Grangur

[quote name='PlungerModerno' timestamp='1451236211' post='2938988'] Rosewood (or similar dense oily wood) fingerboards are almost always left unfinished. The well known example of finished rosewood is some rickenbacker basses and guitars. Applying tru-oil, danish oil, boiled linseed oil and the like ('oils' that cure, however hard) will probably result in permanent changes to the fingerboard (both in feel and look) - just like applying any varnish or sealant. Non curing - or most pure - oils can also change the look and feel - permanently! Some will bring out the grain and wood figuring more than others, some will darken the wood more than others etc. The non curing oil can evaporate over time - I've found a small amount of raw linseed oil really makes rosewood fingerboards look lovely - and seems to be temporary (doesn't leave a sticky mess, doesn't seal the fingerboard (you can still see and feel the pores). It does seem to permanently tweak the colour of the fingerboard however - only slightly in my experience. [/quote] Agreed

I use boiled linseed oil and have never yet had any problem with it being too thick or sticky. All you need to do is wipe it off and not leave it thick on the surface.

I know a guy who's been working as a french polisher on furniture for years. He fixes bloom on furniture by pouring on a flammable liquid and setting light to it. The heat bakes the damp out of the lacquer. Not sure that I'd like to do that without knowing more but a pro french polisher might be a good place to start.

If you ever change your mind and want to sell, it will be easier to sell with both pups connected. KiOgon would be happy to help you with a harness if you want one.

Really cool rack you have there. I like the chains too - dealing with the security issue. This does really make me aware how I'm lucky with Mrs G. I've got a 5-bass rack in the lounge. She likes it. She's even encouraged me to go buy a bass the other end of the country and we went off on 300 mile drive all to feed HER love of the sound of bubinga!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/IBANEZ-GSR200-BASS-GUITAR-Active-electronics-/331736451626?hash=item4d3d088a2a:g:EVAAAOSwo3pWdVFW

Based on my limited experience of being in a band the only one I'd add to the many great contributions here is: Thanks for sending the 368 pages of stuff for me to print and learn, but before I learn the bass parts, can I expect to be playing what is recognised as the bass part, or is that already covered by the keyboard player's left hand? Maybe this is more easily covered by the question, "do you have a keys player?" "Yes." "No, thanks then. Bye"

Have you tried the Repairs and technical section? There's a thread called Recommend Luthiers.

https://www.gumtree.com/p/other-string-instruments/bass-guitar-aria-magma-series./1146057787 It's a bit lower than your budget, but could be worth a look

Thanks for posting the information and pics. Did Martin say anything about if he thought this "reasonable wear and tear" for the age and use of such an instrument? Speaking for myself I'd be rather expecting a TR in normal use to last better than that. But what do I know?

[quote name='Ghost_Bass' timestamp='1450698334' post='2934902'] I would start by checking your bass/technique/strings/EQ before blaming it on the amp alone. With simple EQ you can take the boominess off any amp without it sounding too thin. - What strings are you using? How old are they? - What bass are you playing? How do you have the controls set? - How are you setting the EQ on your amp? Are you cutting the mids and boosting the bass? [/quote] I was thinking something along the same lines. It could be worth having some other BCers round with their gear and try out other borrowed combinations - basses/strings/setups/amps etc. I pulled an unused bass out of it's case at the weekend and it was seriously boomy. I lowered the pups and problem solved. Maybe the problem is cheaper to fix then you're expecting?

[quote name='No lust in Jazz' timestamp='1450688402' post='2934797'] For me its about playing music and I play and enjoy playing a range of instruments and find a personality within each one. In terms of GAS - so long as you are not putting yourself or family under undue financial stress go for it, buy what you like and enjoy it. [/quote] True, but you need to remember Scott is generally talking to a load of folk who are new to the world of bass. Speaking as someone who is, I hope, getting past that stage, I think noobs are inclined to rush through buying a load of basses in the search for "that sound", when what's needed is a good bass that you bond with; Ezbass beat me to it. Too many folk don't give themselves time to bond. Not enough folk try a different setup, change the strings, etc. Too many of us look for the answer to everything being on the pages of evilbay. After all, what is ebay but an expensive raffle prize draw? You pay your money and pray that the new bass will: 1 - leave the owner ok 2 - arrive ok 3 - sound something like you hope it might.

[quote name='Wonky2' timestamp='1450304664' post='2931610'] I have basses/ guitars stashed everywhere around the house, you can get quite creative if trying to make them invisible to the feurer..... Under the bed... [/quote] My older bro tried this when he was lent a bass as a kid. The trouble is someone went off with it... That's how I got into playing bass. On the matter of basses in the loft, there's a lot of variation in the conditions you'll find in lofts in different houses. So the answer depends on what the house is like.

I often go to WD Music. http://www.wdmusic.co.uk

[quote name='ikay' timestamp='1449399276' post='2923113'] Some say yes, some say no. With the J turned compleely down though there's still an extra 250k vol pot in the circuit. This sits in parallel with the 250k P vol pot which changes the load on the P pickup which in turn will affect the tone to some degree (it will sound a little less bright). You could insert a mini switch to isolate the J vol pot when not using the J pup which would leave the P au naturel. [/quote] Or you could change the vol pot to a push-pull switch. if you don't fancy drilling a hole.

[quote name='mrtcat' timestamp='1450295304' post='2931518'] +1 We're spread across 4 counties. I'd still walk or kick out the problem guitarist if I was in the OP's position. Poor players with bad attitudes never result in a decent band. If the rest of the band are decent they should be happy to see him go. [/quote] I guess that just goes to show that a lot depends on if you have time to be driving 2 hours each way to get to a rehearsal night or a gig. You clearly do, so good luck to you.

I feel Naetharu's pain here. Not only is it hassle jumping from one band to another but I happen to know he also lives in the sticks. If you live in some city like London, Bristol or Manchester there may be a dozen bands looking for a bass, but in a 2 horse town in deepest Essex? Good luck to you Bud. I guess only you can choose. Sometimes I guess I'm lucky in not having time to be in any kind of band anyway due to work commitments.

There are plenty of luthiers to ask. I'd start with Martin at Sims, or the other Martin at the Gallery, but there must be a few on here too.

[quote name='funkyjimbob' timestamp='1450261435' post='2931006'] [color=#000000][size=2]"Hi James,[/size][/color] [color=#000000][size=2]I sadly cannot offer you any of those options, as we only restore the instrument, we do not modify it.[/size][/color] [color=#000000][size=2]So if it came in with high gloss finish, we will only send it back with high gloss, if it came with LEDs, we’ll install new LEDs etc.[/size][/color] [color=#000000][size=2]If you’d prefer a different finish, LEDs etc., then maybe a good local luthier would be a good option?[/size][/color] [color=#000000][size=2]Best Regards,[/size][/color] [color=#000000][size=2]David"[/size][/color] [color=#000000]Fantastic customer support there. It's such a shame I love their basses so much as they are such money-grabbing bastards nowadays. Anyone got a Fodera I could try?[/color] [/quote] Isn't that like a BMW garage saying, "when we change your gear-box we'll give it a complete re-spray. You have to pay for that because as the original spec didn't include chips and scratches, that's the only way we'll send it back out." Or am I missing something. What if you like a road-worn looking Warwick? They'd throw a fit if they saw my Corvette. I've got dings and scrapes and Chinese writing on the back of mine.

[quote name='funkyjimbob' timestamp='1450261055' post='2930998'] About £8500.... They have me by the balls. [/quote] Or you buy a used Corvette and use the neck from that? Not the same finish, I grant you that, but at least the bass isn't a write-off.