Stingray5

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1316732692' post='1382268'] it's a 1980's japanese copy of Jaco's bass..... I guess it would be a closer copy than anything fender use were making that decade! [/quote] Not really a 'Jaco' bass as such. Just Jaco influenced, perhaps. As previously mentioned, I got the bass with a white scratchplate fitted but removed it as I prefer the look, plus I'm not sure Jaco played a black Jazz bass at anytime, though if I'm wrong, I stand corrected.

[quote name='dr Szelma' timestamp='1316714740' post='1381912'] check neck pickup position, it should be placed in 808 milimetres from the nut (seventies) or 798 milimetres (sixties). If not, you may not be happy anyway - huge fan of old japan basses! [/quote] Definitely not that old! Tokai added the 'L' in front of serial numbers starting in 1981.

[quote name='Spike Vincent' timestamp='1316727515' post='1382167'] Yes,you are going to have serious trouble finding a machine head ! It's one of the cheaper (relative term) 3 screw ones,the higher spec models had 4 screws.Tried the Tokai Forum? [/quote] Must admit I bookmarked the Tokai Guitar Registry when I had a Tokai Telecaster (Breezysound) and had forgotten about the forum. Thanks for the reminder.

[quote name='Chris2112' timestamp='1316704857' post='1381733'] The 'Honky Tonk' label doesn't fill me with confidence but I hope you are enjoy it! [/quote] Ah, I only mentioned 'Honky Tonk Music' as there will be people here that know that music shop in Southend -- which is still there -- and where this bass was (presumably) purchased from. Note also the very old phone number on the label. (Sorry, the picture maybe a little too small to see the label clearly on small screens or phones).

I know this doesn't compare with more prolific posters here on Basschat, but if the sums add up, this should be my 1,000th actual post. (More than that, in fact, but I understand 'Off-Topic' posts are not counted?). Only taken since mid-2008 to get there! Anyway, some time back, I picked up a well-used '80s Tokai Jazz Sound bass (L-series). The neck had some serious truss rod issues so my good friend Gary at Guitar Avenue suggested letting his luthier take a look. Long story short - the rod had been twisted to the point of being pretty well 'jammed' into place and could no longer be adjusted properly. The board would need to be removed and probably replaced. He had some nice Indian rosewood he could replace it with though. As long as the board was going to be replaced, I asked for it to be kept as fretless, the bass previously being fretted. This made the job that little bit easier and I much preferred going fretless for this particular bass anyway. Result! Only thing is, he advised I keep to lighter guage strings to reduce the pull on the neck. So it now has a set of 35-95 Elites and all seems well so far. I'm now looking for an original replacement machine head as the 'G' has been fitted with a newer type from a Squier or other budget bass. However, I suspect this may be about as rare as the stuff that comes out of the rear end of a rocking horse! Here be pictures: [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sgee/5655555608/"][/url] I removed the white scratchplate [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sgee/5655573888/"][/url] Odd machine-head to be replaced. Note old 'Honky Tonk Music' label. [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sgee/5655564490/"][/url] Post-lawsuit logo [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sgee/5654996563/"][/url] That lived-in look...

[quote name='charic' timestamp='1316437166' post='1377944'] I think it's just right tbh, I know exactly where to look for what. [/quote] +1 [quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1316438787' post='1377982'] FWIW, the way I use BC means the number of sub-forums is irrelevant to me. The only time I look for a specific forum is when I'm perusing the for sale areas. Other than that, it's 'view new posts' or the search function. [/quote] +1 [quote name='TimR' timestamp='1316464535' post='1378492'] It's now called "View New Content" and there's a whole new host of options to filter it. [/quote] +1

I'll certainly be heading to the jam room too, this year. Not sure if I'll be bringing my bigger Trace Elliot rig but can bring my l'il old Trace Elliot BLX-80 combo, if that helps.

Congrats to ped, Ben and the team. Basschat is looking HOT! (Not that it wasn't before of course! ) Seriously, though - all looks good. Looking forward to checking things out further.

[quote name='ped' post='1375504' date='Sep 16 2011, 01:41 PM']Most recent update - all current orders will be dispatched on Thursday 22nd Sept; from then onwards we will be at our 48hr dispatch target. Hope this is OK - sorry if it's longer than you expected but the embroiderer has to make sure the stock is up to a healthy level. Thanks again for all your orders and for supporting the site through your purchases. If you are unsure of sizes hold fire and I'll make some annotated sizing guides with exact data! Cheers ped[/quote] Ah, pity - I'm doing a gig on Wednesday 21st at The Bedford, Balham (gateway to the south! ) which will be broadcast live on the interweb and thought, ooh, I could sport my new BC polo shirt if it arrives in time. Not to worry. There's always the Bass Bash on Saturday... If anyone is interested and in the vicinity of London SW12, 21 September is "International Day of Peace" and Peace In Our Lifetime are holding an annual "Global United Party for Peace". I believe it's a ticket do, but entry is free. [url="http://www.thebedford.co.uk/EventView.aspx?ID=d619b875-61e6-4727-86df-dc3a68a223a3"]Details here.[/url] I'll be doing a short set first with singer/songwriter Jeanette Murphy, then another with songwriter/producer Tony Lowe. There are a bunch of other artists performing too and it'll hopefully be a good night. Be nice to meet any BC'ers that turn up.

