Paul S

All manner of reasons, really - do something to one of the tuners, give the body a polish, change the pickup, put them on another bass. But you only have to do it once. The ball end shifts from how it was seated originally and the black/pink/green/whatever string coating has a little silver mark where the fret has rubbed the coating through that is now on show. Even just loosening them off enough to release the tension on the ball end is enough to do it. Spoils the look a bit. At least - I found they were problems that I encountered with the basses I put them on in terms of my own perception of what I wanted the coated strings for. Everyone else will have different expectations and experiences. And, yes, any string will wear in this way but we are talking specifically about coated strings with a coating that wears through. Can't believe I just wrote the line 'release the tension on the ball end'

I've used both Black Beauties and Neons in the past - I am a heavy pick player (+/- 100kg ) and it wears through in no time. The other issue that put me off was where the string rubs against the fret it wears through on the underside - which is ok if you never need to take off the strings but, if you do, it is almost impossible to match up again.

There is, naturally, a Shergold discussion forum. You could do a lot worse than join that for the most accurate info. Assuming he is still alive - I haven't been on there for a couple of years - there is even one of the original Shergold luthiers joins in discussions. https://www.shergold.co.uk/forum/viewforum.php?f=1&sid=58d1c55a8f6df950a5941f35424348ef

Actually, pedant is the wrong word. It means 'a person who is too interested in formal rules and small details that are not important and what you said was factually incorrect, not merely a small unimportant detail. However, I accept that this post may have been pedantic.

Yeah, I know. Always makes me sleepy when facts are pointed out that get in the way of a good rant.

To be fair, the people that work for HMRC are just a bunch of normal, overworked pen pushers doing their job*. It would be the Treasury, then the House of Commons, who made and passed the laws, who you should be directing your ire towards. If you disagree strongly about how import duty and VAT are calculated, you should lobby your MP because, ultimately, it is their responsibility *I don't, never have, although I know a couple of people who did.

No contest, my new Maruszczyk Jake 5 custom shop.

Squier make a few 5s. Precision and Jazz in various guises and trim levels, also the MB-5.

All good stuff. The first I remember being aware of slap/pop bass was on this Al Jarreau tune 'You Don't See Me' 1975 - starts about 1 min into it. Not as percussive as most.

I would correct this and say 'one of the benefits....' - another benefit you have discovered is that finding notes on or around the 5th fret can be easier without ever dipping below the low E. I would also add the extra choice of where to play the note gives you the choice of what timbre the note will have - eg E played on an open string doesn't sound like E fretted on the B string so you can play what is most appropriate. I changed to 5 strings about 2 years ago and most likely won't change back even if there was no longer a need for 5 strings. But, as has been said, do what is most comfortable for you - from what you say it sounds like you want to explore 5 strings so I'd say go for it. If it doesn't work out, go back to 4. No-one will get hurt, it is only a bass!

Having never noticed one before, bizarrely there is a black one of these passive P/J Jacks just come up on eBay for £200. Twice as much but less than half the work. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/hohner-the-jack-bass-2/123048663927?hash=item1ca6459b77:g:8CAAAOSwk4tavPm6

I didn't know you'd met Mrs Brig, HJ...

Interesting- looks like a passive p/j, too. I used to have a passive p/j B2B cricket bat and I much preferred the sound of that over the EMGs

I voted yes. When I played 4 string basses I ended up exclusively using Squier Precisions, albeit JV or that wonderful A series 32" scale white one that has now left home. Now I play 5 strings it is more difficult as my own particular requirements limit my choice quite drastically. Any bass I use has to be extremely lightweight and with narrow string spacing - as far as I know Squier have only made one, the MB-5, which would appear to be fairly uncommon - I don't recall ever seeing one advertised for sale at all. But, yes, if I could find one of those, no problem.

I do it for my Bon Jovi tribute and did it for a former band. Bon Jovi band I use a 5 string, so the low B needs to be a good one! Out of laziness I have always kept a couple of basses detuned and a couple at concert pitch but this may change since acquiring my new Jake 5 that I am finding hard to put down.

How about a Shergold Marathon, which is fairly lightweight and a but thumpy and somehow has a look of a WAL about it.

Bloody good night out, too - seen them a couple of times now - they are a very good tribute band! (cheque in the post as usual, Pete?)

I got some of this stuff at a boot sale. Quite useful as one of the pubs we play the cables for PA and lights have to go across a doorway.

I was blown away by the first album. Love Steve Pearce's bass playing (seen him with Hamish Stewart band) and thought the whole vibe was great. Went to see them live and it was like a different band. There were vocals and a different busy bassist. Massively disappointed.

Bit late with this - sorry! Last year I bought a Mesa Boogie amp from Dave. Couple of weeks ago he came upon the manual so offered to post it to me. I took advantage of this and ordered a speaker cable whilst he was going to the post. Once again, top chap!

Mine was 21 weeks in all, including holidays over xmas and new year. Worth every second of the wait.

Thanks Jon. I knew you'd know! I do like these double cutaway basses and still miss my boat anchor Scavenger. The best thing about only playing 5 string basses now is that temptation like these last three is so much easier to ignore. My 5ers might have been expensive, but think of all the money I've saved on impulse buys!

Lotus through neck, looks nice - £150 start -anyone know about these? clicky

Sunny day so out came the camera. I never learn - in the event an overcast day would have shown it better. hey ho. Ladies and gents, meet my new Jake 5! 3.6kg of 5 string Precision goodness. I ordered BBM to sort of make it a 5 string brother to one of my Squier JV Ps, which is BBM and has some figuring in the neck. So I opted for figured maple all round - yum! - with graphite rods, 45mm at the nut, zero fret. Chambered basswood body, Hipshot hardware, 17mm spacing at the bridge. Passive electronics. Delano PC5 AL/M2 pickup - which has turned out exactly how I wanted with more bite and growl than the Aguilar I had fitted into my MM Sterling 5. I like it so much, in fact, that I have bought one from Adrian to stick into the Sterling to replace the AG-5P 60. For me this was a big deal. I don't spend a lot of money on basses (although I manage to lose a lot - how does that happen?) and after a slightly gone wrong experience importing a Yamaha BB5000 that cost me dearly was a bit wary. But I couldn't be happier with this one. If I were given the opportunity to order another one i would spec it out exactly the same. So probably not worth doing... Anyway, £1500 for the bass, £100 for an SKB hard case (which retails at £130!). Big grin on my face every time I pick it up. Or just look at it, frankly.

Wahsburn Force 4, starting at £50 collect only Edgeware. clicky