T-Bay

Is it possible to swap back to the original setup and see if that works ok?

I love the headstock, it really sets it off. A bit unsure of the shape, but that's a personal thing, the quality is just jaw droppingly good.

Thanks mate, it was seeing your threads that made me want to have a go. I would recommend it to anyone.

[quote name='kumimajava' timestamp='1486364365' post='3231049'] Not on that website, but plenty of headless kits around (either via eBay or AliExpress): [url="https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Afanti-Music-Headless-style-DIY-electric-Bass-kit-guitar-kit-AWT-064/32363623252.html?spm=2114.30010308.3.1.zwImbK&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_2_10065_10068_10501_10503_10000032_119_10000025_10000029_430_10000028_10060_10062_10056_10055_10000062_10054_10059_10099_10000022_10000012_10103_10000015_10102_10096_10000018_10000019_10000056_10000059_10052_10053_10107_10050_10106_10051_10000053_10000007_10000050_10084_10083_10000047_10080_10082_10081_10110_10111_10112_10113_10114_10115_10000041_10000044_10078_10079_10000038_429_10073_10000035_10121-10503_10501,searchweb201603_9,afswitch_2_afChannel,single_sort_1_default&btsid=d228b0ff-029c-4870-a599-d5022f9ad7b7"]https://www.aliexpre...99-d5022f9ad7b7[/url] [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Headless-Bass-Guitar-DIY-Kit-Unfinished-Project-Luthier-B-Stock-/311794548459?hash=item4898673eeb:g:PUoAAMXQh8NTdNZS"]http://www.ebay.co.u...UoAAMXQh8NTdNZS[/url] I expect they all probably come from the same place, with similar quality. That eBay option, in that listing, is b-stock, but I expect they'd have an a-stock in, as well, if you'd get in touch. Curious to see pics, if you do go ahead (hope it's ok to post links - apologies if not. Obviously, I'm not affiliated with either vendor) [/quote] I have seen the guy in Ireland selling them, unfortunately that one has a cracked neck. I have just finished my last project so will see what comes up in the near future, if I get one I will start a thread on here.

[quote name='prowla' timestamp='1486317859' post='3230848'] Now, a hoverbass - that would have been impressive! [/quote] Have you seen Colin Furze and his bass and other projects? Wouldn't surprise me if has plans to make one.

I stick to 30-40 minute sessions. I start with a gentle warm up of stuff that's easy and I like. Then I do a 10-15 minute session learning something new, then similar time again doing run through of stuff in our set, then finish with a few minutes of whatever takes my fancy. I also do really short sessions here and there and have stuff secreted around the house so I can do a quick noodle if I have a minute or the fancy takes me. Even a couple of minutes can help me to fix something in my mind.

You have to start somewhere. I have built motorbikes, cars, kit cars and even a hovercraft. I haven't had a days instruction in any of it, just had a go and learned as I went along. I recently picked up a bass as a project (thread on here) and had a go. You will get a great deal of satisfaction from doing it. The kits aren't stupid money and as they have everything you need are a good way to dip a toe in so to speak.

Why do you want to do it? If you want to have a bit of fun and learn how to make one then I think they are great value. I have seen videos on YouTube where people have got them sounding nice with a few upgrades. If they did a headless one I would be very tempted.

Thanks, that's very kind. My electronics mate and I (well him really, but I got the kit out and made the tea) spent a morning rewiring the frankly appalling factory setup. It so much neater now and works perfectly. I then spent this morning setting the truss rod, string height and intonation (scarily close to spot on as fitted), Then I completed a couple of other little jobs and it's done bar making a new truss rod cover for the head. First impressions are that it cures all the issues I have with my other EB3, the individually adjustable bridge means that I can set the action really low but avoid fret buzz, the rod on the back means there is NO neck dive at all. It's finely balanced so any weight on the head sends it towards the ground but I can take both hands off and it just sits there. The sound is still the rich sound I love, with the different and distinct pickup responses. I couldn't see how changing the bridge could affect that but nice to know I was right. The purists may not like the fact that the bridge isn't a standard Gibson type anymore but as I want it to play not to look at then it's a no brainier to me. Implanned to test out the idea with a cheap bridge with the view to upgrading once the theory was proven but not sure now as this one seems to do everything I need so I will play around with it a while before making a decision unless something really nice pops up in the mean time.the only negative is that I now don't know whether to stick with my other EB3 and try to work around the issues or sell it on and get something else. Overall I have absolutely loved doing this little project and have learnt an awful lot. I will keep my eye out for another project.

[quote name='goingdownslow' timestamp='1486295519' post='3230599'] Good to hear what sounds like what might have been an expensive repair was a cheap easy fix. [/quote] It helps having a mate who knows electronics inside and out, from much time searching it seems there are a few common weak spots that are easy to test and cheap to fix. The rectifier and the two big capacitors on the input side being the main culprits. The transformer is also easy to check but obviously a fair expense if that has died. It was an interesting morning and I learned a lot. The replacement rectifier is rated way over spec as well so should never go again (at least that's the theory!).

A second hand shop that used to do a few instruments converted to a music shop specialising in guitars, it is tiny though and is barely in double figures of new ones and similar on the used front.

Nina?

It's all sorted, in case anyone else has a similar problem it was the rectifier in this case. A simple replacement costing £3 from Maplins.

