neepheid

My first bass was one of these. Use a wide, grippy strap

If the pickup of a bass represents less than 80% of the final sound output of an amplified electric bass then I'd be very surprised.

I haven't forgotten about this, just been a bit busy with other things. It's away on its holidays to get refinished now. I've contacted Curt Novak about getting a choke made to original specs, waiting to hear back. I presume I'm going to have to sort out the mounting of the choke myself, so I'll have a bit of metalwork to do. Early Rippers had a simple L-shaped bracket soldered to the side of one of the pots, later ones had a plate which fitted underneath the pot like a washer with an angled bit for the choke to attach to. Both approaches then simply bolted through with an appropriate machine screw/nut. I'll probably go with the soldered bracket, because it's simpler to make, and I'm only making one of 'em. Off on the scrounge for a suitable small bit of metal then!

I'm not sure what you mean by "use it acoustically", you mean unplugged? Is this for solo practicing?

It's a Ripper that's had some major reworking IMHO. Obviously it's been G-3ified (new pickguard and electronics). I wonder if the fretboard has been redone, as a maple boarded Ripper usually has pearl dots, not black ones. Replacement brass nut. Top strap button moved. Apart from that, logo looks OK, headstock looks OK, tuners look OK (from the front), body shape looks OK, set neck is OK, retainer plate for the through body stringing looks OK. Of course, a serial number would be nice

I have played gigs with no PA whatsoever. Hotels, marquees, that kind of thing. I have played gigs in small places where it's just easier for me to bring the bass rather than further potter about with whatever PA is there. I also like to have some control over my own monitoring, because with the best will in the world, the sound engineer is a human being and isn't always going to get it right for you. Also, call it paranoia if you wish but can't help feeling that you're looking down your nose as you type.

[quote name='Hutton' timestamp='1372770488' post='2129676'] I play a four string Fender. I am overweight and and male. Does this mean we can't be friends as I seem to be all the things you abhor? [/quote] Reminds me of a Blackadder scene: Doctor Leech: It isn't every day a man wakes up to discover he's an overweight, ham fisted, 4 string Fender playing bassist with no more right to live on God's clean Earth than a weasel. Ashamed of yourself? Blackadder: Not really, no. Doctor Leech: Bloody Hell. I would be. Still, why should I complain. Just leaves more strings and camphor burl for us real bassists, eh? Blackadder: Look, am I paying for this abuse or is it extra? Doctor Leech: No, no, it's all part of the service. I am of course, joking. Easy though it would be for me to spout potty mouthed anti-Fender rhetoric, I don't mind them at all, they're just not my cup of tea. And throwing around personal sleights masked as stereotypes against people who play Fenders, that doesn't rate highly with me either.

I'm seeing a bit of Gibson Victory in the body shape - now THAT'S weird

Type. Delete it all. Type. Delete it all. Type. Delete it all. Shake head and walk away.

I pootle about in a 2005 Honda Civic Sport. With the seats down it's like a wee van (albeit with a not very flat floor). Not that I cart about a huge amount of gear - 4x10, head, bass, bag-o-bits-n-bobs, extension cable. I can put the 4x10 up on its side and split the rear seat so could still take 2 passengers. I usually have some room for other band members' stuff too. It's pretty flexible and works for me.

I don't know about doing this with covers, but I sure as hell need to do this with some of the various song fragments I have lying around

What's your beef with the brands you wish to avoid? Not stirring - genuine question.

That was just a test to see how it was coming along. When it and my Ripper restoration are finished there will be only one spare space. I'm under no illusions - my wife is eyeing up the floor space that my current stands are taking up to put a chest of drawers on

It's not for me. Yes, it's the bridge - or more specifically the aesthetically displeasing chromed growth that seems to have sprouted from the bridge. Sorry for the quick and dirty attack with the clone tool to give a shout out to the naysayers but: Ahhh!

Work is slowly progressing - the padding is quite a faff. I thought I could just sheet it across in one go but the stuff is too springy, so for each slat I'm having to cut two 20mm strips and a 40mm strip, then sticking each individual piece down. I do a couple and then get annoyed - and that's a good time to take a break. I'll get there though. [IMG]http://www.ifb.co.uk/~matthew/pics/bass_cupboard/20130623/01_padding.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://www.ifb.co.uk/~matthew/pics/bass_cupboard/20130623/02_testing.jpg[/IMG]

The only lead I've ever had fail on me was a Planet Waves one. Tiny sample size, not very scientific but enough to make me never want one again. OBBM 4 LIFE.

There's a lot more stuff going on in Rich's life at the moment than meets the eye, stuff he won't freely talk about.

I suppose this technically counts: As already explained by a helpful Steinberger owner, the EMG-HB pickups are split P rail pickups in a guitar humbucker sized enclosure. These two bad boys were teamed up with an EMG-BQC 3 band EQ and it was a bloody good sound to my ears - meaty, punchy yet modern and precise, very responsive. So much so that it's the only bass I regret selling. The other day I sent a message to the guy I sold it to 2 years ago to see if he would be interested in selling it back to me. Unfortunately he likes the bass very much and was not interested in moving it on (although he did say he would give me a heads-up if he ever did decide to sell it). Disappointing on the one hand, but heartening to know that someone else thinks it's a keeper and it's getting regular use. I think I might perform the same mods on another Epi. Then NEVER EVER SELL IT AGAIN.

Don't have any bass specific ones, but Cash: The Autobiography I found pretty hard to put down.

[quote name='Conan' timestamp='1371479514' post='2114331'] Maybe the list of donors should be published? Name and shame? [/quote] That is private information between the donor and BC. And how would it work? Compromising information of the "good guys" in order to "shame" everyone else? If your name's not on this list then you're a horrible person? This is one of the stupidest things I've seen written on BC for some time and I won't be apologising for holding that opinion.

Only two things didn't suck about my "gig" at the weekend - getting fed and the band's playing itself (which was sounding great in my opinion with minimal equipment - no PA, no monitoring, just our own amps behind us and an acoustic amp for the vocals). I don't want to go into details but we got mucked about by the organisers to the extent where the normally placid bass player felt compelled to rally the whole band together and spearhead a communication of dissatisfaction to the head honcho. Michty! Anyway, grumbles aside, I'm pleased with how we played. Also, if you want to look like you just warped in from the sixties, wear a three piece suit and play an Epiphone Jack Casady [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pv7SYIotGdQ"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pv7SYIotGdQ[/url]

I'm not buying just now because I'm busy restoring my Gibson Ripper, and that involves trawling the globe for parts. I'm not feeling that flush either, and I'm also pretty happy with my lot right now. I've got nothing big to sell. Been raising some funds recently by selling little odds and sods < £50. I have to say that the last few bass sales I have done (pre-fees) have not been here despite them being advertised on here - had more success on local music fora and gumtree. I think the last successful transaction ended up being a trade. I'm not going to pay the £20 until I need it - I don't think it's unreasonable, it just makes absolutely no sense to have the clock ticking when I've nothing big to sell.

That's a horrible situation to find yourself in. It's your name that's pinned to something you didn't do and I'm guessing that you find that unacceptable. It's probably best to speak initially to your friend about it. He might be unaware, although if I was driving a four figure project then I'd want to know everything about it. I probably would refuse to pay a producer/engineer who replaced bass tracks with mystery bass without consulting me first. Of course, this may have repercussions for your friendship if it turns out that he did know or sanction it and didn't tell you. But ultimately there's a wrong to right, you're the one left feeling guilty and none of this is your fault. Make the enquiries.