Mokl

Is it possible the frets hadn't been polished properly? That reminds me of my guitar tech days when I used to dress frets often, and remembering how critical the final polish is in alleviating that scratchy feeling. Stainless steel frets were considerably harder work and as I encountered them less often would find I'd sometimes underestimated and have to repeat the polishing stage after restringing and testing.

I wonder if whatever's going on with mine might be best managed by one of those case humidifiers as sometimes used for acoustics, but it lives on a stand, and the occasional small application of oil seems to resolve it. I apply maybe twice annually. It was coincidence that I realised this was a "thing" as I had decided to give the instrument a little tlc and realised after cleaning the board with lemon oil that the very slight feeling of the frets being raised at the edges had gone! It feels implausible to me too 😂

I use lemon oil sparingly on rosewood and ebony boards, never on maple. One of my basses has a pale moon ebony board that, if I don't give it a light oil now and then, seems to contract to the point you can feel the edges of the frets - almost like fret sprout. A little lemon oil (or whatever we're calling it, the stuff packaged as such for use on guitar fingerboards), fixes it. As an aside, the point about silicone - you really shouldn't be applying this to the lacquer finish on your guitars! But honestly, how many of us get minor dings etc touched up by luthiers? Also, unless the bass is brand new to you, straight out of the case, how can you be sure it's never seen silicone polish? I'd be willing to bet that there's many a music shop gets the Saturday staff to give the guitars a once over with a can of silicone based furniture polish! My experience is that a switched-on refinisher (all the ones I've ever dealt with) will always assume the finish has had exposure to silicone at some point and proceed with any refinish work accordingly.

Ooh, I love that!

I love that colour, and bass looks great to me.

I thought the same, odd oversight.

Very underrated vocalist imo

I have a fretless Jazz that John built me back around 2007. It's a great instrument with a few minor niggles that I don't suppose appear on the later ones. At the time it was such a bargain for what it was I decided I could live with them. I'll never sell it and would have another if the opportunity arose - the white blonde jazz here is basically exactly what I'd like - beautiful! I respect John's s decision to conduct business in a way that suits him, however I must admit at times I felt a bit uncomfortable dealing with him. Perhaps that's why he's chosen the path he has re. order taking. Wonderful instruments though. There was a fretless for sale on his site the other day if anyone's interested. Not a strict replica though, but bet it's a great bass.

Nothing wrong with a 14 bar slap solo after the middle eight in Mr Brightside.

I've had a very similar experience!!

Everything is improved with slap.

Neither are you... I definitely don't have seller's remorse 😂

I had a B100R backn in the day - lovely amp, wish I had kept it!

That used to be mine - absolutely brilliant bass and amazing sound in a band situation, but fell victim to the start of me rationalizing my bass collection. Hope it's gone to an appreciative new owner!

I had a recent dealing with them that threatened to go South for various reasons, but Mark dealt with it very professionally, was fair and prompt with all elements of the transaction. I was impressed and pleased to be supporting this great business that we're so fortunate to have serving the UK bass community. Ended up with a great bass too.

+1 to trying another brand. I'm reasonably sure it'll yield an improvement.

That looks fantastic, would love a Zoot.

I really enjoy playing slap, and would consider myself moderately proficient, but almost never use it in a band context. Funny enough I often don't enjoy listening to it, which often makes me pause before deciding to inflict it on unwitting listeners! For me a big part of whether I will enjoy listening to it is the bass tone (which impacts how the style sits in the mix, I prefer a thicker, more even tone) and of course the line itself. I hasten to say taste as it's so subjective, but there are certain approaches to the style I find more palatable. I could listen to Bobby Vega play slap all day, for example (granted that's hardly what he's renowned for). But then I guess the same could be said of any technique - as been repeated on here many times before - it's not what you've got, it's how you choose to use it.

Looks great to me, how does it play?

I'm fairly convinced that large amounts of compression, combined with strong attack from the right hand, are a significant part of his recorded sound.

I hear ya, depending on the bass, it kind shifts forward/across. I've never had too much trouble adapting tbh, although I keep strap height probably about where it'd be if sitting, as that's where I like it balance/ reach-wise, so maybe that's why.

Thanks for the replies so far. I get the practice standing thing - and should do that more for reasons cited,- however I have a pretty "relaxed" practice regime, and do enjoy just sitting back and having a noodle. Sitting on the floor - no idea how you manage that without losing circulation in your leg!

....when practising/ noodling on your bass? New domestic set up means that for the first time I'll not be sat on the sofa or edge of the bed - neither of which were ever that great tbh. So I want a bench or stool for my office/music room and was hoping for recommendations, ideally less than £50, but will possibly prise my wallet further open for an outstanding suggestion! Thanks in advance

I always thought the Bongo looked terrible, then suddenly one day, for no discernible reason, I realised that I now think it looks great and quite want one.... and especially a Stealth 6 (after seeing below vid) which I could neither afford nor do justice to

My fire engine red from 1988. Originally had a white guard, and is actually 2 band again. The 3rd tone control is a dummy as I drilled a hole for the jack through the bottom of the body. It's been refretted with stainless steel frets about 20 years ago. I've owned this for about 27 years now, will never sell it. Would love one like the op's to go with it someday.