BrunoBass

You can’t top that. Looks beautiful.

For me, blues begins and ends with early delta blues. Robert Johnson, Skip James, Blind Willie Johnson et al, and a thousand unknown and uncredited singers and musicians recorded by itinerate field recorders like Alan Lomax. Folk songs, work songs, music with a deep soul, darkness and mystery completely missing from modern blues. Crackly recordings made in hotel rooms on wax cylinders, like ghosts from the past. I’m not dissing the likes of Robert Cray, Joe Bonamassa etc; they’re incredibly gifted musicians but their take on blues leaves me cold. Blind Willie Johnson’s ‘Dark Was The Night’ was recorded in 1927. He used a knife in the absence of a bottleneck. It has no rhythm, no discernible melody or lyric, but it tells you everything. I think it’s stunning.

It depends what kind of look you’re after. I originally planned to clear coat and polish mine but in the end I just applied the amber nitro and left it to age and wear naturally. I lightly sanded with very fine paper, 2000 grit I think, to smooth it. I’m happy with it.

I grew up watching The Tube, and then a few years later The White Room. I preferred the format of allowing acts to play a short set of two or three songs to the Later... format of playing one song and moving on. I’m sure that if C4 thought that there was value in bringing a show like that back they would’ve done by now.

Do it!

Ha ha yes I think they’re only branded as J&D in the UK due to our infantile humour 😉 My J&D is much better than than my HB. I can only compare the two models I own but the J&D was giggable straight out of the box. I even made a video as to why I think it’s the better bass I’ve got my eye on one of these now... https://www.musicstore.de/en_GB/GBP/Jack-Danny-Bass-guitar-PB-Vintage-1963-BK-Black/art-BAS0007156-000

Isle of Wight or South Wales?

I’m loving following this build, looks amazing!

Looks fantastic, the blinding really sets it off. What timber is it by the way, pine? I like the knots.

By the way, if you’re going for Jameson thud a set of flatwounds will help; although I’m sure you’re already on the case with that! My PB-50 wears Fender flatwounds permanently now; just fitting them improved the tone massively. I’d never used flats before and therefore didn’t want to shell out on La Bellas etc in case I didn’t get on with them; the Fenders were about £20 and feel/sound fantastic.

Pleased to hear it. Mine just didn’t work, the tone control did nothing, the volume pot was either on 100% or 0%. Honestly can’t complain though considering the cost, and I’m very happy with the modifications I made. Look forward to seeing how yours turns out!

Are your electrics ok? Mine were rubbish!

I love the body shape of that Vox. Ideal for a build I have in mind.

Nicely done.

It looks like the Viper is discontinued, or at least unavailable in the UK. There are a couple of tatty examples on eBay at the moment, a pity as I really fancy one.

If it’s a pub gig we like to arrive early and set up while it’s quiet. Drums first, then amps (we’re a three piece), then lights if we’re using them, then PA before mics and cables. This works well in reverse for tear down too. The disadvantage of arriving early is that there’s a lot of time to kill. I don’t drink before or during a gig (I’m often driving anyway), and I don’t like hanging around pubs without a beer in my hand.

*stands well back*...

I decide I need a compressor so I buy one, use it and then decide I don’t need it so I get rid of it. Then a year or so later I decide I need a compressor so I buy use it and then decide I don’t need it so I get rid of it. Then a year or so later I decide I need a compressor so I buy one use it and then decide I don’t need it so I get rid of it. Then a year or so late I decide I need a compressor so I buy... (repeat ad infinitum)

We used to cover ‘Blister in the Sun’, good fun to play.

I’m a big fan of J&D basses, in fact I have this exact ’75 model but in black. Mine’s entirely stock and I regularly gig it. Super instrument and for a shade over £100 it’s incredible.

Any love for ESP basses around these parts? They’re rarely mentioned here, but I’m intrigued as to what people thoughts are. I must admit to having always dismissed them as a brand, thinking they only made ‘metal’ basses a la BC Rich. But having stumbled across some very cool looking, more traditional type basses my interest has been piqued. I haven’t had GAS for anything for a while but I fear that might be about to change...

Thanks, very nice. I don’t know GSP, I’ll have to look them up for a build I have in mind.

That looks the business, if they’ve sorted out the issues I might get another one! Good luck with the mods.

Looking forward to seeing how this project develops, I love the idea of a semi ‘51. How is the body constructed? Chambered with a top cap?

Depends how cheap you want it to be. I built exactly what you’re after from parts for less then £200. The latest Squire Affinity basses have a slimmer neck; not quite Jazz slim but still very manageable, less than £200 too. Impressive basses for the cost, if you can do without the block inlays.