sammybee

[quote name='alembic1989' timestamp='1427958599' post='2736202'] Any chance you could let me know how it all worked out? [/quote] Sure thing, when I get it back I'll take some pictures and let you know how it is.

I'm having a fretted neck (rosewood) with blocks converted to fretless as I type. I hope it will work.

Thanks for the advice. I decided to go for it and have my 70's Classic Jazz defretted and save it from the skip. I'll post a pic when it comes back from the luthier. Very excited!

Dreadful song. I think BE would be turning in his grave to know they were trudging this out. It didn't make the cut in the 1970's and it certainly doesn't make the cut today. Don't get me wrong, i think Chic were fantastic back then, but times have changed. It's the same when Bootsy or George releases something new. It just sounds like a pale imitation of the giants they once were.

[quote name='mentalextra' timestamp='1427446375' post='2730376'] Sorry for hijacking your thread but did he play 'its a love thing' by The Whispers too? [/quote] Yes he did. Check out a guy called BelgaBass on youtube, he has done some fantastic Leon Sylvers covers

Fender 70's MIM Jazz. Awful awful bass. Truss rod popped through the fretboard, even with a replacement neck its still a pile of cack. Note to self. Dont buy a cheap bass from someone who advertises they've only had it a month and 'cant get on with it'

Normally I can control my GAS these days, but for the past two weeks I have an uncontrollable urge to play a fretless. I've never played one before, and am curious how long it takes to adapt. Thinking mostly about intonation - would it be best to get a lined fretless? My fretted favourites are my Stingray 4 and US Std Fender Jazz - so I'd preferably like something of similar quality. Any advice on taking the leap is most welcomed.

I think you will be hard pressed to find an airline that will let you take a bass as hand luggage. Be prepared to carry it to the gate and have it put in the hold. If the flight is empty/crew are feeling kind - they might put it in the cabin. Why not buy a bass out there (and save some £), and bring it back with you?

Well after a couple of weeks wearing flats, quickly came to the conclusion that the 'Ray is better with rounds. Anybody fancy a set of EB flats cut to fit a 'Ray? going v cheap..

I would stick with it for a while. I bought a Stingray and didn't like it at first - stuck it under the bed for six months, picked it up one day and now I can't put it down. Maybe it will grow on you.

Thanks for all the varied opinions. Decided to try the EB Flats (50-80-85-105) Group II - WIll report more when I've fitted them.

Thanks for all the recommendations - particularly keen to hear from someone that has flats on their (fretted) 'Ray (or sterling, bongo, sabre...)

Think I might have a go with the Ernie Ball ones, although I'm not going to pull the trigger on them yet so keep the recommendations coming...

I want to try some flats on my 'Ray (a'la Bernard Edwards). Any recommendations for which brand? I used to have a set of Rotosound flats on one of my Jazzes but found the tension quite high and the strings felt as if they were about to snap the neck at any moment. Something I'd like to avoid on my 'Ray.

Ade bought some monitors from me, swift uncomplicated transaction 100% positive. Thanks Ade!

There are a couple of very good videos from Devon Bradshaw (Burning Spear), who explains/shows you some of the fundamentals. But you really need to live this music to play it. http://youtu.be/zmyplWLwIKA This is the first video which shows technique, and the 'kotch' (space)

Mine cracked around the top right bolt hole. I guess it was just over tightened at some point. They dont actually give you the same serial number, but they update the 'database' with the new serial (ie. map it back to the original bass) so a new potential owner can check the provenance.

I had a very similar experience with the same issue. Full marks to Strings and Things - they replaced the neck plate and I didn't even have to send the old one back (just sent them a photo of the cracked one). 11/10 for customer service. Ernie Ball in the US were very very helpful too. Maybe they have a lot of cracked neck plates go back ?

+1 for the newish Mac Mini - even a used one (2012 say) will only set you back about £300/£350 second hand. You can use generic memory to upgrade if necessary. For me it's a no brainer. Mac wins hands down everytime due to the fact it is really plug and play, very rarely will anything go wrong. And if something does go wrong, you can just call apple and they will talk you through fixing it in a language you understand. Very few 'pros use PCs. Even with modern PC's, there are just too many variables in the chain. Some people will get good results with them, but a lot of people will experience a lot of hair pulling. (just to point out, i made my fortune (onto my second one now!) as a Microsoft centric software developer, I am a Microsoft Partner. Microsoft based systems are good for some things, but as a professional I wouldn't advocate them for music production).

[quote name='Billy Apple' timestamp='1417381304' post='2619853'] I don't mean new goods, but second hand goods from a private seller. They've paid sales tax when they've bought them and the difference is not taken off when they sell. [/quote] Doesn't that happen in the UK too? At least in the USA its only 5/6/7% I think when people advertise a nearly new bass in the UK, they should knock off 20% before they even start making deductions for it being 2nd hand.