icastle

[quote name='Christophano' post='1048717' date='Dec 5 2010, 08:57 PM']Hey Basschatters, I wondered if I could pick your brains!?! I'm in the process of putting a shopping list together to do a bit of a restoration of my old WEM Dominator 45 Bass. It's a 15" combo with 4x el84's and 3x ecc83's. The old Fane speaker looks and sounds a bit naff and I was going to replace it, it doesn't say whether it's a 8 or 16 ohm speaker and I can't find any solid conformation to say which one it is. I also don't have the means to test the speakers impedance. Anyone got any idea what I should purchase? Thanks in advance for anyone's advice.[/quote] Thats a pretty tough question. Back when the WEM Dominator 45 was made, Fane had a ridiculously large product range. If I had to make a guess, I'd go for 8Ω, but it is only a guess. Your best bet really would be to either buy a cheapy multimeter (even Maplin do one for £5!) or borrow one off a mate. Disconnect one of the wires going to the speaker, set the multimeter to the Ω setting, shove the meter probes onto the two speaker terminals and see what the meter says! Simples

[quote name='Ian Savage' post='1048569' date='Dec 5 2010, 07:04 PM']'Bids Of A Feather'?[/quote] The Two Wrongies ?

[quote name='Smash' post='1048358' date='Dec 5 2010, 04:03 PM']I bought this bass some years ago and changed a lot of the standard parts as you can see, but I cannot understand much about the original bass, does anybody here know what Squier bass this is? It plays so well and prefer it to the modern Mex basses.[/quote] If the neck is original then it's a Mexican Jazz Bass built 1994-1995. The logo sizes are back to front which potentially makes it a bit of an oddity. There's a thread about it here: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=89766"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=89766[/url]

[quote name='spinynorman' post='1048413' date='Dec 5 2010, 05:02 PM']Just wanted to say, great communication, a credit to Ebay. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA+++++++++++++++++++++++[/quote] I think we was kinda hoping that we'd get our own sitcom...

[quote name='StevieC' post='1047975' date='Dec 5 2010, 07:44 AM']Reading this thread I'm actually quite pleased that my MIJ 'Fender' Jazz Marcus Miller 4 is in fact a Tokai. Just goes to show things aren't always what they seem... [/quote] When Fender go off to Mexico or Japan looking for a manufacturer, they have a minimum specification which the factory will be 100% be contracted to meet - this protects the all important brand image. When you buy a MIM or MIJ you are buying a product that Fender has ensured meets the criteria that they set against the MIA. They take this very seriously - the MII range was cr*p so the Americans invaded them

[quote name='Musky' post='1048006' date='Dec 5 2010, 09:32 AM']That's the bit that rings true about this story. In 2008 Fender Japan started marking their instruments as Made in Japan again, rather than Crafted in Japan. Given the story about Made in Japan being associated with Fuji Gen's production of instruments perhaps there has been a change of manufacturers again. Fuji Gen?[/quote] Don't know for certain but, given that they have the capacity and previous experience with Fender. I'd say it was a distinct possibility. Quite a varied and long history - [url="http://www.fgnguitars.com"]http://www.fgnguitars.com[/url]

[quote name='Emmaemme' post='1048014' date='Dec 5 2010, 09:46 AM']Hold on, does this mean that my Geddy Lee... [/quote] ...yes indeed Guitars by George off of the ASDA production line...

[quote name='ThomBassmonkey' post='1047832' date='Dec 4 2010, 10:33 PM']The only reason I can think that they'd change name is that they've been known for decades for making rip-offs, maybe they want to start fresh if they're taking it in a new direction.[/quote] They're not renaming Tokai Japan stuff - the Futurama's are from Tokai China

[quote name='Johnston' post='1047119' date='Dec 4 2010, 09:55 AM']I contacted Roman through his own address it was a case of come back when your VAT regged and we'll talk. I did ask a few questions to tide me over but never got a reply so didn't chase it. There is a guy on Last bass outpost dealing with him. Seems he's actually the guy worth talking too. I was just leaving thing until I get a definite go ahead with my idea.[/quote] The Czechs have a long history of guitar production going right back to the 1950s. Check this site out: [url="http://www.jolana.info/"]http://www.jolana.info/[/url] Unless you can understand Czech you'll need to look for a union jack and click on it!

