Happy Jack

As a player it's quite hard to describe, it really is a one-off of a bass. It looks and plays like what it is ... a halfway house between a good fretless and a reasonable DB. It can be played with the fingertips across the strings, but it sounds far better (IMHO) played like a DB with the side of the finger parallel to the strings. The action is very high, but that allows you to dig in far more and really make it sing. Played side-on like an electric bass, the curvature of the fingerboard does take a bit of getting used to, especially with the high action. I find it easy to play the E and A strings as I wish, less so the D, and I fluff quite a few notes on the G string. As you'd expect, this is improving rapidly with practice. Arguably the biggest challenge is the CTP-3 preamp, which I have found to be less than intuitive. Not bad, just puzzling at times. The instructions comprise a single-sided sheet of A4 paper and could probably have been expanded. [URL=http://s1128.photobucket.com/user/h4ppyjack/media/Basses%20CURRENT/Takamine%20TB10%202015%20CURRENT/EPSON002_zpsev4ka49y.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/h4ppyjack/Basses%20CURRENT/Takamine%20TB10%202015%20CURRENT/EPSON002_zpsev4ka49y.jpg[/IMG][/URL] That said, it is a very powerful and flexible preamp unit and I love the onboard Cooltube 12AU7 valve. Once I've learned how to use it properly I suspect that the TB10 will turn out to be several different basses.

Despite my comments on another thread about seeing this as a lap bass, it's so large in the lap that I still feel more secure having it on a strap too. My plan to use the lock mechanism for the end pin as the tail strap button got nowhere - the arrangement is less than [i]simpatico[/i] [url="http://s1128.photobucket.com/user/h4ppyjack/media/Basses%20CURRENT/Takamine%20TB10%202015%20CURRENT/Takamine%20-%20bottom%201_zpsatcrepnh.jpg.html"][/url] So I rooted around in my toolbox and found a set of hollow punches for leather which I bought on eBay for less than a fiver some years ago [url="http://s1128.photobucket.com/user/h4ppyjack/media/Basses%20CURRENT/Takamine%20TB10%202015%20CURRENT/Punches_zpsqthdl8zu.jpg.html"][/url] Then it was just a question of finding which of them was the best fit for the endpin socket. Sorted.

The first two mods I had done to it were the side dots [URL=http://s1128.photobucket.com/user/h4ppyjack/media/Basses%20CURRENT/Takamine%20TB10%202015%20CURRENT/Takamine%20-%20side%20dots_zpsxirxak5k.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/h4ppyjack/Basses%20CURRENT/Takamine%20TB10%202015%20CURRENT/Takamine%20-%20side%20dots_zpsxirxak5k.jpg[/IMG][/URL] and the strap button [URL=http://s1128.photobucket.com/user/h4ppyjack/media/Basses%20CURRENT/Takamine%20TB10%202015%20CURRENT/Takamine%20-%20strap%20button_zpsioyrrszg.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/h4ppyjack/Basses%20CURRENT/Takamine%20TB10%202015%20CURRENT/Takamine%20-%20strap%20button_zpsioyrrszg.jpg[/IMG][/URL] The side dots are as big as they look. The neck of a bass is the same distance from my eyes as a book when I'm reading it, and I need reading glasses. On stage and under lights (i.e. playing the Dog & Duck) I need dots that I can actually SEE. The strap button is deliberately offset around the neck so as to provide a more secure purchase for the strap and also to improve the 'hang' of the bass.

So ... a month has passed, how are we doing? Well I was right about buyer's blues. None at all. My only regret was in not trying to find a gigbag large enough to take it. [URL=http://s1128.photobucket.com/user/h4ppyjack/media/Basses%20CURRENT/Takamine%20TB10%202015%20CURRENT/Takamine%20body%201_zps396atvrz.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/h4ppyjack/Basses%20CURRENT/Takamine%20TB10%202015%20CURRENT/Takamine%20body%201_zps396atvrz.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Lovely thing, isn't it? [URL=http://s1128.photobucket.com/user/h4ppyjack/media/Basses%20CURRENT/Takamine%20TB10%202015%20CURRENT/Takamine%20in%20Its%20Case%201_zpside6qdcq.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/h4ppyjack/Basses%20CURRENT/Takamine%20TB10%202015%20CURRENT/Takamine%20in%20Its%20Case%201_zpside6qdcq.jpg[/IMG][/URL] The case is particularly outrageous.

That's a Czech single cylinder 2-stroke, right?

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1454422465' post='2969581'] I put all my D class amps in one of those foam filled aluminium camera type cases, from Maplins. [/quote] How do you fit them all in?

