Paul S

I have a 70s Fender Musicmaster that was rather scruffy when I picked it up. The bridge is an uncomplicated affair that comes apart quite nicely enabling you to get into the nooks and crannies. T Cut and an old toothbrush really do work wonders. Not tried the coke thing though. i wonder if Coke Zero would be the same? Maybe if I wanted to fit lighter gauge strings... [attachment=154431:musicmaster4.jpg] As an aside, I have modded it by having fitted a Precision split coil pickup with a new scratchplate and wiring loom. Sounds brilliant.

All my major GAS is cured for the moment. I have a slight hankering for an Aria Pro II single pickup CSB Cardinal Series in black - preferably the 'Black N Gold' model but the only one I have seen for sale recently was silly money. I'll wait until one pops up inexpensively.

Me, too. I give the strings a fairly hefty wallop when I get going and having the action too low just doesn't work. On two basses I've acquired fairly recently I have had to raise the action - one was a Squier Jazz Deluxe, the other a Shergold Marathon - on both the neck was virtually straight and the strings barely hovering above the frets. Yet, played lightly, no buzz. Too good for me!

I go line dancing (yeehaw etc) - and of the modern country artists I think Zac Brown Band are my current favourite. http://youtu.be/YU_8PrlRR5E http://youtu.be/k8peBbHUJzU

Taxman - a lot of basses can give you that sound, roll off the tone most of the way and you are there - including your violin! Although I would say the John Entwistle sound is at the opposite end of the scale! This Matt Freeman Squier Precision, for sale in the classifieds here, will give you the Taxman thump in spades http://basschat.co.uk/topic/227104-squier-matt-freeman-signature-precision-classic-vibe-with-maple-neck/page__pid__2348623#entry2348623 . It is one of the better Squier models and ticks most of your boxes.

Size of hands has very little to do with neck width preference, I would say. There are plenty of female bassists who play 5/6 string basses. I have fairly large hands and generally prefer narrow width necks - yet can find some wide necks reasonably comfy. Necks can vary a heck of a lot in depth which gives another variable in how they feel. It really comes down to whichever you find most comfortable which, unfortunately, means a lot of trial and error. Maybe, if you need a lightweight bass, that is the place to start from. As a rule most Jazz basses will have narrow necks but are heavier (ok, not all, but most). Ibanez SR-range basses are very lightweight and have exceptionally narrow and shallow necks. A lot of the P-Basses can be lighter in weight but have wider necks - although some models will have shallower necks. Also you might want to consider whether you want an active bass or passive one. Again, that narrows down your choices. So, for the sake of discussion, if you wanted a Fender shaped bass with two pickups that was light in weight, active and had a skinny, shallow neck you could probably head straight for a Squier Jazz Bass Deluxe or Precision Deluxe. While I have been typing this you added you want a retro sound. For me a P bass gives a retro sound, but I guess it is what type of retro sound you mean - both Precisions and Jazzes have been around a few decade. But at least that kind of eliminates the Ibanez/more modern sounding basses from the equation. Edit - Jazz/vs Precision tone - might be an idea to identify a song on which you particularly like the sound of the bass and post the YouTube on here - between us we should be able to point you in the right direction as far as tone is concerned.

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1390673659' post='2348236'] In 2032, when all-original Thunder Jets have become iconic, sought-after vintage basses changing hands for £5000, there will be entire websites devoted to pointing out what you have done to your bass ... [/quote] I know - not sure I want to post about this on the Westie forum just in case anyone has my address. Then again, by 2032 when I am rich and famous (and extremely old) someone may well be trying to make a 'Paul S signature model' just like it... Jose - I bet that sounds just like mine. Your description matches - HUGE. Alan - I remember reading the thread on your refin - that is a great colour. My pre-amp of choice is already in - a John East P Retro. The 'stealth' look is one reason I like the 'Thunder Jet' models - all black hardware (the other reason is they are lightweight, unlike the Thunder 1/1A). The paint finish was satin black but, when I first bought it (£77 on eBay a couple of years back!) I had to give it a good T-Cut to get rid of the muck and surface marks and it ended up a bit glossier than it should have been. Anyway, thanks again, Howard - I think I am a little bit in love with this one.

Howard indulged a slightly mad scheme I had bubbling away at the back of my head. I've had a Westone Thunder Jet bass for some while now - lightweight, well built (mid 80s Matsumoku), great neck (22 frets). But the stock version was passive and, for me, sounded a little weedy. I fitted a P-Retro, which made a heck of a lot of difference. Then I saw/tried the Fender Dimension bass and it gave me the idea to try a Musicman pickup in the Westone. So I bought a Delano MM pickup when one was offered on here and Howard did the rest. He routed out a place in the 'sweet spot', made a new custom scratchplate to hide the work, wired it all up (switchable series/parallel), routed out the back to increase access and new custom cover for that. I got it back yesterday. Some pics: [attachment=153151:tjetray1.jpg][attachment=153152:tjetray2.jpg][attachment=153153:tjetray3.jpg] So far I have only tried it at home but, wow! Huge range of tones. The sound is not like a Stingray, not like the Westone but somewhere between with a very definite character (actually very similar to a Westone Pantera Deluxe X790 bass I have). It can be very aggressive but easily tamed with the passive tone control rolled back. Nice growl in there. I can't wait to try it in a band situation to see how it sits in the mix. Physically it is comfortable. Slight neck dive, but the heavier pup means it is actually better than before despite the extra routing. Looks pretty good, too, I reckon, my Westone Thunder JetRay ©®™

Sell anything you can replace. You can't buy memories.

It was definitely £200 BIN when I saw it, a few mins after listing. I checked the listing again before posting it on here. I think if someone bids on a BIN, you lose the BIN? Why anyone would bid, not BIN is anyone's guess as £200 was silly.

Crikey, only lasted about 30 mins!

Just been listed http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Shergold-Marathon-Bass-Guitar-RARE-/231143920276?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item35d1405294

Howard transformed my old Westone Thunder Jet into a rock monster. Routed out for a Musicman pickup, custom scratchplate to cover up at the front, new backplate at rear for easier access to the gubbins, wired to an existing P-retro. Absolutely top job, couldn't be more pleased.

All together now - because their horns don't work

Sold some pups to Ian, totally smooth transaction, good comms, freindly chap, wouldn't hesitate to deal with him again

Hammersmith Apollo 11th, other dates, tickets on sale for this on Friday! Recently DH has used Klyde Jones on bass. Plus John has grown his moustache back. I'll be waiting by the phone Friday!

Another Dunlop 1mm user. They last for years and even when rounded off at the bottom are great for 'less attack'. Although you can use one of the round top corners for that if you like. I lost one the other day - first time in about 10 years!

Another vote for a Midget. I have a Compact + Midget and the pairing is marvellous. Also gives flexibility for rehearsals, too - I usually just take the Midget along. OOmph-wise I've never found the pair lacking - I use a TC Classic 450 or GB Streamliner 600..

Thanks for that Jon - I thought it looked 'familiar' but couldn't place the shape. I've asked about these before, maybe one to try if a real cheapie pops up...

Anyone recognise this thing? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bass-guitar-made-in-Japan-/321304112158?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item4acf37ac1e Looks kind of nice. I wonder how heavy/how wide the neck is etc?

I believe it says on the card at the top of the picture - £695

I've tried Gotoh, Badass and Hipshot. Of those I think Hipshot is the best but Gotoh is the best value.