Angel

Ewww .... designed in the 70s with string and nails. Not for me stylistically.

The honest truth is I'm not that bothered, I'm very easy going on basses, I get one, I play it. I had a lovely Status years ago, but it weighted a ton and my shoulder would ache after about 20 mins. I don't know what wood it was but I know I don't want something that heavy! Likewise, an ultra light body, especially with a 5 string neck can give neck dive. I don't like neck dive. So my description was probably accurate enough for my needs. I'm easy going on everything but I don't want too heavy or too light!

Thanks for the info all!

So, I'm having a go at making a bass. I'm looking for recommendation for type of wood for the body. Not too heavy, not too light, and it's going to have a painted finish so doesn't need to look fancy. Any thoughts?

They are a great couple of guys, and SB had some stellar hits. I also LOVE the fact that Gary Kemp is in Nick Mason's Saucerful of Secrets band. He really went up in my estimation of him with that!

Maybe too showboaty for some bass players, but I really enjoy Charles Berthoud. I find his playing very inspiring, although it is a great many levels above me! I love his 'How to trigger a show off musician' video (below). I'm also another big fan of Rick Beato, my fave YouTube channel.

Yeah, but language adapts all the time, and they are often known just as a trem now. It is its own word. I specifically didn't say Tremolo. I'm blocking your pedantry!

Not a personal experience, but I never thought that Rhino's status bass looked right with Status Quo.

I was just watching a video concert that I am really enjoying these days (Casiopea vs the Square full live), basically two excellent Japanese jazz fusion bands sharing the stage for a concert. I noticed that at one point one of the bassists, during a solo bit, started shaking a whammy bar. To be honest, I thought that they came and went over a very short period (late 80s?) when guitar mags invariable had a pic of Billy Sheehan with one. The concert was some time later 2004 I think. Are they still a thing? Anyone got one or had one? Even though I'm a guitarist who feels a little lost without one, I wouldn't go for one on a bass personally. ... and I think that the concert is excellent if anyone is interested:

Yeah, your right, it wasn't a very clear statement. I suppose that more specifically I was listening to him on the radio around 85 - 90 and it seemed like it was all stuff like the Fall, a band that I found painful to listen to. Nothing wrong with the music but I really didn't like anything that got played personally. My Fave music is prog, and he championed Yes in the early days, I can't deny that. But he did move on and turn away from that stuff. I'm also in classic rock, early metal, jazz fusion, jazz in general, disco .... all stuff that I don't think he seemed to play much! I just remember being in the room when other people had his show on and it was dull song after dull song. Just my opinion of course, I'm not saying that they were dull, just perceived as that by me.

Love that Chicken foot version! They look kick donkey live, I'd love to go see them. Personally I think it was outrageous that Michael Anthony got kicked out of Van Halen to make way for VH Jr.

He's one of those people I really liked, and I'm glad he did what he did, but boy did I hate all the music he liked.

I really like the look of the delano pickups, so I don't want to cover them. I agree that my OCD side doesn't quite like this. It sounds like I could get away with this from a working point of view, so it's just down to whether I want the hassle of getting another bridge, possibly scrapping my neck template etc. I'm not too fussed on string spacing, I've been off of bass playing for quite some years now, so this is just a project to galvanise interest again. I will get used to however it comes out! angled pickup ..... interesting thought ..... I may have to see how that looks. [just tried it - not sure I like it!]

Yes, making neck & body, so scope to alter. I've made templates but I can knock a new neck one up if required.

OK, so I'm captain cockup on my first bass guitar build. Despite pretty careful planning on the most part, my bridge and bridge pickup are not looking compatible. Whilst I have to take the blame, Delano had a lack of info and Schaller had what I deem as slightlymisleading info. In terms of Delano, I really wanted to use their JMVC 5 pickup, but their size diagrams on the website didn't show the pole pieces (a bit frustrating), also there is no mention of required string spacing. I was also very keen on the Schaller 3d adjustable bridge. Their info says string spacing E-A 65 - 70mm, string spacing individual 13,5 - 18,8 mm. Without putting enough thought into it (clearly!) I saw the 18.8mm and took that as the maximum string spacing, which would have been fine. What I SHOULD have looked at was the 70mm max width. The 18.8mm is actually rather pointless, you 'can' achieve that distance between two strings, but only between two, the others would be bunched up. So a rather pointless thing to include!?! Anyway, the bottom line according to my full size diagram is that the strings won't line up with the pole pieces, (see pic). I was wondering if anyone thinks I could get away with this, or do I need a wider spaced bridge? Anyone need a Schaller 3D 5?

er .... no they don't! They have very limited success in certain situations ....

I bought a Schaller 3d bridge, and it has turned up with a 3mm base plate that fits underneath. I'm presuming thats it's just a quick one-size-fits-all height adjustment? No info in the box or on the website.

Boo hoo. Man-child sacks the band he is in although he doesn't own the band (the wall, final cut). Man-child tries to take his ball home when the other kids still want to play with it. Judge gives the ball to the other kids. Man-child complains when the others won't let him play with the ball 30 years later.

Thanks for the replies.

having built 5 electric guitars now I thought I'd have a go at making a bass. The thing is, I know a fair bit about guitars, I don't know much about basses. I like modern bass sounds so I was thinking of trying to get some active pickups, but I'm a bit lost with knowing what one needs. With active pickups does one also need to be getting some sort of preamp? Could you get passive pickups and add an active preamp?