Norris

A stiff bourbon and a very long cigarette. (Yes I do like scotch as well, but you can't beat a nice smooth, smoky bourbon après-gig)

I've owned some of my basses for longer than I've been married so it's a matter of precedence - last in, first out Seriously, it will be our 20th wedding anniversary next year and Mrs Norris encouraged me in my latest purchase, so she seems to be a 'keeper' too

Modern Gibson 'birds have the strap button on the neck heel and don't suffer neck dive as badly. They still tilt though if you don't use the arm rest Edit: Tilt as in the top edge of the body tends to fall away from you slightly i.e. along the X axis rather than the Y axis

Signature updated, and the name will never be spoken again. (I still love it though )

Sorry, couldn't help thinking of this... [i]"You're a naughty one, Saucy Jack"[/i] Good luck anyway

+1 for Indonesian Squiers

I'm probably in the minority here - I was gigging!

Looks like a bargain to me... [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BEST-MOST-POWERFUL-MOST-ACCURATE-studio-monitors-speakers-or-MONEY-REFUNDED-/310666272951?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Amplifiers&hash=item48552720b7"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BEST-MOST-POWERFUL-MOST-ACCURATE-studio-monitors-speakers-or-MONEY-REFUNDED-/310666272951?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Amplifiers&hash=item48552720b7[/url] No replies until you've read the WHOLE description!

I found those photos while googling to see if you could buy a replacement bridge (another thread) The bridge height is adjustable - although it might take a while to work out how . You shouldn't need to modify the bridge - just adjust the bridge height & set the neck relief. I have similar 'quacking' around the third fret (?!) which I put down to the fretboard not being quite level - which wouldn't surprise me on such a cheap instrument. It mainly seems to be on the D string, so maybe it's a common 'feature'. However I quite like the little buzz as it makes it sound a bit more like a DB when it happens. I thought I was picking up noise from the hip brace, but it was actually the end pin (see the list of 'standard' fixes). Once I fixed that the noise was hardly noticeable. If it's still a problem after you've tackled the end pin, you could probably wrap some plumbers PTFE tape around the brace where it goes through the threaded nut. You could also probably stretch the neoprene down towards the threaded nuts too - see how it's cut slightly short to allow them to spin freely.

There's a few photos & details about various mods here - [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/52673786@N00/sets/72157622373540977/detail/"]http://www.flickr.com/photos/52673786@N00/sets/72157622373540977/detail/[/url]

The other mods you might want to look at are i) stopping the end pin rattling and ii) improving the electrical shielding I had issues with the end pin which made quite a bit of knocking noise as I moved around, shifted weight, etc. (especially when amplified). I solved it by neatly wrapping a 1" strip of gaffer tape around the top of the pin (under the back plate) until it made a snug (but not too snug) fit when pulled back down into the hole. I've not really noticed any shielding issues myself, but stingrayPete1977 has fully shielded his rear cavity (oo-er!), including behind the pre-amp module.

How about making one with a silouette Ric********* headstock?

The weight of the bass should mainly be taken by your hip so that your left hand shouldn't need to do too much support. I'm still trying to get used to that, and trying to lean it in to me. I've bought a copy of [url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Evolving-Bassist-Rufus-Reid/dp/0967601509/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1368616778&sr=8-1&keywords=the+evolving+bass"]The Evolving Bassist[/url] by Rufus Reid, which is good even for novices, although not done nearly as much practise as I should have! Edit: Forgot to quote you [quote name='Paul S' timestamp='1368612437' post='2079105'] Question - how do you keep the bass still when trying to slide up or down? Is that a general posture thing or a particular trick? At the moment I 'sort of' keep the thing steady using pressure from my left hand. [/quote]

Do a Jaco - pull the frets out & fill it You could probably do a half reasonable job with tile grout & have the fret lines in whatever colour you like. I bought a Squier P-bass Special on here at a very reasonable price, intending to use it for a project. However it was such a good bass I hadn't the heart to start messing with it. I'll have to find another donor one day... Edit: Plus, de-fretting the neck means you still have a matching headstock

Yet another glowing recommendation... I bought a [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/204820-fsft-rickenbacker-4003-jetglo-04-bass-with-ric-case-sold"]Rickenbacker 4003[/url] from John. As you can see his description was very detailed, accompanied by excellent photos, and if anything he under-sold the bass which is actually in fantastic condition. Just a glance at this impressive feedback thread gave me the confidence to buy unseen, due to the distance between us. Communication was excellent throughout, and John arranged for a friend of his who was travelling to my neck of the woods to bring the bass along with them, thus avoiding potential courier issues. I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending John as a TOP BLOKE

This thread stole a little of the BC magic away for me Can we back off Guy now please?

Oh - that calendar page looks awful on my Android mobile! No mobile-friendly style sheet?

Yeah, sorry. I know it's short notice, but if you're around North Leicestershire at a loss for somewhere to go tonight (and are not going to see Dick Venom ) come and say hi

What strings to use?

Who are these beetles of which you speak?

[quote name='Jazzneck' timestamp='1367223453' post='2062624'] Or the Beeb stops reporting on daft subjects? [/quote] One person's daft subject is another's essential news... And while we're talking about the BBC & license fees: I can't stand reality shows, 'talent' shows, period drama and soaps. Unfortunately it doesn't stop them being popular with the ovisites, meaning my telly is full of cr*p most of the time. But hey, big shrug, there's still BBC4, the Internet, my album collection, and Real Life[sup]TM[/sup]

[quote name='DaveFry' timestamp='1366967077' post='2059496'] [/quote] No wonder he was such a virtuoso - he has 3 hands!

My copy of [url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0967601509/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1"]The Evolving Bassist[/url] should arrive today - the DVD will take an extra day or two (cheaper bought separately!). Can you give me any of your other 'essential' recommendations? Not only for exercises & technique, but also for compilations of slightly easier classical or jazz music to play. I realise the Evolving Bassist book has some recommendations, but I am interested in what other books you have found useful. I haven't invested in a bow yet, so everything is pizzicato - but it's only a matter of time before I get one. And what the hey - why link in some useful YouTube channels/links too? This thread could become a useful resource for n00bs

The only customisation I've ever done is adding Schallers to every bass. Even my cheapo Indonesian Squier has its stock pup - which sounds great imho