BassBus

I watched this recently. Really interesting. I love watching these things. Bits of wood being turned into beautiful instruments.

I once fancied a Ric so I wrote to Geddy Lee and asked if he would sell me his as he doesn't use it anymore. He's a good guy. He wrote back and said; "No you can't". Trouble was he couldn't spell can't.

Rename the forum Rickchat.

I'm sure if Greg Curbow were still alive he would be very happy with this. Great job.

Exellent explanations. If I could just add that a scale length should not just be checked by measuring the distance between nut and bridge. Measure between nut and fifth fret. Double that should give you the length to the twelfth fret and double that should be your scale length to the bridge. I just add that after my experience with the rebuild of my SGC Nanyo. I and lots of others were of the impression these basses had 34" scales, and most do. I did all the measurements above and it came out at 33.5". Je ne camprend pas. Had I put the bridge in at 34" the it would not have intonated properly.

I'm curious. I'm going to have to read these threads. Hmmm.

What a lovely job. You cannae beat a bit of Status in yer front room.

Something else I've learnt today.

[quote name='cheddatom' timestamp='1426773397' post='2721787'] Yeh, that's what I didn't get. Who charges for OS updates?! [/quote] Ehm, Microsoft. They don't exactly give free updates from XP to 2000 to Vista to 7 to 8 and on. But as I said I can't speak for other tablets so I have learnt something today.

I can't speak for other tablets as I use an iPad. IPads might be more expensive to buy but you get free uploads of the operating software whenever they are available. I bought a used iPad 2 on ebay. That cost as much as an android tab. It has been brilliant. I use iReal Pro as well. Really good for practicing jazz and other styles available too. I have a tuner too, Guitar Tuna, which has the ability to tune guitars 4, 5 and six string basses. I also use Cubasis to record. Endless multi tracks with effects and editing. Amplitube and other apps provide effects which are often great quality. You do have to be aware there is often a very slight delay as the sound works its way through the software.. It's only milliseconds so you can get used to ot quickly. You can get all the best synths as well for a tiny fraction of the price of a hardware version. Sound quality is second to none.

I think it's always a good idea to have some understanding of other instruments in general, not just guitar. It helps understand the construction of chords and what notes you can use in a bass line. It's the same when it comes to learning the tune you are playing bass with. That also informs the notes you can use.

Roger Sadowsky and Michael Tobias have been building basses for many years. They did a very interesting talk about setting up basses at NAMM this year. Better from the horses mouth than us hobbyists. http://youtu.be/QzDxC98VNx8

Really enjoyable day. Didn't seem like two hours that Steve Lawson was on for. I nearly half inched the ACG Moth that was lying around. Rather taken by that, I was. Thanks to Alan for organising everything, and anyone else who was involved.

[quote name='Twincam' timestamp='1425869423' post='2711689'] First tune your bass normally then fret at the first fret and then with your elbow of your right arm hold down the e string on the last fret. [/quote] Just had a read through Twincam's post. Above bit is not the best advice. On any bass the string should be held down where the neck joins the body. That is where the neck relief starts, not at the last fret. On a Fender there are five more frets after the neck joins the body. Holding down at the last fret will give you a false reading. What height is your nut Funky Dunky. That's the first thing that needs to be checked before anything else. Until that is right you'll never get anything else right. Then neck relief, then saddle height, then intonation.

...and another from Paulo de Sabatino with JG and Peter Erskine. http://youtu.be/lYq3h_kzj4E

One of Janek Gwizdala's sessions last year. Baki Duyarlar. http://youtu.be/A50iTZIlVT8

Someone really should ban music shops. They just lead people like us astray.

First time at the Moffat Bash for me. Look forward to meeting some of you.

He'll do you a good job. Highest degree of perfection.

There's only one guy to go to in Edinburgh, Chris McIntyre. He has his workshop right next to Hibs football ground off Albion Road. http://www.mcintyreguitars.com/

Glad you have seen the light. Welcome to the headless side.

You can easily setup your own bass. Have a look on youtube as there are many videos on how to go about it and what tools you will need.

[quote name='Bassjon' timestamp='1425807993' post='2710805'] So guys, can anyone tell me - is fret buzz and rattle acceptable unplugged? (its driving me mad!) [/quote] No, fret buzz is not acceptable. I would take it back and explain the problem. You have paid money ( I expect) and you are not happy with it. Raising the saddles will just make it more difficult to play. You said the neck is dead straight and fret buzz is at frets 1-8. You need to loosen the neck a little. If you look at the trus rod end the rule is generally lefty loosy, righty tighty. If you turn the trus rod probably only a quarter turn to the left then that will probably do it. I would take it back and explain, though, as KiOgon said.

Some years ago there was a thread on this very subject. Post after post after post.........after post.......after post said "change the battery".

Looking quite special already. Glad to see you using a spokeshave for the carving. I was watching a series of videos on youtube recently where the guy was using a rasp file for carving body and neck. It all seemed like really hard work. He produced good results though. Would imagine a spokeshave will be somewhat easier.