I can only assume that the nut was done by Stevie Wonder.

[quote name='Bottle' timestamp='1454070705' post='2966049'] Don't think there's anything else on the calendar so I'll tentatively say 'Yes' [/quote] I'm only coming if you bring along some ridiculous piece of cheap tat that makes my expensive boutique kit sound pathetic in comparison.

[i][color=#101010]"We're looking for a VERY experienced bass player, no older than 29yo[/color][color=#0000ff][b] (I wanted a girl but we're open to everyone)[/b][/color][color=#101010]."[/color][/i] Too much information ...

I wonder how it would hang on a strap ...

[quote name='hiram.k.hackenbacker' timestamp='1454280399' post='2968268'] Are the strings spacings at the nut the same on all of them? The wider space between the A and D would annoy the hell out of me. [/quote] Usually the string spacing is even. That example may simply be unusual, or possibly it's just an optical illusion. I'm more interested in the spacing at the bridge anyway.

All the vintage Hofners that I've owned have had either Pyramids or Thomastiks fitted, but having played mainly Precisions fitted with LaBella FLs for several years, I now wish I'd tried using the LaBella Beatle Bass strings at least once!

Not sure what a 'Mersey' model is - I'm guessing you mean a 'Cavern' model with the two pickups close together? Much depends on exactly which bass this is. The 500/1 Violin has been in production (in Germany) in at least three quite separate periods: original 1957-1969ish, first re-issues in late 70s through to mid 80s, and modern re-issues late 90s onwards. That's all without dragging in genuine Hofners manufactured in Spain, Japan and China. Most likely you're being offered a '62 Re-Issue' made in the last 20 years, but DO check! If that's the case, then it will be in classic tobacco burst, with 2 x staple pickups, and a pearloid guard. Because of manufacturing costs in Germany, the price of these has soared over the last 10 years, which means that second-hand prices have held up very well. These basses are handmade the old way in Germany, so essentially every one is a custom instrument. They are absolutely lovely pieces of work, and a delight to own and play. They are not copies of the old basses ... they ARE the old basses, so they sound exactly as they always did back in the 60s. If that's what you're after, then you can buy with confidence. What they are NOT is in any way modern, or particularly precision. Intonation will indeed be dodgy in some places. That's part of the charm - they all do that sir. Playability is great. These basses are FUN. String spacing is tighter than on a Fender, which can be an issue for some. On the other hand, they're so lightweight that they feel as if they're filled with helium. Regular neck resets? Yup, that's right, roughly every 30-40 years. How old are you?

[quote name='toneknob' timestamp='1454057797' post='2965783'] How did you hear about it? I wonder if you know someone that I know. [/quote] Damned right I do. His name is Tom, and he's the manager of Wunjo's Bass.

So that was you! I heard all about your purchase at the time, and again when I bought mine. I had no idea it was another Basschatter.

Just take a middle aged bass player. He'll have everything you need in his people carrier parked outside.

Say that again in three days ...

[quote name='xgsjx' timestamp='1453825855' post='2963177'] I'm pretty thick skinned & don't take offence easily. [/quote] Can't believe you got away with posting that, given some of the responses you might have had.

[quote name='DorsetBlue' timestamp='1453741321' post='2962340'] The strings are a metal flatwound type, with quite a high tension (or that is how they seem to me anyway). Would love a mellower sounding E with more projection. So am I looking at different strings and/or more EQ experimentation. I have a B3 available as well. [/quote] Welcome to wonderful (and bloody expensive) world of DB string experimentation. Try searching this bit of the forum for numerous very helpful posts in the past by Clarky.

Shortscale basses are undeniably fun. I can't imagine why a 3.5" difference in scale length would have that effect, but it does. The sound tends to be a bit more thuddy, which can then be further emphasised by using flats, but for many types of music that works wonderfully well. How different the bass feels when you play it is really very subjective. My first choice gigging basses are 35" scale, but I can pick up my Hofners or my Mosrite without any need to think or play differently - I find that I adjust almost instantly. More significant for me is the string spacing. As long as a bass has 19mm spacing at the bridge then I'm happy. That's not the case with the Hofners of course, but they're what I started with so I'm prepared to make allowances. If you're anywhere near West London, feel free to come and spend an hour or two playing half a dozen shortscales in my studio.

More details would help, Si. What time is your band on? How long will you be playing for?

I'm lost ... is there some connection between 'Mark_Bass' in 2012 and 'Black Whiskey' in 2016?

Didn't he go DI to the board?

Tailpeace Dsignz? Guess I'm really, sorry, rilly not down wid da kids. Thank God.