bloke_zero

That's the trouble - this stuff is invaluable!

I like the geezer, very clear defined sound From that video I prefer the dimarzio - sounds a bit fuller, but still ballsy. I always liked the geezer, but it does seem a bit thinner, more mid. I have an old kramer with pat pending dimarzio P that feels similar to the DP-122, different circuit though. Thanks for posting that! They sound *really* different.

It's a BBOT - I have no intention of changing it - I'm just participating in a discussion 🙂 I've tried all except the Fender Hi mass bridges on different basses, plus a couple of others. I was very excited about the Babicz and pretty disappointed when I finally heard it in situ.

Yeah, but what if you're painstakingly recording something? Some bass tones are irretrievable even with EQ and all the FX in the world. I have a gold sparkle tele bass with a fretless neck (I know right?) - looks like ass, sounds sublime.

I could hear quite a bit of difference. I don't think it would make a huge difference through an amp in a practice room, but you'd hear it if well recorded. The BBOT sounded pretty good overall! Liked the fender hi mass and the baddass - felt like the tonal window was shifted down - got a bit more low mid as well as loosing a little top. The babicz kind of sounded a bit honky - didn't like it as much. Great to hear stuff like that - thanks @Baloney Balderdash

I'm wondering about a small amount of solvent on a cotton pad - if it wasn't too wet and you were super careful - you could always try a small spot and see. Sandpaper I'd worry that it would be hard to not take off the top layer of nitro. I am claiming no expertise!

I built the duocast with a 70's transistor - lovely thing. I've never really used it for fuzz, but the overdrive is really good - it's a bit of a secret weapon more like overdriving an old desk. It also has a transformer in it.

Ok understood! Sounds like maybe it never hardened properly then? There is a thread here about it below - lots of different experiences, but definitely for some the only cure was to remove entirely and refinish - you might be in that category. Though it sounds like trying wax might help? https://www.thegearpage.net/board/index.php?threads/best-way-to-fix-sticky-nitro-neck.2166300/#:~:text=It's sticky because the lacquer,and it'll dry faster.

Is it one of the ones that was just oil and wax over bare wood? Might be worth taking the wax off it is - it might have changed chemical composition over the years! You could then re-apply some new. You'd be able to tell because the back of the neck would be a different colour/texture from the headstock - looks like this: Here's a video on how to re-apply. Gun oil is quite nice to work with -

What an amazing find. The Curlee basses always looked very cool to me with the deep neck placement and Hondo are one of those budget brands that sometimes really shine - this is no question on of those times - good luck with the repairs! I'd try hard to salvage the pickup

Didn't want to start another thread - looks like he's playing one of these here? Amber stain https://www.instagram.com/reel/C_QXCjsuSOJ/

Pretty cool looking - yeah, like the spacing - would be interested to see a basic knob twiddling video to hear the diff

Hmm, yeah - I see what you mean @Andyjr1515 - from the pictures you can't actually see if there is an over hanging fret as we only see the front and back but not the side. If there is an over hang like: Then there is not going to be any problem with intonation as the neck will be in the right place.

I'd not be confident to say this - you could measure the fret and check to see if there is enough play in the saddles? Apologies - I'd not really clocked this aspect of it earlier. I'd wonder if you might not have to move the bridge towards the neck/nut and that would then expose the old screw holes for the bridge. Hopefully someone with more experience will be along!?

The finishing and shaping question is the one for me. What is the thickness of the neck? Are you comfortable reshaping it? I've found cheaper unfinished necks are often a bit chunky. Finishing, I'd use true oil or crimson finishing oil or lacquer - I have done both and the true oil feels nicer to me.

I would have thought the main advantage of maple over card was that it wouldn't compress as easily and you can taper it with sandpaper. Easy to get some maple samples from people selling veneers, then you can cut it the right shape and create the taper. I think that a good tight contact/fit is important for the neck pocket.

Nice! Nothing like a real luthier made neck. And I really rate the MJT stuff. And I also like the GZR - I felt like it had about the right voicing - mid forward without being harsh - classic P tone. Sounds to me like you've all the right stuff lined up!

I'd not even thought of that. Makes me think that good right hand mute technique probably helps with that too.

The understanding I came to is that everything that goes into the bass makes up the tone, though clearly somethings will influence the tone more than others. I would go further and say: that the closer to great tone you get from the basics (technique, pickup placement, pickup, preamp, strings, setup, neck/body connection) then things that might be considered secondary e.g. neck facing, body wood, bridge (in no particular order) will have a more important effect. I mean, who cares what the bridge is if the bass pickup is in a bass with a terrible preamp? It won't make any appreciable difference, but on an Alembic where everything else is well considered and beautifully made, then the bridge might play a part in making the instrument really sing.

That makes sense and chimes with my understanding

I've tried a bunch, badass, babicz full contact, hipshot aluminium and a couple of stingray ones. I think there is a clear difference in how it feels to play - whether that translates into much sound wise I don't know. I didn't really like the babicz or the aluminum - I think the idea there is to transfer resonance to the body as much as possible. I liked the badass as it makes it feel a bit tighter and more resonant in the right register? Though as noted that might be placebo. I think it's also worth noting that the BBOT bridge has it's pros - feels like a good balance between body transfer and resonance - I'd say it's my favorite!

I'm going to see him in November - I'll report back if he's rockin the sock.