SpondonBassed

With lead free solder it is worth paying for the higher grade one with silver in it. It flows and conducts much better.

[quote name='nilebodgers' timestamp='1508271387' post='3391070'] A higher wattage iron makes it easier - I have a 50W Weller TCP and that can heat a localised area on a pot very quickly indeed. A solder-sucker and/or de-soldering braid can get the old stuff off cleanly. I've managed to steer clear of lead-free solder up to now, last time I did anything professional in electronics was 2002 and we were still using lead (at least for small-scale production). I've got a big supply of standard 60/40 tin/lead for my personal use which will probably see me out :-) [/quote] True but a larger soldering bit on your iron can improve results as it physically holds more heat and does not require topping up from the electricity immediately it is applied. If the iron is not hitting the melting point however neither approach will work.

[quote name='EliasMooseblaster' timestamp='1508245072' post='3390783'] This might be the daftest question I've ever asked on (this part of*) Basschat, but it's been bothering me for days now: is there a tougher grade of solder, with a higher melting point, that some manufacturers use in their instruments? I opened up my Hagstrom in the hope of changing the pot configuration, and for the life of me, I can seem to unsolder the original joints! I'm fairly sure the soldering iron is fine - it's 25W, I've used it for plenty of jobs in the past, and it's still melting the solder in my coil. I know heat is being transferred because I can feel the casing of the pots getting hot. Is there something else I've missed? *[size=3]I've probably asked something really chuffing stupid on other boards...[/size] [/quote] Possibly lead free solder has been used and your iron isn't hitting the melting point. That or you are using too fine a tip and all of the heat disipates too quickly into the parent metal when you strike the joint.

[quote name='Dr.Dave' timestamp='1508422122' post='3392088'] ...Mostly all done with a degree of aggression I only usually feel when using automatic check out tills , seeing or hearing the words 'Kanye West' or trying to get through on the phone to British Gas. [/quote] Nicely descriptive. I have a very clear idea of where your head is at from those three examples. This is a good topic, thanks UKL for posting. I want to start in on singing and playing at the same time so I am cherry picking for some songs to start me off. An artist by the name of Rob Strong inspired me in the Harcourt Hotel basement, Dublin, thirty years or more back but I gave up the band before doing owt about it.

Hahahahaha.

I like the way it looks amongst the plain soft furnishings. Please don't take that as an opinion on your choice of home decor, you've seen my hovel. On its own I was finding the burl a bit busy, I hope you'll forgive me for saying. I wouldn't judge it on that alone however. Also, the hardware will make the whole thing gel. It's a belter!

That's quite a nice tint in the top. It makes it look like an expensive cake with marbled icing, perfectly applied. I want to take a big big bite. Tasteful in more ways than one. The sound on this has much to live up to but I have every confidence in your ability seeing what you've done so far.

[quote name='dmccombe7' timestamp='1508414856' post='3392017'] Not seen that one but i'm now curious. [/quote] You've not seen Tina's frog dance? Gosh you've led a sheltered life. Abe; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDwaAZp73tY Tina: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLcS8auWVnY If Tina spanked as well then we'd be right up the topic.

Welcome Basshound. Is yours the composite L series Steinberger?

[quote name='Conan' timestamp='1508330728' post='3391402'] It's kind of a trademark of his. I think it's fun, but I can see how it would come across as a bit like the bass equivalent of Dad Dancing... [/quote] It's a bit like Tina Weymouth's [i]Frog Dance[/i] when the big lad lets loose and spanks his plank whilst leaping about the stage. Not sure who is the sexier of the two though.

[quote name='Rich' timestamp='1508367694' post='3391806'] I sense a wee bit of a pattern emerging [/quote] Yet I don't think that's as many critics as with the Squier Jazz...? I am looking forward to the site migration now as I should be able to search within text and compare numbers by make and model. It tired me out just typing that so on reflection, perhaps someone else could do that.

Jools was on the news this morning announcing a collaboration and tour with[size=4] José Feliciano. He was saying that they hit it off after Jose appeared on [i]Later.[/i][/size] The small bit of playing that I heard was dominated by piano. I don't think I'll be pursuing that one despite Jose's excellent reputation. [size=4]https://www.list.co.uk/article/95670-jools-holland-teams-up-with-jose-feliciano-for-new-lp/[/size]

Even at this stage of finish it's a piece of art. It needn't play a single note to earn pride of place in someone's collection. It will though no doubt. The sound should be special too. I'm always impressed by your builds.

Welcome Stratocaster.

