4 Strings

[color=#000000] I'm wondering about an onboard tuner. It seems the only two types in the world I can find require the volume pot to be replaced. They work with pull switch 250 or 500k volume pots. [/color] [color=#000000] Here are the only details I can find[/color][color=#000000] http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/N-Tune-Onboard-Guitar-Chromatic-tuner-500K-Toggle-switch-for-Gibson-Guitars-/370862551883[/color] [color=#000000] I'm having an East MMSR 3 band preamp (without plate). I'm (hopefully) finding out if the pot can be replaced by one of these to operate the tuner, or whether is there circuitry attached to the volume pot?[/color] [color=#000000] There is another, the Witmann Pro-Tuner, which also requires the volume pot replacement.[/color][color=#000000] http://www.wittman-spins.com/tuners.html[/color] [color=#000000] I would have thought an onboard tuner was a great idea, but seems to be so few around.[/color] [color=#000000] I'm also wondering whether a clip on one could be taken apart and let into the body somewhere. I'm presuming this type picks up string vibration and so fixing to a cavity in the back of the body would work?[/color]

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1379070512' post='2208312'] [url="http://s1128.photobucket.com/user/h4ppyjack/media/Equipment%20and%20stuff%20CURRENT/VisittoBarefaced8_zps67f42db9.jpg.html"][/url] Not just my rig ... the guys who made the cab too! [/quote] Ooh, ooh, can I play? Here's my Midget and Compact being picked up. I took the Midget back and swapped it for a Midget T. Never looked back. [URL=http://s1341.photobucket.com/user/4Strings1/media/18bd7ed6-0495-4535-b576-789a61064457_zps7601bb1a.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/o760/4Strings1/18bd7ed6-0495-4535-b576-789a61064457_zps7601bb1a.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

[quote name='rk7' timestamp='1379058071' post='2208115'] The slots are for metal inserts that are installed to strengthen the neck/body area on the neck-thru Perception (and the other neck-thru Overwater basses). Once the fretboard goes on they are lost forever! RK [/quote] Not seen that before, thanks.

[quote name='StephenYork' timestamp='1378993802' post='2207473'] Sorry to resurrect a thread. I was wandering around the land of Youtube for gigs to watch, I thought I would chance listening to Larry Carlton for an hour. My word Travis can play! If you've got an hour to kill take a look, great sound and feel from the trio. [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuN6EcoKvX4"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuN6EcoKvX4[/url] Also I'd love to know if anyone with a Moog MF-101 can get that bass sound at about 22mins in? [/quote] Playing while I'm working, thanks. The man grooves

[quote name='Bassman Sam' timestamp='1371255491' post='2111909'] A old band mate put these photos of me on Facebook last night. I didn't know they existed. They show my original '75 P bass. The only thing worth looking at. The pix were taken in '77, a lifetime ago. [/quote] Fab! Wish I Still had pics fro that long ago!

[quote name='12stringbassist' timestamp='1372806429' post='2130322'] [/quote] A Warwick with a plectrum, don't see that much!

[quote name='Roland Rock' timestamp='1376259944' post='2171548'] Band shot. What I love about this is that my T Shirt is bunched up in such a way that it makes it look like I have 'bitch tits' à la Meatloaf in Fight Club [/quote] Yeah, the, er, T shirt is, umm bunched up!

[quote name='waynepunkdude' timestamp='1378841272' post='2205492'] Me in full on race mode [/quote] Great shots! Cat 4?

[quote name='rk7' timestamp='1359125560' post='1950273'] Body wings cut out. [/quote] Those slots either side of the truss rod slot, what are they for?

Some more progress on the neck, taking shape: [URL=http://s1341.photobucket.com/user/4Strings1/media/Ruach%20Utility%20Bass/IMG_3468_zps9b279b87.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/o760/4Strings1/Ruach%20Utility%20Bass/IMG_3468_zps9b279b87.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Just look at that ripple! Heath has put something on it for the photo, don't know if it's just water: [URL=http://s1341.photobucket.com/user/4Strings1/media/Ruach%20Utility%20Bass/IMG_3467_zps42866f1a.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/o760/4Strings1/Ruach%20Utility%20Bass/IMG_3467_zps42866f1a.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Bit of detail in rough: [URL=http://s1341.photobucket.com/user/4Strings1/media/Ruach%20Utility%20Bass/IMG_3477_zps424f3022.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/o760/4Strings1/Ruach%20Utility%20Bass/IMG_3477_zps424f3022.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Exciting to see it looking like something for a bass! Assymetric back of neck and a compound radius to the front.

