Kiwi

[quote name='murrmac123' timestamp='1319320483' post='1412773'] I am amazed that a bass forum would generate so much discussion about leveling frets under string tension. [/quote] Because so much is charged for doing the service by guitar techs who don't understand how string tension is a more critical component of set up on basses than it is on guitars. So they'll often just tell you that the action is as low as the instrument will allow when the real reason is that they just don't know basses very well. [quote name='Johnston' timestamp='1319320898' post='1412781'] They put the necks under string pressure. So it should allow for changes along the necks length. [/quote] Yes it compensates for neck curve in some form, but assumes that that the neck curve is consistent along its length. Murmac is correct about necks often assuming s-bends. The plek system doesn't compensate for this or the degree to which the neck thickness and width affects flexibility. We're talking fractions of millimetres here, but that's all it takes to make buzz on a low action set up. The plek system is an expensive white elephant...at least in the opinion of Chandlers.

[quote name='henry norton' timestamp='1319298582' post='1412466'] Yeah, although the Plek is quite misunderstood in some respects. It levels your frets, crowns and smooths them but it doesn't adjust your truss rod or smooth off the sharp ends of your frets. It measures the fret levels whilst the guitar is strung but the strings have to be removed before the machine can do the work, it just compensates for the (obvious) change in the bow of the neck once the strings are off. It's hugely expensive for what it does but I guess once you get past a certain number of guitars or basses it makes it worthwhile in comparison to dressing the frets by hand. [/quote] The Plek system doesn't compensate for how the neck bends differently along its own length. I posted a conversation I had a number of years ago with Chandlers in Kew about their machine as I was planning on having my Smith 6 done. I think the best results will vary according to how low you like the action on your instrument. For those who can slip a pound coin under their strings at the 12th fret, they probably don't need a lot of precision in the levelling. They could probably be happy with a fret job with the neck under truss rod tension alone. For those who like their action buzz free and a gnats whisker above the 12th fret, more care is needed to shape the frets flat when the neck is subject to EXACTLY the same tension as when fully strung with the string gauge of choice. EDIT: But you may also have to make neck adjustments more often if the neck isn't stiff (as is often the case with growly sounding basses). Its horses for courses, not every bass player out there will need that level of precision so I think there's a risk of people believing there's only one kind of fret job when its more a case of not spending more money than you have to to get the result you're happy with. Best results I could imagine are in line with murmac's suggestion, ie. levelling the frets under string tension BUT using a jig that simulates string tension like this: [url="http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Fretting_supplies/Jigs_and_fixtures/Erlewine_Neck_Jig.html"]http://www.stewmac.c...e_Neck_Jig.html[/url] Its an expensive investment if you only a couple of basses though. So the technofret approach seems an interesting and cost effective alternative despite being a bit fiddlier than using the neck jig. (I'd probably have a chat to a local engineering company and see if they had any offcuts of extruded L-beam aluminium that I could customise if straight enough...)

Nice. Thanks for the tip Matt.

I remember seeing someone playing a Kestrel on a late night music show in a Richard Niles led band.

Would have been good if Meshell had come back in on the vox after that piano solo with 'I'm diggin' you...like an old latin record."

Dyson's got a nice growl going on there with his MTD but the low end lacks authority. That's kind of what has put me off MTD's when I've played them in shops. Love the playing though...not often you hear a two bass solo, let alone one that kind of works.

Yup

Factoid: Ken Smith employed Vinnie Fodera to make these basses when he was starting up the business. No. 13 [url="http://www.ebay.com/itm/KEN-SMITH-ELECTRIC-BASS-GUITAR-SERIAL-NO-13-/330607200036?pt=Guitar&hash=item4cf9b98724#ht_1447wt_1185"]http://www.ebay.com/...#ht_1447wt_1185[/url] No. 26 [url="http://www.ebay.com/itm/The-Smith-Electric-Bass-Serial-026-made-Ken-Smith-VERY-RARE-/120796939026?pt=Guitar&hash=item1c200f0312#ht_500wt_1202"]http://www.ebay.com/...2#ht_500wt_1202[/url] Both have an onboard envelope follower.

