Skybone

<[url="https://youtu.be/Od95KRjPat0"]https://youtu.be/Od95KRjPat0[/url]> Anything Yngwie can do, Richie did it first.

Try before you buy is always the best option, especially if you're spending a lot of money. However, saying that, I have bought some great guitars online. All 3 of my basses were online purchases, as were both electrics. Only 1 acoustic (solid wood) was a shop bought guitar. Local shops should always be supported, but if you're after something different or a little bit special, then why not. Remember to get plenty of pictures, some detail off the vendor, and if anything doesn't feel "right", then walk away, something else will turn up soon.

Right, you wanted pics... The first two are the post cutting, pre-sanding stage. I traced the original scrachplate on the back of the sheet, then used a Dremel 3000 with the cutting disc attachment. I took my time, but it still didn't take too long, but created a lot of smoke, dust, and molten plastic "snots". A set of cheap popular DIY store own brand plastic clamps were very useful at this stage. Quite pleased with the results, but I think next time I'll use the old B&D jigsaw & see how that compares. As you can see from pic #2, it's a black pearl plastic (insert pirate jokes here). Finally had the chance to get back in the garage earlier today, so got the sanding tool out for the Dremel, and took off the excess plastic around the outline (pic #3). For the pickup hole, I used the Dremel as much as I could, but then had to dig out the old hand files. Sanding down didn't take too long at all, so I drilled the holes and countersunk the front screwholes as well. A trial fitting showed that the pickup hole is a tad too small, but too big for the hand files (and lack of a work surface, didn't want to break it at this stage!), so I'll have another shot with the Dremel another time & tidy up with the hand files.

And the above list has also missed the Colorsound Wah & Tychobrahe.

The Rebel Bass is looking like the Empire Struck Back

So my first attempt is only half way through, I cut out the rough shape of the 'plate & TRC using the Dremel cutting disc. Took ages, and the plastic bobbled up around the cuts. In hindsight, I think it would have been quicker & easier to use the jigsaw instead. Going to try that next time anyway & see what happens. Got to finish the first attempt off when I get some time. The Dremel sanding attachment looks like a very good option rather than doing it by hand for the larger bits, hand finish for the trickier parts.

Nice addition to the collection Karl. KevB, thing is, for that sort of money, you can buy a completely unique, hand built instrument from one of the fine luthier's up and down the country, and still have change instead of buying a brand new Rickenbacker. I'm guessing that it won't be too long before the second hand market prices will start to catch up with the current list price. I still think that Rosetti just change the currency symbol on the RRP.

Get well soon Norm

Bare Knuckles are good, but get in touch with Hayden at Bulldog Pickups, great service, great quality, great bloke who'll listen to what you want, and wind some great sounding pickups. He knows his stuff, is a great guitarist and he just so happens to also work for Matamp. He wound a couple of sets of custom humbuckers for me a few years back, the best I've ever tried (that's after being through a good few of the BKP range).

Tommo, are you trying to come up with your bass lines on your own, or do you get together with the guitarist when putting a song together? I find that working with the guitarist helps coming up with ideas for bass lines. He'll have something recorded already, he then goes through the song, showing chords and changes, I'll work through it and come up with something, then it's recorded on top of the guitar. Maybe it's the band situation that's also getting you down, especially the drummer & singer situation. Maybe you should get together with the guitarist & have a discussion about things, see what he thinks of the situation, and whether he wants to look for new members, or carry on with the drummer & singer. Maybe after the discussion, you can make a decision whether to carry on with the band. If it's not working for you, it's not working.

Does the motherbucker have adjustable pole pieces? You could always adjust the pole pieces & raise the jazz pickup.

At this rate, we could set up a HIghlands Bass Bash...

All I can add is "go for it". Yes, it will take longer than you may think, but if you're new to an instrument, just take your time, practice regularly, and have fun. As for the "lefty" / "righty" thing, try a few different instruments out, get what feels "right". You can only find out by trying some out. For your first instrument (and probably the first few after the first), buy from a shop, not online. They should help you choose the right bass for you. Don't spend too much either, you can get some really good basses for not much outlay.

AFAIK, they should provide all the info needed to get it through customs. If in doubt, email them & ask.

Very good video, and great version of a great song

[quote name='NancyJohnson' timestamp='1499420274' post='3331433'] I've played a ton of different basses over my 35+ year tenure and I'm with you. It cracks me up when you see people asking the width of the neck at the nut or the radius...a millimetre here or there on a four string bass, shouldn't really make a whole lot of difference. [/quote] And I've played a ton of different basses over my 30+ years playing, and I certainly notice those few millimetres. I'm amazed that they do make a difference, but they really do to my hands at least.

Have you seen the ESP/LTD Stream? Number6, I might have to enquire about that Tokai at some time, though I can't afford to be buying more basses just yet...

The sheets have turned up, haven't had the chance to measure them up with the scratchplates yet though, might be another few weeks before I get the chance (itching to make a start though! ).

[quote name='FinnDave' timestamp='1499017498' post='3328620'] They're all 4 string basses, what difference does a few mm in neck width really matter? [/quote] True, but those few millimetres make a big difference. I've owned a few Jazz basses before, I've owned a few J bass inspired basses with the J bass necks, I've owned P basses & basses inspired by P basses, I was always quite happy to swap between them (thought I'd never owned any more than 1 at any one time until recently). When I had the 4003, I bought a Jazz to replace it, but I couldn't "gel" with it. I thought about it a fair bit, and it boiled down to the neck, it was just too narrow for me and really didn't feel comfy.

So what's the verdict?

I had a PODxt Live for a while before the HD, so I know what you mean, obviously put the Compressor before the Auto Wah and leave it on. No harm in trying it out. I managed to get one up & running the other week, but it didn't quite sound right at rehearsal. I'm just going to have to try a few different things out (including using the expression pedal wah).