I have just had a practice session and I am now sure the issue is playing too hard. The borrowed practice amp sounds awful but I cranked it up a bit and played much more softly than usual. Both of the tracks that were causing me most hassle were got through well. One I have struggled to even get to the end of before and the other has always resulted in pain. Tonight the harder one gave a mild bit of cramp right at the very end. I then went back and played much more aggressively as I normally do and guess what? Yup, pain was back in no time. I also watched the link and tried the floating thumb technique and found it easier than I expected, not sure if it's for me yet, I need to play about with it more and see how it gets on. Thanks again for all the help and suggestions.

[quote name='DrBike' timestamp='1486139431' post='3229595'] I so thought that this was going to go in a different direction ... IGMC [/quote] I sure as hell wasnt going to google 'improve my fingering technique' that's for sure!

Just to clarify, I am getting the cramp in my right thumb, not the fretting hand. I am sure it is a combination of technique and practice which is why I asked the question of the collective experience on here. I practice every day for 30-45 minutes usually and that is a mix of little warm ups, a few favourite riffs, maybe a new section here and there and a few run through a of tracks on our set. I have had a quick session and tried to analyse my playing a bit and I am using the correct section of my fingers as the hard skin isn't extending onto the pads but I do think I am 'overplaying' or playing too hard however you want to term it. It's not a conscious thing I just get into the songs and it seems to happen. I think a mixture or more exercise and really making a conscious effort on keeping the touch light will help a lot. It doesn't help that I have an aggressive form of arthritis so my fingers and thumbs don't necessarily moves as freely as they should, but that isn't going to stop me. There is always a way around these things. I will have a restful weekend as my amp blew its fuse last night and doesn't want to play so I may do a bit of acoustic practice. Thanks for all the suggestions.

My Marshall B150 blew an internal fuse last night, I have found replacements but I got the same result as last night. I get about a second of noise then the fuse blows. Does anyone have any ideas what the fault may be? I am lucky to have a mate who works in electronics but he has no experience with amps of this sort so any possible starting points would be useful.

[quote name='pete.young' timestamp='1486074502' post='3229126'] Start with 2A and work up. [/quote] That is the worst possible thing to do. If there is an issue that will blow the fuse and you then put in a bigger fuse you risk damaging the amp. Luckily I was able to match the obscure markings on the fuse and get replacements. Unluckily it went pop immediately again :-(

Thanks for all the replies, I am more than happy to keep practising hard but from reading the replies above it does seem I am probably playing 'too hard' so will try the advice and see how it goes.

The fuse on my amp blew tonight, I know it needs to be a T2 slow blow type butbthe fuse has no ampage rating. Marshall list a 2 or 3A option. There is nothing in the manual. Does anyone know what rating I need?

We are going through a few new songs for our set and a couple are pretty quick and repetitive on the bass parts. I have not been playing that long and have found that I am getting cramp in either my fingers or thumb towards the end of these songs. I always warm up which helps but we are planning one as the opener to the set so will either have to warm up somewhere or go straight in. I play finger style but have tried to use a pick on them but then get issues further up my arm. Apart from a shed load of practice (which I am doing anyway) is there anyway I can improve things?

[quote name='hiram.k.hackenbacker' timestamp='1485852036' post='3227115'] So, the application of that scenario to this case doesn't really fit. The "buyer" in Thailand would either have to send it from their own account and try and get their own bank to refund it without proof that it was sent fraudulently or convince the bank that it was sent fraudulently sent without any evidence in the hope thatbthe bank might reverse it. As you say, there are always some asshats trying to find a work around. [/quote] Or they hack someone else's account and pay from that one........

[quote name='anzoid' timestamp='1485817560' post='3227023'] Didn't even get to the point of discussing the type of PayPal payment - I'm guessing that he would have preferred gift and I would have said "no way" Still not had any reply to my last message - so I think there won't be a deal. Intrigued as to how someone might go about claiming back a bank transfer - guessing that if the person makes enough fuss the bank will just take it from your account or some such? Worrying thought... [/quote] [quote name='hiram.k.hackenbacker' timestamp='1485818026' post='3227028'] I would be interested to know what circumstances might warrant that. I had an incident with internet banking where funds were sent to somewhere they shouldn't have. My fault. I screwed up, so no issue with anyone else. I had discussions with my bank and others about getting it back from where it had been sent and the concensus was that as it wasn't fraudulent, I would have to wave it goodbye. Fortunately for me, I had tried to send it to an account that didn't actually exist, so it bounced back to me. Phew! Just genuinely interested from a learning standpoint. Not that I'm planning on it happening a second time you understand. [/quote] A mate at work had his internet banking account hacked and one payment of £350 went missing amongst others, he could prove he hadn't sent it and was refunded by the bank. There was a police investigation from the other end as the money was sent to a guy in Nottingham to pay for a camera bought off gumtree by the person who hacked his account. He was interviewed by the Police and was obviously fine but they told him the other guy was a student and was distraught as he had only been selling the camera to fund his car insurance and couldn't afford it any other way. My mate felt so bad about it he offered to donate a few quid towards the lads insurance and others at work agreed to chip in, he made the offer to the coppers but we never heard anything back. When he was dealing with his bank they didn't seem to need much evidence to do the claim back from what he said. He also said that the person he had dealt with had told him that people mistakingly thing its bullet proof but due to the amount of fraud on it they have introduced new rules a couple of years back which make it much easier to get the money back if needed. Sadly for every method or protecting yourself as a buyer/seller there is always some scumbag trying to work around it.

Tamworth Battle of the bands rules require all the bands to perform a track which has been in the charts. I remember a superb punk band (but sadly can't remember the name) play hit me baby one more time and blew EVERYONE away with it. I was talking with the singer afterwards and he said they first did it after being asked if they could do some Britney by a drunk lass at a gig. They practiced it for a laugh but found it worked really well and I have to agree with them.