Funky Dunky

Yeah, this method was recommended to me by a bloke in B&Q, but I don't have a dremel. I have a hacksaw, though, and will be giving it a go! Masking tape and a steady hand will be the order of the day.

Pornomoustache.

I tried to cut a groove in the top of the screw but no dice so far. Guess I'll need to invest in a needle file and try that. Hope to baby Jesus it works because the screw heads are getting more and more mangled

There was one on Gumtree last week for £450. Bloody lovely it was, too. Had I the means, I would surely have pounced, but my car was taken ill and subsequently raped my wallet. It may still be there, actually. It were black with a tort guard.

I only have experience with a couple of P/J basses, none of them being particularly awesome or of the quality of a Mike Lull (drool) but they sounded fine and not noticeably conpromised by the second pickup to my ears. A Lull with P/J though.............mmmm.......

I can't post my favourite drummer joke here

What's the difference between a bad drummer and a chiropodist? A chiropodist bucks up the feet. I shall acquire my coat.....

Waterfront has a very nice bass tone, I must say. It gets the spotlight at the start of the song, too.

Another trick to nailing HMWYRS is to practice getting the transitional sections fluid - ie the position shifts. That was the hardest part for me, gave those sections their own dedicated practice time. Once i had learned to play all the notes of the piece and slowly, I worked at the right hand plucking, getting that even and up to speed, then I worked at 'joining' those left hand sections together. It took me ages, I might add.

That sounds like the easiest method! I like it

Will have a gander, thanks :-)

So I just got my Sterling Sub Ray4 back from Thomann after getting the jack repaired The preamp is uber-hot, so I thought I'd lower the pickup. precision screwdrivers out, looked for a match, and started turning. Stripped the head of the screw in about three turns. Buggeration! Now what? (I mean what do I do after the obligatory hour of tears, regret and self-loathing) Help! Please

Knock Knock! Who's there? Your bass! Smashin' About five minutes after I posted that last update :-)

[quote name='Bigwan' timestamp='1439458142' post='2842951'] Regarding Thomann, my Sire was ordered last Thursday, shipped Monday, arrived yesterday. [/quote] Wow that's really quick. They said 2-3 business days in the email they sent me a week ago. Still not got it. Hopefully today or tomorrow then.

Pics please!!

[quote name='BassTractor' timestamp='1438898507' post='2838611'] Yes. They normally go by air. Nike Air. :-) [/quote] Superb How about Thomann? Do they send via the chunnel or air? Waiting on my bass coming home after repair, they sent it on Thursday of last week.

[quote name='tauzero' timestamp='1439296824' post='2841616'] Personally, I think the Big Al looks foul [/quote] Agree, it's very dated-looking and I think there would be a limited appeal there in terms of the looks, however it sounds absolutely boss! The Big Al and Bongo are two of the ugliest basses ever put together imo, but both sound incredible.

Yeah, you're not wrong. Did you adjust your truss rod at all?

Dagnammit, just learned that today on Sky Arts, Classic Albums featured Graceland. I've never seen that one, and would lap it up. Need to see if I can get it on demand.

Just heard back from Thomann - it's been a short circuit between the jack input and the minus pole on the battery solder lug. They have fixed it, tested it, it's ok and it's on its way home to dad!

Yep you should be testing for consistency, dead spots, comfort and playability. To be fair it's fine to slap, pluck and play some chords to see how the bass responds to your attack etc but too many players worry about nailing their best Jaco lick. You're there to get a feel for the instrument, not turn heads

This is what I've been experiencing with my Sterling S.U.B Ray4, although I don't even get a month out of a battery, I get about 4 hours. I emailed Brian Martin at Praxis and his diagnosis was that something is completing the circuit and causing it to drain. Maybe at the preamp, maybe at the jack. Thomann have had it back a month and still no word from them. I'll let you know when I hear from them - chasing it up today - and be sure to keep us posted on your RB.

Just an absolutely blinding creative force. Pretty much the only fretless stuff I like is his playing on Graceland.