JapanAxe

Cheers Jake, I know what you mean about visualising, thanks for the encouragement.

Had a bit of a sesh on the 5-er tonight. I'm trying to wean myself off that reliance on the lower positions, which caused problems when I had to cope with higher notes, especially when sight reading. Some things end up being a lot easier too, e.g. the riff at the start of [i]Rescue Me[/i]. I will be going back to the 4-string, but I'll try and stay off it for the time being.

[quote name='skej21' timestamp='1375043529' post='2156146'] No but it may have been fine when they put it out and has gradually become in that state through constant demo use. Even without these factors, the guitar isnt going to stay perfectly set-up hanging on a wall so its expected that it will need to be maintained regularly and contrary to what you may think, they probably don't get time to play every guitar/bass in the shop all day to find out these issues themselves, likely relying on constructive feedback about the state of the instruments from customers so that they can act on and become aware of issues developing with their stock. Simply stating 'its a dog' and storming out isn't helpful. However, it would raise concerns if there were issues with multiple instruments that you tried. The odd one is understandable. [/quote] I never mentioned storming out! Not even flouncing (although I do enjoy a good flounce). And I did smile while telling the chap the bass was a dog, and he smiled back, so no bridges burned. Assuming they hadn't knowingly put out a dog, they do now have the opportunity to have another look at that bass. So far the shop's score with the instruments I have tried there has been 4 out of 4 with issues. With the electro's I mentioned, one had an extremely weak and tinny output, and the other had a very weak signal from the top E string. [quote name='BassTractor' timestamp='1375043633' post='2156148'] -1 [/quote] Is that for me or the shop? I don't seem to be coming out of this very well! Trouble is I am spoiled by shopping at World Guitars.

[quote name='Stan_da_man' timestamp='1375037915' post='2156043'] How are they supposed to improve then if their customers won't say what the problem is and just walk out? [/quote] I did point out the specific problem with the ASAT. And should I really have to tell a guitar shop: 'You need to make sure your stock is in good order before putting it out'?

Cheers David. I think I've already decided that the 10th fret is high enough on the B string. I'll try your other suggestions too.

[quote name='Bassman Sam' timestamp='1375030746' post='2155959'] Nice one, glad it went well. Best take your own sarnies next time. [size=4] [/size] [/quote] Always take your own food as a precaution!

There is another Chandlers in Hampton Wick, just over the Thames from Kingston. No criticism of that one, and no idea whether or how they are linked. Which one did you use Bassman Sam?

Hi folks, apologies if this topic has been done to death but it's hard to check with such common search terms. So... Just got my first ever 5-er and trying to get used to it. So far I have been going through my pad of song transcriptions, some of which I know well, and playing along to the original tracks. I am trying to play up the neck and down onto the E and B strings rather than in the lower positions that I favour on a 4-string. Any other tips that might help me?

First call on my shopping trip yesterday was Chandlers in Kew. First I tried a G&L ASAT skinny-string. The intonation was off so it wouldn't play in tune. Then I checked out a fretless P/J hybrid - completely awful to play. Both these instruments had 4-figure price tags! The shop could and should have sorted these issues before putting them out for sale. I was last in there about 2 years ago, when I tried 2 electro acoustics and both had issues. As I handed the fretless back to a shop operative yesterday he asked how I'd got on. 'It's a dog' I said and walked out. I won't be going back.

Although I stick to my choices they both appear on Steely Dan compilations so perhaps don't qualify for the thread topic. Then again most ornery folk would think of Reelin' in the Years or Do It Again so what the heck!

The guitar solo on [i]My Old School[/i]. And all of [i]Peg[/i].

[quote name='Urban Bassman' timestamp='1375016509' post='2155758'] I been viewing this bass on the Gallery's web site for a while and thought that I'd like to have a go on it....oh well, I'll have to join Machinehead in the jealousy club. Fab bass - enjoy! [/quote] If you're passing through Swindon PM me and you can have a go!

