BigRedX

[quote name='thegummy' timestamp='1479159569' post='3174460'] Even if it was a Fender Custom Shop Esquire? [/quote] The only good thing about a CS Esquire is that I could sell it to some mug and buy something good looking and more comfortable to play with the money. There's nothing wrong with a single pickup for guitars - my first guitar only had one, although that was because I could only afford a single Di-Marzio when I was building it, and my current favourite guitar, the Hallmark Wingbat, has just the single P90 style pickup by the bridge, but still sounds great. I'm not so sure about basses though, all the ones I use at the moment have 2 or more pickups.

But just how important is a degree in music when it comes to getting a job playing your instrument? I work in a different creative industry (graphic design) and on the whole the importance of having a degree when it comes to getting a job in any of the design studios where I have worked has been minimal. In fact I can't think of a single graduate that any place I was at, that was taken on based on the fact that that they had a degree. Those that that did had all been at the company before on work experience in some capacity and the skills they demonstrated during their work experience time was deemed to be far more relevant than any qualifications they might be aiming for. Several of the best graphic designers I have worked with came straight from school on work experience and never left.

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1479238374' post='3174998'] BTW, BRX, you have a good eye for fonts. I'm impressed and appreciate the input. [/quote] Thanks! Although as I'm a typographer (amongst other things) in my day job, I really ought to know my typefaces! I see what you mean about the serial numbers, but even on your example the MZ3 are a slightly different serif typeface to the rest of the serial number. I suspect it's down to the way that the original decals are produced, and I wouldn't be surprised if the second part of the serial number is laser printed Gimp is a great program, although I would suggest that if you are still up for doing this yourself, then it might be worth downloading a trial copy of Adobe Illustrator CC and getting to grips with bezier curves.

Is that second photo a genuine Fender decal? If so the typeface for most of it looks like variations of Helvetica. The actual serial number is two different typefaces: a serif face for the MZ6 and a sans serif for the rest of the numbers. And apologies for the bluntness of my initial post in this thread. I was under the impression that the decal you were showing was one that you had bought from somewhere I was somewhat shocked that such a poor imitation was being passed off as an acceptable substitute. BTW what program are you using to create you artwork?

You could try drawing up the letter forms. In fact if fender are using a bespoke custom font, that's what you might have to do.

That decal doesn't look anything like the one it is replacing Just from a quick glance the "Serial Number" text is too big and doesn't have enough leading. The ® for both Fender and Precision Bass are the wrong typeface and wrongly positioned. The Precision Bass text doesn't look like the right typeface either.

Line 6 Bass Pod and Linn Adrenalinn.

Five in a row for big bass tuners just doesn't work IMO. The G-string tuner is already a big stretch for me on a Fender-style bass so adding another one is not going to make things any easier. I prefer 3+2 or 2+3 on headstock designed especially to fit a 5-string bass, and not something that's been cobbled together from the 4-string version.

Have a look at my thoughts on Sentric Music in the second half of [url=http://basschat.co.uk/topic/294501-publishing-and-song-copyright-good-places-to-go/page__view__findpost__p__3166544]this post[/url].

[quote name='SICbass' timestamp='1479124150' post='3174056'] Wouldn't tuning with temperature variations be a bit of a nightmare? [/quote] IME from owning an all steel Born To Rock Bass, the tuning is actually more stable because the body and the strings (made of similar materials) act more evenly to changes in temperature compared with a wooden bass.

If you ask for 2 effects why can't I select 2 effects in the Poll? Also why is Flanger paired with Phaser when they are are completely different effects, but Chorus which is a reduced functionality Flanger listed separately?

Does the world need yet another Fender clone?

Once you've adjusted the controls on your bass and your amp to get the right sound to complement the rest of the instruments in the band it doesn't matter what bass you are using apart from how it looks.

I would suggest that you go and sign up at the [url=http://www.mosriteforum.com/forum/]Mosrite Forum[/url] where you'll definitely get expert advice about the feasibility and costs of doing a restoration, or if you decide it's not for you, then no doubt someone there will buy if off you.

[quote name='Cato' timestamp='1478801020' post='3171789'] I'm not even sure that the neck is on the guitar when they do it. [/quote] So how do they do set neck and through neck instruments?

[quote name='TimR' timestamp='1478767542' post='3171422'] There are very few bands able to deconstruct a song and write their own arrangement. Those that can are refreshing to listen to. [/quote] Surely being able to do this is basic musical skill that should come shortly after figuring out how to pluck and fret a note. Otherwise it's just a question of "monkey see, monkey do" which isn't really music.

IIRC from the interview in International Musician, Mr Birch had some very strong views on bolt-on necks and none of them were favourable.

IME theory only gets you so far. If you want to be properly authentic then you need to listen to lots of music of the genre.

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1478682405' post='3170803'] Band Membership 101 - Never join a band with a keyboard player unless he has lost his left arm in a tragic industrial accident. [/quote] I know that the quote is partly in jest, but there is nothing wrong with allowing the keyboards hold down the bottom end as it allows you to play something more interesting. Of course if you don't know what to do with that new-found freedom then I'm afraid that you only have yourself to blame.

Stereo is one of those things that sounds fantastic in headphones and much less so in situations where you can't control the listener position in relation to the sound sources. Live, unless the majority of your sound is coming through the PA, stereo is pretty much useless from an audience PoV, and even then only a small proportion of those in the middle of the room will get anything approaching the full effect. Also bear in mind that stereo effects or active panning in the bass end of the spectrum can make your recordings impossible to cut to vinyl, were you to want to release your music in this format.

[quote name='Hobbayne' timestamp='1478602572' post='3170145'] Theres no money above the 5th fret! [/quote] What a pathetically horrible quote. Whoever came up with that idiotic saying doesn't deserve to call themselves a musician.

[quote name='Billy Apple' timestamp='1478602753' post='3170146'] I've taken some Brexit posts out here. We've had the debate and it is over. Anymore and I'll lock the topic. [/quote] Without wanting to stir too much, if this is the Basschat consensus then you are probably going to have to lock and delete every new thread concerning price rises for gear made outside of the UK, as whether you like it or not it is entirely down to the B.. word situation.

I use all the frets on all the strings. It's what they are there for.

Don't forget that what a lot of players call "tension" is actually down to the compliance (or stiffness) of the string and has nothing to do with the actual tension but is affected by the materials and construction of the string which can be quantified (although AFAIK no manufacturer does) and factors on the actual bass itself such as the break angles over the saddles and nut as well as the amount of dead string between the nut and machine head post and the bridge saddle and the bridge anchor point.

IIRC from my physics lessons a long. long time ago, the pickup is simply a device that produces an electrical current in the coil in response to an iron-rich object moving through the magnetic field. All that happens as you "dig in" is that the current is larger and therefore the signal is louder, but the pickup itself can't clip or produce clipping. You won't get clipping until the signal reaches the first bit of active circuitry that doesn't sufficient headroom for the increased signal volume, whether that's a pre-amp in the bass, the input circuitry of your amp, or something in the signal chain in-between like an effect.