NancyJohnson

Gone P

If you want them, PM me your address. P

Six tuners - unbranded - 3-a-side (a la Les Paul). No idea where these actually came from. Black. 9mm bore. Screws. Might suit a project guitar. First come etc. P

I've been using D'Addario strings for just ages (even on my 12-string), but with a new bass arriving (for the record a Geddy Lee signature Jazz) I decided to go the whole hog and not only replace the strings, but also try a different manufacturer, so with eBay booted up and my mouse hovering over the [i]Buy It Now [/i]button, I purchased a set of the Hellborg Signature series from DR Strings of Emerson, New Jersey. $29.00. For those that don't know, conventional string making involves taking a length of hexagonal profiled wire for the core of the string, which is then wrapped in circular wire (generally of stainless steel or nickel) a sufficient amount of times to build up the string to the desired gauge, or width, of string. What differs with the Jonas Hellborg series is that DR have taken a circular-profiled core then wrapped each string with a single wrap of nickel wire. I'm not one to buy into the DR bullsh*t about what this offers the player, I guess like most of the people reading this, I just want the string to sound nice, feel comfortable under the fingers and last more than one rehearsal. So I've had a new set of D'Addarios on my Geddy for less than 48 hours, it sounds peachy, but for the benefit of this review dear reader, the D'Add's are off and the DRs are on. First thing I notice is that the machine head end of the E & A strings doesn't reach the machines; there is a long piece or core wire exposed. This reminded me (kind of in reverse) of those old Superwound strings where the core was exposed so it went over the bridge. Looks weird. The D & G are more conventional. Tune up. The first thing you notice is how thick the wrap is on the E & A strings and how weird it is visually. There's a photo on this review showing the Hellborg against a conventional roundwound string. As predominantly a pick player, I have a little YYZ moment with my fingers to see how they feel. First impressions, nothing like the strings that have just come off for sure, just different. Left hand noise is very evident as you slide up and down the neck, clearly as the ridges on the strings are quite deep...it instantly feels not unlike running your finger up and down a zip. OK maybe that was a poor analogy. OK sound. Acoustically, a very rich piano like tone. Plugging in and the strings are very even across the whole range. Without changing my amp settings the clank and attack of the D'Addarios has long gone to be replaced by a phattish tone which reminds me of a set of half-rounds. Full, but a little muddy. The Geddy only really springs back into life when you start tapping, pulling and generally attacking the string with your right hand. After about ten minutes (and a quick retune), you begin to realise that the strings are very comfortable (albeit not as nice as the D'Add's), easy under the fingers and not at all like the running of your fingers over a cheese grater that you thought you would experience. If you're after a super bright tone you'll need to tweak your treble up on your amp. So worth the $30? For me, I'd say yes. I'd been wanting to try some of these for some time, so it's answered a question or two. Would I buy again? In all likelihood, probably not. They're a bit of a novelty and I've been using D'Add's for long enough to know what my comfort zone is. I think what you have here is a new approach to string manufacturing and while that in itself is to be championed, they're not wholly what I thought they would be. Best P

[quote name='cetera' post='442493' date='Mar 23 2009, 02:54 PM']Hopefully first week in May [/quote] Woohoo! Cracking! I love the smell of Indian in the morning... P

[quote name='cetera' post='442370' date='Mar 23 2009, 12:58 PM']Nice bass choices Paul! Looking forward to seeing them in the flesh v. soon! [/quote] When are you moving chap?

