Marc S

[quote name='Norris' timestamp='1446710329' post='2901572'] The Stagg is a very cheap introduction to upright playing. I'm very happy with mine although I don't play it nearly as often as I should. If you buy second hand you won't lose out if/when you decide to move it on. It's not quite the same as a real DB but still makes a very passable sound. [/quote] Norris is absolutely right. A Stagg is a great introduction to playing upright. Buy a 2nd hand one from the marketplace here, and you'll easily be able to sell it on again if / when you choose, and even more - you'll get back pretty much what you paid for it.I'm sure it WILL get you GASsing for a DB though, as Bilbo says. When I was looking for my first "proper" DB, a few people advised me to look to hire one. Although I couldn't find any for hire near me I'd say this is also good advice, and something you could consider. Then you'll be more proficient with a DB, and know more when it comes to looking to buy your own. I find playing DB is very different to playing bass guitar. At first I was trying to play the same stuff I had been playing on BG but it's a whole different approach. I find I had to reign-in my playing, and hold back a lot more But I do find that sometimes the tone, sound and resonance of just a single note can sound awesome, in the right band setting It sounds like you've already made your mind up to go down the DB route Good luck - it's a wonderful adventure!

[quote name='TheGreek' timestamp='1446566873' post='2900370'] The problem with Ashbory basses seems to be the white rubber strings - I'm told that stringing them with the black strings from a Kala is a marked improvement. [/quote] Yes, I must say, I absolutely hated the strings on the Ashbory. They felt odd, and there was an awful lot of drag. The instrument is supplied with a substance not unlike talcum powder. Using this on your hands improves the drag, but makes a mess. The black rubber strings on the Kala also feel odd, as they're very low tension, and can tend to "roll" - But I found them much better and easier to get used to than the Ashbory strings Also, the Ashbory's E string has a tendency to pop out of the slot in the nut! And mine didn't need particularly aggressive playing for this to happen. I wrapped a rubber band around the headstock, just the other side of the nut - this worked well, but looked a bit odd, obviously. The Kala doesn't seem to suffer from this. I sold my Ashbory after a few months - but my Kala is going nowhere. Though I don't use it loads, it's fun and great when you need portability EDIT: I also played another Ashbory which was strung with Aguillar Thunderguts, and they seemed very similar to the Ashbory's original strings. You could try an Ashbory with the strings used on a Kala. These may also be made by Aguillar - but they're not thunderguts

[quote name='4StringFortress' timestamp='1446569246' post='2900407'] Does John have a website or facebook or something? I'll contact him see what he says. EDIT: Just spoke to Dave. He said it would be worth repairing and to take it in tomorrow for John to have a look at it. [/quote] Hi there. John and Dave don't have a website, or at least not that I'm aware Dave is one of the very best luthiers anywhere. I know, I've used him a few times He's also a top bloke, an honest as the day is long (whatever that means in the winter lol) and his custom builds are simply stunning. But I suppose some would call their workshop "old fashioned" - hence no website John repaired a mates guitar amp recently, and it was a very reasonable cost. This was after a high street shop had told him it would take weeks, and be an expensive job! Not used John myself, but I've taken an amp head to John myself, just the other day. I know him personally, and I think I'd trust him before some of the major high street shops - as I say, he has no interest in flogging me a new amp Good luck with it anyway

[quote name='4StringFortress' timestamp='1446559629' post='2900287'] Yes went to Nobels in Cardiff and he's said its not worth repairing...... [/quote] Did he say what the problem was? I'm not trying to question the abilities or honesty of the guy in Nobles But I had a small "issue" shall we say, when I took an amp there.... Have you tried John Turner, who works with Dave Dearnaley in their workshop in Splott? Sometimes John will take the whole thing apart, rather than throw a whole board away. He does have a lot of spares, from "dead" amps and cabs, and there might be something he can use / adapt... Worth a try. I'd rather trust someone who just fixes amps, and doesn't have a shop and therefore an interest in selling you a new amp... EDIT: Yes, I'd say Clive seems honest, and isn't a pushy salesman-type But I got the feeling he really didn't want to fix an old amp I had he said he just grounded it properly, so it was safe (I hadn't asked him to do that) and then didn't fix the actual problem....

