neepheid

I like trying new things, sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't. I've been through about 30 basses and found 5 keepers. Buying unseen at distance for the vast majority of these, and inevitably acquiring a more expensive taste as I go, I don't think that's a bad hit rate. I don't think it's a problem. I've never compromised the roof over my head or the variety in my diet over the heads of a bass.

Agreed that humorous spoof logos are the way to go:

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' post='1263386' date='Jun 9 2011, 10:37 PM']What did you think of them , it works both ways?[/quote] Yeah, seem like a good bunch of guys, I think I can play music/have beer with them no problems

I'm back. An odd rehearsal, no drummer so it was a bit loose. I'm going back for another rehearsal next week, so I guess it went well enough

I'm playing with a new band for the first time tonight. It's also the first time I've been in a rehearsal room this year - it's been far too long. I'm feeling a bit nervous, but I've got my head around most of the band's songs so we'll just have to see how it gels together. Had a wee last minute cramming session this lunch time at work I think I'm going to play it safe and take my G&L this time - I can gradually introduce them to the weirdness that is my stable of Gibsons if I get to join. I don't want to go in there all la-de-dah with an antique gold Gibson Victory and turn out to be crap! Dunno why I'm typing this out, I guess just to give some hope to people who have been [i]sans[/i] band for a while and wonder if they'll ever get back on the bike/horse/other analogous apparatus. The opportunities are out there, even if you have to wait for a suitable one to come along.

[quote name='Ou7shined' post='1262641' date='Jun 9 2011, 01:26 PM']Yeah you probably did jump the gun a bit, so what. That was only because you are facinated by the physicality of the instrument - the woods, the electrodynamics and how they interact and can be manipulated to produce different tones, dynamics etc. The end result is that you now have a greater inner knowledge of "the bass" than most learners/intermediates, you can do a decent set up and you are awash with "bass facts". All that's left for you is to figure out the musical side of the equation. By all means work on the fingers, keep up the lessons (I wish I'd had that opportunity back in the '80s and '90s) but also develop an ear for bass... and right up there with listening, is recognising the nuances of tone (not just the notes) and how you alter them with your different playing styles, and (relevant to this conversation) how that can be assisted by physically changing the instrument itself to help you get closer to the sound that represents you or the style of music you play. Nah man there's lots of love for the El Torro .... your collection needs an L-1500 that's the only Marmite bass G&L ever did. [/quote] Under the sheer weight of numbers one could argue that all G&Ls are under-appreciated Marmite bass? Try the Interceptor! Looks only a mother could love - imho of course!

The "little circuit board" is likely to be part of the pot (where the track is). You just replace the entire pot.

[quote name='Ou7shined' post='1260887' date='Jun 8 2011, 10:41 AM']Could have saved myself a post if I'd seen this. Second part : I suspect you've been listening to your tutor (or someone else banging on about your technique) too much Matt. This new negative thing about what Johnny Punter thinks (or not) about your tone is pish. The assumption that no one listening to you is a bass or indeed a music fan is bad - ok the percentage won't be high but there will be some punters out there who can tell a good sound when they hear it... do it for them/us. Also there's the science bit (which I'm sure is what you got off on to start with) it's not just about "upgrading" it's about exploring the possibilities and learning the limits of your instrument. Like you did with your Les Paul - in your quest for excellence you've modded it out of it's own price bracket but you did it, it was fun and you learned stuff. Cheer up bud. [/sermon] btw - I've turned many an apple into, not an orange but a peach. [/quote] Was the fruitless pun really that bad? Perhaps my irritation at the first part spilled over into the second bit, but I will say that I'm definitely feeling a shift away from modding and piddling around and more time spent actually playing the bass. You are right that efforts should continue to be made to make sure one sounds as good as one can given the usual constraints of house backline and not being in control of your FOH sound. GIGO is as applicable to the sound source as the player after all. I still think that I have spent more time in my formative bass years piddling around with pickups, preamps and wires than actually playing the damn basses, and I think that balance needs to be restored by not putting basses under drill presses for a while The trend is away from modded basses in my collection also - once the Les Paul goes, the L-2000 will be the only modded bass I have, and that mod is as subtle as it is reversible and optional - as an elegant mod should be, of course. Of course, the house of "under-appreciated basses from the 70s and 80s" will continue to expand Where's that El Toro?

