Norris

[quote name='dyerseve' timestamp='1486117430' post='3229332'] [/quote] Who said that? Did you hear something?

A lot of it is word of mouth too. If you can get your toes into one or two places and put on a good show then word will get around. If you can also work with the landlord and be accomodating then so much the better. But you do need to go visit a few venues, meet face to face with whoever does the bookings. Take one of your band mates, nominate a night, and go sound out all those places you'd like to play. One of you is going to have to be a driving force

Ah. Just saw your latest reply. I assume that you are anchoring with your thumb when plucking. Try to ease up on that. Maybe have a look at floating thumb technique - even if you don't adopt it you will realise that you don't need to anchor so firmly. It's a reference point, not the support for your whole arm

Also stretch and warm up before a session. Stretching out your tendons helps a lot

I get the impression that the seizing is in your plucking hand. I haven't had that myself but have had seizing in my fretting hand in my youth, especially with repetitive riffs involving stretches. The key to fixing it was practice unfortunately. Being that bit quicker and stronger allows you to relax a bit more because it's within your capabilities rather than on the edge of them. You'll then tend to play with a lighter touch and be more relaxed generally.

I'd drill before the lacquer so you can check everything fits while "dry". I think you need to invest in a set of drill bits. Good luck Edit: And measure twice, three times before you drill

Manchester Guitar Tech do a nice range of coloured nitro and are not too expensive. They can also mix custom colours if you want. If you use a spray you will need good ventilation, whether poly or nitro. The advantage to nitro is that each coat will merge into the previous. Poly will form distinct coats, which will be visible if you sand through. Basically nitro is a bit more forgiving. For less noxious methods, oil as Manton suggested is easy to apply and can be buffed to a good gloss. Also check out some of the Andyjr1515 build threads for his use of dyes and brush on/wipe on varnish - it might be a little more "house friendly"

That's gorgeous you lucky chap!

Looking sweet!

She's trying to drag me to the Rewind festival in Henley this year. Mostly cheesey 80s artists. I suppose Level 42 and the chance to try out our newly acquired VW camper might sway me

Great achievement! When are you starting a saxophone build thread?

That came together very nicely and looks great. Well done!

That's going to look beautiful

It sounds like your truss rod is loose if it's rattling. Does the nut turn freely when not under string tension? If so tighten the truss nut until you start getting some resistance. Standard Fender style (single acting) truss rods sit in a curved channel. As you tighten the nut the rod tries to straighten, pushing against the curved channel and therefore putting back bow on the neck. If the rod is too loose it won't push against the curve at all, and will rattle You don't need to put so much tension in as to make the neck back bow, just enough to stop the rod from rattling

[quote name='prowla' timestamp='1484485419' post='3215763'] A couple of thoughts... Is the a string guide/post on the headstock to feed the string under? You can make a sharp right-angle in the string, using pliers. [/quote] This. I always put a 90 degree bend in the string and pop it down into the centre of the tuning post. Also cut your strings to length to allow a couple of wraps around the post

[quote name='tauzero' timestamp='1484256830' post='3214185'] Sorry, the Buzzard has gone, replaced by the Esh, which itself will be going at some point as I just got the Sei Flamboyant 5 to add to the other two Seis. So I could have 3 Seis there now. [/quote] Shame. That was a gorgeous bass. About the length of a double decker bus, but gorgeous

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]1. Si600 - GK rig (house rig) Fender P V so GrammeFriday can get GAS all over again![/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]2. Tauzero - One or two SEI's or an Ash[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]3. T-Web[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]4. Ashweb[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]5. Len_derby[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]6. Markstuk[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]7. ChunkyMunky - Musicman Bongo 5HH, Genz Benz Shuttle 12.0 and other bits.[/font][/color] 8. Jabba_the_gut - Some home build basses 9. Andyjr1515 10. SpondonBassed - [color=#00ff00]Ashdown Toneman 300[/color] - a selection or all three from [color=#00ff00]Steinberger Spirit XT25, Hohner B2A, Vantage fretless 33B-XF[/color] 11. Harryburke14 - Mystery bass 12. Norris I've not decided whether to bring anything yet - I'll see how much stuff everybody else is bringing first. I think everyone has seen most of my gear already, but I'm happy to bring anything on request (including the Thunderbird Seashell - if you need your GAS fuelling, I might be persuaded to part with it) I will try to finish the Telecaster I'm building as I know that Andyjr1515 is keen to see it. I'd also be keen to see any other self builds as we seemed to have a few builders last year I might even make a cake Edit: Oh and Tauzero - if you fancy bringing your Buzzard along I'd love to see that again

Nice one!

[quote name='Prostheta' timestamp='1482941682' post='3203649'] Hi Andy! I'm surprised that Norris didn't tag me in on this thread. Yeah, this fault-find is a bit of a bummer what with the preamp not sorting it. I definitely agree with testing professionally before throwing more money or items at it. Keep me in the loop with the findings and I'm more than happy to provide what input I can. If it's of any consolation, swapping out any 40yo preamp - functioning or not - will have an impact on the noise floor, battery life and general clarity. The silicon used in the originals is incomparable to modern processes, that and the list of other improvements made. Equally, Veijo [Rautia]'s pickups are identical exactly where they need to be and far better when they should be. There's a lot of love that goes into these old Japanese birds! [/quote] I don't think you can tag people on basschat or I would have done. All you can do for a notification is to quote

[quote name='SpondonBassed' timestamp='1482910848' post='3203405'] I've heard the double bass referred to as a bull fiddle. That, in today's age of political correctness and sexual equality would make the cello his bitch perhaps? More seriously... I believe that violin, viola, cello and double bass are ALL members of the fiddle family. Maybe they're called fiddles because they are often played with a bow? That isn't my question. This is; Is it fair to say that double bass = bass fiddle and cello = baritone fiddle? If true, what then are viola and violin? I think one of them would be soprano but I am mainly thick and can't rid myself of the Mafia associations that thinking that way triggers. [/quote] The violin would be the soprano fiddle and the viola an alto fiddle if you're thinking along those lines

[quote name='jezzaboy' timestamp='1482872320' post='3203280'] They should have asked Santa for a new paragraph for Christmas. [/quote] Ha ha. From their grammar they sound about 9 years old. Shame 'cos I can play a bit of piano and would be great for a balad (sic) after the first few albums go platinum Erm - do the yoofs still call them "albums"?

I wish that tactic worked on my wife. There again the quantity of alcohol consumed to get to that point would probably mean the use of power tools is unwise to say the least. Tomorrow I'm going to make some sawdust!

In 2016 I learned that I was able to work with wood to a much higher standard than I ever thought I could. Hopefully I'll finish off my telecaster that I'm building in the next couple of months and get onto building proper instruments - basses! The year was also a continuation of my efforts to enjoy my playing. A lot of my youth seems to have been a blur. I am trying to savour each gig, good or bad. Now in my 50s, I am much more aware of the march of time and the fleetingness of our part in it.

It depends on the sentiment your dad attaches to the piano. I think I'd keep it myself and save up your gig money for your dream bass