scrumpymike

Anybody else finding the new site painfully slow? I'm also getting regular 'fatal error' messages, e.g. the latest one at 10:16h this morning: Fatal error: Call to undefined method stdClass::language() in /home/basschat/public_html/system/Dispatcher/Standard.php on line 74. No criticism intended of those who have obviously put in lots of hard work - just giving my / seeking your feed-back.

That's brilliant Andy! How nice to finally be able to visualise how the 'new' bass will look. Certainly makes the headstock look bigger, although that's emphasised by the current 'green-ness'. In any event, I've always liked chunky headstocks. Your comments about the original quirky design of the Rascal are spot on. Having said that, my problem was with the weight rather than the reach. If it had been a couple of pounds lighter we wouldn't be reading this build diary. Mind you, now that Merv's walnut is part of the project, I'm really pleased we are .

I've got 2 x One10s and a Super Compact G3. The SC has more 'bite' and would probably be my preference for a hard rock gig BUT the 10-inchers would be more than capable with the right amp, bass, and settings. I guess the thing is that you either want a tweeter or you don't.

[quote name='Norm' timestamp='1510174878' post='3404528'] I'm in training to do full justice to the marvellous scran this year! Whats that you say? Basses & stuff? oh yeah I vaguely remember some thumping & a clanking going on! Looking forward to it immensely, its in the calendar now! [/quote] You'll be pleased to know that Mrs. Scrumpy's in training too!

Cheers Andy!

[quote name='Merton' timestamp='1510162743' post='3404407'] I concur [/quote] Me too - I've moved away from Ashdown cabs to Barefaced with my RM 500 EVO.

[quote name='SpondonBassed' timestamp='1510047642' post='3403411'] [i]Rascal Mervyn Lyte[/i] Not a bad-un either. It'll get called The Rascal for short and Mike can put a personal tribute to his late friend out there in a subtle form. May I suggest you hyphenate the full name thus: Rascal Mervyn-Lyte? [/quote] I know Merv would have been tickled at the thought of being posthumously awarded a double-barrelled name! Here he is in 2004 shortly before he hung his axe up and in 1948 when he started off as an axe-man with Arthur Green's of Silsden: [url="http://[url=https://ibb.co/mBfSxb][/url]"][/url] [url="http://[url=https://ibb.co/nyWpAw][/url]"][/url]

[quote name='TheGreek' timestamp='1510160603' post='3404391'] "[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][i]I may use the same Osmo 3014 'special' finishing oil I used on Mick (TheGreek)'s Psilos to try to reduce the darkening effect of the finish[/i]"[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]I can highly recommend this, looks beautiful, brings out the wood tones and grain without adding any additional colour and the feel is just lovely....can't go wrong IMO.[/font][/color] [/quote] Thanks for the feedback Mick - which sheen finish did you go for?

[quote name='Andyjr1515' timestamp='1510152907' post='3404327'] Ref the headstock, I have an unconventional but potentially interesting thought that I will be bouncing off Mike which would give a coordinated look without losing the reversibility of the mod... My thoughts at the moment is that the lipstick pickups would be much better being fitted from the back rather than having to use pickup rings. Maybe another carry over from the Psilos? [/quote] I'm intrigued to hear what your headstock idea is Andy! Re pups, I've had another look at the Psilos and the pups are invisible. If rear-mounting means you can hide them completely then I'd be up for that because the chrome lipstick covers might be a bit too funky/modern for the otherwise classic look.

Jaw-droppingly, gob-smackingly gorgeous

[quote name='Gabriel1918' timestamp='1510045707' post='3403381'] But I also like really low action, so the combination of low string height and low tension meant buzzing everywhere, including the nut. I came across a document online ages ago that had a list of string tensions from various string types and models. Maybe on talkbass if you do a search [/quote] You've hit the nail on the head with your point about low-tension strings limiting how far you can lower the action. My requirement is to achieve minimal fretting effort and the obvious way to get that is by finding the right compromise between string tension and action height. Trouble is it seems almost impossible to find the information you need to select the right strings; and the trial and error method is wasteful of time and money. The comparison listing you mentioned sounds interesting but might not be that useful to me as all my basses are short scale.

[quote name='Andyjr1515' timestamp='1509905007' post='3402513'] I'm more likely to end up as one of 'The Missing'! [/quote] Hey Andy - good to see you've finally broken cover Just make sure you finish 'Rascal Mervyn Lyte' before you go (Merv was my late lamented woodcutter buddy btw - and he certainly WAS a rascal!).

