mcnach

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.

A few hours later (dinner, rehearsal, get back...) I fine sanded it (1200 grit). Smooth. Dusty! I then tried grit 600 on a couple of small areas that were uneven, with a run, at the bottom of the bass. argh! 600 grit goes through the finish much faster, so the gold started to show! another coat of primer then, after removing all the dust. The can is almost finished by now.

Well... it´s happening!!! girlfriend is away for a long weekend, and I convinced her to let me use her place to do the deed (it makes it easier to ventilate if you dont have to stay there cold all day). So, a suitable corner in the kitchen was chosen. Removed table and chairs, and proceeded to prepare the area, Dexter-style. I covered the walls and floor with cut bin bags held with masking tape. I covered two chairs too, and used a broom stick between them to hold the bass body. For this I inserted a hook into one of the neck screw holes, which happened to be the sam thread, and used a little bit of rope to hang it. I found I could turn it a few times, and let it spin one way and the other while I spray... cool! I´m on my fourth thin coat of white primer. It seems the trick is to lay it thin, as many times as needed, but thin, to avoid having runs and paint it uniformly. I did nothing to prepare the body. It was in really good condition, so I just cleaned it a bit, dissolving any possible finger grease with a bit of alcohol soaked in a paper towel. I did not even sand the bit of orange lacquer I had test-sprayed on the back... if it looks bad, well, it´s at the back. Pictures to follow. I´m starting to think that it´s not going to look too bad...

I found myself with a bit of extra cash in my pocket and at the same Mik time I am finding the Squier Mike Dirnt P-bass quite attractive. I might try one tomorrow, although it means travelling a bit. I was wondering if anybody here has one and what they think about it. Is there any routing under that pickguard? I can´t imagine there would be any, which would be nice as I like the pickguardless look... [url="http://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/squier-mike-dirnt-p-bass"]http://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/squier-mike-dirnt-p-bass[/url] The reviews seem to go from "awesome" to "crap", with most of them seemingly written by 15 year olds who may not be best equipped to judge whether they like or hate a bass because what they like is the set up of that particular instrument... any comments welcome.

[quote name='lazzer' timestamp='1354118352' post='1882289'] [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrZTl2Vztw8"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrZTl2ztw8[/url] Recent you tube clip of Moore Lizzy.... find us on facebook too Thanks. Ben sorry cant fathom how to put the screen shot in doh! [/quote] Really liked that. Come to play in Edinburgh!!!!

Sir Duke - Stevie Wonder. That unison run took some effort and repetition to get right... but it's a lot of fun once copied into the hard drive in the brain. Still need to work a little to make it run more smoothly though. [url="http://youtu.be/hmKshpLXnxE"]http://youtu.be/hmKshpLXnxE[/url]

[quote name='Jimryan' timestamp='1358197859' post='1934794'] Way ahead of you buddy. Already compiled a list and constantly adding to it. At the moment it's only name, screen name and location. Just before it kicks off I'll be adding handover details and contact numbers. Once this preliminary list is completed, it will be sent to every member that has "officially" signed up. *whilst touching nose with one hand and pointing at you with the other* "You knows it" [/quote] You guys! I tell you to keep it quiet at the weekend because I was going to be busy, and when I come back... two hours just trying to catch up!!! Found the sign up thread, and signed up.

Jose McNach - Edinburgh (happy to travel to neighbouring towns, including Glasgow)

[quote name='steve-bbb' timestamp='1358075891' post='1932572'] postage wouldnt really be an issue surely would it? there are enough peeps on here to be able to pass it on at a gig or post gig with members being local-ish enough to be able to meet up and pass it on? id happily give it a go if it comes over anywhere around the garden of england and from scanning the boards here there must be at least a dozen members who are well within a 20 minute drive so easy to pass it around [/quote] If postage is an issue for someone, then they should make it clear before taking possession of the bass, and figure out who they're going to pass it on to beforehand. I suggest me make a list with participants and: 1) Location 1a) if applicable, would they drive to collect/deliver? How far? 2) agree to post if necessary? 2a) are they "hand in locally only"? ... it's doable, come on, let's do it!

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1358070938' post='1932486'] Sorted re the strings then mate, cool. What about anyone that uses it puts a pound in a jar (paypal or similar)? [/quote] That's a cool idea too. It would be a nice way to raise some more money for BC.

