The Bass Doc

Gramma Pad? Sounds like something you squeeze between your butt-cheeks to help you with punctation etc. I'll be taking my 2x15 which is on castors so not sure if it needs said device.

My band, The Stax Brothers will be appearing at this splendid hostelry on Friday 19th March. If anyone thinks they may learn something from my bass-playing, I am obliged to point out that most bass tutors in the area cite me as essential study to all of their pupils at some stage during their course. It's under the heading of 'That's what happens if you don't practice'. Thank you.

Assuming your bass has grub screw knobs, the part you need is No. 099-0831-000 (genuine Fender) from Allparts.

I heard that.

Well I'm there on the 19th Davy so if you wouldn't mind hoovering up the notes you drop, it would be appreciated.

There is a bass tutor in the Saltwell area of Gateshead - Richard Rutherford. If you Google Laughing Jacks. that's his band. He may be the one or hopefully he'll know t'other man.

Personal view on old Fenders:- I grew up, musically speaking, in the early 60s. At that time there was not much competition for the Fender bass, apart from some relatively cheap catalogue ones (of which Hofner was an example). It was noticed that most pro players at the time used Fenders and so it was that it became the one to aspire to - and they were AMERICAN FFS! Players now have a much greater choice, custom builders of exotic instruments were unheard of back then. Over the years there have been many innovations yet it would appear that pros are not particularly ditching their Fenders in huge numbers, thus the aspirations of younger players to own one continues. Leo Fender himself considered that he was simply lucky to have arrived on the scene when rock was starting to happen and that accordingly the sound of his instruments was what became to be accepted as the norm. My preference for early Precisions and Jazzes is therefore born more out of the historical connection than any great appreciation of the build quality/tonal variation or even investment value. In case anyong thinks I've had a blinkered view over the years, be assured I've owned and played most every other make on the market (Alembics, Warwicks, Statii etc....too many others to list) yet I still returned to early Fenders as the yardstick. I am eternally grateful that there are 'anti-Fender' people out there - everyone should have their own voice (+ it leaves more of the originals to fellas like me!).

Can you explain how 'custom' your proposed guard needs to be? I may be able to help - I've made a few for fellow BCers.

I USED to run a bass specialist shop (now retired) and it didn't take long to discover what the average customer seemed to want:- Something for nothing (and they'd still complain). Actually I'm not as bitter as that may sound, I made some great friends in the 15 or so years I had the shop - still got most of them! Must be hard going now with the internet and forums like this moving so much gear that would normally go through shops. Respect to anyone still in the game.

[quote name='Protium' post='768199' date='Mar 8 2010, 04:50 PM']"The guitar comes with three strings as the fourth string is optionally used" Where can I buy a set of 3 strings then? [/quote] Actually I could supply a 3-string set (Hartke) but as they are rarer than the common 4s, I'd be looking for £35.00 incl.

[quote name='discreet' post='767342' date='Mar 7 2010, 09:25 PM']Did you sell the nuts in the end? Still willing to offer you a pound for the frog - delivered.[/quote] Nuts have gone (E-bay) - I've decided not to sell the frog - might give it to her indoors for Mothers day. Bet she won't appreciate it.

Then again with original pickups and plate up to £1500 (and no frog).

[quote name='jamiesonk666' post='767325' date='Mar 7 2010, 09:18 PM']Ha, just found it on the neck plate its :642307 jamie[/quote] Reckon 1975 - value £35 + chocolate frog

Answered in your intro thread - we need the numbers from the neckplate.

Hi there. Your Precision has the serial number on the neckplate. Can't read it clearly from the photograph but I'm guessing it's around a 1974 model (with a replacement scratchplate - the original is likely to have been black).

[quote name='bigevilman' post='766510' date='Mar 6 2010, 10:30 PM']Hopefully would be nice to chat to any of you guys who will be there. Any of you more professional bassists got any advice for my first big festival?[/quote] I've done it 3 times (main stage) best advice - stay sober, whilst all around you......

[quote name='Delberthot' post='765567' date='Mar 5 2010, 08:18 PM']Why not just end it?[/quote] What, like jump off a cliff?

I use the 'Jamerson' set on an old Precision which is well settled in but would advise the slightly lighter guage 760FLs in your case. The tension is not as severe but I doubt there's much difference in the end result soundwise.

[quote name='Crazykiwi' post='764837' date='Mar 5 2010, 10:14 AM']Aren't you left handed?[/quote] I am only for mousing purposes.

[quote name='RhysP' post='764563' date='Mar 4 2010, 10:35 PM']You may not be aware of this, but there is a wealth of hardcore pornography on the internet that can serve as an interesting alternative to Basschat. [/quote] There's such an abundance of this I've had to get a left-handed mouse.

You can checkout any time you like but.......