Doctor J

Try putting something with a straight edge, like a ruler but shorter, long enough to cover three frets, say on 6-7-8, see if it will rock when you put weight on either end, then 7-8-9, same again. See if there is a notiable gap on 9 if you put it on 8-9-10. Put it on 9-10-11 and see if it rocks when you put weight on 9 and see if it's fine on 10-11-12 That will let you know if the frets are the problem - ie if 9 is low or if 10 is high. You don't want to file a bit off 10 and then have that buzz off 11.

[quote name='silddx' post='1021310' date='Nov 12 2010, 12:46 PM']What lengths [/quote] Let's say 2 metres, blind test, who's in?

[quote name='neepheid' post='1021250' date='Nov 12 2010, 12:07 PM']Heh, was idly trawling eBay and stumbled upon the Godin Shifter: [/quote] That is actually quite nice. Might have to investigate that. Nice one!

[quote name='silddx' post='1021292' date='Nov 12 2010, 12:36 PM']Um I would posit that your cable makes more of a difference to your tone than paint ever could.[/quote] Silk Road vs something good, sure. Do you reckon you could hear the difference between two high quality cables though? Do you reckon Steve makes sure the mic leads and PA cables are the same, to ensure his tone isn't tainted by non-Steve Vai brand cable?

[quote name='Vibrating G String' post='1021174' date='Nov 12 2010, 11:27 AM']Over the years I've met hundreds of people and read thousands of posts from people who can look at a guitar and once they know what it's made from can go on and on about how their super human ears can tell things that are undetectable in a lab my instruments many times more sensitive than the human ear. I have never met a single person who can only listen to a guitar or bass and tell me what kind of wood is used or anything about he finish or metals used on it. Over the years I've met hundreds of people and read thousands of posts from people who think they are psychic or have supernatural powers... These claims are so often beyond ridiculous it's like people saying they can see molecules. Anyone care to listen to a clip and tell me what woods & finish are used?[/quote] Steve Vai has a signature cable, you know. Can't get that tone without it. I hear he's got signature solder on the way.

I picked up a SR1300PM last week for about the same price so I'd say do it, definitely. That should have EMG's too. Just check the neck is straight before you commit to anything.

A friend of mine has a couple of Fujigen guitars, a strat and a Les Paul, very decent they are too. Not mindblowing, but a good standard of build and good parts, got them both for around €500 each 2nd hand off Ishibashi.

When I got my first Bacchus, an oil finished Standard 5 model, I was stunned by how well it projected sound unplugged. I've picked up a few more Bacchus' (Bacchii?) since, a mix of nitro or oil finished guitars and basses, and to my ears at least they definitely have something extra compared to a lot of the more established and popular brands I've owned. That being said, it's not just the lack of a poly coat which shapes the tone of an instrument, everything has an influence but it is funny when people bang on about maple fretboard vs rosewood fretboard that the effect of the thick poly coating on the maple is rarely taken into consideration. And then there's graphite... If you think of the sound of a P bass and the sound of a Stingray though, can you hear the character of the fretboard wood or do you hear the pickup? And I'd really like to meet the man who can hear the difference between a wooden pickup cover and a plastic one.

Now - football on Five live Next - Atheist's new album Jupiter

Really nice work there, looks very nicely put together!

I'm fortunate in that I couldn't be arsed about pedals or effects and my old ABM head works and, as long as it does, I won't be investigating potential ampage. I've got an ABM 2x10 and 1x15 which I can't see me ever getting rid of so I don't share your pain on a lot of this stuff. On the bass side, things are different. I want a BB2024X and a Wal MkII and I justify this to myself because they're not similar to stuff I already have. Though I have nine basses now, since I picked up the SR1300PM last week, I have no problem adding these two beauties to the family... it won't happen until I magic up some money, though, so that's how I control GAS. Prior to getting the SR, it had been 17 months since I bought or sold a bass. Good luck holding out for a year, it's a noble pursuit, but as long as you look at FS sections you'll find it hard. I pretty much stopped looking ad the FS sections and gumtree and the likes. It was when I did that I saw the SR and my resolve crumbled

The Lomenzo Yamaha is quite tasty, wish they'd put that into production

I expect it'll go for a hell of a lot more. Given that he died in '65, that's a hell of a lot of wear for five years, unless someone else has been playing it all this time.

Nice bass. Very 80's... I mean that in a good way

[quote name='warwickhunt' post='1017998' date='Nov 9 2010, 07:19 PM']As to what to listen to; if you like your pop rock a bit rawer,[/quote] Yes I do. [quote name='warwickhunt' post='1017998' date='Nov 9 2010, 07:19 PM']I'd suggest the first album (the 77 self titled album not the 90's one) or for the definitive Cheap Trick try 'In Color' or 'Heaven Tonight'. I'm sure that you could get that pairing of albums on a nice price deal in HMV.[/quote] Nice one. I will pick that up at some point.

[quote name='risingson' post='1017878' date='Nov 9 2010, 05:56 PM']I think most jazz funk is pretty awful, minus a lot of Herbie Hancock and maybe a few others. I love playing playing funk, but the term itself is a buzzword amongst musicians and particularly bass players, most likely because most funk tunes have a prominent bass line and drum part. Realistically I find the fusion of jazz and funk most of the time pretty annoying. Just my 2p though.[/quote] This. To me it lacks testosterone, no balls, no... oooomph. It's like plain wallpaper. It's takes the blandest parts of both genres and mixes it together to get something... bland. It's not crotch-thrusting enough to really be good funk and it doesn't have the edge that is great jazz. So that's a no from me then.

Interesting. Looks good, though I wouldn't be a Bongo fan in any way. Just make sure there are no sharp edges, cut yourself on that and you'll be getting tetanus shots for months

I've never really gotten into them but, to be honest, I haven't tried too hard. As someone who can't get enough classic rock these days, where should I start with these guys?

I believe the Japanese version doesn't have the 70's bridge pickup placement, though it does have US Vintage pickups IIRC.

I'm not one to gloat, but thanks anyway Very sound of him to mail you with the answer, it must be said.

[quote name='paul h' post='1017522' date='Nov 9 2010, 01:52 PM']All good salient points but I still need an answer! Does your bass/sound affect your feel? Apparently not. Apparently it's nothing to do with gear. So if I give you a P bass through an SVT you will play that with exactly the same feel as an MTD through an EBS?[/quote] I tell my fingers what to do, not the other way around.

Just remember: pop and slap over everything ≠ funk

Practicing scales and techniques repeatedly just sucks the fun out of it for me. I'm in it for the music, so I just work out by ear and play along to other people's songs, especially those which might be different to my own style. I've a playing level I'm comfortable with and once I can play along to a few specific tunes I'm content I can do all I need to do if required.

Just see how it goes first. These guys might put in on energetic and engaging show which will make all your worries vanish.

Off the top of my head... Spiral Architect - Black Sabbath Good Times - Chic Ether Song - Turin Brakes Bless Those (Annies Song) - Living Colour Carry On Wayward Son - Kansas Peaches En Regalia - Zappa More Than A Feeling - Boston Eighty-eight Days In My Veins - Esbjorn Svensson Trio Rise - Public Image Ltd How Could I - Cynic