[quote name='Jakester' post='1260672' date='Jun 8 2011, 07:38 AM']Couldn't you have the s/c mod carried out on the L2000 and run inner/inner coils on the two humbuckers, which might get it closer to the MM location?[/quote] Done it, doesn't work (not that I was trying to make it sound like a Stingray per se, but an opportunity arose to A-B it with a Stingray and just simply, no.). It just sounds (slightly) different to the parallel setting. Additional: I am becoming disillusioned with the desire to make basses sound just like other basses. My L-2000 sounds like ... an L-2000. Additionally, it sounds like ... a bass. It's getting to the stage that as long as it sounds like a bass, I'm happy. I think my priorities have shifted thus: 1) neck must feel nice to play 2) sound (as long as it's got a "good" sound (as defined by me - a bit of character, a bit of grit, plenty bass (duh!), if it sounds assured and authoritative through my 30W practice amp then I'm happy) and 3) appearance. To be honest, I'm getting really tired of this pointless obsession with tonal micro-differences. Johnny Punter won't notice, and I've come to the conclusion that my time would be much better spent improving my technique than ripping basses to bits and making pickup/wiring changes in a fruitless quest to turn an apple into an orange. Don't flame me, it's only an opinion.

[quote name='Ou7shined' post='1260145' date='Jun 7 2011, 07:39 PM']But you've seen it you wally. [/quote] I am speaking for the masses, you secretive so-and-so

[quote name='Ou7shined' post='1259939' date='Jun 7 2011, 05:12 PM']Haha. Mine's Surf Green (it really is). [/quote] Pics, or it never happened

[quote name='paul h' post='1259719' date='Jun 7 2011, 02:24 PM']I had a Shine 6 string which was a really good bass. Great tone and really low action. It was incredibly heavy though and [b]the nut was apparently made out of butter[/b].[/quote] That's a good thing, playing like butter, isn't it?

Nothing jumping out at me. He mentions that the pickguard is a custom addition. The post '87 Thunderbird has a smaller headstock than before, black hardware, smaller tuners. TRC logo looks gold to me. Serial number is in the right place along with "Made in USA" stamped underneath, although I can't read the serial because of the flash. See [url="http://www.flyguitars.com/gibson/bass/Thunderbird_1987.php"]http://www.flyguitars.com/gibson/bass/Thunderbird_1987.php[/url]

Similar advice here. Wait for the right opportunity with decent people playing songs you actually like. In the meantime, get some lessons, take some time out, give your bass(es) a good clean and check the setup etc. My old band broke up in August last year and I only dabbled in 3 gigs between then and the end of the year, then I embarked on some lessons, and I'm hoping to join a band soon (got the rehearsal/audition on Thursday). So that's the best part of a year out of being in a band.

[quote name='MatthewKeys' post='1258347' date='Jun 6 2011, 01:32 PM']Hey Basically, my mexican fender jazz and my mexican fender precision are in dire need of a set up! Does anyone know anywhere good in Maidstone (or very close to) where I can get an awesome set up on my bass for a reasonable price? Thanks! [/quote] How about - your house, free? Learn how to set up your basses, there are plenty of guides out there. I wouldn't send any of my basses to anyone now. I know what I want and I've learned how to get it. Only the truss rod needs careful, patient work. You can't really break anything by raising/lowering a bridge saddle or two.

Oh dear

I bought one of these as my first bass amp about 8 years ago and I still use it! Perfectly acceptable amp for practising, got the line in for MP3 player/laptop/whatever. Only one corner missing on mine though, not quite as rock and roll as this one

[quote name='Acebassmusic' post='1256627' date='Jun 4 2011, 04:38 PM']Yip Indeed it is me - that you Matt? What are you modding at the moment (I know you have a fetish for that sort of thing....lol)?[/quote] Aye, it's me. I'm in the middle of trying to make a headless Thunderbird but I've lost interest in it for the moment - too busy with lessons and getting up to speed for a band I'm hoping to join soon.