Rabbie

I play raw guts which are a lot less stable than Olivs. The trick is put them on properly, so there is no slack around the tuning pegs. With gut strings, tuning has to become what you do as a habit. When they are new, yes, even between songs, but they do settle down fairly quickly (depending on how often you play of course). It's a case of like it or lump it really, a small price to pay for the awesome sound IMO. In saying that, if your strings are a few weeks old and they still loose tuning between songs, I think it's nothing to do with guts and more to do with your tuning pegs needing replaced or the strings being badly fitted. Olivs are great strings, you've made a brilliant choice.

I cut a bridge for an old bass I had once: bloody hard work if you don't have the right tools and you do need to know what you are doing, but feasible if you don't expect magical results. I do agree that if you have a 300 quid bass, the expense of luthier may not be justifiable.

[quote name='Owencf' timestamp='1383158492' post='2261008'] Damn thats one problem about being so far away from civilised areas...no deals to be had. im keeping an eye out for any of the local schools or uni doing a clearance or closures [/quote] If you get a clearance bass from a Scottish school, you can call yourself lucky if it's got a neck...

Get a new on at string zone website, easy to change, no problem, but you really wanna look at a bridge as well. A warped bridge with high tension strings is not gonna go through a gig easily without a hitch. But first, lay the bass flat and put some books on its top, you don't want the sound post to fall off unless you know how to put it back into place.

Shuttle is a great DB amp, no preamp needed. I prefer the 12" speakers but each to their own.

On photo number 1, maybe my eyes are playing tricks on me, but it looks like your bridge is warped? If it's just my eyes being squint, all you need to do is tune up gradually and whenever the bridge moves, grab the strings and push the the top of the bridge back with both thumbs (difficult to explain but I seem to remember Upton bass had a nice wee video about this on YouTube). I'd avoid knocking the bridge back and forth at full tension. Karate chops and books are not really safe as you wanna be careful the bridge remains in its position (naturally marked by the little spikes in the F-holes, plus its fitting perfectly around the contour of your top). Graphite in the slots is always a good idea as said above. I hope the bridge is straight, in which case it's a very minor part of learning to deal with a DB's idiosincrasy. All the best to you.

+1 to ubassman and hector. Although the notes are in the same order, the double bass is a completely different instrument. Honestly, you'd be much better off investing in some time learning to playing DB like a DB. Get a teacher for a couple of lessons, even just have some online lessons with the brilliant 'Discover Double Bass' website, run by fellow basschatter Geoff (+1 to Pete on this). With a EUB, being amplified and having very low action, you can get away with the "just playing bass guitar vertically" trick. However, if you want to graduate to DB, you will find yourself struggling with tuning, injury and quite simply being heard. You don't need to go all philharmonic: just treat the DB like a DB.

+1 on Charlie being a great guy to deal with. He is very nice, very well organised and he knows his stuff!

True, it's great, it's hot and it's reliable. IMO nowadays there are better similar options like Upton and Blast Cult. Still, if it goes for half price, I'd be tempted myself indeed. Thanks for pointing this one out Paul. There'll probably be a bidding war now eh eh...

[quote name='cattytown' timestamp='1382274874' post='2249899'] I think US bass player Jimmy Sutton has one for sale. Paul. [/quote] I absolutely love what Jimmy does, both as player and producer. Didn't know he had a Chadwick. By the way, I've been gigging mine for a few weeks now and it's great. I was expecting to have more tuning issues with Lamberts, but it's not too bad if you don't mind checking your tuning in-between most songs.

It'd be nice to see a photo or video once they are ready. I'd give it a go at least to try it out. you could even have a couple going around for the basschatters to try like Daf does with innovation strings and Ehrlund p'ups. All the best to you, I love an entrepreneurial spirit me.

Check out the late great Dennis Irwin, legendary NYC jazz player. He had a wooden endpin on his old Amefican Standard ply: that's what I'd go for. You can check out a video on his bass on YouTube, there are a few seconds on his endpin. Sorry cant find you the link just now. Great idea though

I do. Never ever used them but it makes me feel better. It's an old set of wackers anyway stuffed in the gig bag with all the other bits and bobs.

All ply.

[quote name='keeponehandloose' timestamp='1381000394' post='2233317'] dont be fooled by the name , the King company which morphed into Blast Cult had nothing to do with the old King Moretone company which folded many years earlier [/quote] Correct! However, Blast Cult is a great young company.

I have an estate now, which makes things easy, but for years I travelled up and down the UK in a Fiat Panda. Granted, it was only me, bass and wee amp. Even the overnight bags had to be very small...The process of watching me fitting the double bass back in the car was more successful with the punters than me playing the gig!

[quote name='henry norton' timestamp='1380981662' post='2233084'] How about Engelhardt - are these up there with the Blast Cults? [/quote] They are the modern version of the old Kays. In fact they are the direct descendant although not nearly as sough after because not vintage. Good basses too, lots of great people play one and make a great sound on them.

[quote name='henry norton' timestamp='1380918534' post='2232520'] Thanks for your answers Rabbie - can I ask why you went for the Duke? [/quote] The expense of importing a US made bass was the first reason for me contacting Thomas (the guy who invented Dukes basses). I don't remember who told me about him, but at the time he was just in the process of "launching" the Duke. I communicated back and forward with him and we came up with a custom bass which sounded and looked the way I always wanted. Thomas's passion and love for what he does was apparent, so I took the leap of faith. The result is a bass I am in love with and it kicks the bahoochy of any bass I have ever tried before or since. It's even got my name on the wee label inside! Please remember it is a ply: it will never sound like a carved bass orchestral monument, BUT it sounds a trillion dollars to me. With guts and high action it gives you back an almighty muscular thump that just sends me weak at the knees! And to think that a while ago I had a 'weak moment' and toyed with the idea of selling it: that would have been the biggest mistake ever! I recently got myself a Chadwick folding bass for traveling, which is great, but my custom Duke is my pride and joy. Of course I have also been the owner of basses who didn't suit me at all, and one or two happened to be expensive carved ones, so it's really the sound you are after that makes the choice for you. In a nutshell, I went with the Duke because Thomas is a great guy and I was rewarded with a great bass!