[quote name='Jacqueslemac' post='1047647' date='Dec 4 2010, 06:51 PM']Apparently, Fender had outsourced their manufacture to Tokai, but that when the deal came to an end, Fender had neglected to extend use of the copyright on their designs. As a result, Tokai has continued to make Fender-type Jazzes and Precisions, Strats and Teles that are almost indistinguishable from the real Fender "crafted in Japan" thing (as they're being made on the same production lines using the same materials).[/quote] MIJ Fenders have been produced in the Tokai factory since 1997. Not convinced that a copyright screwup has allowed Tokai to continue manufacturing good copies - they were making good copies back in the 1980s whilst the MIJs were being made in the Fujigen factory. [quote name='Jacqueslemac' post='1047647' date='Dec 4 2010, 06:51 PM']However, Tokai isn't using its own brand. It owns the Futurama brand and that's what is on the headstock. I was told that the sticker (the font is very, very close to Fender's own - the F in particular!) is applied on top of the lacquer, so can easily be removed, should you so wish.[/quote] There are two seperate companies - Tokai China and Tokai Japan. The Futuramas are made on the Tokai China production line along with Chinese Tokai branded items which are about 1/3 the price of the Japanese ones! The MIJ Fenders are (or perhaps it's now "were") made on the Tokai Japan production line. [quote name='Jacqueslemac' post='1047647' date='Dec 4 2010, 06:51 PM']How much of this is true and how much a sales story to shift budget instruments?[/quote] Well, the pertinent facts are true enough, but the way those facts have been laid out is a little dubious in places. The Futurama brand name is pretty old - it was originally held by Selmer and later passed on to Hagstrom before disappearing in the mid 1960s.

[quote name='anty' post='1047374' date='Dec 4 2010, 02:57 PM'][url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Boschma-Roto-rack-case-2U-better-than-all-others-/160513670910?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Rack_Cases_MJ&hash=item255f5c3efe"]Planning to get this one[/url] was considering the gator 2U deluxe which looks like its 2 combined in one. I see what you mean for future purposes a few extra quid wouldnt hurt incase I did upgrade to rackmount effects within the next few months.[/quote] For some reason Hartke sell these in a 3U casing - so there's an extra 1U of space above the amp. Not sure if it's so they can stick their logo somewhere prominent or if they do it to give the amp a little extra ventilation, so thats something you might need to investigate if you decide to go for a 2U rack with no upgrade space...

[quote name='tazza1' post='1047249' date='Dec 4 2010, 12:33 PM']I've got a better idea you send me the money via Western Union then I'll despatch the bass with your $1m dollars, should be no problems there![/quote] LMAO - OK, I surrender

[quote name='anty' post='1047291' date='Dec 4 2010, 01:36 PM']Just bought one second hand for £100 What would be the best rackcase for it, im looking something reliable and cheap just to fit it into. Wont be using rackmount effects etc for awhile due to financial contraints . Also do I need anything else to rackmount it with, any guides on here I can be linked too. The low contour knob isnt on it and just wanting to know the best place to find replacement knobs as well (as I dont have a clue where to look) Last question is what upgrades could I make to this. Only one I know of would be upgrading the preamp tube in it, any suggestions?[/quote] Standard rackcases are designed to accept equipment 19" wide and the height is always measured in "U"s. (1U = 1.75") Your amp is 2U high - so any rack case 2U high would do the trick. One thing to consider though is what you are going to do with it in the future - it might be worth having 2U spare for expansion. You can get blanking plates to keep the front of the rack looking tidy until you are ready to put effects etc. in there. Rackcases come in three different formats: 1) ABS - essentially moulded plastic - I have used these for years and they're very robust. 2) Aluminium covered - usually plywood with an aluminium covering, price reflects quality of build and overall robustness. 3) Soft Bag - A padded bag offering some protection but nowhere near as much as the ABS and Ally types. Unless you are buying a SH rack case, they usually come with all the appropriate cage nuts, bolts and protective washers.

[quote name='risingson' post='1047007' date='Dec 4 2010, 01:03 AM']Sorry Mike, none of those clips are my thing at all, but each to their own. If I'm going to listen to slap bass I'd prefer to hear this. Sick tone that doesn't sound like every other player with an active preamp in their bass, memorable playing, tight and very musical. On the whole the kind of slap I like to see. Maybe I just don't buy into the showboating slap technique as much as some.[/quote] +1.

[quote name='thinman' post='1046862' date='Dec 3 2010, 09:43 PM']I noticed the max frequency range and sample rate too. I can't imagine that at that sample rate the shape of higher frequeny waveforms is very well represented. Think I might have to stretch to a Picoscope of similar.[/quote] I couldn't justify purchasing a dedicated scope for the amount of use it would get so I bought one of the Pico ones quite a few years ago. Still going strong and has a reasonable spec. I haven't looked into it but I wonder if the limitations of the USB ones are related to the overall spec of USB as a transmission protocol?

[quote name='tazza1' post='1046990' date='Dec 4 2010, 12:38 AM']I've just had my Marlin Percussion valued by the top experts at Crack Converters, it was a bit of a shock really, they said they had never seen such a pile of junk in their lives (which is a bit rich really considering the quality of the goods they sell). I explained that the previous owner had told me the bass was a one off special edition (one of only 1,000,000 ever made) but they were adament that it is worthless & I've got to believe them because they really know their stuff don't they? So I'm afraid the deal is off unless you want a straight exchange for my Fecker Jizz Bass. Go on - you can have hours of fun showing people the logo on your paddle thingy.[/quote] This is a most tempting offer for the item. Unfortune-ately, I do not have myself the money to pay for the item. My uncle has money that was confiscated by the government here after the coup but not all of it was taken. He has $5M in a most secret account and says that he will pay you one million dollar for the item. He will transfer $2M to your bank account if you will wire the $1M dollar back to him. We just need your bank account details and your PIN number and we will sort this out with the utmost importance.

