neepheid

If I have to learn a pre-existing song - take song into Audacity, bass boost it, then chuck it up an octave. Bass line (an octave higher) verily pings out at you. Learn it up there, then take it back down on the bass.

Soapbars are merely the packaging. They can contain any combination or configuration of coils as can fit inside the soapbar. Single/dual/split coils. Rails or individual pole pieces. Phantom coils. More turns on the coil than can fit under the cover of a Jazz pickup. Anything goes really.

To be honest, I do not understand this three tier approach when the build quality of the cheapest stuff is challenging the more expensive stuff. It's hard enough to differentiate two price points, let alone three, especially when it's the same brand name on the headstock and there's a significantly less polarised geographical/instrument making pedigree angle to exploit. Hence why this question seems to crop up whenever Yamaha's latest BBs are discussed - "why should I get a 2024 over a 1024 over a 424?" Now don't get me wrong. I love my BBs but this has me scratching my head a bit.

Looks great, and reminds me how weird Gibson's black ES-335 bass looks with no body binding.

[quote name='Spoombung' timestamp='1368514241' post='2077808'] I thought they were concerned because they were being kind and handing out good advice? [/quote] Perhaps there is a misunderstanding here - I am not (and never was) referring directly to the poster who I quoted by the way, just to the particular point which I took the time to highlight in bold. If not then allow me to retort - leaning on people with a less than friendly "we frown upon people making money on here" isn't good advice, it's repugnant self interest.

[quote name='OliverBlackman' timestamp='1368286604' post='2075330'] Theres a bit of a moral/ethics problem in this which can be frowned upon here. You may find some people are ok with it [b]but expect some people not to be.[/b] That is to say if the value of your trades and cash didn't equal upto the amount you're selling for [/quote] That will be people who love to stick their beaks into other people's business which really ought to be no concern of theirs.

Things have slowed down a lot - waiting on a lot of stuff to arrive from the States, and had a slater to pay so no more goodies for me this month. Took care of a wee job - trimming the 4 way switch down to size. Not the most thrilling update ever, but it's progress with pictures. I could probably take a couple more mm off, but I'll wait until it's in situ in the final assembly before doing that.

[quote name='Mornats' timestamp='1368471078' post='2077514'] Some great info in here and not wanting to start another thread, I hope you don't mind if I go a little off-topic! Long story short: I have noisy upstairs neighbours who works shifts so come in and thump around between 11pm and 3am. Short-term solution until I sort it out with the landlord will be ear plugs so that I can sleep Will any of the ones mentioned above help me out with this? (And would double up as protection at loud gigs of course.) They'd need to be safe and comfortable to sleep in, and hearing my alarm (my phone, placed next to my pillow) would be a bonus! The Noizezz ones appeal as they come with different sizes, but I also like the idea of being able to choose which filter to use on the Alpine Music Safe ones. [/quote] I would have thought that simple foam ones would be more than sufficient for this purpose, seeing as I don't suppose you're wanting to preserve the fidelity of the sounds you're trying to block out?

[quote name='MiltyG565' timestamp='1368451313' post='2077188'] hmm, I don't think it was a "We need to change this" kind of thing, more of an "Oh no, I didn't want to pay that much", which then became a bit of a "Is there a cheaper way to get them?" kind of thing. There wasn't really much debate over the duty/VAT thing I don't think. [/quote] Thanks for the thread synopsis. It doesn't change the fact that inaccuracies were being bandied about and I felt like sticking my oar in because they annoy me. Also, you can apply my comment to the entirety of the forum if you like and not just this thread - the same slack definitions and approximations are bandied about every time the subject is brought up. There shouldn't need to be ANY debate about it, the rules are there in black and white. That's my point.

Just caught the end of this thread and it continues to astound me how much inaccurate (or half true) information is still peddled about whenever the subject of importing from outside the EU comes up. The guides are there, and granted the HMRC's website isn't the most friendly out there, but everything one would ever need to know is probably here: [url="http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/channelsPortalWebApp.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pageVAT_ShowContent&id=HMCE_CL_000014&propertyType=document"]http://customs.hmrc....tyType=document[/url] In this case, see section 3.1. I realise that it's pretty moot as we are discussing the sending of commercial goods in this particular thread (and thus carriage costs are factored into the total for VAT calculation purposes, no ifs or buts), but I'm fed up of the needless debate about something that's set in stone.

[quote name='bigthumb' timestamp='1368447515' post='2077108'] I have one arriving this week off ebay. A good few years ago I owned a US L2000 but sold it on due to the crazy narrow neck. (It made a Jazz bass seem fat)! I'm looking forward to getting my hands on it. I have no idea if its a MiK or MiI one. Any differences? I did however own a MiI Tribute Jazz type bass for a while and the quality was first class. [/quote] I think the MIK ones had "TRIBUTE" stamped on the bridges instead of the G&L logo and the headstock logo was more prominently labelled TRIBUTE like this: Can't comment on any differences, only ever owned Indonesian made ones, both of which are excellent. Funny how despite the options available, nearly all the US made L-2000s I've seen second hand have that skinny #8 neck. If I was getting a USA G&L made up, I'd go for the recently reissued #12 neck (1 5/8" (41.2mm) at the nut but the same depth/profile as the chunkier necks). My Tribute M-2000 has this neck and it's super comfy, lovely halfway between too skinny and the sheer bulk (which I don't mind) on the Tribute L-2000.

