neepheid

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1392219823' post='2366102'] Maybe? I'm sure the Supertone bridge is vastly superior to the Gibson 3-point bridge from a technical aspect, but I can't help but think that (on the Thunderbird in particular) it looks mighty ugly. The two-piece Badbird Bridge looks (to me) a lot better - and IIRC Mike Lull thinks so too. [/quote] You're probably right about the Thunderbird. I think the Supertone suits the RD very well, but that's probably because the RD is bonkers to start with. The trouble is that Gibson have made their bed, have been lying in it since 1973 (apart from a few dalliances - Grabber/G-3, Victory/Explorer, Schaller 3D, and most recently - Babicz) so they're bloody well stubbornly going to lie in it for better or for worse. To my mind, the best bridge ever to grace a Gibson bass was the Schaller 3D derived Wedge bridge on Victories and some Explorers. But that'd probably look ridiculous on a Thunderbird too, the baseplate is quite long.

Something that you don't mind hearing repeatedly?

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1392217097' post='2366060'] They should go back to the two-piece bridge and tailpiece from the original 60s Thunderbirds. [/quote] Would you pipe down if they let some out with chrome current hardware?

Tascam bass trainer. I have the first MP3 one. There's a posher one now that can do recording and has a start/stop footswitch.

[quote name='bassbiscuits' timestamp='1392145172' post='2365331'] I wondered if cool replacements might help the tone too, but jury's out on that one. [/quote] I, for one, highly doubt that it would make any difference to the tone whatsoever.

Beaten to it! http://basschat.co.uk/topic/229472-the-toilet-circuit/

[quote name='BobVbass' timestamp='1392107057' post='2364638'] I like the look of the early P bass G&Ls but the others look like they're a Stingray ready to burst out and I've had a couple of MusicMans (men) and didn't like them... [/quote] The G&L L series has very little to do with Stingrays. There is no Stingray ready to burst out because apart from the fact that MFD pickups have very little in common with Stingray pickups other than a vague physical resemblance, there is no active 2 or 3 band EQ circuit. The EQ on an L series is purely passive (cut only). The active modes are a simple preamp line boost, or a rather harsh top end boost. I mostly used my Tribute L-2000 100% passive. Although I did have it modded to give single coil operation. Favourite setting was both (inner) single coils. It would be a shame to dismiss the Tribute L-2000 on the grounds that its pickups look a little like a Stingray's. There's always the G&L Tribute SB-2. PJ MFDs. Thinner neck though.

[quote name='tredders' timestamp='1392109361' post='2364666'] Mine was 8.5 lbs, which I thought was heavy for a semi-acoustic bass. It's way heavier than any of the other semi-acoustics I've owned (Hofner President, Hofner Violin, Hofner Club bass). Sure, it's not 70's P bass weight, but I was surprised by the weight for a semi. [/quote] I haven't weighed mine, and I guess having >12lb slabs of Gibson maple in my collection colours my judgement of what is "heavy"

Only fretless players are real bass players. Fretted players are integer bass players.

If the body size is 16 then although it's the wrong shaft type (split not solid) but might still do a job - 100k lin, 16mm, centre detent - in Germany. Have ordered stuff from them before (had to find a 1Meg reverse log pot for a G&L). http://www.musikding.de/CTR-Pot-16mm-100k-lin-center-detent

[quote name='thefyst' timestamp='1392062007' post='2364286'] thanks for the replies, yeah i was hoping to have the part asap, a lot of the ebay listings say delivery could be several weeks. as far as i know there is know customs tax below a threshold of £15 ...might be wrong tho. Newoldsounds may be an option but it still works out to about 11 quid and a 2 week wait just for a pot Unfortunately i just realised the fender one is a 12 mm dia. and only just fits as it is. not convinced the 16 mm alpha pots would fit in. [/quote] Are you sure the body is 12mm? Is it this: If the shaft is 6.3mm, the threaded part must be at least 9-10mm in diameter, looks like a 16mm body to me. You do get 12mm body pots, but they're not as common as 16 and 24. This is a 12mm pot for comparison:

