Grangur

There may be a few reasons why your luthier can't get the action any lower. The fact he hasn't told you what his reason is on your bass might indicate he's either: 1 - Not interested in working on your bass. 2 - Not much good at communicating. 3 - Lacks skills. Problems that can limit how low the action can go can include: 1 - The nut being high - solution: file the slots. 2 - The bridge won't adjust low enough - solution - shim the neck. 3 - Lowering the action further causes fret rattle. This can be because the tops of the frets are uneven (as discussed earlier in this thread) - solution level the frets. 4 - Truss-rod problems meaning the relief can't be set low enough. Solution - work to address this issue, which may mean major work. We can't really say a lot more about this without seeing the bass. A Yamaha bass should be pretty well made, for a mass-produced production line item made by people who've been trained to do the job to meet a need of the factory to work to a defined specification level. The problem with any bass made in these conditions is nobody who made your bass is actually a luthier. Wood is wood. Yamaha may buy good wood but wood moves in the process of drying out and aging and a visit to a good luthier may be needed from time to time. This is especially true if the bass you picked up is a "Friday night" item from the production line. As I said in an earlier post; taking it to an experienced Basschatter, who knows basses might be a good start. Here's the thread with a list:

Deleted as I posted without looking at the pics properly.

FWIW the only software I've used for scores is Musescore. It seems to do everything I want and the printed sheets look good and easy to read. The newer version also does TAB for those who want that. All the pages in the following thread were done in Musescore.

Well @Greg.Bassman it seems we're getting closer. So it's fingers, slap and tapping. Normal gauge round-wound strings and low action. Don't know where you're located, but maybe a fellow BCer can take a look at your bass and see if they can set it for a low action for you? There's a thread in the Repairs section with a register of BCers happy to do that.

I once had a set of Elixirs that seemed to go dead on me very quick after fitting them. Very disappointed. Wrote to Elixir. They trusted me and they sent me a new set. During the time I was waiting for said strings to arrive, the strings got their life back and I felt a fraud for complaining. Never had a problem since.

The sample videos are: 1 - Mark King Bass Solo 2 - Slap bass demo 3 - Sly & Family Stone from BBC "The Story of Funk". This vid features Larry Graham. Aside of this I'm interested in your recommendation of TI Flats. I like flats. I've been playing Chromes, but might well try the TI Flats. Many thanks.

Elephant ear: me too. The other thing to look at is uneven frets, if it's the strings rattling as you play.

On the other side of this, over the last 8 years, more than 45 basses have passed through my hands. If I had a receipts for each purchase and was burgled, I could claim they were all stolen. Who's going to prove some had been moved on? The insurance cover has to be down to trust in some respects.

GAS, for me has always been a distraction thing. Constantly looking for something to do up and improve and find that "great sound" that will make me a great bassist. This journey has ment I've had over 45 basses in 8 years. The fact is, the more I stick to the same old favourites, and play that same few basses, the more the love for those grows. I'd love to get down to 1 bass and really love that 1 sound. (With a stand-by, of course!)

What do you call high? I've finished a few and, to be honest, for all the time involved; stripping, sanding, spraying, drying, spraying, cleaning up ect, £100 would be a really cheap price just for spraying without any taking the bass apart or reassembly. For a pro-shop you can add the commercial overheads and 20% VAT. A refin isn't going to be cheap.

Hey, we seem to have a growing number from France! Welcome to BC @Genseric

Ok, so what you're wanting is a low action set-up for slapping. Radius makes no difference to being able to get a low action. Any good bass can be set up with a low action and light gauge strings will make it fine for slap. The problem that then happens, sometimes is fret-rattle. This happens when the frets aren't levelled and crowned properly. It sounds like you need your frets levelled and a good set up. This work will cost about £100 at a decent luthier.

Ahhh.... so the only true resolution now is the old "brick through the window" routine.

I would have thought buying from a shop is a way of covering yourself from exactly this situation. Actually, here's the guidance on it. https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/somethings-gone-wrong-with-a-purchase/if-you-think-youve-bought-stolen-goods/ By the shop not refunding they are still guilty of "handling stolen goods". Actually, if you paid by card or cheque, you could still get your money back even now.

Mrs G took me today to a Barnardos charity shop in Bishops Stortford. There in the shop they have a full PA system with 2 speakers, amp and stands. All for £130. Seems like a bargain to me. I know nothing about PA systems and don't recognise the make, but they say it's loud.

Bonjour @patrb You have a great collection there! It would be really goodto see pictures. Especially good to see the ones you have built. Welcome to Basschat.

Thanks @gjones coming from a Warwick that's really useful to know. Many thanks

I'm thinking of doing a build and been looking online. The first ones i saw were Allparts and thought them ok for £175. At least its a name where you know what you're getting. Then I saw Mighty Mite. They're a little more expensive, but are they better? Also, both seem to adjust at the heel, which could be a bit of a faff. What are the thoughts from those who've been using these?

The other points for getting the tone of the playing in the vid are to turn up the mids. Turn down the bass, and use a pick.

Grandad bought some CDs from me. It was a smooth transaction. Good comms and he's a pleasure to deal with. Many thanks!

That looks really good. Many of the budget instruments available are amazing value. With improved electrics and a bit of work on the frets they can be really great.

Nice bass. I'll be looking out for it. Good luck

Sounds like the kid, like many, needs to learn the first lesson of working: "No matter how cr@p a job is, work at it every day, as if it's the best job in the world." @chris_b is right. He's got a lot to learn, but it's not his fault. Maybe it's the only job he can get and couldn't give a monkey's about bass.

Damien Erskin wrote for NoTreble on this: http://www.notreble.com/buzz/2016/11/09/curved-vs-flat-fingerboards-on-bass/