music432/"]http://www.carnaval.com/music432/[/url] - Can't find a " shrugs shoulders " emotcion - [/quote] some people also claim drinking urine is good for you and they find many arguments for that, on the net. I think that's just taking the piss.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1358633257' post='1942702'] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]This question was asked during an interview with the producer Tony Platt which I thought may be interesting:[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=2][b]What piece of technology do you think has been the most detrimental in the evolution of the recording realm?[/b][/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=2]'It would be the digital guitar tuner. When I first started, there were no guitar tuners, guitarists would tune to the piano, as the piano was always in tune in the studio. And so the guitar players always had the capacity to hold a guitar in tune. If they heard a string going out, they’d pull it a little bit to bring it back in. So things weren’t absolutely perfectly in tune but there wasn’t this focus of attention on the tuning so much. People were focusing on getting the feel right and getting it to where it was exciting. Now what happens is one string goes out of tune, everything stops, guitarist plugs into his tuner, tunes his guitar and then starts off again, but it has broken the momentum of the session so much. And again what happens is we have this overabundance of guitar players who have this overriding reliance on this piece of technology. They’re not thinking of tuning in their head, they’re not hearing the tuning in there, they’re looking at it, on the scale on the tuner.'[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]...I hadn't considered the effect a digital tuner may have on the momentum of a recording session. [/font][/color] [/quote] I am not a famous producer, but I think the above is bollocks. People today still have ears. We use tuners. They make life easier, so why not? But you still have the ability to adjust on the fly! It comes with experience, with practice. I have listened to a lot of old records where guitars were out of tune, ugh (listened to the Rolling Stones much?). I see many bands still playing live out of tune... No excuse for either, back then or today. But especially today. Recording momentum? If your guitar goes out of tune while you play a song... then ditch it, it's clearly a tool not fit for purpose. Fix it. Do something. I don't believe in that "magical take", I guess. If you can play something, you can play it again and again. Sure, some takes may be a bit nicer than others, because of the way we don't exactly play the same thing twice... but it's hardly a make or break issue. An instrument (or several) out of tune is a make or break issue for me. You still need ears. If you play guitar,, some chords work a bit better if you alter ever so slightly the tuning of one or two of your strings... so you would deviate from what the tuner says, but you would know exactly by how much, from practice. The ability to tune in a noisy environment without anybody hearing your adjustments... that's something very nice too. Big fan of the electric tuner here, and of the modern computer, central heating in house, indoor plumbing and internal combustion engine

[quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1358675037' post='1942990'] I don't normally like white or white pearl guards, but I think they suit this bass the best followed by black! Tort world look pretty badass too. Always wanted an orange P... might have to try a classic vibe with a Capri orange refin! [/quote] True, tortoiseshell would work. Not a big fan, but it goes well with red, and orange I guess, Capri Orange rules. Let's start a Capri Orange bass club!!! Oh, I forgot we are not in Talk Bass

[quote name='apa' timestamp='1358672806' post='1942956'] 1 or 5 shirley! [/quote] oh, and this... this is how I am leaning too. Funny, at first I was going to go for black, I was very sure... but now... white looks nice, and then the ugly blue makes it... "different"

