Grangur

[quote name='SisterAbdullahX' timestamp='1479936155' post='3180466'] Super glue IS Cyanoacrylate. [/quote] Doh!!! You live and learn. Thanks

[quote name='SisterAbdullahX' timestamp='1479932386' post='3180435'] Er, you sure? [/quote] Yes. At 6:27 to 6:39 you see him sand the super glue off to the point of only showing up a few low points. At 7:09 to 7:17 he is buffing up the high gloss cyanacrylate finish.

[quote name='thepurpleblob' timestamp='1479922350' post='3180345'] I too, pretty much, only know songs. Well, I can get by with some basics but I've no background in improvisation. I just haven't done it. It's not really required in a wedding band. [/quote] I don't know the book you've ordered, but assuming it's a book of a variety of generic 12 bar blues lines, go through the book and learn a mix of those and you'll begin to learn a variety of different ways to play a 12. You can then use those as building blocks that you can swap around and pick from to start to work with. The book I used was John Liebman's Blues Bass. That's a good book. I should add; to improvise it's useful to know scales and know about using the 3rd, 5th 7th and root. Then adding some passing notes. This is where guys who play Tabs-only get lost, because they only know to play what they're told. With tabs you don't learn why those specific notes are used.

[quote name='SisterAbdullahX' timestamp='1479930807' post='3180422'] Super glue! https://youtu.be/MyBsbNf9-p8 [/quote] He only uses super glue for showing up the low spots on the neck though. The finish the guy in the video uses is a lacquer.

You could try laying a straight edge down the neck on the frets to see if the frets are level. Maybe you have a fret that's a bit high?

I've got a SS1 and an LX. Both are German made. They both are PJs and the feeling is similar except the LX is fretless. I would value them both the same, but Warwick are making things confusing by moving their production around and re-using product names or is that just me?

[quote name='LewisK1975' timestamp='1479828171' post='3179609'] Hey Kert, I reckon far east manufactured, Marlins were east German made up until the late eighties (Slammer and Sidewinder guitars / Basses) and then Korea up until they ceased in the late nineties. I'd say it's not worth a lot unfortunately, certainly sub £100. They were distributed by Hohner IIRC..Entry level stuff, and not a patch on today's entry level stuff either.. [/quote] I agree on the Slammers, but that one has an interesting body shape though as well as a J pup and better bridge. So I'd expect it would get more. Do you know any more about the build? I guess the ultimate answer is stick on Evil-bay and see what it goes for; that's the law of economics.

[quote name='Dutchie' timestamp='1479825854' post='3179579'] if you need help in re-drawing the correct Fender logo, I could help. I do it for a living. [/quote] Many thanks. I think I'm fine on the drawing of it. That which I have is ok. What I've not got right is the printing of it. So I've already ordered a decal complete. If I'd only known a few days earlier I'd have taken you up on that, your silver "Fender" ones look really good. If I'd had that I could have done the rest to a reasonable level. Thanks anyway.

[quote name='Dutchie' timestamp='1479820231' post='3179513'] Thanks so much for all your kind comments and suggestions. Today I went to Denmark St and got some D'Addario Nickel rounds 45-105, I will attempt to put them on this week. I've watched a few you tube tutorials so hopefully I can do the job. Thanks D [/quote] Sounds great. Then, when you've fitted the strings, you can take a look at the series of 4 videos on setting up your bass. This is the first: http://youtu.be/te44eWXd9pc?list=PL1Ok9_VCe0qdYo4MhAE8ecP3gzyysiiMr If you have any questions, just post here.

[quote name='Phil Starr' timestamp='1479805893' post='3179347'] Rich, I'm worrying about you. I don't think it's a problem playing just for the joy of it, I know at least as many musicians in your position as ones out there playing in bands every weekend. It's all good. You are right to realise it's about priorities and few of us can have everything we want, especially without a decent job. there's a wistfulness about your posts though. There's nothing to stop you from being an occasional band member. There's always people out there in the same place as you who need a bassist but will play anyway. I started playing with a bunch of teachers for example. They'd got too old for the Fri after school five a side/twenty over cricket in the summer and formed a 'band' just to unwind. They ran for years just for fun and the odd song at school 'do's'. I still currently play with a neighbour and another guitarist he's roped in. They'll practice without me if I can't make it, there's never any criticism, it's just fun. There's also an old (very old) university mate I play with four or five times a year. We hit the open mics sometimes but it's just fun to play and talk. He retires soon, we might form a band, go out as a duo or just keep doing what we do. I suspect you are way better than I am, there are people who would love to have your help and you need do no more than dip your toe in the water. Good luck [/quote] Like

(I'm now on a PC, with a real keyboard. So there's no stopping me now!) As a beginner you can do well to start with some straight-forward round-wounds. The "normal" gauge that most basses are made for are .105 -.045. If you're wanting to slap and pop and stuff, then folk will often go for a lighter gauge string set. Rotosound are OK strings. They also market some economy strings called "Legacy". They're great value. http://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/strings-c1/bass-guitar-strings-sets-c34/legacy-4-string-nickel-roundwound-45-105-long-scale-bass-guitar-strings-p972/s1014?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=legacy-4-string-nickel-roundwound-45-105-long-scale-bass-guitar-string-legacybass45&utm_campaign=product%2Blisting%2Bads&keyword=&matchtype=&network=g&device=c&gclid=CjwKEAiA9s_BBRCL3ZKWsfblgS8SJACbST7DX5WwQzDFBkPusDg0qsANMr5G03hLlfog-pogKJ-O-xoCAQ3w_wcB As Marc-S says, your bass will probably need a set up. If we meet I can do that too and show you how it's done. As Bazztard says, Youtube is your friend. A lot of these things are on Youtube. You can also get some initial lessons online too: www.scottsbasslessons.com www.studybass.com Otherwise, on Youtube, search for "Bass lessons" and you'll get loads of info. All I'd say is stear clear of the lessons that simply teach you to play one track at a time. IMHO you need to know "how to play [i]the bass[/i]" not "How to play [i]xxxx tune[/i]". So you need lessons that teach you where the notes are not simply leading you to know where to put your fingers for a track or 2.

