TRBboy

Congrats, nice bass for not much cash! I think .045"-.130" is about the popular gauge for 5ers, but personally I prefer to go a bit lighter ( usually .040-.125"). It really all depends on the bass and your playing style though, you'll only find out what works best for you through trial and error.

[quote name='vmaxblues' timestamp='1380990894' post='2233190'] I live in Hereford too! [/quote] Wahey! Coming to the Bowling Green? Are you in a band?

[quote name='plumbob' timestamp='1380901498' post='2232215'] Were down at the Golden Cross Sutton St Nicholas tonight if your at a loose end ! [b]The Funkatronic Love Commandos[/b] [/quote] Ah, sorry man, not gonna be able to get down there tonight! Recognise the band name though, think I saw you on the board at The Plough a while ago when we were playing there. Must try to catch you guys sometime! We're playing at The Bowling Green tmrw night (recently refurbished and re-opened if anyone's around!

[quote name='Dandelion' timestamp='1380809927' post='2230907'] I like that.. Please send it my way, via prime_BASS, just like that other one. [/quote] Not a chance Pal!

I tried a few different ones, but my favourites were Dimarzio Ultra Jazz. Really gutsy and powerful and well defined across the tonal spectrum. They're basically side by side split coils too so absolutely silent, no hum whatsoever.

[quote name='Prime_BASS' timestamp='1380790449' post='2230488'] Did you go for a maple headstock in the end? [/quote] Yes! We came to an agreement about it...... I've upgraded to a swamp ash body, and 3-band eq too.

Awesome, good work! Makes me want to get the tools out!

[quote name='Karnage' timestamp='1380715624' post='2229350'] Looks like good motivation to me! A lot more inspiring than that bland view usually seen. [/quote] Yeah, that's what figured! Trouble is, I just keep zoning out watching the seconds count down......

Cheers guys, will check those options out!

Hey guys, One of the guitarists in my band has found a guitar for sale on eBay that he REALLY wants (once in a lifetime sort of affair). The trouble is it's in the USA, and the seller's not willing to arrange shipping to the UK. Just wondered if anyone's got any tips/advice for the best/easiest/cheapest way to do it? Thanks

[quote name='toneknob' timestamp='1380658134' post='2228665'] St James Church followed by Lyde Hall (apparently they had their late licence altered not long ago, after fights broke out because everyone got so trousered at all-day receptions) [/quote] Ah, I'm familiar with both. Lyde Court is a nice venue. Hereford Soul Choir staged a big event there back in June (you can see pics on our Facebook page, link below), and it was a great evening! I believe the issue with the licensing was more to do with the people rather than the booze (allegedly). I think there was a temporary suspension, which was all cleared in the end, but it scared the proprietor into being a bit more cautious.... that's my interpretation of events anyway! Hope you enjoyed your time here anyway!

[quote name='arthurhenry' timestamp='1380657962' post='2228662'] I'm in Ross. The middle of nowhere to some, an hour away from Bristol, Cardiff and Birmingham to a musician. Just wait for all the replies from people in Watford, Stevenage, Hitchen etc. [/quote] Somehow, the entire county is in the middle of nowhere! Are you in a band?

It can be surprising what a difference a small adjustment makes; 1-2mm can make a massive difference! I usually go for 5mm from the strings at the neck, and 4mm at the bridge (on the recommendation of Sandberg) and it sounds great! Obviously different basses/tastes will require different pickup heights, etc, etc. Glad you got it sounding how you want!

Congrats man! Just the loooong wait now......

I've actually gone and put a countdown timer for the ETA of my new bass on my desktop at work...... [attachment=145157:desktop.jpg]

[quote name='toneknob' timestamp='1380645015' post='2228385'] I was in Hereford for a wedding on Saturday. I expect to be sober again next Tuesday fortnight (there's some very nice beer out that way. and wine. and fizz...) [/quote] Where was the wedding? You forgot cider......

[quote name='Skol303' timestamp='1380643702' post='2228370'] I grew up in Hereford and still visit often to see friends and family... and to drink cider Beautiful place. A little slow-paced for me nowadays (I live in Manchester) but I love going back there. Used to gig at The Old Harp and elsewhere in my youth. Usually meet up with mates in the Barrels these days, or in the more remote rural pubs (lock-ins aplenty!). [/quote] Yes, the Barrels is the best pub in town by a long shot! The Old Harp re-opened as The Herdsman about 8 years ago, and had bands on every weekend. It was really good for a while, until it changed hands again, and now there's no live music there! The Plough on Whitecross Road is about the best live music pub in town now, as well as the Treacle Mine and The Victory. The Jailhouse has loads of varied stuff going on these days, and seems to kind of be the hub of live music in Hereford these days. Played there with Hereford Soul Choir in March and it was a great night!

[quote name='peteb' timestamp='1379028035' post='2208038'] A couple of pics from Newark Blues festival last weekend, courtesy of Liz Aiken... [attachment=143628:PB Newark.jpg] [attachment=143629:Pete n Phil Newark.jpg] [/quote] Is that my old bass Pete?! Great shots btw!

Hey guys, Just wondered if there's many other BCers from Herefordshire? Thought it might be fun to maybe have a meet up sometime, and go to each others gigs and stuff? Let me know if you're interested!

My old jazz used to have raised poles, and The strings used to "clack" against them sometimes. I swapped them out in favour of Seymour Duncan quarter pounders, because the poles were recessed. Didn't think they sounded quite how I wanted, so I got some Dimarzio Ultra Jazz. Now they were AWESOME pickups! Hum cancelling too and no clacking on the strings.

The vintage stuff is definitely good value for money, but imho, the best quality 5er you could get for very little money is a Yamaha of some sort. There's loads of RBX375s about, but my preference would be for a BB405, BB605, BBN5, BBG5S type of thing if you can find one. I got a BB605 on eBay as a backup bass last year, and it's astonishingly good for the small sum I paid! Hope you find something that suits your needs.

You could try BCer nugget... I've seen some of his work in the flesh, and it was very good quality for not much money!

Just realised I didn't actually mention what I've ordered! For those of you who haven't seen the "what colour headstock" thread in bass guitars, I've ordered: Sandberg Bullet Booster 5 Cherry sunburst Swamp Ash body upgrade Maple fretboard Custom plain maple headstock Black hardware 3-band eq upgrade Will look something like this, apart from the headstock and extra knob:http://basschat.co.uk/uploads/monthly_09_2013/post-14387-0-63037400-1379662763.jpg Although I think the colour won't look that bright, this California TM is also cherry sunburst:http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/697/img9724c.jpg Very excited!

[quote name='Spaced' timestamp='1380286696' post='2223293'] The only Sandberg Bullet I've seen on BC or in 'real life' was a natural fretless Custom in PMT Leeds... really wish I'd gone for it. Dunno if it's just me but especially here they don't seem to be much favoured [/quote] Everyone seems to love a Fender-a-like innit? The main thing about the Bullets and Basics for me is the necks.just incredible! I had a California PM once, And whilst (imho) it beat the pants off any fender I've ever played, the neck just wasn't as good as a Basic (plus it was quite a lot heavier). Personally, I like something that is a bit different anyway. I've gone for an upgrade to swamp Ash for the body too, so that is even lighter and has a bit more warmth and low-mid growl. I think it's a shame that you don't see more of Sandberg's original designs about, but each to their own and I guess people just like what they like. I think all of their basses are outstanding value for money, for a hand built bass which can hold its own against anything else.