It is a killer tone but there isn't much loss of versatility thanks to the controls. Better a killer tone than a range of ok tones.

Cheers guys. I think one of the reasons this bass sounds so good is that the pickup is in the sweet spot (as per a MM I'm guessing), whereas on the 2-pickup version the bridge pickup is a little bit nearer to the bridge. Compare these photos: [attachment=139943:SDC10094.jpg][attachment=139944:SDC11234.jpg] Another plus point is the active/passive switch. To me it works like modern/vintage modes. In passive (vintage), the treble control seems to roll down further for hose dubby moments, whereas in active (modern) the treble control adds a lot more zing (even allowing for flats). EDIT: When I got the bass home I did have a bit of the problem with the pickup being microphonic, but I tightened the height adjustment screw on the treble side and it's now fine. Can't wait to gig this now! Also contemplating flats for my Sandberg - I'm not a slap-happy sort of person, and I've realised I really enjoy the fat sound and comfy feel of flats. Any brands/gauges to avoid? [i]Cue long-running string comparison thread...[/i]

Went looking for a quality 5-er, chiefly at the [b]Gallery[/b] in Camden, and came home with this: [attachment=139927:SDC10094.jpg][attachment=139928:SDC10096.jpg][attachment=139929:SDC10097.jpg][attachment=139930:SDC100951.jpg] I just kept going back to it, even though (or perhaps because) it was fitted with flatwounds - a sure sign that the instrument is speaking to you (the going back, not the flats). I preferred it over the L2500 that they also had. For reference, I compared it with a '64 P-bass, a Sandberg TT4, and a Dingwall Combustion 5, just to make sure it wasn't just the amp (Streamliner & Epifani) that I was loving; no, it was the fat growly G&L. I used to have an L2000 Tribute, but this is so much lovelier. Woot woot!

Saw a poster for that on the A420 by Watchfield. Sadly I am away this weekend (or not so sadly - venturing to ye Smoke with credit card in hand...)

Thank goodness for that! BTW do I get a prize for correct identification?

Can't help thinking you might have seriously devalued that axe!

Body looks like a Burns? But what the blood-and-stomach-pills is that great lump over/behind the bridge? Looks like one of those clip-on spring reverbs for acoustic guitars! Or maybe a Gizmo (electro-mechanical bowing device)?

[quote name='Telebass' timestamp='1374824528' post='2153569'] And why CBS' introduction of a fretless Precision was a great indication of how little they understood their own product. [/quote] They should have called the fretless version the 'Approximation'!

There is no conspiracy! The group of sharps or flats at the start of the piece (and normally at the start of each line) is called the [u]key signature[/u], and it [i]does[/i] tell you the key, or at least give you a choice of two. If you are playing from sheet music, the mode becomes apparent if the tonal centre differs from that of the key signature. For example, a piece in G Mixolydian would be written after a G major key signature with all the F's shown as naturals, or using the key signature of C major (where all the F's are natural anyway). I expect none of that makes sense to you, but the learning of music theory has a pretty steep curve!

That's pretty rockin'! The only thing that spoiled it for me was the drummer pulling a face like he was trying to expel a grapefruit from his rectum

To start with, play stuff that includes the pitches available from the open strings (E, A, D, G), then you can compare these with your stopped (rather than fretted!) attempts to check that you are still in tune. Hope that makes sense!

[quote name='Old Horse Murphy' timestamp='1374789990' post='2153393'] Check out my old Shuker 5 string PJ for sale at Bass Gear. It's a stunner [url="http://www.bassgear.co.uk/product/5-string-bass-guitars-po/shuker-custom-p5/"]http://www.bassgear....uker-custom-p5/[/url] [/quote] Don't usually go a bundle on PJs but that is a nice-looking 5-er!

White. Black is a bit boring really - if the instrument I am buying happens to be black, so be it, but given the choice: White!