[quote name='Dutchie' timestamp='1479770334' post='3179224'] Anyone near Cheshunt, Herts that can offer beginners lessons, I've had the bass for nearly 2 years and can't even tune it! [/quote] I live in Bishops Stortford and would be happy to get together for a chat about getting started. There are also others nearby you. Maybe you should start another thread on that question too.

[quote name='BassBunny' timestamp='1479766564' post='3179191'] Rothko and Frost by any chance? They do a superb job exactly how you want it. [/quote] That's the one. Yes, Gary Mac told me about them.

[quote name='Thunderbird' timestamp='1479755304' post='3179038'] Black Friday is a bit like the Xmas sales it is 99% tat and crap [/quote] Isn't that the case for all sales? The only difference on Black Friday is the businesses take advantage of the panic-buying that goes on as you "buy now or miss out"

Yes. I already have an order in, and an incoming pro decal. I thought I'd give it a go, but 'tis not to be. I do want a pro-looking job.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1479748985' post='3178952'] That's exactly what I'm talking about. ... I quit my job/career because life is too short and working with and playing in a band was where my head and heart was at. By design, I'm not in any type of life relationship that would interfere with gigging. Blue [/quote] Good idea. I'll do just that. I'll explain it to Mrs G. Can I ask you to explain it to my bank wrt the bank loan on the house?... Please?

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1479749950' post='3178965'] I can see where blue is coming from here, I've been in these bands where the guitarist "can't do weekdays except Thursday,and only for an hour before 9pm but after 6.30pm, nor weekends, or mornings or evenings" etc, my brain goes straight to- even if we get gig ready will anywhere want a band for an hour starting at 7.15 on a Thursday night? [/quote] If you can't do weekends I really don't see it happening. But then, neither do you... (stating the obvious i guess)

Well, I printed off the decal last night. Thought, "That grey is too light. It simply won't look grey". So I took steps to make it silver. I got a silver gel pen and coloured it. This morning I looked at it. No, I wasn't impressed either. The "PRECISION BASS" is too big as well. Frankly, I'd prefer the grey-wood / Gold look. I know it's not cosher, but it looks nicer. Or I go the route of buying another. In the way of things I recon I need to give up on the idea of doing silver. I can do black ok Here's one I did earlier on an Encore The lacquer finish isn't as smooth round the word "Bass" as I'd like. But not bad.

At the weekend I saw an ad for an originals band, based about 30 mins drive from me. They are setting up to play stuff with relatively easy, 60's and punk-ish kind of stuff, which with limited time available to me to learn bass lines, would be good. All sounding good... Then I took a walk and thought about it. My work hours are long and unpredictable. Any band commitment Monday to Thursdays would be out. I could, maybe, be available on Friday nights. I would be available on Saturdays. Sundays is out again. On balance, I don't have time to be in a band. I read the over the weekend of a BCer who started gigging when he retired. I think that'll be me too, if ever. 'til then the joys of lugging boxes (red or black) will have to remain a dream. I'll stick with playing tunes on my own, in the lounge at home. It does me, for now anyway.

[quote name='T-Bay' timestamp='1479659130' post='3178204'] Looking at the supplier you mentioned I can see why you would want to see the exact piece as there is so much variance. I haven't really thought about this before but do love that green birch burl finish. What sort of money are we talking about to do one? And how long does it take? I won't be able to afford it in the short term but would be interested once I have collected all the other bits I need. And you are close to me too (I grew up in Spondon and still visit my Mum yo there at least once a month). Feel free to pm me if you don't want to put figures on an open forum. [/quote] For the benefit of others, I don't use the website when buying. I have the benefit of being mobile when working, so I go to the veneer yard and choose. Veneers come in sheets about 500mm x 2M. The price can be from £10 to about £70 a sheet from my experience. If you're only doing a headstock or something small, you can sometimes pick up small sample sheets for a small cost.

There's a couple of good places in London that I've used. http://www.exotic-veneer.co.uk/ https://www.capitalcrispin.com/ Both have an amazing stock of veneers including impressive burls. They vary in prices. The burls can get quite expensive (IMHO).

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1479657334' post='3178171'] I do it with my bass & guitar strings & have never had any problems. [/quote] But is it beneficial to do it?

This is something I heard of guitarists doing, so when at the Herts Bass Bash and we had presentation by the guy from D'Addario I asked him. He says it's a good idea. Do I do it? Nahh, if anything I'd imagine it's a way to quickly age your strings a week or so.

OK, It's getting there. Here's the new/latest image. I've a strong suspicion that the silver (grey) in the "Fender" will be so thin in ink, that when used this will show up as wood colour with a slight hint of darkening. So the result will be needing to use a silver pen to colour it in. Still, lets see how it goes.

[quote name='Thunderbird' timestamp='1479583984' post='3177695'] I have heard of quite a few Warwick truss rods breaking but this could be idiot user error BTW Im not a Warwick hater was just curious [/quote] Warwick supply a nice long truss-rod adjustment tool. It gives you lots of leverage; just perfect for overdoing the tension, if you don't know what you're doing. Nowt wrong with the bass.