Marky L

[quote name='norvegicusbass' post='1126150' date='Feb 13 2011, 05:25 PM']You must be another skimmer see my first post[/quote] You say you don't use a pick too well? In which case I'd say this is a great opportunity/reason to start getting to grips (puns intended!) with a pick. Worth persevering with as IMHO it's very difficult to replicate the pick sound playing in another fashion.

He knocked out some great stuff with The Vibrators on their second album, V2. He had a great sound and you can tell he knows where he's going on the fretboard! Some great basslines going on there.

Why not just use a pick?

I'd be interested to kow what result you get as I want to do the same but I'd prefer the replacement black plate to have the T'bird logo on it.

Burning looting, raping and a-shooting!

[quote name='KevB' post='1024552' date='Nov 15 2010, 12:55 PM']If you are playing aggressively on a ric and have too low an action it's very easy to keep smacking the pole pieces on the bridge pickup. I know he now uses customised rics without the standard PU's but he would have used one for a long time and maybe developed his high action then as a result.[/quote] Yup, that was what I was a-pondering.

[quote name='Doctor J' post='1024143' date='Nov 14 2010, 11:47 PM']That's not high action, that's the string recoiling from him beating the sh*t out of it. Look at the G string, were the action as high as the E string suggests it wouldn't be that close to the edge of the frets in a picture taken at that angle.[/quote] I thought the same originally, except that as I mentioned while watching the whole clip you can see he is playing the A and D strings and doesn't go near the E. You can also see the E isn't moving at all suggesting it hasn't just been played either. One of my P's has a higher action and I'm thinking I might take it a bit higher now and see what life is like at those dizzying levels!

[quote name='Jerry_B' post='1023953' date='Nov 14 2010, 08:54 PM']Is a high action so much of a sin then?[/quote] Not in the slightest and I know it has been discussed on here, but I think in general most actions are on the lower side of medium.

Was just watching a bit of Motorhead live on youtube (2010, Rock In Rio - Portugal) and noticed in a shot how high Lemmy looks to have his action. I grabbed a pic and you can really notice it on his E string (can't recall the song but he was battering away at the A and D). Does it make hammering away at chords on a Ric easier?

Not sure if anyone has seen this pic that Ashdown have seeded on Facebook. No info, just the pic, so what is it going to be? Some suggest a Fliptop. I'm guessing valve as per the LB due to the red cab grill as per the LB cab.. hmmm

If the exchange rate had gone the other way (i.e. you received more than expected), would the buyer get a refund of the difference or would it just be a nice little bonus to be kept?

Firstly, go to a physio and let them see if you have an underlying back issue and get that sorted. It'll stand (pun not intended!) you in good stead for what ever you do. I've learnt the hard way that procrastinating (for years) will cost you physically and financially in the long term.

[quote name='AndyTravis' post='977205' date='Oct 4 2010, 03:11 PM']Looks cool, Still the second someone refers to a guitar as 'She' or 'her' i feel like i need to throw up and close the page.[/quote] Agreed, it's just wrong. The seller certainly knows a lot about the bass in the write up details, makes me wonder why her husband isn't selling it though. Finally, being a pedant, I wonder which of her "[b]husbands[/b]" she is selling this for.

What makes a bad bass player? Well.. my mum and dad I suppose. That and there isn't a hope in hell that I'm going to stand quietly at the back and not get noticed.. why should I? In reality, I'm a competant rock n roll bass player, In no way a virtuoso, I never will be and actually don't want to be. I can lock into a groove, provide a solid base with our drummer (a lot can be obvious plodding bass work as that's what a song calls for) allowing the guitarist and vocalist to do their thang but if I want to, then I'll flower up a part with some sexy twiddling and most of the time it will work, if not, then I'll not do it again. But for me, a good gig is all about the performance which constitutes capable musicianship AND entertainment. That's what our audience expects and that's what they get.

Actually, just jumping on the guitar store banned list subject. As you note, classics like Smoke One The Water or THE classic Stairway To Heaven are songs that must NOT be played on guitar, are there lists of classic bass licks that should never be played? I reckon Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick is on the banned list. Any others?

Yeah, go for green and don't panic. If you get stopped then if I was you I would plead ignorance. Why shoud you know about duty and customs costs? You were in the US on holiday, saw an absolute bargain of a used old bass and couldn't miss out on a great deal. What's so unbelievable about that? I would just add try not to look too much like a stoned frazzled rock n roller though, that may draw more attention than a guitar case and therefore the possibility for a great bust for customs!!

I wonder if you bought it you could make a case of it not being as described... "this bass has LESS damage on it than I was expecting!! I'm not happy!"

Just noticed this on ebay.COM Only a few hours left. It's horribly tatty but from my research the price is OK is, could be a little less maybe. [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280556250789&ssPageName=ADME:B:WNA:GB:1123"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...E:B:WNA:GB:1123[/url] Thing is, in the pics provided, the last one of the headstock.. it's not the bass concerned, that has to be a guitar headstock doesn't it?

Thanks for the replies. USPO (USPS?) don't seem to offer insurance over $650 on international shipments which is not enough. (Unless I'm being daft and missing something). BigRedX. Good point about the tuners, hadn't thought of that one. Agree with packing the case out with bubble wrap, I want to make sure the headstock is thoroughly supported. I'm going to ask for the case to be wrapped with string and securely tied, bubble wrap and a good card outer just as you suggest. If this all goes ahead then I hope to have it in a couple of weeks, just before my birthday!

To save me ploughing through the courier thread, does anyone one have any sage advice on a good courier from the US to UK. It looks like my search for a Ric Blackstar maybe close to conclusion!! Any hints on packaging too? Should the strings be loosened off a turn or so?

My battered '76 P gets an outing every now and again when I'm in the mood.

Nowadays, the drunken "You guys are f****ng awesome, you're great... really..." etc etc for what seems like an age. I must admit, they actually encourage me to go and pack away my gear!

Yes, well I may have tracked down a sensibly priced Rickenbacker Blackstar out in Tampa, Florida. I've encouraged the guy to sell it as he's had it "under the bed" for the past fumfty years gathering dust. It needs a damn good clean but otherwise seems to be in good order. I'm just wary of doing remote deals and of course getting stung on duty. I have looked at flights, but nothing sensible until much later. So I'm trying various angles of seeing if there is an amenable Floridian that could maybe help out!! Or some good hints on ways to make it run smoothly. Some pics to show how grimy it is!! [attachment=58039:Bstar1.jpg][attachment=58040:Bstar2.jpg] [attachment=58041:Bstar4.jpg][attachment=58042:Bstar7.jpg] [attachment=58043:Bstar6.jpg] Thing is, as I'm not earning at the mo, I think I may have to move one of my basses on to help pay for it. Just the thought makes me very sad! But maybe my jinx bass will be mine this time round!