[quote name='KingPrawn' timestamp='1508307960' post='3391157'] I recently owned a Jeff Berlin 5 string by Cort. It had all the right ingredients good hardware, pickups etc. However i just hated it! From the moment I plugged it in and played it, it was basically a plank. For me it lacked presence or character.It really didn't make sense as I'm sure there are loads of players using them. It's not as if Cort are not a reputable manufacturer I was so glad to move it on. I know we can be fickled bunch at times, so I was wondering what bass you've owned that just didn't work for you? [/quote] A Fender Squier fretless jazz put me off all Fenders forever. While some of the issues I had would not be present on other Fenders, the massive headstock always would. I always felt like I was in a remake of "The Plank". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUbcaE44cSw

Welcome Sam.

[quote name='honza992' timestamp='1507485718' post='3385804'] Thanks SB. I've never seen those heli coil inserts before. They look fantastic, a really elegant solution. A quick google search shows amazon sells an M5 kit for £13 including a tap, drill bit etc etc: [url="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Silverline-127589-Thread-Repair-Helicoil/dp/B001C7QYB4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1507484881&sr=8-2&keywords=helicoil+kit"]https://www.amazon.c...ds=helicoil+kit[/url] I think I would still want to have the tap in a drill press so that it was at 90 degrees to the wood. I may well give it a try at some point. Another possible solution has occured to me. The inserts I've been using are hex-driven. So one method I tried in the past was to put a short piece of hex rod into my drill press then drive the insert into the neck using that. The problem I found was that the M5 threaded inserts (which I buy from here [url="http://www.theinsertcompany.com/index.php"]http://www.theinsert...y.com/index.php[/url] ) are supposedly sized for an M5 allen key. However either the hex hole in the insert isn't exactly 5mm or the hex rod I had wasn't accurately 5mm, but there was so much slop that the insert wasn't being driven in at 90 degrees. It occurs to me though that maybe buying 4.5mm hex rod (or alternatively a 4.5mm allen key then cutting off the short side) then sanding it down so that it was a tight fit in the insert would also work. Again, I'll give it a go at some point. [/quote] I hope I haven't misled you into thinking that the links I provided are for helicoils. They aren't. They are for solid inserts. The link you posted is suitable for wood as well. This link shows the helicoil a bit better; [url="http://www.toolsinstock.com/search?q=helicoil+birmingham"]http://www.toolsinst...coil+birmingham[/url] I shouldn't have mentioned them in retrospect as they really only work for metal parts. It was the question of how they are driven into the parent component that made me think of them. If you look closely at the third photo down you can see where there is a notch in the wire insert to allow the tang to be broken off.

I can only think of heli-coil inserts used in light engineering. They have an internal tang that provides the drive when installing the insert. The tang is then snapped off with a reverse twist of the installation tool. It is sometimes called a wire insert as it is fabricated from wire that has the inside and outside thread forms in cross section. Probably not suitable for wood. They used to be used for things like engine exhaust manifold studs where they've pulled the old thread out from the head. This might help; [url="http://www.lawsonproducts.com/images/DV_WebLarge_P_635_LD2.jpg"]https://www.lawsonpro...e_P_635_LD2.jpg[/url] [url="https://www.lawsonproducts.com/lawson/Wood-Thread-Insert/96747.lp"]https://www.lawsonpr...Insert/96747.lp[/url]

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1507303970' post='3384670'] Not exactly family friendly all gathered around a laptop either is it? [/quote] No. In fairness however, today's laptops have colour, HD, surround sound and are bigger than the screens that folk watched the coronation on. https://www.scienceandsociety.co.uk/results.asp?image=10463593&itemw=4&itemf=0001&itemstep=1&itemx=27

I use my computer as a computer and my TV as a TV. Sorry.

Thanks. According to my EPG on Freesat, he's on tomorrow at nine on BBC4 instead. The making of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers' album Damn the Torpedoes follows at ten. [url="http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcfour/programmes/schedules/2017/10/06"]http://www.bbc.co.uk...ules/2017/10/06[/url]

I bought one of these new a couple of years ago. https://www.thomann.de/gb/ashdown_toneman_c115_evo_iii.htm I love the sound but I haven't used it in anger yet as I am more of a home enthusiast. The few times I've played out of the house I've been able to use the equipment supplied. Even so, I fitted a pair of side handles to make it easier to move about the house. It helped enormously when I took it to the EM BB4 earlier this year. The single stretchy handle is not really enough to get a secure grip. I use a TE 1818 as an extension cab. Appearance is not an issue but I think it looks fine with the fifteen combo sat on the eighteen cab. They're a very heavy pair though. One day I might get as far as half way on the master volume...

Welcome Chris.

Welcome Scott.

Welcome Riccardo.