[quote name='TimR' timestamp='1358069741' post='1932462'] Make sure you get good contact details of whoever has the bass next. We did this on another forum only with a shirt. Everyone had to wear the shirt at a gig and put something in a memory box that travelled with the shirt. The contents of the box were kept secret and there was some interesting stuff in it. The shirt and the box are now with a bass player who hasn't answered any correspondence and hasn't passed it on... I'll see if I can find the website. [/quote] we will form a BC hit squad to deal with those situations and the perpetrators.

[quote name='iconic' timestamp='1358104756' post='1933238'] and that piccy shows it's proper binding too [/quote] it had! until apa got his hands on it

[quote name='Gust0o' timestamp='1358015507' post='1931932'] Or do you have to go to another BC'ers gig to collect it? Could be an idea - and we'd get to see some more music! [/quote] Brilliant idea! If it ever makes it to Scotland, count me in!!!

[quote name='MiltyG565' timestamp='1357972072' post='1931163'] ERDAGAHAAA! *dead*. ...PM sent. [/quote] PM'd back. You shall have RHCP multitracks.

[quote name='Stan_da_man' timestamp='1357904059' post='1930235'] Why buy it then if you know you're not going to keep it? I go to my local music shop "to try" stuff out. [/quote] In a shop you try it in an environment very different from the one you will use it in, for a limited amount of time. If you buy it, you can truly give it a good try. I also have bought stuff second hand because I wanted to try... and sell them on if I didn't want to. IN particular, at one point I bought maybe 7-8 overdrive pedals. Tried them all side by side, and chose to keep two. I did something similar with octave and envelope filters. Shops are ok for some things. But nothing beats trying equipment in my own environment, in "real life". Also, shops tend to have a limited range. Many things I am interested in I just cannot go to one shop and try. I would have to find which shops have it, and it would require me to travel to X for one thing, to Y for another... nah, it's not worth it. I go to a shop when I want something specific and it's convenient for me to go (otherwise, online), or because I want to browse and see what they have and what temps me. Sometimes I have also bought new when I was not entirely sure I would want to keep something... Sometimes I don't keep it, but I'm sure I gave it a fair try. It works for me.

[quote name='yorks5stringer' timestamp='1357862616' post='1929886'] My recently acquired VM Squier 5 String ( and my old 4 String) has the black "inlays", but they are definitely a transfer and not a proper inlay. [/quote] there was a lot of this argument early on "they are inlays" "no they are painted!". It turns out they ARE inlays, not painted on, despite appearances. Google search, you will find pictures demonstrating this.

[quote name='MiltyG565' timestamp='1357841641' post='1929435'] I love going on to YouTube and finding the bass master tracks, but the problem is, they are always terrible quality. Listen to any BSSM song, then find the bass master track on YouTube, and you would think they compressed the crap out of it and had it at a lower bit rate. I love the totally guttural sound of the Wal Mach 2 in BSSM, but on YouTube, it just sounds like a plank with an output socket. [/quote] I have a bunch of RHCP songs in multi track format, including the whole of BSSM. Not "youtubified". They could sound better, but they are not bad at all. Very good for learning and generally getting a good feel for Flea's style. If interested PM me. I'm sure I can find a way to get them to you. I also have Stevie Wonder's Superstition in 24 tracks... hours of fun

[quote name='Marvin' timestamp='1357839274' post='1929393'] I've just put a set of Fender 9050 Flats on my P bass. Sounds great. [/quote] +1 Lovely strings. My favourite flats. They remind me a little of D'Addario chromes, but I prefer the Fenders. I have them currently on my Squier Precision CV 50s and on a Jazz.

[quote name='bartelby' timestamp='1357740950' post='1927565'] I haven't played the youtube bit yet but. I'd have thought that would have required remixing or dubbing to get any bass audible. The bass was originally mixed so low I doubt remastering would be able to do much. Now Metallica own their back catalogue I hope they do remix it. Although I doubt it as it was James' and Lars' desicion to basically remove the bass. [/quote] click on "watch on youtube", it explains how it was done. Essentially, it's one of the tracks available as multitracks of some sort for a video game. From that, a guy isolated the bass track the best he could and mixed it together with the original album audio, ensuring the bass was loud enough in the mix.