[quote name='tinyd' timestamp='1446564416' post='2900341'] Along the same lines as the Ashbory, the Kala Ubass also seems capable of getting a tone that's similar to upright. This guy's videos really make me want to buy one:- [/quote] I had an Ashbory, and didn't get on with it. Since then I bought a Kala Ubass, and much prefer that It does sound quite DB-like and some EQ'ing can get quite a convincing DB sound [quote name='JamesBass' timestamp='1446564442' post='2900342'] I play standards and trad jazz on a P bass with TI flats, and while I don't have an out and out upright bass tone, I do have a VERY pleasing and usable tone to get ball park with the records, which for me is all you can really aim to do unless you're in a tribute band/the DM specifically asks for the exact tone. [/quote] I was also going to suggest trying some flats, if you haven't already tried it? As a bass guitarist who went down the DB route myself, there are some good replies from people on here Firstly, define exactly what you want from the tone and general "feel" of your bass playing, and how it would fit into the band(s) you play with. Nothing else is quite like a DB. Kala's may sound like one, but it's not quite the same richness of sound, and certainly doesn't feel like playing DB I would say, try to hire a DB, and get some DB lessons - see how you enjoy (or not) playing a DB - But, give it some time In the meantime, try putting some flats on your bass. A lot of folk on here seem to recommend TI's, and I'll be trying them myself soon. Most of all, see it as a journey, and have some fun experimenting PS. A lot of EUB's don't sound or feel like DB either. I started out with a Stagg EUB. It was cheap, and it got me started Since then, I discovered I love playing DB...... EDIT: As JamesBass says, it doesn't have to be a DB tone to be a very pleasing tone

Years back, a pal of mine had an Ibanez P style fretless (I think that was a Blazer?) It was a solid, well built guitar, and sounded nice But I seem to recall the neck was quite similar to my 70's P, in that it was wide and chunky I had a Roadstar II, which was very nice to play, sounded superb and had a very comfortable neck, and quite lightweight I only got rid of it cos I had too many basses (as ever!) and my son loved it so much - I gave it to him Now he has too many, and he assures me he'll never sell the Ibanez

I have a RW Jazz in sunburst, and I keep telling everyone that it's my favourite bass ever It's just so well balanced, so comfortable to play and the neck profile is the most comfortable I've ever played I also love the sound - but I did change the pickups, purely because someone local was selling a pair of DiMarzio Jazz pickups and I fancied experimenting. Originally, the bass sounded great, but maybe a tad quiet, in comparison to another jazz I had The DiMarzio's certainly gave me a bigger output, which has more "punch" than the original pickups. Sometimes, I think the bass now sounds more like a PJ. And maybe it has lost just a bit of the softer Jazz tone. I may swap them back again - just for comparison. The original pickups certainly sound like vintage Fender to me Great bass, and another convert I must say, I've owned 2 US Fenders, and my RW knocked spots off them both (I've since sold both US basses, but I'm never parting with the RW, unless I get a Bass Centre Norman Watt-Roy Jazz, and maybe not even then!) EDIT: As Rumple points out - the reverse tuners are sometimes an annoyance, but the bass seems to hold tune really well So I think I'll leave mine alone

[quote name='DarkHeart' timestamp='1446162081' post='2897486'] id go for a mighty mite neck personally, probably only 20 quid more but you know it should fit or alternatively find a squire jazz neck 2nd hand. [/quote] Yes, I've seen a few Squier necks for sale at reasonable cost recently Bought myself one a little while back, and it was great. Something along the lines of a Classic Vibe neck There was a Mex Fender P neck (with J dimensions) on ebay a day or 2 back.... Good luck & let us know how you get on

I still love my RW Jazz. I've played a lot of basses recently and shamelessly, I own more now than ever. But my RW is still my fave Anyone on here own, or played the Bass Centre's Norman Watt-Roy special edition Jazz? GAS is building up for one of these now. Just wondering what they're like. Although, it would have to go a long way to beat my RW

[quote name='HowieBass' timestamp='1445891326' post='2895154'] Looks like a neck from a Columbus bass - look at this image [url="http://guitar-auctions.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/lot0108.jpg"]http://guitar-auctio.../05/lot0108.jpg[/url] [/quote] Thanks for that HowieBass. It does look very similar Funny thing, the 1st bass I ever sat down a played for any time was a Columbus Jazz But it was more like a Fender neck, with no plate in that position. You could be right, as I said, as I was sanding, I tried to see what was underneath the daub of black paint Although I had gone too far too quickly with the sander, it did look a bit like a C or a G at the start of what was left of the name Cheers Marc

Anyone recognise the origin of this neck?

I do like the colour and grain of the wood I also like the blocks & binding on the neck, and the colour & grain on the fretboard though there are a couple of small "gouges" in the surface.... There is a small gap around the heel of the neck, in the neck pocket But the neck seems to be very securely attached. I realiss the neck plate is upside down, and haven't yet taken the neck off The trussrod seems to work - I won't remove the neck just yet, as I want to check the trussrod is fine first

Ah, now Imgur is working as it previously had Would like to identify that neck! The trussrod adjuster is at the wrong end for it to be original to this bass Someone may well be able to identify it via the blocks, binding, and that shaped metal trussrod cover?

