JapanAxe

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1386535824' post='2301242'] All other things being equal, I'd buy the Musicmaster. [/quote] Ah but they're not equal! The Mustang has a big feck-off humbucker; the Musicmaster will hold its value better. Hmm...

[quote name='ikay' timestamp='1386528581' post='2301112'] Here you go ... [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fender-Mustang-Bass-Guitar-Natural-Finish-/331078377461?"]http://www.ebay.co.u...-/331078377461?[/url] Often thought about getting one of these, might take a punt myself! [/quote] Blimey, I looked earlier and didn't see this. EDIT: Had a closer look and I completely don't like what I see. I particularly loathe the finish, which I expect was achieved by removing the original paintwork. I think I'm sticking with the PSM idea, but I can't rule out a trip to Bass Direct. I'll probably come back with a Dingwall 5-er (nearly did last time).

[quote name='hairyhatman' timestamp='1386533128' post='2301191'] Thanks people. Don't know why but I just don't trust the re-chargeables. Could be wrong but someone told me they don't take the same charge as a Duracell. LED looks like a good option though. I just need to figure out where to position it so I can spot when its dying. (Maybe some ingenious hat arrangement!). I'll let you know how I get on. Appreciate the advice peeps. Al [/quote] You need to check three things when buying rechargeables: (1) Voltage - you want 9.6V nominal. Some rechargeable PP3s used to run as low as 7.2V nominal. (2) Capacity in mAh - go for the highest you can find. (3) Formulation - NiCd cells tend to fade if left unused. Go for NiMH, preferably the hybrid sort that come ready-charged.

[quote name='bertbass' timestamp='1386523063' post='2301008'] I'm not a great fan of short scale basses myself but if it was me, I'd get the genuine Fender Mustang. Having heard a few, they don't sound at all bad with the original pickup. [/quote] I'd have to find one first! The one in Bass Direct is a Musicmaster

As you will see from my signature, I currently have GAS for a Pawn Shop Mustang: I have a try-and-buy trip planned for next Sunday (15th) a few days ahead of my actual birthday, but I have just stumbled on [url="http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Fender_1978_Musicmaster_bass.html"]this at Bass Direct[/url]: It is a similar price to a new PSM, but 1978 - that makes it almost vintage in my book. To me it is undeniably sexy - and no go-faster stripes! On the other hand, could I live with a single coil? Or would it be possible to do an invisible mod with a stacked or rail-type Strat pickup? And could I live with that bridge? And is there even a four-saddle version in existence with the same screw mounting positions? Or should I look out for a [i]real[/i] modded Mustang from back in the day? AAARGH! Please someone buy this bass and put me out of my misery! Otherwise I'll have to take a half-day and drive over to give it a go, and then I might fall in love with it but still wish I could have the PSM. [size=3][font=courier new,courier,monospace][b]NOTE[/b]: I am not affiliated in any way with Bass Direct. Or Fender for that matter. Just saying.[/font][/size]

Hohner headless guitars/basses used to come in that finish too.

Spoke to a friend who is a materials scientist specialising in polymers. The blackening of the insulation on the mains switch terminals could be PVC breakdown, where the plasticiser separates out (visible as little globules in this picture). If overheating had been the problem, the switch body itself would most likely have become discoloured. Good news then. Also just discovered what a pair of working Mullard EL34 valves go for on eBay - more than I paid for the amp!

Can't work out how she's managing to damp the lower strings. But yes, very impressive.

[quote name='iconic' timestamp='1386363836' post='2299436'] The blues scale sounds great too and as the above said more bluesy 'n less good ole boy....but still like to know why playing a minor over a major works so well...if that makes sense? [/quote] Most of the blues scale can be thought of as 'borrowed' from the parallel minor. A lot of rock is based on that concept.

You've put the volume control after the pre-amp, whereas the instructions have the pre-amp output going straight to the output jack.

Nah, gotta be this one:

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1386357399' post='2299329'] sandberg [/quote] Beat me to it. Sandberg's 'Hardcore Aged' finish is pretty savage, but you pay a premium for it. Point your browser [url="http://www.configurator.sandberg-guitars.de/"]here[/url] and start configurating!

Just don't pack lumps of marzipan wrapped in clingfilm and you should be fine!

Sadly I think the days of tiny high-capacity hard-drive music players (well, that'd be the iPod Classic) are numbered, as people move over to streaming music from that Cloud thingy. Pity, as I don't want my on-the-move listening to be dependent on a decent phone connection, and then be paying for bandwidth to listen to music I've already bought!

Nothing wrong with playing major scale notes to a 12-bar, but it will come out sounding a bit country.

I think I sold a bit of kit to this guy once on eBay, but thankfully I'm certain it wasn't anything that would have ended up on that... item

From that list of questions - actually, [i]I'd[/i] like a Betty Boop guitar strap!

More internal shots: Rather worrying blackening of the insulation on the mains switch terminals: Happily, all the valves tested good - 5x unbranded ECC83 (12AX7), 2x Mullard EL34. Another slight concern - the HT fuse had previously blown, and been bypassed by some fine wire (fuse wire?) wrapped around the fuse. Bonkers!

Pics! Rear panel: Inside rear of amp. Two Mullard EL34 valves. Mains transformer on left, OPT on right, and mahoosive choke hiding behind two dual 32uF caps: Cover off - now you can see the choke more clearly. Panel-mounted controls and pre-amp valves (phase splitter not shown):

[quote name='Wooks79' timestamp='1386183596' post='2296902'] How's it sound? I'm tempted to pick one up. [/quote] At the moment - appalling! Pots are scratchy and intermittent. Even at living-room levels, horrendoulsly farty on both channels, almost like ring modulation. I have yet to look inside though...

This amp belonged to a bass player who had retired from gigging, my friend bought it from him out of pity (along with a 2x12 cab from which he kept the drivers), then asked me if I'd like it. Having replace his arm in its socket and reimbursed him the paltry sum which he had paid, it is now mine: This will be a bit of a project for me - learn the schematic, test the valves, replace the filter caps, replace the worn mains lead, plus any other necessary work. Gut shots to follow! Anyone else got one of these?

Although my fretless was something of an impulse purchase I don't think I'd have bought an unlined equivalent. Scott's point is that lines makes it easier to start with, and I agree with that.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1386019347' post='2294765']Very true - and I do like Ampeg gear a [i]lot[/i]. But an S12 is a one-hand lift. So are my BFMs. Hauling heavy cabs became very tedious after three decades. [/quote] Make that one decade!

Hideous! *adds item to watch list*