Beedster

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1387195245' post='2309140'] These Barefaced threads are getting very dull and repetitive. If people don't like something, make your point and move on. [/quote] Ain't that the truth, I know that bass forums exist to allow folks to talk bass, and I know that most discussions go around in circles to an extent and then reappear in new guise down the road, but this is largely just dull. So what if player A has a roadie and doesn't understand why player B values lightweight gear, so what if player C values aesthetics and doesn't understand how player D could take to the stage with anything but a design classic. I think Luke's post (113) was spot on though so perhaps this thread is useful after all

[quote name='mikeswals' timestamp='1387147624' post='2308821'] Look at this rare odd, apparently factory made MkI with a single pickup in the 'StingRay' position and not in ether Wal position. [/quote] I like that, and I also like single PUP instruments generally

Loosen the capo slightly? Tighten it slightly? Try slightly heavier gauge strings? Learn to play the piece without the capo?

[attachment=150536:78 Precision 1.jpg]

I'm doing a lot of thinking about this! I've decided to hang onto my '78 maple board fretless Precision which has the flatwound P-Bass retro thing covered. PUP-wise on the Wal I'm going to be looking for an active option likely with rounds in mind. I'm tempted to go for a single MM-style humbucker at the bridge and an East circuit, or possibly an HS. Thoughts?

[quote name='Conan' timestamp='1386922935' post='2306362'] I hope it doesn't come across as inappropriate. I have taken into account how (I think) Alex may feel about this, and would be perfectly happy to remove it (or ask a mod to) if he took umbrage. As someone else said though, it is a form of publicity - and that is rarely a bad thing. Not trying to sound flippant or dismissive there... I totally agree about the critics who have no actual experience of the products. Or who have tried one for a few minutes in their house but never gigged one in anger. I think because Alex has been so open and transparent about his products, everyone who reads a couple of posts feels like an expert. And says so. Ad nauseam... I am genuinely interested in the results of the poll, but I have no plans to "do" anything with them. If they are of any use to anyone (BC or BF) then it will have been a worthwhile exercise. If not, it will still have been interesting and a bit of fun. No harm intended. I've added another poll choice which will hopefully fit your criteria better. [/quote] Fair enough Conan, I was probably over-reacting. Having said this, there's a lot of people would say that the old 'no such thing as bad publicity' maxim lost much of its merit with the advent of the internet, when bad publicity can hang around a very long time. I'm sure both Alex and various mods are keeping a keen eye on this thread anyway Cheers C

Roland, that's extremely kind of you, many thanks. It looks like Bass Doc is going to be doing the work for me. At present this is going to include 1. New unlined ebony board with side lines at each fret 2. New PUPs (this is going to be a big issue......) 3. Restore as far as possible the facade of the bass to something like original I don't know how much Wenge costs but I am imagine it's not cheap so I'm very grateful and would like to take you up on it. If you won't take anything from me for it please let me bung a few quid at a charity of your choice? If ot's OK, I'll PM you once I've sorted everything with Howard? Many thanks. Now PUPs, what do you folk think? Here's some things to keep in mind 1. I was never a great fan of the Wal circuit or sound 2. I like passive instruments 3. I have a fretless Precision so there is little need for anything that sounds Precisiony! 4. One of my favourite fretless sounds was a Ric with very heavy nylon flats. Problem is, that did one sound and one sound only I was looking at things such as Darkstars and am keen to explore these http://lhnborn.com/page3.htm, which sound lovely with flats (waiting for a soundclip with rounds). I'm also keen on some passive MM style humbuckers (although I'd also tempted to get an East circuit in there just in case!). I've contacted Paul at Wal re PUPs but I've yet to hear back (something that was pointed out to me earlier was that if Wal do the work the instrument will retain some authenticity, but I'm thinking a lot of work would be required to get it to that stage and I suspect that a new build would make more sense. There's also the real risk this bass could end up like Trigger's broom in Only Fools and Horses). I've also looked at Martin Simm's Super Quads which I have to say might be the safest bet all around, unfortunately they don't retro fit the Super 8 which I would have loved in this bass. Your thoughts on PUPs would be appreciated. I don't see this as a restoration project as much as an opportunity to build a unique bespoke instrument, albeit one with a vintage pedigree. Cheers Chris PS thanks again Roland!

[quote name='Conan' timestamp='1386852849' post='2305335'] I have chosen most of the poll options to reflect opinions I have already seen expressed in a number of threads relating to BF/BF products. [/quote] That's the problem to my mind, you're possibly suggesting opinions people wouldn't otherwise have. You've also put more than one idea per selection, which means that I can't select, for example 'not tried them' without also selecting 'don't fancy them' with also selecting 'cheap looking but expensive' (not that I would select this of course). I've had a long week so perhaps I'm being a prat, but if i were Alex I probably wouldn't be overly happy about this thread, and given it's his (and I assume his family's) livelihood, it seems inappropriate. If he posts saying that he's happy, I'll accept that I am after all being a prat. Not for the first time I will add that the last person with whom I discussed BF cabs offered an extraordinary level of detailed criticism, yet on further discussion it was evident that he'd never played one or even seen one, he'd just read a few threads on here. I do see your point re a definitive answer, I'm not sure this is the way to get it, as a lot of the responses will be from similarly uninformed (or poorly informed) people, whichever way they choose to vote. C [font="helvetica, arial, sans-serif"][color="#5a5a5a"][size=3] [/size][/color][/font]

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1386847817' post='2305238'] It's Conan's poll and he'll answer for himself, but I'm certainly interested to see how this pans out. Like many on Basschat I have been fascinated by the polarisation of opinion when it comes to Alex and his cabs. The impression I get (and that's all it is, my impression) is that there is a very small number of Barefaced haters who compensate for their small numbers by being extremely noisy, and that there is a much larger number of Barefaced lovers (and yes, of course that includes me) who don't understand their hate. This poll offers a first serious effort to take impressions and replace them with actual numbers. Got to start somewhere ... [/quote] Fair enough, if it were Fender, Ric, Warwick I don't see a problem, seems potentially unfair on what is after all a one man show. The web is a big audience?

Yes, I think that went very high for what it is. I wouldn't be surprised to see it for sale again soon, or parted out

[quote name='Conan' timestamp='1386843494' post='2305163'] The definitive answers at last.... [/quote] Why exactly are you doing this?

[quote name='leftyhook' timestamp='1386683971' post='2303040'] listen with your ears, not your eyes. At least try practicing in the dark. you will be surprised how the mind adapts [/quote] Fair point. However, most of us rehearse to gig or record. Ears, or more accurately the perceptual centres of the brain, become fatigued deceptively quickly, especially in situations in which they are having to work over extended periods or in extreme conditions (e.g., very loud band or hard to hear bass parts). All perceptual organs/processes suffer from fatigue eventually, so of course the same is going to be true of the eyes when looking at fretlines so I'm not saying lines are better per se. I am though suggesting that the more resources you have, the less likely you are to suffer from poor performance, so ears plus eyes will for many people beat ears alone. And unless you've rehearsed it, you can't just assume that on the day you can use the lines, because the lines are not as easy to use as you'd think, as pointed out above, it's very different to DB (my DB intonation is way better than is my FLB intonation bacause the relationship between the instrument, my body and my eyes stays pretty static with DB, it doesn't with FLB). An extremely important thing to remember - and a lesson I learned harshly - is that practicing on an unlined fretless at home in an acoustically easy environment is a very different thing to having to play the same line over and over again in a live recording or on stage with all sorts of competing noise. It can of course be argued that 'muscle memory' (which doesn't exist but is a useful term to explain learned/automatic brain/motor learning) can certainly be developed as suggested above - that is using ears only in a dark room - but can probably be even better developed using both ears and eyes in a well lit one. However, there's no rights or wrongs, the true test is what works best for you as a player. Don't however do something just because someone - me included - tells you "it's better this way"

Anyone tried these or know anything about the PUPs or the builder? [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bi-Sonic-Darkstar-type-NuSonic-Pickup-/200989484654?pt=Guitar&hash=item2ecbe8266e"]http://www.ebay.co.u...=item2ecbe8266e[/url] Cheers Chris

[quote name='White Cloud' timestamp='1386685367' post='2303058'] Listen, the solution is simple. Simply have the maple routed out, source some Wenge (your top is Wenge btw)...match the grain as closely as you can, shape the Wenge, glue into place, plane then sand smooth for a perfect patch up. Its not exactly the low cost, or simplest way to go...but it is the best way. Any luthier worth their salt could do it in a day. Trust me, I build furniture. [/quote] Thanks for your advice. I agree 100% and I hope the cost is doable. I have a budget for this bass (which is in part why I'm selling the case) and the board and PUPs are the first point of call. The PUPs will require work to the area in question so it would likely be a false economy to do half the job now and then come back to it later (e.g., to install PUPs now and then do the work with the Wenge in a year). Do you know where I could get the correct wood in such a smal quantity?

[quote name='White Cloud' timestamp='1386680694' post='2302974'] Dude, in the name of all that is holy...NO WOODSTAIN!! [/quote] It can't be worse than it is. Of all the questions I have about the modifications to this bass, the one I find hardest to answer is that of why put a rectangular lump of maple in the middle of a beautiful dark wood veneer? Stain's not the best solution for sure, but it's a first step on the path

Old Ibanez FLs have very useful lines at each 'fret' at the top of the board (and one I owned, tiny reference lines under the G also). This is probably what I'm going to have done on my Wazz [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/224386-waljazz-mongrel/unread/"]http://basschat.co.uk/topic/224386-waljazz-mongrel/unread/[/url]