Jean-Luc Pickguard

I can't remember the last time I used my Boss GT6B or various pedals. All I use for gigs & rehearsals (but not always) is a cheapo Behringer limiter pedal, but to even out sloppy technique rather than as an effect. I'm not keen on chorus, flanging, delay etc on bass.

I'm down to a single Ashbory (sold the blackbory, kept the bluebory) and have been plagued by the snapped G string syndrome recently. To try to address this problem [s]I've put on a pair of extra large boxers[/s] I've put on a set of road toad pahoehoe polyurethene strings, as fitted to Kala Bass ukes. I didn't have to pay stupid money on getting them across the pond as they are stocked by [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/kala_ukule_bass_string_set.htm"]Thomann[/url]. I only came across them when searching thomann.de for Kala, they don't seem to come up in a search for Road Toad or Pahoehoe (or Ashbory). I added them to my order when I bought my T-bird pro-v, so I didn't have to worry about any postage cost. I was initially concerned about the suitability as they're for a 20/21" scale, but that's not a problem and if the E was any shorter it probably wouldn't be long enough, so this set is ideal. The strings are very slippery so they can't be knotted, so to fit them a few cable ties were needed to prevent slippage. A bag of 100 2.5mm black ties was 65p from the local screwfix. I have them fitted now & Wow! They feel great. No talc is needed as the strings are smooth, not grabby like the silicone ones. They also sound very good. Perhaps not such an obvious double-bass tone as the silicone ones when played solo, but still a nice deep woolly fundamental, and a more clearly defined note. Intonation is much easier as the strings don't stretch so much under my fingers, so less compensation is needed in the fretting position. Once on the bass, they do stretch, but not as much as the silicone ones, so minimal retuning is required. I'm very happy with these so far & I don't think I'll be going back to the standard ones. I expect I'll add a set to my next thomann order to keep as spare.

Imagine turning up for an audition for a Ramones tribute band & playing like that.

Watching those vids one after the other MK looks like he's thinking "Ha! I've got a thumb and you haven't. Look what I can do with it"

The worlds most expensive letraset with a cheapo bass attached?

[quote name='Johnston' post='1057206' date='Dec 13 2010, 12:52 PM']...the gibson saddles are a little loose in the epi bridge.[/quote] You mean [b]even more[/b] loose?

I don't understand what is meant by the saddle have worn out. I've never seen saddles wear out even on basses from the 60s. If its a problem with running out of height adjustment, changing the neck angle with a shim is the answer.

I just use a £5 curly cable from maplin - no tangles & it has the added bonus of acting as a passive low pass filter for a vintage tone.

Interesting thread, though I'm sure the facemask isn't usually required when seeking a growler

You can make one from a liquorice allsort if you drill the white bit out

Whatever you do don't use behringer stuff. People will point & laugh at you. It doesn't matter that it sounds good, is easy to use and robust everyone knows its crap

You mention a Thunderbird - Have a look at the Epiphone pro-V (or IV) T-bird. The Pro-V in natural Oiled finish I got last week is a lot of bass for the £305 I paid (from Thomann)

Sometimes the marketing dept tries too hard & it comes out a bit clumsy. In this case, I expect they don't have a dedicated marketing dept, but someone in admin who's been asked to write something.

Flats on everything!

I use guitar rig, but I also have a Behringer V-amp2 which I used to use for recording guitars. It's a very good sounding and cheaper hardware alternative to a Pod.

[url="http://www.allparts.uk.com/online-shop/allparts-guitar-amp-parts/bridge-parts/bass-saddles/bass-bridge-saddles-for-gibson-bass-tunematic-4-p-2020.html"]http://www.allparts.uk.com/online-shop/all...c-4-p-2020.html[/url]

I won't list them all, but I currently have 15 basses. My favourite three are [list=1] [*] Japanese Fender Mustang which is stock except for an aged pearloid pickguard, a Sei/Gallery Fret level, a set of TI JF324 Flats & a rub over the back of the neck with scotchbrite to degloss it a bit. So easy to play & get a good sound that it feels like cheating [*] NS-Design CR5M upright which oozes quality [*] Epiphone Thunderbird Pro-V with Natural oil finish - my new toy as I've only had it a week [/list] All very different; I'd not expect these basses to be on anyone elses list though

[quote name='funky_numba' post='1055570' date='Dec 12 2010, 12:16 AM']What do you mean 'put in the right order'? I was under the impression that the bass gets tuned initially with the guitar tuning pegs but the 'fine-tuning' and the action is done by adjusting the saddles/ bridge screws. I am lost now!! Please advise!! Thanks. Funky_Numba[/quote] If you've been fine-tuning it at the bridge, the bass will now be playing out of tune as you've have bollocksed up the intonation. Have a look at this: [url="http://www.garywillis.com/pages/bass/bassmanual/setupmanual.html"]http://www.garywillis.com/pages/bass/bassm...etupmanual.html[/url] You need to get the bridge set up properly for the strings you are using & for your playing style . Then you won't touch the bridge again unless you start using a different type of strings.

Assuming the bass is 32" scale & the strings are for 34" scale basses, you *might* be alright with long scale as the italia has a good distance between [list=1] [*]the tailpiece anchor & the bridge [*]the nut & the E / G tuners [/list] compared to some other basses

[quote name='nick' post='1053198' date='Dec 9 2010, 06:47 PM'][attachment=66047:paul_daniels.jpg][/quote] Its a bit of an SG - not a lot!

Free your mind - en vogue

For me it's not the playing, but for certain gigs its the driving / parking / gear loading which I don't look forward to if it's extra hassle.

The one you need should be here probably the 099-4943-000 or 004-8688-000 [url="http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/bass_trussnuts.htm"]http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/bass_trussnuts.htm[/url] You may be able to order the part from your local Fender dealer or someone like [url="http://www.allparts.uk.com/"]allparts uk[/url]