Norris

[b]It Lives Again[/b] Prepare for the photo-fest! As promised here a few nicer pictures. Enjoy Unfortunately there was some damage around the jack socket that has been glued up and an additional washer added for some extra strength I'm sure you'll agree that Andy has done a fantastic job on the refinish - a job to be proud of. I'll have a go at some sound samples...

[quote name='alyctes' timestamp='1432947429' post='2786571'] My old band played a Friday night at a Con club, all OK; our usual mix of pop+rock, 50s-90s. So they rebooked for a Saturday. Cool Nobody told us that Saturday was the night the punters danced. And by "dance" I mean "waltzes". We were not well received. [/quote] We had a gig like that once. We were booked in play in a night club on a Tuesday night. We arrived and set up. It was getting towards time to start playing but the place was about empty. The owner assured us that a coach load were turning up. Sure enough the coach arrived and a load of elderly couples got off - all of the women carrying a plastic bag. They then sat around the edge of the dance floor and got out their silver dancing shoes. It was a ballroom outing! As luck would have it all of us had previously been in a showband together and proceeded to play a selection of quicksteps and foxtrots. Not quite what we were expecting and certainly one of the strangest gigs we ever played

[quote name='Bassman Sam' timestamp='1432932786' post='2786454'] D.I.V.O.R.C.E. by Dolly Parton. [/quote] The bride requested that - none of us knew it

[quote name='deepbass5' timestamp='1432939581' post='2786532'] We played knees up mother brown on one gig, and Mrs Brown who happened to be dancing dropped dead on the dance floor. After the ambulance left and it was decided we should play for the last half hour to ease the tension. But every number we played had some morbid connotation. most songs seem to have heaven in the lyrics or I would die for you, I think by the fourth attempt we were told to call it a day as nobody was in the mood for dancing by then. It's a good thirty years ago but still one we would rather forget. [/quote] You couldn't make that up - classic!

Someone has just sung a selection of songs from Les Mis. Great voice, but at a wedding?!

It's like a club shop window and I'm wondering what the hell I'm doing here. (Insert blasphemous statement)

I'm currently at a wedding reception. We are doing a guest spot later as we've known the groom for years. The reception is in an ex-RBL (Royal British Legion - a bit like a working mens' club for you younger readers) where he was entertainment secretary for a long time. There are a lot of acts on before us - all singing along to backing tracks. Anyway the first singer up opens with (and remember the occasion) ... Cry Me A River. Hard not to laugh!

[quote name='Prostheta' timestamp='1432910135' post='2786155'] Sounds like the shielding could be improved, or a slight earthing fault exists. Don't trust graphite paint! Copper shielding throughout. Having to do this aro und the 5-string 51 P bass I'm fitting with a modified SB-1000 circuit. Hoping it silences even single coils! [/quote] Yes, it only has the original graphite paint currently - which is only in the main recess, not under the pickup. I'll get some decent copper shielding.

I have two straps that I use. Both are black (go with anything) Comfort Strapps and have Schaller strap locks attached (as do all of my basses), but on one the neck end lock is fitted in reverse for attaching to my Thunderbird.

You need to agree with all the band members that your next rehearsal is a "dress rehearsal" and the aim is to run through your entire set end-to-end as if you were performing at your gig. With only 8 songs you should then have time afterwards for an autopsy. Do this earlier rather than later, expect a complete car crash, and hope that it puts the wind up your git/voc to get him to pull his finger out. Do it all again at the following rehearsal. Hopefully it'll evetually allow you to walk out of the gig with head held high, and will certainly let you know if you want to continue working with him.

[quote name='ChunkyMunky' timestamp='1432843951' post='2785606'] Hey, all. The idea of changing the tuners is a bit far for me. I love the bass as it is and I don't fancy altering it, if I have to. Could anyone recommend me a fantastic wide strap at all, please? Heck, I even considered getting backing into bodybuilding so I can use it properly again. [/quote] Comfort Strapp - it's a brand, check it out I wouldn't use anything else now

Go on then, one quick mobile snap to whet your appetite...

There is a slight bit of high end hum but it won't be noticeable on a gig. It's there whether I use the original BB circuit (which still works) or the one that Prostheta supplied. I can't recall if it used to do that anyway it's been so long since I heard it! Still grinning

I've only just finished tidying the wiring and now really need some daylight to take decent photos. I'm busy tomorrow evening so it's going to be Saturday at the earliest (and then I'm supposed to be fitting the mantelpiece over the fire or Mrs Norris will not be pleased!) I'll sort them asap

[quote name='bartelby' timestamp='1432831180' post='2785439'] I was wondering when it would turn up. [/quote] I really need to link a card to my PayPal account. The eCheque took time to clear. Delivery from Rautia Guitars was very good after that

Pickup fitted - it lives again! Still got that sweet middly burp. Full photos and possibly sound samples will follow I promise

The pickup has arrived...

[quote name='PaulWarning' timestamp='1432829522' post='2785415'] mine makes a horrible noise too, if I have the bass control turned up too high [/quote] I didn't find that with mine although I don't wind it up much over mid way as it's just too much

An update on my amp that developed a fault last weekend: I've finally managed to get through to GAK on the phone (apparently they are short staffed at the moment) and they will pick it up for "warranty repair" tomorrow. They will then send it on to Fender to take a look/fix. I'll update you as that progresses, as I'm sure some people will be interested in how long it takes them to turn it round. I have taken note of the S/N so will know if I get the same amp back

[quote name='ambient' timestamp='1432769227' post='2784922'] Yep, or a Comfort Strapp with a foamy type back. [/quote] +1 The grippy neoprene pad may help. Or as per the other suggestions lighten the headstock (lighter tuners) and/or increase the weight at the bridge end and/or try to relocate the neck strap button further away from the bridge

Cool

As the title says, if I select the follow topic checkbox when creating a thread on the mobile version of the site, I don't get notifications. I have to go into the full version, unfollow and re-follow to get them

[quote name='crez5150' timestamp='1432710233' post='2784052'] In my experience its more to do with bass construction than string construction. [/quote] Thicker/thinner neck? Bolt-on/set/through?

I've never owned a 5er, but am considering doing my own scratch build one day. I've heard a lot about basses with weak B strings - so what makes for a decent one? Is it scale length? Guage? What? Feel free to use some examples, but I'm more interested in the mechanics behind a good B.