[quote name='flyfisher' timestamp='1378982281' post='2207261'] Isn't space the ultimate luxury? [/quote] Space travel is, otherwise it's just the final frontier.

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1378985924' post='2207333'] years ago I was moved to tears by Tchaikovsky's 'Pathétique' [/quote] Completely ignoring the point you made; yes, me too! It's a wonderful piece, especially in the context of what he was going through at the time. Had a similar experience with Britten's War Requiem. Mine were on vinyl too but that's not the reason I was so moved by such wonderful musical expression. Or did it help? Probably never know as, like you, I'm sure a revisit will not bring the same emotion. Anyway, this was more to say that I've found a new level of cool when my lads (20 and 22) re-noticed the record deck. One has brought out a vinyl version of his band's ep, the other so hates modern clinicalness he's even taken my old Contax 35mm slr camera to make some art. No idea how he's going to afford to use it though. I have hundreds of lps and probably wouldn't miss them. Got plenty of space at the moment so it's not an issue. Definitely nostalgic reasons keeping them warm.

[quote name='Dropzone' timestamp='1378990684' post='2207420'] Sadly this was me at a gig recently.... [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOb3vqkLnxA"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOb3vqkLnxA[/url] [/quote] And that was for the bit you weren't even playing! Great clip.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1378566677' post='2201925'] [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHo2KKPL0mM[/media] [/quote] So 'Hardrock' they put a screen around the drum kit!

Some pics. Firstly showing the laid back headstock: [URL=http://s1341.photobucket.com/user/4Strings1/media/Ruach%20Utility%20Bass/IMG_3458_zps630a9355.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/o760/4Strings1/Ruach%20Utility%20Bass/IMG_3458_zps630a9355.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Then with a nut laid in it (not mine, too many strings!) showing how the face of the headstock meets the nut to support it on both sides (and look cool!) [URL=http://s1341.photobucket.com/user/4Strings1/media/Ruach%20Utility%20Bass/IMG_3460_zps0dc1d03c.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/o760/4Strings1/Ruach%20Utility%20Bass/IMG_3460_zps0dc1d03c.jpg[/IMG][/URL] And the headstock shape drawn in place. The knot at the top has gone with the cutting but revealing another slap bang in the middle! The one that has appeared right near the end is quite nice in that position! [URL=http://s1341.photobucket.com/user/4Strings1/media/Ruach%20Utility%20Bass/IMG_3459_zps99656ab8.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/o760/4Strings1/Ruach%20Utility%20Bass/IMG_3459_zps99656ab8.jpg[/IMG][/URL] In the slot you can just see the direction of the wood grain, almost vertical, an almost perfect quarter sawn piece. Still very excited about this neck! After some more emails and phone call discussion the fingerboard will be lacquered with cellulose and the back waxed. The lacquer to try and avoid dirt in a heavily used bass (Utility Bass!) and cellulose, which is apparently 'softer' than polyurethane to reduce the chance of chipping at the edge. Also a lacquered fingerboard with that bit of maple is going to look blinding! Wax on the back because I liked it on the newer MM basses I've had and Heath loves it too. Also, in the name of utility, we'll be looking at SS frets (and probably a new set of tools!). I like the silver look on that maple but also they should last for ever.

[quote name='rk7' timestamp='1378972862' post='2207103'] Took me a while to get it, but the string spacing you refer to is at the nut. Derrrr, its early. What spacing at the bridge(s)? I suspect 17mm, like mine? Very playable choice. I tried my other Perception at the weekend, which is at 19mm on a Hipshot B Style bridge, and the spacing seems huge! The first of the body colour options shown above is lovely. Don't know where you are based, but if you are ever 'up north', you are welcome to try/view my Overwater. RK [/quote] Yes, nut end, Heath's working up there at the moment hence I'm having to make actual decisions! The bridge end will be 19mm, I like a bit of air - too clumsy to cope with strings close together! In the end I think its what you're used to when making the decision! At the moment I'm using my old Stingray all the time and it's 19mm. When I play a P at church the strings seem too close together. I'm sure if it was the other way around....! Actually I always feel comfortable on the 'Ray, wide bridge and nut and slim neck.

