Norris

Having done A level music and grade 8 on the bass trombone as a youth, I had to learn theory. Personally I think I'm a better bass player for it. It's not essential though

[quote name='ColinB' timestamp='1475689644' post='3148026'] What's wrong with a piece of gaffa tape stuck to the grill cloth in front of the dust cap? That's what I used for years in my guitaring days. Worked a treat to stop the on-axis beaming. [/quote] That's what my guitarist uses - black gaffa tape

If you're talking about the difference between transposing a pattern along the neck or across the strings, well... both. They are both completely valid - whatever is more comfortable or better sounding or suits the situation. A good grounding in scales and arpeggios is always useful for knowing which notes are likely to fit

We play in dropped tuning - D#, which puts slightly less stress on our aging vocal chords. Then with my Hipshot d-tuner I drop down to C# for a few songs. I'm using D'Addario pro steels with a 105 E string and have no problems - sounds great and string still has decent tension on it. Oh, and 34" scale Edit to say it's the standard 45-105 set. Caveat: I don't drop the other strings to C# tuning, just the E

[quote name='Andyjr1515' timestamp='1475600063' post='3147301'] No - when tackling MrsAndyjr1515 (or worse...being tackled by her), my middle name is usually more like 'Mouse' [/quote] Ruined any more rugs recently?

[quote name='3below' timestamp='1475517221' post='3146564'] Centre punches, £2.50 for a set of 3, time to find them 2? hrs at £???? Somehow it does not seem right to view tools with the cost benefit analysis method. [/quote] I did buy a set on eBay but Royal Mail... ahem... lost them

[quote name='3below' timestamp='1475432102' post='3145869'] And thank you, I will be seeking advice later about finishing when I get that far. Shed is now somewhat clearer and my 'long lost' no5 plane re-appeared. [/quote] Cool - can you come round and find the two centre punches that are somewhere in my garage? I've spent hours looking

I was also going to suggest 0000 wire wool for dulling the finish

It's amazing how good the eye is at picking out patterns - and flaws!

Get some Rotosounds then. 52 sets should about see you through a year

[quote name='HowieBass' timestamp='1475059356' post='3142658'] This was actually my point! Would the low voltages (9v and 18v) be likely to age the capacitors in the preamp? [/quote] I think it's time that does the aging

The only (practical) thing would be to use heavier gauge strings, or strings of the same gauge that are less compliant (thicker/stiffer centre core). The other option is to increase your scale length, which would require a new neck, and then your old strings probably wouldn't fit any more

A Ric 4001 back when I was about 18 (1984ish). Far more bass than I could really afford, or have the ability to play at the time. I still kick myself for ever selling it

[quote name='SICbass' timestamp='1474961954' post='3141749'] I've heard of fights breaking out in pubs, but lesbian sex breaking out is something of a rarity... in my experience. [/quote] Only the once ime

Two weeks ago we were supposed to INVOICE them for our fee but due to an issue with the brewery we had to be paid in cash. WTF?! We won't be going back there! This weekend we couldn't remember how we'd come to be booked there so asked the landlord. He had no idea as he'd only been there a couple of weeks. We never did meet whoever booked us in the first place

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1474969297' post='3141847'] Learning grammar. [/quote] I'm glad it's weren't not just me

I'd be tempted to use a cabinet scraper to take down the veneer gradually. They are pretty cheap. Failing that, run the shaft of a screwdriver down a Stanley knife blade at 90 degrees to "turn a hook" and use that. It allows the removal of very little wood at a time, with a lot of control. Plenty of videos on YouTube about the use of cabinet scrapers (and they are lovely to use too)

I'd certainly fit the veneer first. You'll need to sand those anyway - and I'd glue some sandpaper to a flat beam to do so

I'm in a three piece and we'll tackle pretty much anything. You don't have to limit yourselves if you can rearrange things to get the key "hooks" in there. It depends how versatile your guitarist is, and indeed you other two

I bought an AKG D5 vocal mic from Bryan. Very smooth transaction throughout and good communication. Arrived promptly, very well packaged and in much better condition than I was expecting from his critical description in the sale thread. Thanks Bryan - a pleasure doing business with you!

Would a coloured lacquer be better? I got some nitrocellulose lacquer rattle cans from Manchester Guitar Tech (name?) and noticed they do a nice range of colours, not badly priced either

If you need a decent, authentic replacement try Rautia Guitars. I got a new pup for my SB-1000 from there. The guy is Finish and his English isn't brilliant. I'm not sure if he does them with the exposed pole pieces, but apart from that the picture above (posted in 2011!) looks very similar to the original (MB-1E ?) Edit: If Prostheta is around he'd know

My Indonesian P-Bass Special is my main gigging bass and is lovely to play. Bargain price second hand and in immaculate condition after a quick clean up. I fitted a pair of QPs (P/J) and a Hipshot d-tuner. It now stands me at about £300 all in. Fabulous

Well I'll be taking my 14 year old son to see it. He's mad on them. After having to listen to the red and blue compilation albums over and over again for months, I've finally managed to get him into Sgt Pepper and Abbey Road (for selfish reasons mainly - bit of variety ). Still working on the White album...

Hi and welcome. Nice bass! How did you find the beech to work with and what's the weight like? As you say it's an uncommon wood to use for guitars, but you can't complain at the price!