The Bass Doc

[quote name='Bobby K' post='971161' date='Sep 28 2010, 09:15 PM']One other thing to consider though, is whether the battery would fit in the existing cavity - any ideas?[/quote] Pretty sure a battery wouldn't fit easily under the plate. Besides, trying to undo 13 or so screws to replace it in a hurry ain't gonna be too practical, so I would always advise having a separate battery compartment added at the rear. The one Gotoh make available is the best for ease of access - no screws involved, simply 'fingernail' it open and the battery is replaced in a couple of seconds.

I've fitted loads of EMGs since they came out way back. I would say the vast majority of bass players really liked them. I can only recall one guy asking me to reverse the operation - he thought they were too 'hi-fi' for rock as he liked a bit of 'grit' in his sound and they seemed too pure. Strange thing is they are reckoned to 'drive' pedals so well it's a wonder he didn't go down the route of distortion being introduced that way. In the early days, anyone who had problems with background noise used to automatically choose these pickups because they were so quiet until they hit the strings so studio players loved them as well as pros doing theatre work where light faders interfered with their signal. They are actually detached from the earth path and therefore your strings so there is even a safety element involved. So, to some they may appear to be the Rolls Royce of pickups and to others, too clean for rock. I'm neutral. Still confused? Thought so, but I tried to help

Just joining in 'on the fence' as it were. The treble response from 15s is certainly a bit different to some smaller drivers and, in particular, tweeters. I can fully understand some guys' preference for say a well designed 4x10+horn/tweeter since I well remember being mightily impressed on hearing my first SWR Goliath some years ago. To imply however that 15s don't give out 'top-end' is misleading - it's just a different kind of treble. I can't do the 'linky' thing but if you can dial up the thread 'North-east mini bass bash' you see dear old Wateroftyne (dear old=he's getting on a bit and is expensive) putting 4 cabs through their paces - Aggies, Bergs, Barefaced and EV loaded Fender. The amp and guitar settings remained the same throughout and I think most will agree there was still a fair bit of treble from the 2x15s - just a different sort.

VERY smooth deal with Kurca involving a set of machine heads - completed in record time. Splendid chap to deal with.

[quote name='Jean-Luc Pickguard' post='966690' date='Sep 24 2010, 01:53 PM']Does it disprove the myth (at least I think its a myth) that birdseye necks are less stable?[/quote] Well I also thought that too much birdseye would make for a less stable neck but all I can say is this one's OK - gets played regularly and I am about to re-string it with flats before it goes back to the owner. I reckon it'll take them as it's already 33 years old and hasn't shown any signs of instability.......................yet. (La Bellas are waiting!).

[quote name='wateroftyne' post='966592' date='Sep 24 2010, 12:33 PM'] [i]'Arrrr!!! she be as saucy as a Moray eel in a frilly frock.'[/i][/quote] You really wouldn't want him to baby-sit for you, now would you?

[quote name='BottomEndian' post='966580' date='Sep 24 2010, 12:28 PM']Sweet holy mother, that's a lovely bit of maple. :wub:[/quote] Now that's clever, you managed to comment on my avatar and the subject matter in one short sentence.

Here's pics of a 1977 Precision I bought new from Kitchens when they had a shop in New Bridge Street Newcastle (I've still got the receipt - £220.00). Now owned by a friend who kindly let me take these pics. Grrrrr.... should never have sold it! [attachment=59562:IMGP0093.JPG][attachment=59563:IMGP0086.JPG][attachment=59564:IMGP0087.JPG]

Nice colour - possible re-fin though?

[quote name='Grand Wazoo' post='964182' date='Sep 22 2010, 10:08 AM']Are you sure? Check this link please... [size=4][b][url="http://www.allparts.uk.com/badass-bridges-supply-update-c-564.html"]A load of old.......[/url][/b][/size][/quote] Yup, that's been up for a while but they have definitely got Badass IIIs in now - check the actual page. (just got one this morning so the number may have gone down).

Allparts do the Badass III for £86.16p. Form a queue.

You could always try drilling out the spliney bite of your existing knobs to the correct diameter of the CTS pots. Otherwise buy a pair of Fender original knobs.

[quote name='Ou7shined' post='963805' date='Sep 21 2010, 09:12 PM']He must mean bridge.[/quote] Then I think he should jolly well say so, old fruit Strangely enough a neck Jazz pickup fits quite well in the 'bridge' position of a Precision - the string spacing is as far out 'inwards' as the proper bridge pickup is out 'outwards'....if you see what I mean. Certainly no discernable difference in the way it picks up.

Both the pickup and bridge moved back around 0.25" in the 70's. To intonate however the saddles on the bridge needed to be adjusted forwards, hence the situation whereby the bridge pickup ends up 'nearer' the bridge's actual saddles. The distance between pickup and bridge base plate remained the same. Can't quite understand your reference to fitting a neck pickup to a Precision?

[quote name='Ou7shined' post='963520' date='Sep 21 2010, 04:45 PM']The decal looks to be in the wrong place compared with these examples.[/quote] I don't think the placement of the decal was an exact science in the factory at the time. I believe the one shown on the bay to be genuine.

The year after...... I think.

[quote name='Bobby K' post='963281' date='Sep 21 2010, 01:34 PM']Ahh, I see. Cheers Doc. I'm just gonna be following the standard P bass wiring diagram from Fender, if that matters...[/quote] That's just what most folks would do. Enjoy the soldering - I sometimes solder things just for the therapy it provides.

They will be the same - it's how you wire them that makes the difference.

Amen.

I played in a band that supported the Tremoloes twice in 1968/9. Shared the dressing-room with them at the Mayfair Newcastle. Great blokes with no sense of ego - they were in the charts then but treated us semi-pros like buddies. And they were that good.

If this does take place can you be sure to have a good tuner available for Mr. Manring - he seems to have difficulty in this aspect whilst performing.

Thailand? Instead of a high end bass, you'll probably find it's just a man dressed up.

Beats the hell out of staying in the house.

Lots of Fenders were subject to the brass marketing hype of Di Marzio and Mighty Mite in the seventies so this is most likely one of those aftermarket replacements.

[quote name='BottomEndian' post='954637' date='Sep 13 2010, 12:48 PM']Weren't you at the Angel in Corbridge on Friday? Bugger. I would have popped up had I known there was a BCer on bass! I only live a couple of hundred yards away, on the other side of the bridge. [/quote] I was at the gig - if you were only a couple of hundred yards away I would have thought you would hear the bass anyway - John was after all playing through an all valve Marshall head and two 4x12s!