Norris

I had a ME50B for a bit but switched to a GT6B as it has far better fine tuning using the jog dial. I don't go too overboard on effects but regularly use the amp/cab emulation to get a valve sound for most stuff then switch to clean and bright for the odd funky number. I also use it a lot in one prog track we do, where being able to alter the effects chain order is very useful to get the sound I needed. I've never felt the need for any other pedals. Plus it has a tuner and expression pedal (usually set as volume and handy as a quick mute at the end of set) Try one

[quote name='ras52' timestamp='1412784935' post='2572037'] ... there was something niggling me about that version, and know I've hit on it: WHERE'S BONO?!? [/quote] That made me laugh, followed by a cold-based coughing fit

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1412789276' post='2572105'] John Le Carre - Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy [/quote] I really must get around to reading that Name: Colonquake :-)

Mustang Sally #joke #coat

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1412784764' post='2572034'] Surely you mean Gerald the Mole ... [/quote] Pink Floyd - Bike?

Worn frets. Noisy electrics. Mashed heads on bridge adjuster screws.

Tiger 200 Twin (vintage motorbike theme)

[quote name='Cairobill' timestamp='1412762716' post='2571673'] The Thunderbird is a great shape - what's it like to play? [/quote] Mine's a modern one (2004) but the ergonomics are pretty similar. Due to the positioning of the strap button behind the neck heel (standard on new basses, common anti-dive modification on older ones), the bass tends to sit an inch or two to the left of where any other bass naturally hangs. This means you tend to play with a straighter left arm, and you should not try to play with the bass hanging too low if you want to avoid tendinitis. It's a l-o-n-g bass and with the strap offset it requires you to watch out for low hanging cymbals/keyboards/mic stands/band members! The strap button position also tends to tilt the top of the bass forwards slightly so you can't see the fretboard. On my bass the neck is very thin - a joy to play if you like that kind of thing, although the string spacing is fairly close. A lot of people seem to have an issue with the bizarre 3-point bridge; personally I have no issues with it, but then I'm a finger player and don't need a "picking rest". The rich tone (on Gibsons) is gorgeous, although it doesn't do "squeaky clean" ime. Having said all that, the feeling you get from standing on stage with it round your neck is like no other bass. You become taller, your stance gets a little wider, you are just goddam sexier!

You know I read that as "Harley Benton [i][b]mental[/b][/i] bass"

I live in South Leicestershire but it's not exactly local. About half an hour away from me. Btw he has a Hofner violin bass he'd like to move on if that takes anyone's fancy. Also a Shine violin bass and a Stagg P. Plus a small selection of SD bass pups. He's not a bass specialist so has a lot more guitar and acoustic related stuff if that floats your boat

I'm not into relics myself but you've done a great job on that. Very authentic and much better than most relics I've seen.

Such a shame. He is the definitive rhythm guitarist imho and the key sonic driving force in the band. I feel a bit of a kinship in that he also falls into the "not noticed until not there" category :-)

I don't think he's updated EBay yet. If you see something you like call him and haggle. Yeah there does seem to be a lot of jackets on there :-)

Duncan says he still has one SD-QP P/J set left...

[quote name='happynoj' timestamp='1412239696' post='2566972'] ... someone always points out that their bass sales are a tiny percentage of their guitar sales... [/quote] [quote name='HengistPod' timestamp='1412242859' post='2567015'] I see the 2015 T-bird is retailing at a squid under £1900 on pre-order. [/quote] Gasp indeed. I can't possibly think of a connection here!

Apologies - it got a stray full stop in the url

A friend of mine owns the Guitar Workshop in Ibstock, Leicestershire. He has recently taken the decision to move into selling second hand gear rather than continue trying to compete with massive online retailers. He is therefore having a big stock clearance sale of new stuff to make some room. You can see a lot of stuff on his eBay store [url="http://stores.ebay.co.uk/The-Guitar-Workshop"]http://stores.ebay.c...uitar-Workshop[/url] However I know that is not completely up to date (e.g. there are no bass guitars listed, but he has definitely got some! - possibly even some Chinese-made copies of a well known litigious US manufacturer ), so you are probably best to call to see if you can find a bargain on 01530 260984 BTW, I don't think he has any Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound P/J sets left, as I've just had the last-but-one set off him, but he does still have other SD-QP sets. Edit: Corrected url - sentence full stop became part of it

Fender US Jazz std Fender MIM Jazz fretless Squier P-bass Special Rickenbacker 4003 Gibson Thunderbird Aria Pro II SB-1000 Stagg EUB 3/4 (does that count?)

[quote name='geofio' timestamp='1412137387' post='2565982'] Your E and A saddles are far too forward for correct intonation on a ric , the saddles also look squint have you checked underneath to see what is going on!!! the most important thing is to get the strings lining up with the poles on the pickups, or the bass will not sound right. i have attached a pic of my 3 Rickenbacker's, if you look the saddles are in the most part in the same position. [/quote] Thanks for replying. If anything the A string bridge needs to move more towards the neck to get the intonation correct, but that would involve reversing the bridge piece. Having measured nut - 12th fret, the nut - bridge (height adjuster grub screws) is slightly more than double I.e. it's as if the bridge is very slightly too far away. The bridge hasn't been moved as I checked underneath - no extra holes or mashing. My main issue though is that the saddles seem to have been notched off centre in the factory

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1412110602' post='2565839'] Plug the existing 10 mm holes first (with dowelling..?); you'll get a better cut, I'd suggest. [/quote] Sounds a darned good idea!

[quote name='NancyJohnson' timestamp='1411928082' post='2564019'] [/quote] Now [i][b]that's[/b][/i] a Thunderbird bass stance! I love my T-bird. I just wish it did "clean" occasionally

I think a solo career is in order, singing whiny dirges about how tough it is in the North East (Tongue firmly in cheek!)

[quote name='NancyJohnson' timestamp='1411902130' post='2563645'] Do the strings align over the pickup pole pieces? [/quote] Near enough. The saddle cut only seems to be about 1/16" off centre, but that's enough to make the string sit uncomfortably close to the "sticky-uppy" thing. [quote name='TheSiberian' timestamp='1411971095' post='2564331'] Many of the bridge's problems come from an amateur kind of work. [/quote] The saddles are as they left the Ric factory as far as I know. The strings don't actually catch on the sticky-uppy thing, but it's only a good "dig-in" away from it. I'm going to give the bass back to it's owner and let him decide if he wants to do anything further. I really just wondered if it's a common "factory" issue. Thanks for the replies.

Don't you find that even when someone compliments you on a good performance, you are still thinking about that note you missed during the key change into the second chorus, and how the drummer speeded up in the last song before the break, and how the guitarist never can get the rhythm of those accents quite right... and end up replying... [quote name='neepheid' timestamp='1411724157' post='2562232'] Me: "OK, well, cheers!" [/quote]

I used to have a drink while playing when I was younger. These days we don't have a band van any more and have to drive ourselves to the gigs. The music is far better quality for being sober, and far more enjoyable to play. Well done to the OP for his professional handling of the situation.