Grangur

On Talkbass there's a really impressive thread about the B3 and loading patches and how to get loads more than the stock issue of effects on the machine. I admit I'm a noob and easily impressed, but its worth a look.

I've got 2 Streamers. The one in my avatar and this one below. The pups are the same, the necks are about the same, the wood, size and weight... etc, etc. One's a bolt on and the others' a through neck, but no they don't feel totally the same to me. As others have said, I think it's because the technique and the mind-set thinking about intonation.

I got the same effect by going to B&Q and using tap washers. Errr... sorry. Not very rock n roll is it?

[quote name='Vinny' timestamp='1407282004' post='2519220'] Get on with it - I clean all my basses with it as well as amp, pedals, leads, motorbike, bald head, the lot. It does nowt on tarnished frets, though. [/quote] True, it appears to do a good job, as long as you know you'll NEVER want anything resprayed, stained or glued ever after you've done it. Ah yeah, add to the list; you won't be able to sell it to anyone who knows the problems and can see that you've done it,

The growliest bass I've heard is my Wishbass. It has a Kent Armstrong MM style humbucker. Its got a good punch to it.

[quote name='tauzero' timestamp='1407001064' post='2516607'] Was the person who said that someone whose opinion you value? [/quote] It would have to be an impressive "someone" for me to accept his word over that of Victor Wooten. I too saw him using it in London for effects and the Looper.

I guess this too might be eye watering: http://www.wdmusic.co.uk/jazz-bass-maple-neck-unfinished-black-block-inlays-and-binding-8147-p.asp WD are a good supplier, bit I can't say their necks are cheap. At least you won't be hit for import costs on top.

I'm not a fan of faked relic basses, but I was amused to see a 2nd hand Fender RW for sale "in mint condition". Isn't that missing the point?

[quote name='linear' timestamp='1406588667' post='2512892'] Does having a shim in the neck affect how low you can get the strings (assuming the saddles aren't bottomed out)? It seems to me it should make no difference, but ever since I shimmed the neck on mine I just can't seem to get the strings low enough without getting buzzing while playing at the upper frets [/quote] Adding a shim in the bottom of the pocket will have the effect of tipping the headstock back. This will have the effect of lowering the action at the highest frets. It sounds to me like you might have a shim in there that you don't need. Most well made instruments shouldn't need a shim if the angle of the pocket and neck base are made correctly. IMHO

[quote name='planer' timestamp='1406397410' post='2511224'] Scratch that then... :-) I didn't think that through, did I? [/quote] The problem is that real wood is a natural material. The density of the specific piece of wood, the closeness of the grain and sizes of knots etc all affect the weight. If only...

[quote name='JamesBass' timestamp='1406226618' post='2509601'] Cheers for the suggestions! Has anyone had any experience of the Bill Lawrence P46's or the Kent Armstrong Pickups? What about UK "boutique" builders? Such as the creamery, or BareKnuckle? Just been browsing TalkBass and came across a thread that mentioned these http://www.mvguitars.com/P-Bass--3-8--Pole-Split-Humbucker-Replacement-Pickups-.html as being the best the guy had ever used, anyone ever used these? James [/quote] I've got a set of Kent Armstrong pups almost as new, boxed. Maybe you can have them on approval? pper

Having been stung recently by the non - insurance of instruments i'm now planning to send basses in 2 packages where possible. Then I can declare the contents as "wooden components".

WD sell Kent Armstrong P bass pups. These are designed for a vintage tone similar to the SDP-1 but for about £49

This is exactly what I want to get playing right now! Many thanks for posting. I'll also bookmark your blog. Btw es ist auch fur mich interesant dein blog auf deutsch zu haben. Ok my German is rusty, very rusty

Tom Skool, if you mean covered poles, Kent Armstrong do a great humbucker. Mine in a Wishbass gives a great tone. At £50 they're amazing value too.

[quote name='lownote12' timestamp='1399356869' post='2443310'] geoff chalmers is scott's manager. between them they've got 100,000+ online students so its unlikely they'll be teaching 121. But why not join Scott's online course? For the price of a couple of hours conventional teaching you get a year's access to all his wisdom and lessons, plus you can get feedback from him and others by posting video of yourself on the forum. what's not to like? Go [url="http://www.scottsbasslessons.com/sbl-academy-open"]http://www.scottsbas...bl-academy-open[/url] [/quote] I've subscribed and it's good value for £52 a year.

[quote name='gary mac' timestamp='1405579989' post='2503147'] Not necessarily Rich, I know a couple of guitarists, one in particular, who plays superbly well but hasn't a clue as to what key he is playing in, or even the name of the chord. But can work out a tune from just a quick listen. [/quote] Fair point. I didn't mean to tarnish them all with the same brush. Joan Armatrading can't play guitar in a proper sense. I heard her say she's tried to do lessons, but whenever she does that she hears certain harmonics or scales and then noodles off into writing mode.

Just a minor suggestion: put your location in your profile too.

Thanks Simon for buying the strat body from me. Simon's a good guy. Pleasant to chat with and I'd be pleased to deal with him again anytime. Cheers Richard