BassBod

I'd take that as a sign that a wire isn't as attached as it should be...usually where it "joins" the pickup element. Possibly fixable, but may just happen again later?

If you want a hybrid..put one together. It isn't really a cheap option, but you can put together a very good (pro-quality) bass if you buy good parts. I'd suggest getting the body and neck from the same supplier (be it Brandoni or Warmoth) so that you get a good neck fit. For a while I had a Bravewood J body with a Bravewood one piece maple P neck - it was fantastic, resonant, barky and bright. But it wasn't a J anymore. BB

Sansamp (newer versions) give you the option to boost the jack output, but I don't know if you can boost the XLR as well? Why not fix the Trace..may not cost much?

Best of luck Pete. I'm afraid I need to make money, so a 14 piece band isn't possible - but if you're really stuck for a gig or two do contact me (via pm) and I'd be happy to cover for a bit. I'll ty and get to the Oldland gig, as its just down the street ... best wishes BB

Sounds like a great day - if I hadn't been working in Exeter I would have been there! Sorry to hear about your Father's Day surprise...as you say..s**t happens BB

Most likely a problem with the pickup? Very low output is often an internal short....contact the maker? There isn't much to a single coil pickup to go wrong...except the windings and polarity.

I've done two or three over the years (never an expensive bass) and it can work extremely well. You can use a very thin layer, it just takes a while to build up an even coating. The sound will change, to a brighter more Jaco growl - less wood, more whine. It really is tough - you will get small surface scrathes but nothing deeper for a long,long time.

Just a thought, but the truss rod on some older thumbs works backwards - its a two way design, push or pull, but works in reverse (ie not clockwise to tighten). If its feeling hard to move its worth checking by a slight turn the other way to see what it does? I don't know when they changed it but my '98 works in reverse. I think the volute carved behind the headstock is a probable sign its got a newer style truss rod..but not 100%?

Ooops - for some reason I thought it was a BG scale (think that was the Dean..) Try the Innovations? More of an old fashioned thump sound, which helps my EUB sound "acoustic". They are fairly cheap (around £80) for DB strings. Search on Talkbass as well?

I'd suggest a secondhand Epic 5er - they can be had for £700 - £1000 used. Not a Series bass but very good all the same, and a lot less to worry about for flying. And then you don't have to deal with setup, strings and other variables when you get there.

That looks like a very tasteful change. I could never understand why the butterscotch MIJ version is such an awful plastic looking colour (while the sunbursts I've seen have been pretty good)

I don't know the Stagg - but if it takes bass guitar-type I would go for the Thomastik flatwounds, or the Status black plastic flats.

Very nice - proper job. Bet it sounds even better now.....

Yes, sold here a year or two ago (from me to elom)...recently on Manson's website...

[attachment=26481:DSCN0743.JPG] Here's the recently sold Kestrel....as previously stated, a lovely bass.

There are so many variables - but I string type is the biggest. on my bass (EUB) I've used Spiros/Labella plastic/D'AddarioPizz /Innovation H and Rockabilly. They all had good points and bad points, but they all worked pretty well. My preference now is for low tension, dark sound so I'm very happy with the Innovation Rockabilly strings. I never thought I'd see £78 a set as cheap. I have also seen a device that adjusts the distance between the tail and body (look on cliftonbasses.co.uk) with the aim of making the bass feel "tighter" or "more relaxed". No idea if its works!

Years ago I met John from Orchid Electronics at a Mansons show (he's Exeter based, and did repairs for the shop at the time). I've used his services many times since (custom DI boxes, repairs, mods, cables) and recommended him often. If you want to raise your profile, and you're local then its a good idea...as long as they aren't charging you a fortune!

For me what was missing was the small independant luthiers ( I know Any Manson was there..and Bernie G). Its a small show but it would be a lot better with more interesting instruments.

He's a real pro, no doubt. But..he gets my personal alltimeworstbasssoundonagig award for Brecon jazz festival about 12 years ago. Upright acoustic in the dreadful sounding market hall - it was baaad..but not in a good way. Not his fault - nothing he could do about it, but it was a lesson in itself.

OOOOOeeerrr......just got another gig booked for that night...further south.

Sorry, if that didn't make sense - what Protium said. The core wire (in the middle, with insulation) is hot.

I'm assuming this is a two-half Pbass pup. My guess is one is North the other is South - there is a magnetic/electric difference but you can put either half in either place. They work as a matched pair. The best guide to position is probably the connecting wires between the two - chances are it is sized to sit in the cavity much better in one direction? The core silver wire is hot and the copper sheild is your neg/earth. Depends on your existing wiring setup, but the hot goes onto the vol pot lug, the earth usually goes onto the back of a pot Barts can be fairly low output, so it may be worth setting the new pup a bit closer to the strings to get a strong signal hope it works first time!

There is a box called an "ebtech" hum eliminator (or something very similar) which has a reputation for fixing persistent hums. But, I think its more important for SWR themselves to sort out a very expensive bit of equipment...it just shouldn't be a problem?