HowieBass

Is it possible there's an accumulation of 'crud' at the end of the track causing the bad connection? Have you tried spraying switch cleaner into the pot to see if that helps at all?

[quote name='paul_5' timestamp='1395679972' post='2405015'] I love he look of a well played (not artificially relic'ed) P Bass; particularly Scott Devine's and Scott Thunes' Ps. I also love the look of a Rickenbacker. [/quote] Scott Devine's Precision IS an artificially relic'ed bass http://youtu.be/eoVfamlcbYo

Pics please!

Amazing isn't it, how we all perhaps have imagined that the oldest of the electric basses somehow was deficient because it only had 1 and not 2 pickups, and that it only had a tone control to cut treble rather than controls to boost or cut treble, mids and bass and that it only had 4 strings and 20 frets instead of 5 or 6 strings and a double octave neck... but you know what, sometimes they get it pretty much 'right' from the beginning and the simplest things can be the best...

Wouldn't it be cheaper to get the amp in the combo looked at first? Did you like the sound you were getting from the combo? Might be a simple fix (even an internal fuse perhaps, unless you saw the smoke demon).

I've recently taken possession of a Squier VM Precision (bought off here); it's the amber/maple finish (so the body is 'soft maple' which is a little harder and heavier than alder) and I love it (it's still fitted with the stock Duncan Designed pickup). I now know what all the fuss is about with Precisions; there's something very 'musical' about the sound that's just that bit different than anything else I've played. Mine's definitely going to be a keeper!

You need a broader cover on a P because of the split pickup design.

This http://youtu.be/nWbfgGDl6XE

This looks lovely... for all you Westone collectors http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Westone-Thunder-11-Fretless-Bass-with-case-/181353008567?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item2a397b4db7

I'd normally find out which chords are being played and using the chord tones work out some nice progressions from those... so once you know those chord root notes then play with whatever else is available from those chords and I tend to look at these options as geometric shapes on the fretboard, like this lesson from Scott Devine http://youtu.be/VJNq4GVoy5I

Pino! He can't read the dots either

Ditto with keeping them at tuning tension... if this were a bass you were playing daily you'd keep it in tune all the time and the neck wouldn't suffer, so that's how you ought to keep it when in storage.

I think there's some truth to the sentiment aired here regarding needing to put effort in - when things comes easily to us we probably appreciate the result less than when time and energy have been expended in order to make something happen (because then we derive pleasure and a sense of achievement from the outcome). If mastering a skill were easy then everybody would be doing it and clearly that's not the case. Regarding getting a new instrument to rekindle enthusiam; I concur this will probably work. I believe you don't necessarily need an expensive instrument to get something worthwhile - I'll say it again - the new Squiers (Vintage Modified, Classic Vibe and the Deluxe Actives) are decent basses and great value for money. What you save in buying a Squier might be used to buy a couple of effects pedals (compressor, chorus, valve simulator) which enhance the sounds you're making. PS: A bass line doesn't have to be complicated or busy to be effective. More notes are not always better. Try listening to the likes of Kim Deal (Pixies) and Tina Weymouth (Talking Heads)... http://youtu.be/mQZ5Qbna0fk

Splines are the ridges on the shaft of the pot where the knob/dial is a push fit.

You can bet that they haven't a clue how to set a bass up as well; I can't believe it intonates correctly looking at the position of those saddles!

Have you tried lifting the cab to uncouple it from the floor? EDIT: Just seen this has been mentioned a couple of posts back. Might be the answer!

Interesting position of pickup cover. I wonder where they've hidden the string retainer.

If you can't afford personal tuition then have a look at Scott Devine's website - loads of free material and good advice http://www.scottsbasslessons.com/ I'm also wondering how well your basses are set up, are you confident in getting them right for your needs? An instrument coming straight from a store or even from a previous owner won't necessarily be right for you - slight changes to neck relief and action can make a marked difference to playability. If you don't know how to set your bass up then consider asking for help from here (there may be someone just a few miles from you willing to help). I'd say don't go overboard on practice, I think an hour a day is fine and you might surprise yourself how after trying something a few times you just 'get it' and it becomes completely natural for you. Good luck!

Just got my hands on a Squier VM Precision, bought from Dave at the weekend and delivered safe and sound today. We've been in near enough constant communication throughout the transaction and I can happily say it's been a pleasure. Many thanks!

Just starting off my feedback area...

I'd bet they assume that any Stingray copy is called an OLP.

The logo on the headstock is wrong, the bridge is too small and there's no OLP stamp in the neck plate.

... ah, the mysteries of valve biasing

I'm pretty sure the bridge end strap pin is on the centre line of the body so I'd take a needle/pin and just try pushing through the paper in that position.

From what I've heard, if Roland can't fix a valve amp then nobody can!