Wish I hadn't sold this nice P bass as soon as I'd finished it now It would have been ideal for certain gigs.... Got rather attached to it, because I think it looked and sounded nice .... also maybe because I'd actually done something useful with unused bits & pieces

Can't seem to get the images from imgur (again) anyhow, here's a link to the imgur album - which should work, hopefully [url="http://imgur.com/a/iAxkg"]http://imgur.com/a/iAxkg[/url] Edit, as soon as I had finished that last P bass project I advertised it for sale on a facebook group. I was really pleased with the bass and it sold the same day - with several further enquiries about the bass Before the buyer (a guy I know) collected it - I told him I'd do a band rehearsal and an open mic night with it He was happy with that, and agreed that it was a test for the bass Anyhow, I really liked it even more. And I found it quite liberating, to play a gig with something that only cost you a few quid Since then, it has made me want to get something similar - good enough to gig with but something I wouldn't mind taking to "certain" venues

Following on from my cheap P bass quickie re-build a few weeks back, http://basschat.co.uk/topic/270736-not-so-much-a-build-diary-as-what-you-can-do-in-an-afternoon-p-bass-re-build/page__fromsearch__1 I decided to finally start on a similar sort of project. A Japan-made Jazz bass from the 70's or 80's Now this one was super cheap! My lad bought it a few years back, from a colleague of his, and he only paid a tenner for it! I realised it was a Japan made bass, probably from the 80's or more likely the 70's, due to the engraved neck plate However, the neck is clearly a replacement. The body has a channel / slot for heel adjustment, but the trussrod in this neck is accessed from the headstock end. The body is rather chipped and a bit scratched & chipped here & there, but I'm not concerned about that. It's an old bass, after all The binding is sound and the frets down the bottom end have a bit of wear & tear - but they're OK... Since the photos, I sanded the headstock, and opened the holes for the tuning keys (I bought a cheap set of Squiers, which were too wide for the holes) the tuners it came with were clearly added later. My lad had done nothing with the bass at all - except lose the control knobs. When sanding the headstock, I was hoping to discover the name the previous owner had clearly tried to cover, by chipping away at the logo, and adding something else. However, I was a bit too quick with the sander! and couldn't see anything apart from bits of what must have been letraset If someone can identify what parts are by what manufacturer, or brand, I'd be most greatful it'd be nice to know the provenance of the parts - particularly that neck. Photos when I can get imgur to work again

On the Eminence, the T-shaped bit on the bottom of the endpin allows for slight side to side movement It doesn't swivel at all, but the sideplay is enough for the player to "dance" as much as you'd normally need to with a DB There's actually no risk of the Eminence swiveling like the Stagg can do The Eminence also has a small wooden plug in T shaped device, to rest the bass against your body This works rather better than those odd wire assemblies on the Stagg although due to the general stability of the Eminence, I wouldn't be worried if I'd got to a gig and had forgotten it. The Eminence also comes with a stand, which you can play the bass on This is useful for gigs where you're doubling up with bass guitar too.... Making switching between the 2 much quicker. Beedster, I just wondered how much risk of swiveling there was with Clarkson, but as you say, its' mass probably stops this risk occuring I just wondered whether you'd have more peace of mind if you had some sideframe thingys fitted? I recall one gig with my Stagg, where the stage seemed fine to everyone else, but my Stagg EUB just kept moving! I don't know what sort of polish the proprietors of the venue had used on it.... lol

Pretty much sound advice given by Bilbo there There are EUB's that sound and feel more like a DB - but these tend to be expensive! My first foray into the world of DB was with a Stagg EUB, and if it's just for you, to learn your way around a DB, and generally "play about" then a Stagg represents fantastic value However, as Bilbo points out - an EUB is less likely to fulfill the sounds / needs of your MD You could keep an eye on the marketplace here, and if you know a friendly experienced DB player who could look it over for you you may end up with a great instrument, for a reasonable price.... But in my experience, DB's always seemed to come up for sale nowhere near me! I've heard people rave about Gedo, and some of their basses look lovely I'm sure Thomann are fine too - BUT, in my experience, avoid G4M !!! A luthier set up is also highly recommended Good luck in your search, and your new exciting journey

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1444827278' post='2886429'] ....Yesterday I picked up a seriously cool, almost mint condition Encore P in white, with the TR adjustment at the heel. I'm actually tempted to simply keep that and sell out some other basses that fall short of its sound in my estimation. [/quote] Just wondering how good those old Encore basses are? The one in this thread looks pretty good IMO, and you've done a great job re-sanding / refinishing it I recall playing one, years ago, and at the time, to me it didn't play very well Of course, it may just be that it wasn't set up well, or that it was just a "bad 'un" But what are they like, generally?