I can't really help, my L-2000 is modified to give me single coil (parallel) operation, but I would say that you could start with all knobs at about 80% of their travel. Experiment with parallel/series to see which you prefer (series is a fatter, louder sound, parallel is a bit more subtle). Try series at about 80% volume then switch to parallel and up the volume knob to match and see what you prefer and to hear the differences at the same perceived volume. I generally favour series when I'm not in single coil mode, often when in a live band context. I rarely use the active switch (the one nearest the bridge), I leave it passive pretty much all the time.

Cheers for the advice folks. Well, I finally got off my butt and made a start. Removed all the middle shelf supports except for the very back one. Cut back the old redundant pipes at the back. Built a wee box around the pipes. This hasn't cost me a bean yet apart from time - everything is reclaimed from what was there (or from when I dismantled the balustrade off the stairs and fitted the handrail with brackets). Next step is the neck support. Quite liking the idea of the massive screws covered in foam. Yes, I know those screws aren't countersunk - I can't find my countersink bit for the life of me, will probably have to go buy another one. Why isn't it with the rest of my drill bits? Agh!

I'm guessing this ought to work wiring-wise, just need to make sure you get the right pot(s). Am I right in thinking that you would have to match the value of your blend pot to the master volume? Or better still, replace 'em all so you know what you're getting? Are the current volume pots 250K or 500K (or the dreaded Gibson oddity - the 300K) [url="http://www.seymourduncan.com/support/wiring-diagrams/schematics.php?schematic=jazz_bass_blend"]http://www.seymourduncan.com/support/wiring-diagrams/schematics.php?schematic=jazz_bass_blend[/url]

Assuming it's active - fresh battery installed? Just sayin'...

[quote name='andydye' timestamp='1368383892' post='2076395'] The G&L Tribute JB-2 is a stunning amount of bass for the cash! [/quote] Indeed, but I wouldn't say it looks cheap.

Turned out to be way better than "alright" though

[quote name='4 Strings' timestamp='1368220785' post='2074724'] Does all this apply on second hand goods? The import on a $750 bass is £19, but the VAT £110. Do we pay VAT on importing 2nd hand things? [/quote] Yes

[quote name='BassBus' timestamp='1368185337' post='2074160'] By making mistakes and that's why Graham should take it to a luthier if he doesn't know how to do it. [/quote] I was aiming for the positive aspects of "having a go" rather than dwelling on the (often necessary) negative aspects of the learning process

But how did the luthier/tech learn how to do it?

That's how we kicked off in the Inevitable Teaspoons. For reference I guess we're like an R&B/Rock/Blues band. We sat round the table and asked each member for a song that they'd like to do in the band - anything goes sort of thing. The list: Me: Gary Numan, "Cars" Drummer: U2, "Angel of Harlem" Trombonist: Kiss, "Crazy Crazy Nights" Saxophonist: The Isley Brothers, "Harvest for the World" Keys: Joe Cocker, "Delta Lady" In the end only Delta Lady stuck and has remained in the set list. Admittedly we haven't made much of a change from the original, horn section stabs instead of backing vocals and the drumming's a bit more energetic. We messed about with Cars, played it in swing time and all sorts of nonsense but at the end of the day there just wasn't enough in the song to work with. We had fun messing about with it though, and we might return to it one day, if I can graft some kind of middle bit into it. Maybe a mashup with something else. Hmmm. We do a cover of Cream, "White Room" with no guitars. That's quite different I suppose. Overdriven bass, drums, keys (with phasers set to stun), sax and the secret weapon - wah wah trombone. Whether it's change of genre or just wilful weirdness is another question, but we like it

[quote name='Gust0o' timestamp='1368049395' post='2072658'] Agree - they have to make a call as to whether the goods are worth more than £135, which isn't always clear if they're not labelled up; also, if the amount of duty, once calculated, is under £9 they will waive it. It's a lot more certain with the big ticket items. [/quote] +1, they can't inspect everything. In general the smaller the item, the more likely it will pass through undetected. Import duty is one thing, but remember that if your item gets intercepted you can rarely dodge the VAT, the allowances are quite paltry (£18 for commercial goods and £36 for gifts if memory serves).

[quote name='NancyJohnson' timestamp='1368022943' post='2072154'] Have you not got those pots yet? I posted them from work on Friday. P [/quote] Not yet, was hoping they might arrive today - bank holiday on Monday probably messed things up a bit.

[quote name='timmo' timestamp='1368022096' post='2072133'] What has that got to do with asking about basses being so low? [/quote] Err, nothing, it was offered as part of an explanation as to why prices on the whole are low rather than taking exception to the question. Or did I read it wrong?