OOh, ooh, ooh, it's all on the move! The neck is now well on its way, apparently the laid back head has been cut and emails regarding string spacing etc have been swapped. Never thought about it before, string spacing can be measured from centre to centre (seems obvious) or edge to edge - to keep the gaps between the string even. We're actually going for the latter! The gap will change very slightly with varying string gauges but, tbh, I don't change much. So the centre to centres will be slightly different (we're talking ~1mm over all the strings here). Roughly speaking they will be around 11-12mm c to c. This is a bit wider than a P, but about right for an old Stingray - my kind of nut! The top face of the headstock will have a slight belly to it meaning the string posts will need a slight countersink for a flat mating surface. This is cool as it will match the countersinking of the tone controls on the body. Heath is having to get things ordered! Disappointingly Rubners never came back so I'm afraid it's the default Hipshot tuners. Nothing wrong with these at all, people upgrade to them. Most importantly Heath gets a good deal with them, they deliver quickly and will perfectly match the X-Tender I already have. A very near miss for Gotoh though. Bridges, again the default Hipshot version of the single bridge design. Their fixings go right through the body and tighten to it and the string goes through the fixing. My only misgiving is they also have top loading which, in my opinion, makes them unnecessarily long. I pursued an Ibanez design but they didn't come back either. John East will be delivering his preamp and Aaron Kent the pups in a week or so. The latter will be a Stingray type at the bridge and a Jazz looking case with windings to mimic a Precision inside for the neck pup. The neck pup could be in a matching case to the bridge pup but I think two humbuckers look rather 'in your face' and the Jazz shape more graceful for the middle of the body. Talked about wooden pup cases etc and although these could be an option this is a Utility Bass not a Conklin coffee table bass. (Ruach have engraved pup covers which I fancied but don't have any 4 string versions left! I'll have plain and, when some more become available, put those on. - they are on this one Heath sold on here: http://basschat.co.uk/topic/197469-two-ruach-basses-for-sale/ ) Colour! Hmm. Trans black? The body has some nice figuring, not exemplary but nice nonetheless and so a trans would be good. I've settled (at the moment!) for an orange. Either a rich orange all over or a paler orange going to a burst at the edge. Here's a coupe of examples: The bass may look very much like this! [URL=http://s1341.photobucket.com/user/4Strings1/media/Transorange2_zpsea22e931.jpg.html] [IMG]http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/o760/4Strings1/Transorange2_zpsea22e931.jpg[/IMG][/URL] or this: [URL=http://s1341.photobucket.com/user/4Strings1/media/HONEYBURSTLEGACYDELUXE_zps45f5fc4b.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/o760/4Strings1/HONEYBURSTLEGACYDELUXE_zps45f5fc4b.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Similar type of figuring but not as nice.

All positive and one ambivalent. CanI assume that all the asymmetric necks have been similar to the third one in the top row of the diagrams above? What actually do you like about them?

[quote name='Lfalex v1.1' timestamp='1378904743' post='2206289'] And,as you say, it probably isn't a massive degree of asymmetry. [/quote] Here you go: [attachment=143529:Asymmetric-neck-shapes-3.png] And it may be applied along the neck thus: [attachment=143531:Asymmetric-neck-shapes-1.png] Gibsons have used this for years.

[quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1378903392' post='2206262'] If the force was the same on each string and the neck thinner on one side than the other, then it should twist slightly unless the neck was strengthened especially to compensate for it (e.g. by moving the truss rod slightly towards the thinner end, or using a dual truss rod). But perhaps it's just by such a small amount it's inperceptible to the naked eye. [/quote] But that would apply to any neck, asymmetric or not, wouldn't it? Certainly movements imperceptible to the eye may be more noticeable to the fingers.

[quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1378896852' post='2206137'] I can't help thinking that the neck would twist slightly under string tension with an asymmetric design? [/quote] Can't understand why? The strings don't have the same tension from G to E anyway and I hope necks aren't as flimsy as all that. Also the strings are pulling straight along the length rather than pulling at an angle across.

[quote name='NJE' timestamp='1378893894' post='2206078'] My Roscoe Beck has an asymmetric neck and I only really find it a subtle difference. Its nice, I think it fits the hand better especially with a 5 string bass but I could live without it. Are you thinking about buying a bass with a asymmetric neck? [/quote] Yes, well having one made (Ruach). He's offered it as an option and I really like the idea but never played one. I like slim (back to front) necks and and found it a little odd that the thicker part was on the E side. Thanks andydyne, why not for 4 strings (the new bass will be a 4 string)? Do you play with your thumb on the back of the neck?

Anyone got an asymmetric neck? Like it? Hate it? Didn't notice it? What's you experience?

Only consciously for odd bits here and when I need to come back in after gaps or a particular drum bit where he plays consecutive linears and I lose track. I'm the one who has to count repeats for the band though (outros etc) so i'm versed in 1234,2234,3234,4234 etc

Interesting thread. Often thought about it myself, mainly the setting up/sound checking reasons. But as one who rarely plays on a large stage (and if I do, don't stray too far from where I hear bass) and who likes to keep things as simple as poss, It's not been sold to me, especially by people who have a set but still use a lead.