Hey-ho, I missed out on the jam last year, so will defo make it in there this time. I do believe I'm working with Paul at the moment, too... very good drummer, indeed. And a very nice man!

You mention the drummer "...only wants to practice one a week tops...". With the amount of gigs the band appears to be doing, unless you're regularly adding or changing material, do you need to rehearse even once a week? I'm just wondering whether Mr Drummer might feel pressured by this too.

Definitely one of the more positive experiences in Tin Pan Alley!

Another SR-16 here. I also have a couple of Yamaha PSR keyboards whose built-in drum patterns are not too sad plus if need be I can program chord/backing tracks direct. As has also been said, there are a bunch of decent online and downloadable drum machines too.

Lovin' the look, ped! Of the shirts, I mean... I shall definitely be purchasing as and when.

[quote name='chris_b' post='1365062' date='Sep 7 2011, 10:59 AM']This relates to all gigs not just pub gigs. Know your numbers, arrangements and keys; that means rehearsals. Know where and when the gig is and what time you start. Arrive on time, start on time and end on time. Set up quietly, line check but don't play anything before you start. Everyone should leave the stage between setting up and starting the first number Have a set list. There should be no discussion or argument about numbers, keys or arrangements during the set. The band should balance the volume of each instrument and should be loud enough. That means not too loud. Don't apologise, make excuses or tell each other off during the set. Leave the autopsy till later. The audience probably won't have noticed and if you're any good they won't mind anyway. If you're on a curfew, make sure you leave enough time to do an encore. Two good numbers constitutes an encore. Leave the stage after your last number. Don't start to breakdown immediately the last note has died away.[/quote] +1

Ah, bless!

[quote name='Count Bassie' post='1357824' date='Aug 31 2011, 06:35 PM']Nice Westone.[/quote] Thanks, CB. The black Thunder 1A (fretless) was soon replaced by a Thunder II fretless. Made a nice pair with the other Thunder II.

Apologies for the guitars as well as basses (not to mention crappy pics!). This was much of my gear through the 80's. [attachment=88348:guitars002.jpg]

Like the sign says - a device that keeps guitars in tune – forever?! Although this CNN piece focuses on the guitar, it does also apply to the bass. (Not that we need it as much as guitarista's, of course! ) How well it works in general is another thing. Anyone tried it? [url="http://tinyurl.com/3tdne9o"]http://tinyurl.com/3tdne9o[/url]

It's your guitarist's girlfriend's mum's 50th birthday party - so don't sweat the small stuff! Seriously though, if you don't happen to play everything note-perfect, don't worry too much about it. I don't suppose Auntie Vera is going to chastise you for missing this or that note in the second verse of whatever song it was... Bottom line is: have fun and kick ass!

Mmm, rather...

Have you checked out the Funk and Groove thread [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=70165"]here[/url]? Currently up to 36 pages, so should keep you pretty busy!

I picked this album up by chance back in the 80's and loved it; especially this first track on the album. Real fusion as it blends Russian folk singers with a Metheny/Latinesque style. Maybe not 'funk' in the usual sense though, for me, it does have a nice groove to it. (Bass player is Russ Landau). "Kurski Funk" - Paul Winter Consort

[quote name='Sambrook' post='1355533' date='Aug 29 2011, 06:45 PM']Hi there. I've been on the forum a while, but new to posting, so bear with me if I get anything wrong. I wanted to pick your brains on the subject of neck size (bass, not mine). I have owned a few basses, and tried a few more, but I don't have opportunity to try a great variety of different basses. I wanted to know which brands are known for having thick necks. I have a Retrovibe Musicman copy with a nice thick neck that I love, and I would like to maybe upgrade in the future. I find Jazz basses too thin for my fingers (depth, not width). If anybody has any pointers for me, I would be most grateful. Thanks![/quote] Sambrook, if it's not too far for you (and you're around), you could maybe make it to Basschat's [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=144613"]South East Bass Bash[/url] on September 24th. If you're after an opportunity to try different basses, you'll find lot's of luvverly stuff to check out and talk about bass-wise. Hey Paul S, I had me one o' them Hayman 4040's, too. Solid bass! [attachment=88205:sg_artemis1.jpg]

Nice arrangement combining Sir Duke and I Wish. The French TV show clip (@ No Treble) is far better for focusing moreso on the bass. Maybe the director or sound mixer were bass players!?