[quote name='apa' timestamp='1358672806' post='1942956'] 1 or 5 shirley! Thats alot of overspray lol. I used a few old sheets and an old guitar stand in my sprays. It looks quit nice with that SUBesk rough finish effect. Slightly off the subject but whats going on in the control cavity? There seems to be a strip of darker wood. Ply insert? A [/quote] overspraying as in... spraying beyong the body? Oh yes! My technique could be improved, no doubt! I also used that "rotating body" technique I mentioned earlier which results in a lot of paint wasted. That's why I say that if I can manage with one can, everybody else should be alright with one too Despite my technique, these cans give you a really fine mist. It hangs in the air for a while after you finish spraying. You don't really see it, but I took a couple of pictures with flash and that reveals a LOT of dust in the air. It's so light it gets everywhere. And I mean everywhere. I spent some time last night cleaning the kitchen... YOu don't see it, but run a finger over any surface, and you get a bit of powder. You definitely need to enclose the spraying area better with these spraycans: ultra fine mist is great to get good results easily, but you get a lot of ultra light dust. Use of googles advisable, and absolutely wearing masks. And ventilate! If I don't do anything further with it... it's nice. I really like it. BUt there are some "inconsistencies". For example, on the top horn, some areas seemed to have got a bit more paint, and the result is less textured and shinier. There are a handful of tiny splutter marks that show as small dots of shinier complexion. NOthing huge. I mean, it's already a million times better than I thought I was going to make it!!! I was expecting having paint runs all over the place! But if I just try to fine sand it and buff it it can look REALLY good (as long as I don't sand through the orange... a real possibility for me So, I don't know... part of me wants to assemble it in a couple of days and start using it. Another part of me wants to carry on and see just how much nicer I can make it, if anything so that I can have a better idea of the work involved... But then there is that 5-string Stagg Stingray clone I want to paint red, so I might just take my time on that one instead... Agh, I don't know. The darker bit on the control cavity is where a previous owner has routed out about 2-3mm from the bottom. Because of the shape and size, I'd say this bass had some kind of preamp installed in the past (Audere, John East) and that the cavity was just a bit too shallow. I have an Audere preamp for this bass, so I will see if it fits well.

[quote name='tom1946' timestamp='1358671009' post='1942948'] Nice job Mac, Same as the colour I'm planning. number 1 pickguard or better still white pearloid You say you got all your paint from manchester? [/quote] white pearloid, like gold hardware, is too "bling" for me I'm also afraid it would make me play country and western Yes, I got the primer and capri orange (both nitrocellulose) from Steve Robinson (Manchester Guitar Tech). He says one can each should be enough, and if my inexperienced hands could manage with one can, then it's right. The nozzle is pretty good, you get a very fine mist and it's easy to lay thin coats one after another without overspraying.

ok, on my not exactly precision bathroom scales, it weighs exactly 4Kg, or 8.8lbs for those of you who are more familiar with stranger units of measure (whops, I may be in the minority here )

[quote name='Billy Apple' timestamp='1358680324' post='1943101'] Cool. What does she weigh? [/quote] You don't ask a lady that...

so, help me choose a pickguard: from left to right: 1) original white. I really like this one. 2) mint. meh 3) cream. meh 4) black, 3-ply. I think this one is a contender. 5) blue pearloid. Not really... 6) cyan/turquoise metal pickguard. Funky combination. So ugly that it's pretty. This bass is probably going to see a fair bit of action in the new project I'm involved in, funk with a decent amount of effects... octavers, synth/distortion and envelope filters... So I kind of like option 6. But the white or black pickguards would be my first choices, normally. What do you think? Oh, I also found an orange pickguard, pretty much the same shade as the body... that's another option.

ok, some pictures at last... I can't find pictures at the moment of the bass, how it was... I know I have some somewhere so I will update this when I find them. But the body is what Fender calls "shoreline gold", and the neck pocket had a date, september 2002. I put a bit of tape over it so that it stays. Anyway, here is my "Dexter" set up, with the golden body hanging... after several white primer coats: and the last one: then I started with the orange, here is a first thin coat. I decided to apply many thin coats rather than fewer thicker ones, to avoid overspraying. it's already much brighter than it looked without the white primer underneath. Without it, the shoreline gold was too dark and the orange looked dull. And after a few more coats: I have not yet sanded it or buffed it or anything, this is straight from spraying. I quite like the texture. Much finer than that of the original MusicMan SUBs, that's for sure. THis is a quick mock reassembling, with the original white pickguard: pretty, eh?

