Paul S

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/saddle-bridge-height-screws-allen-key_W0QQitemZ170475330112QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Guitar_Accessories?hash=item27b11f1a40"]Found some on eBay[/url] just need to decide which to get - I am guessing metric for the Japanese guitars and probably 10mm as the existing ones are around 16mm. Ta.

I have just bought the 7 way Rockstand and am very pleased with it. Nice and simple.

Shorter screws - supremely logical and completely obvious now it has been said. Thanks. And to prevent me from having to do any thinking whatsoever - any idea where from?

Probably a dumb question as the obvious answer is move my hand somewhere else... but it is comfortable there and the most natural place to rest for a lot of tracks I play. But for those bridges that have them sticking up (and I now have 3 out of 4 basses that do) it can get a bit sore to keep rubbing on them. So how do people get around it? Is there some simple thing you can stick over the top but doesn't damp the strings?

+1 Comfort Strapp - my Washburn Scavenger weighs as much as a busload of overweight elephants AND is neck heavy - makes it much better.

Partial update. Got both basses back yesterday afternoon and took one to rehearsal last night. Westone Thunder 1A dropped a semi-tone. Compared to the Tomastik flats on my Fender Jaguar, which I had been using previously, the D'Addario chromes were MUCH better. The extra guage and obvious tension in the strings made playing feel more natural. We also drop down the E to D for 'Slither', so I effectively dropped down to C# - handled it nicely. I can still make no comparison with same strings played with regular tuning but as it was last night was a big improvement. Have to add I am loving the Thunder 1A bass, too. Exactly the right sound I have been chasing when used active but rolled back a quarter turn. And it is a joy to play.

Well, courtesy of OldGit's generosity I can now try one out for myself. I doff my cap to you, sir.

More praise for OldGit - I asked 'what are string winders like' he says 'I'll send you one of mine to try. It came next day. yes - TOP man.

Tom just bought my fretless jazz - as smooth and easy a transaction as you could hope for. No BS, immediate payment, good communication - enjoy the bass, Tom!

Personally I think it is all the more important to show gratitude if it is a gift. 'Do as you would be done by' and all that. I believe the feedback thing is great - one of the many HUGE plus points of Basschat is that it really is a community and I feel I can deal with pretty well anyone without feeling anxious about the outcome.

One from my first gig in '08. I don't have that heavy old Hayman 4040 any more. Replaced it with other heavy old planks instead. [attachment=47792:me.jpg]

My God that Ernie Ball thing looks rather overkill! Mr Git Pm on it's way.....

That sounds like an extremely kind offer I can't refuse. Although, if they are pointless, it would save you the postage! How do they work, exactly?

I believe there are various gizmos that can speed up winding strings when changing them, although I don't think I've seen one that is designed for a bass (then again I haven't looked that hard). Are they worth bothering with? If so, any particular recommendations?

Very interesting. Thanks Fran.

Devil's advocate here. Is it worth spending the money? What is the total spend to do this upgrade (including new pups), and how would that compare with buying one that already has a similar spec? Could you get like for like, even secondhand, or does this really give you a standout instrument? Just curious. Totally agree about individual variation. When I was buying my main bass I tried everything on the wall and, despite my mind and wallet telling me I wanted a Squier, none came up to scratch compared with MIA Jazz or, what I ended up with, the MIJ Jaguar. But the Squier VM fretless Jazz I have (currently for sale - shameless plug) is a diamond.

Add the 151 to the comparison and I'll be glued to this thread too.

Doh! :blush: