Shaggy

Congrats mate, looks absolutely superb and I know how long you've had your heart set on one! Guess now you'll be hanging onto that lovely Les Paul I'm still hankering for though..... :-(

[quote name='TG Flatline' timestamp='1325272287' post='1481658'] It says it's a full 34" scale length, looking where the bridge is the body must be massive! The case for my explorer (link in my sig) is big, and that's with a down-sized explorer body with the bridge right at the back. Don't get me wrong, I do like the Gibson version, but I'd bet gigging with it would be difficult on transport space! [/quote] Going to be gigging my '85 tonight for New Years, but yes; the case is as large as the deck of an aircraft carrier, and takes up half of my small hatchback. She doesn't come out too often these days but I love her - monster tone, very ergonomic to play with an Entwhistle-eque right hand style, and with the complulsory extra long strap so it's hanging at knee-level - instant Rock God. No neck dive whatsoever, by the way. Neepheid; agreed, the '80's models had the best bridge of any Gibson bass (which aint saying much.....) and I'm fairly sure was made by Schaller (the tuners are also Gibson logo-ed Schallers) - very similar indeed to the 3-D, but chunkier.

Should also have said there's quite a lot of EB-0's about - Gibson were much more mainstream for bassists in the '60's than in recent times, especially with the beat / R&B boom. If you played bass then, chances are it was a Fender, Gibson or Hofner, maybe a Ric or Vox. Collectors are holding onto the Fenders & Ric's, not so much the others (probably excluding the '60's reverse & non-reverse Gibson Thunderbirds, which were made in much smaller numbers) check out: http://www.vintageguitarandbass.com/gibson/bass/EB0.php

The EB-0 and Melody Maker are probably the least regarded of the vintage Gibson basses - the short scale and single neck mudbucker mean you get plenty of low-end thump, and.....er, that's it. Afficionados love them though. The EB-3 models, which are essentially the same but with a bridge min-humbucker, are far more versatile and desirable (thanks mainly to the Jack Bruce / Andy Fraser connection) - a nice mid '60's EB-3 can easily fetch £2K+. Hence the high numbers of "modded" EB-0's. Tonewoods (solid mahogany) and build quality are usually top notch on most '60's Gibsons, EB-0's included. Seems the whole vintage market is rather depressed at the moment, and it's the least desirable models that take the biggest hit; bargains to be had right now if you've got the dosh.

After being effects-less for the last *coughs* years, I've jumped in the deep end with a Roland V-bass / GK-2 p/up system (original mk.1 model). Some of the pre-set patches are quite usuable, but I'm having trouble accessing the bass modelling options; I'm after the Music-Man one in particular. Selecting COSM-bass only seems to give options of P, J, and Rick, but the manual lists quite a few more. Yes, I HAVE got the manual so I'm clearly being quite incredibly thick....can anyone give me an idiots guide of how to access the bass models, and more general tips on setting up some nifty patches??? cheers, Greg

My one attempt at a custom build was a "Thingray" built around an '80 MM Sabre neck with a 1-piece bubinga body and thuja top. Nice bass, but significantly heavier than my Gibson RD Artist which as far as I know is the heaviest standard production bass ever! Made a tad too thick, with hindsight. Last seen with Chris2112 on this forum, possibly now being used as an anchor for the QE2....

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1323854843' post='1467708'] Shaggy, that is a lovely bass ... right up my street, wot wiv being a Hofner [i]aficianado [/i]an' all. Shame you're in Swansea, or I might have to come round and blag a play on that. [/quote] Always a welcome in wettest Wales.... Never had a Hofner but come close, though did have a Framus ....quirky but quality!

[quote name='EBS_freak' timestamp='1323853657' post='1467687'] Now that's cool. I likey. Always wanted a hollowbody but choice is lacking on 5 strings... [/quote] I could only think of the Warwick Infiniti offhand, but there's a few on here: http://basschat.co.uk/topic/55522-5-string-semi-acoustic-bass/page__hl__5%20string%20semi

[quote name='E sharp' timestamp='1269467705' post='785215'] A guy called Steve Smith from Southend fretted a Modulus neck for me around '91/92 , and he had shedloads of Goodfellow parts . Turns out that he worked with Bernie well before the Lowden time . His massive shed/workshop was rammed with bodies and necks , and I now wish that I'd have taken him up on his offer , and bought a cheap Goodfellow - made up of my chosen parts . I don't know if he's still around (has 'disappeared/moved a few times ) , or even still with us at all (not the healthiest looking guy) . Maybe his collection got sold off job lot , who knows ? [/quote] As a little sub-thread to this thread, I bought a Steve Smith semi-acoustic a couple of years back, and the neck / headstock is unquestionably esrly Goodfellow - probably from that pile in the shed! He was a very talented luthier who'd worked with Heart / Heartwood guitars before working for Bernie. No longer with us sadly. Very fond of the semi as it's based on one of my favourite basses - the Gibson EB-2, but long scale, decent p/ups (Barts) and Jazz-proportioned neck. Build quality and finish are fabulous. Some real UK luthier talent around in the '80's