If anyone ever finds themselves with both a MM bridge and a body, the two may not line up if from different years around the late 80's to early 90's.

Its just how the bridge was designed in preEB instruments. It was amended in EB basses.

Will [i]probably[/i] have a neck like a banana but some people out there like medium action. US only shipping so time to call in that favour from US based friends or rellies! [url="http://www.ebay.com/itm/Music-Man-Cutlass-II-Graphite-Four-String-Bass-Guitar-/250914602828?pt=Guitar&hash=item3a6bacff4c#ht_15369wt_1185"]http://www.ebay.com/...ht_15369wt_1185[/url] The price is worth getting excited about but there seems to be a lot of interest.

Is all your browsing software fully updated?

Fiddle?

[quote name='alanbass1' timestamp='1318846402' post='1406684'] Yep, she ain't going nowhere and my son has his expectant eye on her.........he plays as well, so he wants to inherit what he calls 'The Keeper'[/quote] That bass has become an heirloom...a legacy. It'll become legendary. In order: '79 Alembic Series 1 graphite (rarer than a 52 P-bass ) '78 Musicman Stingray (because money can't buy that mojo) '00 Spector NS5CR (might as well be called 'The Wife') '84 Steiny XL25A narrow (not that rare but don't come up for sale much either) The rest, while of sentimental value, could be replaced in one form or another if the house burned down.

Truly happy with their gear? Hell yes although I have way too much, but when I rationalise it out, I can still justify it although based on what I might need in the future rather than what I need right now. It's taken so long to find the right gear at reasonable prices, that I couldn't face having to do it all over again. Next step would be making my own instruments...

I've yet to find a lipstick for my other half that actually works...

[url="http://www.ebay.com/itm/90s-Kawai-RB-115-SOLID-2-piece-KOA-body-GOLD-SCHALLER-hardware-GRAPHITE-NECK-/270836712172?pt=Guitar&hash=item3f0f2042ec#ht_500wt_969"]http://www.ebay.com/itm/90s-Kawai-RB-115-SOLID-2-piece-KOA-body-GOLD-SCHALLER-hardware-GRAPHITE-NECK-/270836712172?pt=Guitar&hash=item3f0f2042ec#ht_500wt_969[/url] Don't see many of these pop up. Shame he doesn't ship outside of the US.

Seems like a keyboard composed bass line to me, don't think its a pino original.

Looks like about 18,000 quids worth of secondhand Wals on the wall, including a very exclusive white double neck. And then there's all the other basses he's got including a 64 p-bass and probably some collectable stingrays. I'd speculate that the Dad's not short of a quid or two. [url="http://www.youtube.com/user/sk8erboy1414#p/u/39/PSxhCrDJMQ4"]http://www.youtube.c.../39/PSxhCrDJMQ4[/url]

[quote name='McBass' timestamp='1318765132' post='1405865'] If the live version of Ball of confusion is off Bands and Crashes, it's Graham Edwards that's playing bass. [/quote] Thanks for that

Yes he was drafted in and seemed to really gel in the band. BTW, I have a live track of Go West doing Ball of Confusion and Pino just kills on that number. In fact the bass lines on a lot of Go West songs are highly highly under rated IMO. Just try playing along to We Close Our Eyes... [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcjEyOc6B3g"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcjEyOc6B3g[/url]

Racks in my case. See sig below...

[quote name='tauzero' timestamp='1318598181' post='1404160'] Indeed, it's quite obvious from your experiment that wood has nothing to do with it, otherwise they'd sound the same. [/quote] It might be that it appears that way to you. My experience was different.

Whatever way you do it, just sap some dB's from around 100Hz. You'll be OK.