CookPassBabtridge

Wow, you learn a new thing every day 😂

I’ve been wondering this too, and for the very same reason! Their website isn’t great and I couldn’t seem to find much info out there on the interwebs.

Hahaha, love it! Yes at first glance it looks perfectly normal but then on closer inspection reveals a little surprise 😃

Does that headstock say what I think it does? 😬

I’ve also bought numerous parts from them over the years. Always been happy with what I’ve ordered so if they have something you like the look of, purchase without fear!

Sounds like you’re better off without them, what a poor example of customer service. At least you have got your money back and can buy the piano elsewhere now.

If they value your custom they should honour the original price they quoted and you paid. Asking you to pay more after the fact isn't on, regardless of the circumstance. This has happened to me in a couple of guises in the past. I've argued that changing the price after the fact wasn't fair and they relented pretty quick. So yeah, as others have said - insist they stick to the original price and failing that demand a refund and take your business elsewhere.

Yeah, I put a Seymour Duncan pre in mine and wasn’t overly impressed with it either. I do have a Bartolini in my Thumb though and am pretty happy with it. A few people seem to have tried John East and have good things to say. I don’t have any experience with the Darkglass, but you see them in Spectors quite a lot.

@ern500evo I started a discussion about alternative preamps for a SS1 a few months ago here - a couple of people shared their experiences of using an OBP-3 which will hopefully be of use to you.

That’s a great video, what a couple of awesome sounding basses! This is potentially sacrilege but…I think I prefer the Ovangkol neck! Not much in it, but it seemed to have a bit more ‘bite’ to my ears. The Wenge was slightly more rounded and warmer.

Lots of people have said this already but just want to reiterate the suggestions for putting using a P neck. It should just bolt straight in there and look exactly the same cosmetically to the uninitiated. Plus there’s loads of official Fender options out there at various price points.

Probably similar to what others have already suggested, but I would think: - band saw - router - planer/thicknesser - bench drill - various hand tools - saw, rule, files, planer, rasp, fretboard radiuser, plenty of clamps, etc.

The cost of the Phil Lynott custom shop P has always shocked me. Unless you’re an uber fan or part of a tribute act, you are effectively paying many thousands for a passive P with a badass bridge and mirrored pickguard. Unless I am missing something.

Talkingbass.net, 100%. I was in a similar position to you having played bass when I was younger, taking a lengthy gap and wanting to dust off the cobwebs and get better at the same time. Mark has a number of different courses pitched at different levels depending on what you want to learn.

I agree there is something in this. I’ve been guilty of it myself. Positivity bias. Where I’ve tried something, loved it, taken it home, loved it for a month or two and then realised it’s not quite for me. There is certainly a difference between playing something for 30 mins in a shop and recording with it, playing in a live situation etc. I’m prone to wanting to convince myself my latest purchase is the holy grail when it might not actually be the case. IMO, YMMV, etc.

I agree, some of the QC issues mentioned such as the rising fretboard that meant the action couldn’t be set very low are more comparable to the steering on a car not working properly rather than not having power steering (to use the analogy on here). It wouldn’t have been acceptable then and wouldn’t be now. Also, not all CS Fenders are supposed to be exact relics from the 50s, 60s, 70s etc. I’ve briefly toyed with the idea of a CS Fender and I’d probably just go for a non-relic with a scale length, colour, pickups, pickup position and tone circuit that suit me. I’d be furious if I spent £3k+ on something like that and it had QC issues.

Have to say I agree, I am fond of my Metro J but it ain’t perfect. The hum cancelling J pickups have a very noticeable mid scoop to them (particularly on the neck pup). Not a huge issue as that’s easily EQ’d but I expect to have a better flat tone from the get go. Perhaps that’s just me though.

Indeed it was, I suspect it was a bit too niche to have a sequel, not sure how well it did commercially. I know second hand copies are really expensive these days. Ahem anyway, back on topic...be interested to know how you get on finding a group to jam with!

That is so true! Never realised it before, even when I take a trip to the pub for example I rarely see groups my age, it’s mainly just a bit younger or older. Perhaps I should just accept my fate and hibernate for a few years 😂

Warwick Streamer Stage 1 for me. Had literally wanted one for 15 years. Loved the aesthetics, and the tone I’d heard on countless recordings. When I got hold of one it was far too bright for my liking and confirmed that the p/j configuration just wasn’t for me. I lost a few quid on it as Warwick resale values are poor, but still grateful for the experience as I’m no longer wondering ‘what if’ and have been able to move on!

Another person here in pretty much exactly the same position as the OP, so thank you for asking the question @waylander (cool Conkers avatar btw 😉). Reassuring that I haven’t just imagined the shift in difficulty in finding people to jam with. Ten years ago all of my friends played, there were musicians everywhere at college, uni etc. Now everyone I know has moved away, had kids, are focusing on careers, or don’t play at all. My ‘network’ has gone. I also often worry that I won’t be considered as an option because I’m not the same age as people that are starting up bands now (can’t party all night anymore, touring more tricky with work etc.). I’m seeing a former bandmate in a month or so who still very much actively plays, I might ask him for some advice too. That said, I do need to get off my backside once full lockdown restrictions are lifted and try one of the helpful suggestions listed here!

That is going to be awesome, I love Purpleheart fretboards. Look forward to seeing it in all its glory! What are Alan’s current waiting times out of interest?

Awesome, what model/specs did you go for? I’m sure we’d all love to see it when it’s finished too 😎

I’ve got a 2009 Ovangkol BO Thumb and it has the chunky neck. Common claims that they are like ‘baseball bats’ are an exaggeration. They are actually very comfortable IMO. That said I have switched the MEC preamp for a Bartolini (I wanted a 3 band EQ) and plan to do the same with the pickups.

I second @BigRedX’s suggestion of paying Bass Direct a visit. Mark’s knowledge of different bass builders is pretty much unrivalled and he’ll likely either have an instrument in stock that suits your needs, or one that will at least confirm what kind of attributes you’re looking for.