[quote name='lemmywinks' post='1046953' date='Dec 3 2010, 11:34 PM']Yeah it's the standard pencil shaped tip. Is there a standard type of tip or do i have to buy a specific one for my soldering iron? As it's a cheapy i assumed the cheapy tips would fit, i could do with a finer one as i have a laptop repair to do next week[/quote] They come in different types of fitting unfortunately. I think you might have to resort to trawling the internet and taking a gamble that the tip you choose is the right fitting. Sorry

[quote name='tazza1' post='1046596' date='Dec 3 2010, 05:23 PM']No-one could shape plywood like those Japanese [s]geenyus[/s], [s]jeanius[/s], craftsmen! Hold on though wasn't the Stradivarius made in the Czech republic? Are you sure this is genuine?[/quote] I am shocked that you could even suggest such a thing. The 12 experts who have looked at it have all said it is the genuine artikal and worth $2000... ------------------------------------------ From: BaseExpertDude To: Chuck Ngwamonoma Subject: Stradivarius Precison Bass Hellos to you my greeting friend! To your most excellent query, I can confim that this is indeed a most excellent item with genuine features attached. It is for you that it is 2000 dollar. If people tell you otherwise they are not truthful and loyal. -----------------------------------------

[quote name='lemmywinks' post='1046868' date='Dec 3 2010, 09:52 PM']I was wondering what tips you guys reccommend for soldering basic guitar stuff? I've been using a cheap 40w solder station with the stock tip, this one: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Solder-Station-40W-FAST-DISPATCH-/220703993142?pt=UK_Home_Garden_PowerTools_SM&hash=item3362fbad36"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Solder-Station-40W-F...=item3362fbad36[/url] (I bought that one because we used similar ones at school many moons ago)[/quote] It's hard to see what tip is on that iron - I'm presuming its a straight tip (sort of pencil shaped)? What you need is a chisel shaped tip - you need something that transfers heat over a reasonable surface area or, even with a 40W iron, you're going to be sat there for ages heating up a pot casing

[quote name='tazza1' post='1046430' date='Dec 3 2010, 03:06 PM']Let me think about it but are you sure it's not the cheaper Stradivarius [b]Percussion[/b] Base? A lot of people make that mistake. Would you swop for my Marlin Percussion Base - it's worth more than yours cos it's got a genuine [b]Squire[/b] transfer on the end bit.[/quote] I don't need to tell you because, as you're reading this you will already know, the Stradivarius Precison Bass (as certified by 12 music industry experts) was made in the Matsumokumushipea factory and is a *RARE* and *SUPERB* ungigged example of the high quality craftyship that they was [s]reknown[/s] [s]renoun[/s] famous for.

[quote name='tazza1' post='1046394' date='Dec 3 2010, 02:38 PM']Oh feck - that's another one of my basses you lot have ridiculed. I dread to think what you are going to say about my Fender Stratocaster Bass. [/quote] They're rubbish they are. You wanna get a Stradivarius Precision Bass like what I've got - *totally* rare and never gigged... wanna buy it?

[quote name='Truckstop' post='1046367' date='Dec 3 2010, 02:17 PM']How many people reading this thread have thought to themselves: "Hmmm... I [b]could[/b] buy in some cheap guitars and sell them at a profit and become a millionaire...." I know I did! Truckstop[/quote] Almost... "Hmmm... I [b]could[/b] buy in some cheap guitars and sell them at a profit, but my wife would kill me if I clutter up the spare bedroom again...."

[quote name='BigRedX' post='1046319' date='Dec 3 2010, 01:37 PM']Interesting, but essentially it's a rip-off of [url="http://www.africanguitars.co.uk/"]Afri-can Guitars[/url].[/quote] Yep - haven't checked every item but that pretty much seems to sum up the majority of their product range

[quote name='spinynorman' post='1046189' date='Dec 3 2010, 11:55 AM']...how much these have gone for in my coke-fueled dreams and anything connecting it with Matsumoko or Ibanez that I can crib from someone called Bassaspirin on Basechat.[/quote] ...and by leaving out the swearwords that would probably equate to... . . . . . . . . . . .

[quote name='icastle' post='1045916' date='Dec 3 2010, 02:11 AM']Czech guitar manufacturers. [url="http://www.bachmusik.com/en/"]http://www.bachmusik.com/en/[/url][/quote] Not indicative of their entire range, but this is one of their guitars made out of a petrol can. I think this is perhaps the Czech version of the X Factor