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1323013928' post='1458266'] The Sweet (along with Slade, T.Rex and Bowie) that first got me excited about music in the early 70s. Hell Raiser was the first single I bought. [/quote] "Fox on the run" was mine (which the excellent "Miss Demeanour" as B-side, as I recall) Saw them live without Brian - good, but just not the same The Motley Crue comment is an accurate one, but whereas Brit Glam-rock was always something of a self-parody, '80's US hair-metal took itself a tad too seriously.....

Great bassist, one of my early influences "Slade Alive" is one of the best live albums ever; often regarded as a glam / teenybopper band, but shows they could rock with the best of 'em

[quote name='skankdelvar' timestamp='1322410486' post='1450497'] The only thing that [i]might[/i] raise an eyebrow would be a pointy metal machine. [/quote] Tell Dusty Hill that.......... (pics) Having used most of what's out there, for me the ultimate blues machine is a Gibson EB-2D. But being as that counts as pricey / exotic, how about an Epi Jack Cassady or Rumblekat?

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1322247370' post='1448666'] I lusted after the green one every time it came up on eBay but never had the funds to buy it... [/quote] Likewise!!! Seems a damn shame to paint such a lovely slab of mahogany, but the solid colour really sets off the lines of the body, and makes the bass look more like the Deacon / Breadwinner guitars that inspired it. The p/guard (carbon fibre?) looks ace too

[quote name='Hobbayne' timestamp='1321714867' post='1442326'] Check out Glenn Tibrook on bass, he doesnt do a bad job considering he's not really a bass player [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSZGYYdaWDM&feature=related[/media] [/quote] Saw Glen play in Pontardawe last sunday; played 6 and 12-string guitar, a big electro-acoustic bass, ukelele, keyboards (synth and a little hand-pumped reed organ), percusion on one song; also used an i-tablet for a couple of "audience-interactive" numbers. First set solo, and the second with two other musicians, swapping eachothers gear. Looking much older, but the voice stronger than ever and put on a hell of show; some excellent "alternative" arrangements of the Squeeze hits.

[quote name='Vibrating G String' timestamp='1321487288' post='1439914'] Tru-oil is a polymerized linseed oil. The polymerized tung oil I used seemed to be more sturdy and less user friendly than Tru-oil. It was definitely thicker. It's often referred to as a penetrating oil but it's really just a surface finish. I don't know if the linseed versus tung makes any difference but the particular stuff I used was different than tru-oil. That said I've finished necks and bodies with tru-oil and it works great and is the easiest finish I can think of. [/quote] Danish oil (from any B&Q etc) is a blend that contains Tung oil - whether polymerised or not I have no idea - and I use that on all my unlacquered boards, fretless and fretted, once a year or so. With regular use it seems to harden and seal / waterproof the outer "skin" of the wood without actually being a coating, especially good for those "sweaty hand" gigs

[quote name='philw' timestamp='1321380877' post='1438523'] Strikes me that even Wal owners that expect to be buried with their bass, like me, are aware of its value. Value that epoxy on the fingerboard would undoubtedly destroy. I am going to get a vinyl roof on my Ferrari though. Phil [/quote] +1 An ebony board doesn't need a coating IMO. I've an '85 fretless Wal Mk1 Custom and a '78 fretless Ovation Magnum 1, both with ebony boards, both had heavy use with roundwounds, both with so little wear it's negligable. I think the lined fretless Wals had rosewood boards though - which would wear faster, but I personally still wouldn't mod a Wal.

Liam's definitely one of the good guys on BC; offered a load of used strings for free on the "recycled item" sub-forum, of which I had a set of Overwater flats. Friendly as can be , and sent the strings straight out not even wanting postage covered - cheers mate!

[quote name='lozbass' timestamp='1321189428' post='1436205'] Was re-stringing this yesterday (managed to get an hour to myself) and got a couple of shots - Alembic know where to get some nice timbers [/quote] Absolutely stunning, loz, loviest cocobolo top I've seen on any bass. At least 6 control knobs too many for me though.......