[quote name='Billy Apple' timestamp='1358627190' post='1942576'] Pics or you didn't buy it! [/quote] Ah, you know the rules! well, so here it is, next to the CV50s Precision: and no routing under the pickguard:

[quote name='apa' timestamp='1358623998' post='1942496'] You know what Im going to say dont you.................. WOOD. Nice bit of Burr veneer would set that orange off nicely. Oh and I wouldnt work too hard on the cleaning up - she'll know and find it anyway. Fine wine, Belgian chocolates and a big bunch of flowers is the price you pay Im afraid. Oh and a few years of reminders when she needs to A [/quote] ha ha, sorry, no fancy wood or gold on this bass She knows, she gave me permission... she wants to paint the kitchen and the deal was if I sprayed the wall and made a mess... I´d have to paint the kitchen by myself. I was ok there... but the fine dust flying everywhere caught me by surprise...

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1358604224' post='1942050'] halfords has a set of fine finishing wet and dry papers- i took that from 800 down to 2000, then T-cut on the top. Let it cure first before doing the fine sanding and buffing though have a fun weekend cleaning the gf's kitchen btw! [/quote] aha, "T-cut" is what I was wanting to know, thanks! I hope it gets shiny enough quickly, as I am not known for my patience, and I really want to play this thing soon. yeah, cleaning is going to be fun. That dust got everywhere!!! You don´t see it, it looks clean... but you run your finger over the counter and you get a bit of orange dust on your fingertip. I was careful to not spray on walls or floor... but I did not think the dust would be sooooo fine. Ah, lesson learnt! Next time I need to enclose the spraying area.

Well, saw the bass, tried the bass, bass now in my living room. Cheap instruments were not this nice when I started out!!! This is the Squier, in white, actually a very pretty shade of creamy white. The action at the moment is a little higher than I like, and the strings need changing, they feel pretty rough. But the bass balances well, it´s pretty light, with a very nice neck. It feels narrower than a normal P bass, more J bass territory. I´m not a fan of J necks (although I play them) but this one feels quite good. I´m surprised at the pickup. I expected something really uninspiring. Sure, it is a little on the brittle side, but it sounds alright. A nice Wizard Thumper would be ideal here once I find one second hand... but it´s not bad at all as it is. It needs a little adjustment to get it to play the way I want it, but... it´s very nice! It has barely been played. Frets as good as new, immaculate body. I never thought the day would arrive when I could say I love P basses

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1358605396' post='1942078'] JV = japanese vintage. Fender japan's attempt at a vintage reissue of the old 50's and 60's basses. The early ones especially are very good. Tend to command the highest price. SQ = not a vintage reissue and modeled on slightly later instruments. Not as high end in fender japan's range E series = the first lot they made that wasn't JV and SQ - basically made much the same time as some of the other series. Slightly different spec I would guess. Silver series = early 90's, last squiers made in japan. Sometimes great, sometimes cheap, odd dimensions on the necks and stuff. I think with all of them what you get is a great neck. Like really great. So if you have a E series with a great neck and it sounds good then you've a great bass. If I wanted something collectable and a bit special I would look for a 1st edition squier series JV. Otherwise, to be honest they all are pretty good- why did you get it for not much? Cos people look at the bit that say Squier and think that it's rubbish - ignoring the fact that a good one, and a good fender japan neck will be on a par with a new USA std one (IMO etc) [/quote] I had an E series telecaster, and it was the nicest telecaster I have ever tried. I sold it in a moment of madness when I thought I was going to move to Canada and needed to reduce clutter extensively.

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1358601092' post='1941959'] If it's nitro.... knock it back to 1200 or 2000 grit or whatever then leave it to cure for a week before buffing. Stingray clone.... try the molotow? silver bottom coat, trasparent red top coat? [/quote] what would you buff it with? It´s my next bit of "research". Did I say I´m new to this metallic finishes... urgh. Guess why I painted this shoreline gold body orange?

[quote name='Jimryan' timestamp='1358589926' post='1941706'] Morning all. As per the poll, the bass shall be named...the BC Baton. Even more exciting news, my band has been booked on the 16th of Feb. We have a start date of the 16th of February. So if any BCer's are free on the 16th of Feb, myself and the BC Baton will be playing the Jolly Sailor in Portsmouth. We'll be playing a delightful set of funk and soul covers. See you there [/quote] Exciting!! A bit far for me (Edinburgh), but I hope it gets the bass travelling

Well, I applied the last coat of Capri orange. Not last as in "definitely it does not need any more", but last as in it started spluttering, so I stopped before I spoiled what was looking pretty uniform spraying. Definitely, one can is enough if you are a bit careful. Next time I will do it better. It looks great. Matte, but I´d be happy using it as it is already. I guess I will fine sand it in a few hours, 1200 grit only, making sure I don´t over do it this time! and then... I should really buff it to get it glossy, but it looks nice already! Hmm. Apa, you will definitely see the body, but I´m not sure I will have it reassembled by Thursday. You can help me choose pickguards I have the original white one. A black one, as I intended originally. A dark blue pearloid thing, just because. And... a metallic pickguard (great for shielding! ) in some kind of greenish blue, or blueish green. Not a pretty colour, but mixed with the bright orange I think it can look very funky... or say "look, I´m colour blind!" I took some pictures with my mobile... althought I forgot to take pictures before I started painting it! I probably have some still from the original ad ´haimesy´put here in BC. I´ll upload them when I am at home, later today. I have some cleaning to do here first. My "Dexter" contraption worked quite well... but the spray produces some very very very fine dust and I have noticed it has settled on some uncovered wooden chairs a meter or two away from the spraying area. So I will have to dust the place and make sure there is no white-orange dust anywhere. Next one... that 5 string Stingray clone. Question is: translucent red, or fiesta red????

more fine sanding, 1200 grit only this time. Definitely better than before. I can see how I would get a better result if I added more layers of primer, but I ran out. I probably wasted a lot, being inexperienced in spraying... but I´m positive the results will be much better than I was anticipating. I applied one fine coat or Capri Orange nitrocellulose lacquer... ooooh, this is startng to look funky now It definitely needed the white primer underneath to come out as bright as I intended. Another 30-40 minutes, and I will apply another orange coat before going to bed. Exciting! Now I want to finish that 5-string Stagg Stingray clone I have in fiesta red!

[quote name='Billy Apple' timestamp='1358541049' post='1941272'] Here's a snap of the one I had next to my '62 re-fin.. The whole look and sound of the thing ticked so many of my boxes, but the weight was prohibitive for someone like me who has had cars run into his left shoulder. I'm not sure about 14lbs, but there was no way it was below 12. I guess if you are looking at a Squier it might be a bit lighter, IIRC the body is basswood. I know the Fender one has some kind of custom pick-up, and I found it very powerful I really liked the Badass, and I thought the nut width slightly narrower than a standard P. Also there is no cheesy sig on it, so you can enjoy the bass for what it is and have no allegiance to Green Day. There were some QC issues though. The bridge was not properly screwed down to the body, the cut-out around the control plate on the scratch plate was a bit rough and one of the control plate screws fixed into air. Saying that though it was nothing that could not be sorted, and had it not been for the weight I would have kept a hold of her. But, I loved the style so much, I had this one built.. And she weighs in at 7.6lbs I'd recommend you make the journey and try it out. The worst that will happen is you'll get out the house for the day Well, I suppose a helicopter could land on you, but on the balance of probability you'll most likely end up buying a decent bass [/quote] I´ll be watching out for helicopters... That one you had made looks VERY sexy! Yeah, the Squier is agathis, I believe. Likely to be not very heavy. Hmm, I do not need another bass, but I really like the look of the Dirnt Squier, star and all. Hmmm. If I leave the house and try the bass, unless there is something really wrong with it it will come home with me. After all, I can always let it go later if I don´t want it. It´s cheap and comes with a small practice amp that I can give to a skint friend of mine who needs one... hmmm.