I remember seeing John Taylor using a white one at Live Aid and thinking how beautiful it was. I'd pretty much forgotten about Kubicki basses. Lovely. P

I bought my Landmark from Etienne about six months ago (with Gary going 'Go on Paul' in the background) - I hadn't heard about Tech21 until I saw a little advert in Bass Player about nine months ago. Have to say that it's hands down the best bit of kit - amp-wise- that I've ever owned. For the money, I simply can't fault it. It's got whump, drive, power and versatility in equal measure. Build quality is great. Granted it took a bit of tweaking to get the sound I was looking for, but now it's simply a case of plugging in and I'm pretty much set to go. For the record, I'm running mine into Ashdown enclosures (a 4x10 and a 1x15). While I'm sure there's better amplifiers out there; it's like hi-fi; it's very easy to achieve a 6.0 or 7.0...hell a Laney or Behringer would probably score this, but it's when you start throwing big money at combinations of amps and enclosures that's when you start scoring extra points. I can't believe [i]anyone[/i] would rate this 6.5/10. I'm also a bit surprised you used it on [i]many tours[/i] over [i]a few years[/i] if you thought it was mediocre. I know we bass players are pretty stubborn, but we do have deep pockets. IMO, if you were so unhappy (which is how your review reads), then you should have chopped this in some time ago and gotten something else. Sorry! P

[quote name='ahpook' post='441428' date='Mar 21 2009, 11:16 PM']very niiiiice. i like you room too [/quote] Aah, decoration and furniture selection is my wife's domain. 'No Paul, the walls have got to be lighter' or 'No Paul, the sofas have got to be lighter'. Even our cats are creamy coloured (attached). P

Here's an updated shot - left to right - Geddy Lee signature Jazz, 1979 Fender Precision, 2007 Lakland DJ5, 2006 Waterstone Tom Petersson 12-string. The Geddy arrived yesterday. I think lads, that this is it for me...no more basses. I have enough variety. Now I know it's always never say never, but this pretty much covers me for all eventualities, even if Cheap Trick come knocking. Best P

Two thumbs up for Chris...secured a Geddy Lee Jazz from him, delivered today. Next day delivery. Unheard of these days, get this, Chris offered to send the gear before money changed hands (even so, I paid beforehand). 100% top bloke. Best P

Is Richard Gere still a member here? P

On the neck dive issue, do Firebirds suffer from the same affliction? Before anyone says anything I know the length of a bass neck alters the centre of gravity and there's more weight in the neck etc. P

[quote name='yorick' post='418314' date='Feb 24 2009, 12:50 PM']Does it have ANY function???[/quote] Sixx has [apparently] patented the opti-grab thingie - it's essentially a piece of bent metal that you loop little finger through to control the neck dive when you're playing. P

I bought Pork Soda when it came out, but at the time it wasn't for me, so I let it go. I've been listening to a lot of Primus on Spotify recently and I'm really growing to love his playing, although his voice is a little hard going, but I can work past it. It's worth it. P

[quote name='spacebeer' post='417679' date='Feb 23 2009, 06:42 PM']LOL thanks, not a Motley Crue fan though that scratchplate has gotta go ;-)[/quote] I [i]am[/i] a Crue fan, but I'm glad you said that. That plate ruins it IMO. Peachy though. P

Sold to tarcher pending the usual... P

OK, not a bass as such, but a collection of parts. Over the last couple for years I acquired all the constituent parts to build a Spector-esque Thunderbird bass, but I've just not had the time/opportunity/inclination to throw it all together. If you're handy with a router and hand-tools then this could be for you. I was hoping to produce something similar to the photo below. Ho hum. I have: One 24-fret bolt on Spector neck with a set of Schaller-style machines. One Spector truss-rod cover. One Thunderbird body - Epiphone - no hardware (except the rear cover plate). Sunburst. This needs rubbing down...it's got a handful of small dings. I'd planned on refinishing it in black. One set of Dunlop straploks in black. I'm open to offers for these parts - PM me if interested. Cheers P

I will try my darndest to get to the Camberley gig. It will be good to finally meet you in person! Best P

I have a Dell CRT monitor if anyone wants it. 19" display. Full working order. It's finished in that creamy white colour. Arrival of new PC (and LCD monitor) means it's bcome redundant. Collection from Crowthorne, Berkshire (near Reading) otherwise it's off to the dump. Thanks P

Good post. I saw Budgie several times in the 70s and (I think the early 80s); they have long since dropped off my musical radar. Time for a visit to Amazon I think. P