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1392046223' post='2363975'] Well, I like the idea of the Jack Casady, even if I have never actually played one, but I hate neck dive, so that would be a deal -breaker for me I'm afraid. [/quote] OK. Before I start, I must point out that I replaced the standard tuners with Hipshot Ultralites. I didn't do this with the initial thought of saving weight - one of the press fit bushings was lifting out of the headstock and it bugged me so I wanted to fit some screw fit tuners. The Ultralites came up at an agreeable price so I went for it. Of course it will tip the balance (ha) in favour of the body slightly but I suspect that the difference would be soaked up by the wide strap. Anyway, I've said my piece, and feel free to call me a big cheat. I did a test with a wide neoprene strap (Neotech Mega strap) and a normal slippy strap. I look ridiculous, but hey, nothing ventured, nothing gained. [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2sGLrv0jWg[/media]

I think 21 makes sense, at least you can complete the last octave. This topping out at Eb (in regular tuning) makes no sense to me. And spare me the "20's enough because Leo said so" dogma

[quote name='bluejay' timestamp='1392050083' post='2364047'] I tried Fender flats and hated them. Far too high tension - never again. [/quote] +1 for me. Did not like. Less compliant than a recalcitrant teenager.

[quote name='BobVbass' timestamp='1392040618' post='2363866'] They do look brilliant - what about neck dive though? Is it awful or not so bad? [/quote] Of course it's a factor with a hollow body and a long scale neck. I use a NeoTech Mega strap (big wide neoprene thing) and that seems to mitigate dive to a manageable degree in my experience but I can't remember off-hand how much of a factor it is. Let me check when I get home from work and I'll update you on that one.

Another vote for the bassic-bits of OBBM. All my cables (bar one - my first ever instrument lead - nostalgia) are his - instrument cables and amp > cab cable. Had them for years now and no issues. Buy with confidence.

[quote name='tredders' timestamp='1392037709' post='2363817'] I had a Jack Casady with TI flats on it, and it was as smooth and fat as you could ever want. Quite a heavy bass, though, surprisingly so for a semi-acoustic... [/quote] Heavy? You're kidding, right? It's practically hollow. It's far and away the lightest bass I own. But yes, if it's old school you want, the Jack Casady is hard to beat. The varitone gives a few extra tonal options, can't speak for all of them but mine is well finished and screwed together and it looks the absolute nuts, especially in gold - although I think they've just released a white one, if that's your thing.

Also, if you want the real thing, have you tried contacting Fender GBI? http://www.fender.com/en-GB/contact/ I would hope they could provide you with the part you need? Also, what's the issue with getting it from the USA? Time? Taxes? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/390659569904 ?

Not log, it's linear 100k pot, solid shaft, centre detent. http://www.newoldsounds.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=11027

[quote name='Roland Rock' timestamp='1391942668' post='2362764'] Really glad to see that this has had a new lease of life! It sat in my workshop in pieces gathering dust for the best part of a year. [/quote] It looks even better than in those photos now. I was delighted to not only resurrect it - finding virtually all the original parts (or exact equivalents) was particularly pleasing. What a bonus to find it punches way above its weight. Happy to gig it any time.

I just sold my one which was modded in exactly the same way you describe, and my favourite setting was also both inner single coils.

I think I'll stick with my "does it sound good to me? yes/no" approach.

Well, I applaud you for getting up there and playing without any other instruments to hide behind/disguise within the mix. I thought you did really well, sure there was a couple of bloops but for your first time live that was really good. If anything, I find it's much harder to play without the framework of a band, you're pretty naked up there, musically speaking. I don't think on that showing you've got much to worry about. Also as a plus, you didn't let your (very few) mistakes get to you. A wee smile maybe, but fairly poker faced about it. This is a good thing. Now you've made a start, do it some more

[quote name='Billy Apple' timestamp='1391548272' post='2358541'] Without wanting to sound un-cool and that, what does the choke do? Apart from getting it to fire up on a frosty morning [/quote] The choke (inductor) is part of an LC circuit (inductor/capacitor) which acts as a mid filter. The mid pot will progressively scoop out mids but I think I read somewhere that it also alters the impedance of the circuit so the effect it has on the sound isn't as clear cut as that. It'll be fun finding out

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1391547495' post='2358523'] Is that a "proper" Gibson choke or did you wind it yourself? [/quote] Neither Curtis Novak wound it for me - http://www.curtisnovak.com/pickups/EB-Choke.shtml