[quote name='jayniko' timestamp='1509894087' post='3402357'] [size=4][color=#6A6A6A][font=arial, sans-serif][b]Maruszczyk Mr Tee, hollow, 31" scale[/b][/font][/color][/size] [/quote] Love it! Is this one you've already got/ordered?

I'd go for cheap modern and the Ibanez Talman TMB30 would be my choice. I had one and liked it a lot - unbelievable quality for the circa EUR200 price.

[quote name='Funky Dunky' timestamp='1509785166' post='3401566'] They don't sound at all like flats at the moment though. I wonder how long they take to break in? [/quote] Bit strange that - though I've never tried Fender flats. They must be aimed at users who want flats with a brighter sound. Maybe they're wound with wire rather than tape and then ground down.

[quote name='Mickeyboro' timestamp='1509785270' post='3401567'] Road worn? [/quote]

Changing to flats will tend to increase the relief (i.e. string height in the section of the neck that the truss-rod acts on). This is because flats have a higher tension compared to rounds of the same gauge. Your first move should have been to tighten the truss-rod to get the neck relief (as measured at F7 with a capo on F1 and string stopped where the neck meets the body) back to where you like it. You shouldn't really have needed to touch the bridge/saddles, although you can often drop them a bit to get the lower action that flats typically deliver. You don't mention what gauge your rounds and flats are but you'll need to make sure that your nut slots are right for the new flats.

Just a heads-up that today I saw a used but mint Lake Placid Blue example FS in Jaywalk Guitars, Street. Being a s-s player nowadays, didn't have a try but it looked gorgeous. The £285 asking price seemed a bit steep though (seem to remember them being <£350 new).

[quote name='ezbass' timestamp='1509706491' post='3401011'] I think there's probably a difference between one's dream bass and one's perfect bass. I probably own my perfect bass/basses with my custom Maruszczyks, but I've always lusted after a Mk 1, Wal, fretless. However, given that I'm not great with heavy basses, this might not turn out to be what I've dreamt of, but I'd be happy to find out [/quote] Agreed! The Wal would surely be close to the top of my wish list but I'd have to wind the clock back at least a couple of decades to be able to gig it

What's that comment about hindsight being the only 20/20 vision?

I'm with you mate - I love it! You certainly can't ignore it

[quote name='dave74200' timestamp='1509629560' post='3400424'] Ashdown make outstanding amps, heralded the world over. Whoever told you to avoid them probably has no idea, or is going on the advice of someone else who has no idea. I find there's an awful lot of gullibility in the bass world. An example would be; the ABM 500 is sh*t according to Brian, who plays in a god awful blues jam band, has poor technique, doesn't know what tone will cut through a mix, uses the eq to set a bedroom sound that won't cut it in a live situation etc.. the same amp is used by Nate Mendel in the biggest band in the world. Many people unfortunately listen to Brian. [/quote] Good points well made Dave!!

Hey Al, I think the subject has already been comprehensively covered. Just chipping in to say that my experience of Ashdown's after-sales support has been exemplary. They picked up on a casual comment (not really a criticism) I posted re the somewhat noisy fan on the RM500 EVO I recently bought from Lozz and offered to replace it FOC. That's now been done to my complete satisfaction. As already advised, I'd recommend you try this amp and the AMB 600 (not tried one myself). The blacker-than-black newbie looks awesome but I'd need some persuading to spend the extra cash - mind you, I'm generally open to persuasion

Took the Gillett to rehearse some new stuff with the 7-pc original material band I'm in last night. Thankfully the sounds and the look were very well received - actually the guys & gals (who don't normally notice or care much about what I'm doing) were blown away, and it's perfect for the folky/unplugged end of our musical spectrum. I prefer a solid-bodied electric for the rocky and funky stuff so I've rigged up a foot-switching system that means both basses are set up and ready to play throughout the set. All I have to do is take one off, put the other on and stomp on a switch - or two if I want to change channels on my amp as well as swapping basses. More than enough time to do that while our glorious leader fannies around with his guitars, tunings and banter Here's a few more pics - taken with truss-rod cover still removed after yesterday's set-up. Note the threaded brass inserts that the tiny cover screws go into - how cool is that?!