4 Strings

[quote name='waynepunkdude' timestamp='1378851261' post='2205708'] I think you must have my old one then. [/quote] I believe I do! I tried to repair it, rather shamedly buying one of the last output sections from Ashdown (who were very helpful) but it didn't do the trick. I used it as a rehearsal amp for a while, until my Streamliner arrived. Still gets the most use though, being permanently plugged in as my home practice amp. Shame they have proved to be unreliable, its a good sounding and useful little amp. I wonder if they sold a lot of Mibass amps?

Couldn't help but wonder if anyone following this thread would find anything interesting here: http://www.matamp.co.uk/pdfs/Clearance.pdf I'd love a go at the 400W bass amp!

I'm a fan, I'm afraid. Been introduced to plenty of bands watching that show. Been bored by as many, but I love watching live music. Lots of suggestions to improve it beyond the 'we've got a new album out and out management booked us onto Jools' format it appears to be, but I still watch it and would hate for it to end. Maybe it needs an injection of new blood from someone to take it to the next level as Clarkson did to the safe and dull Top Gear.

[quote name='Norris' timestamp='1378814724' post='2204900'] Last bass I bought; Me: "I'm going to start saving my gig money. I've seen a lovely looking bass at a reasonable price. I hope I can find a similar one in a year or so's time when I've saved enough" Mrs: "Another one? You have enough already" Me: "I'll get rid of the Jazz to put towards it. I haven't played it in ages and am unlikely to" ... wait for a day or two... Me: "Here's that bass on basschat. Looks nice doesn't it? Here are some others that are WAY more expensive - it really is a bargain" Mrs: " A Rickenbacker? You've wanted one of those for ages. I don't know why you bought that Thunderbird instead of getting a Ric" Me: "Rickenbackers are a lot more expensive than Thunderbirds" Mrs: "Well, I suppose if you're selling the Jazz to go towards it..." Me: "Trouble is, it's a buyers' market at the moment. Nobody has any money. Prices are way down - which is why the Ric is so cheap" Mrs: "Where is it?" ... etc. By which point it's in the bag [/quote] I read the last line as "..pointing; 'It's in that bag'."!

[quote name='SpaceChick' timestamp='1378517663' post='2201469'] It's not just wives.... Husbands can be equally troublesome I found this approach worked well for me just a week ago.... Me "Darling, would you like to come on a roadtrip to the midlands with me tomorrow" Him "Why are you going to the Midlands?" Me "I'm meeting a bloke off Basschat as I'm buying a bass off him" Him "Not another bass!!!" (slightly pissed off tone of voice) Me "Yes, but I'm selling two" Him "Oh, OK then" Me "So do you want to come?" Him "No thanks, got too much to do down the allotment" [/quote] Wouldn't work the other way round here: Me "Darling, would you like to come on a roadtrip to the midlands with me tomorrow" Her "Why are you going to the Midlands?" Me "I'm meeting a woman off Basschat as I'm buying a bass off her" Her "Who is she?" (slightly pissed off tone of voice) Me "Just a woman selling a bass" Her "Right, I'm coming" Me "Don't you have things to do at the allotment?" Her "Definitely not!" Followed by a silent car journey to the Midlands and one of the poorest buying experiences imaginable

Another vote for Jaydee here. (Biased though as I never liked the Steinbergers and was always disappointed to see an admired player use one!)

[quote name='Junkyard Rocket' timestamp='1378596432' post='2202348'] I practice at home, but the band gets together to rehearse once a week in a little studio in Croydon. Anyone using rehearsal time to practice gets a Paddington Bear hard stare from one or more of the other band members. [/quote] Yes, amen to that! Learn the stuff as homework, rehearsal being to rehearse what you've learnt as a band.

In a tiny Baptist church, our 'rent' is to perform for them twice a year.

[quote name='EliasMooseblaster' timestamp='1378482055' post='2201005'] I would love to know more about some of the old models of Laney. It seems that various enthusiasts have documented just about everything Jim Marshall's company ever turned out, but there doesn't seem to be any equivalent for Laney. [/quote] See what you can find here: http://www.laney-posse.co.uk/theposse/viewforum.php?f=7

[quote name='rk7' timestamp='1378480227' post='2200966'] As you will know, when basses are made this way, there is a chunk of wood cut out of the back of the neck. The guys at OW make these off-cuts into chopping boards! Really! I have one, but its way too nice to chop stuff on. [/quote] In the first pic in post 38, to one side you can see the bit cut from the back of the neck. I thought maybe someone's fingerboard in the future, but maybe I'll claim it for a baguette board!

[quote name='thebassman' timestamp='1378384196' post='2199438'] Because we all love a good [s]argument[/s], sorry i mean discussion. cheers thebassman [/quote] No we don't

[quote name='Blind Lemon' timestamp='1377812506' post='2192378'] Some pics as promised. would like to know more about this amp sound reliability etc, any one ever used one or maybe you still are? [attachment=142644:IMAG0237.jpg] [attachment=142645:IMAG0238.jpg] [attachment=142646:IMAG0239.jpg] [/quote] Certainly a proper valve amp. Are we sure its a Laney?

Here's the headstock drawn on the wood (complete with unavoidable knot! Who knows, maybe once the headstock has been cut to be laid back it might disappear) [URL=http://s1341.photobucket.com/user/4Strings1/media/Ruach%20Utility%20Bass/IMG_3447-3_zpscc2c66cf.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/o760/4Strings1/Ruach%20Utility%20Bass/IMG_3447-3_zpscc2c66cf.jpg[/IMG][/URL] I noticed rk7's headstock is also laid back. Can't really understand why builders of custom or otherwise expensive basses would choose a Fender type headstock which has merely been made thinner and then needs string trees to get the string angle over the nut. I can understand why Fender choose it for heir mass produced basses as you can have a thinner piece of wood and its more easily shaped. (I keep looking at this bit of wood!)

[quote name='Myke' timestamp='1378471709' post='2200815'] I really like the last Gotoh. What are they? The grain on that neck is lovely!! [/quote] These are they:http://www.g-gotoh.com/international/?btp_product=gb11w Actually my favourite, just so different to the D Xtender thing The neck blank is quarter sawn which means the ripples are on full view. Saw Guthrie Govan last night (breathtaking as usual!) and his guitar neck was something similar, clearly quarter sawn too, but with a nice (although more subtle) ripple. Probably wouldn't have noticed but for this project!

Heath had sent as set of progress pics showing a start being made on the neck. Firstly with a frighteningly deep truss rod rout (to within 7mm of the fret board): [URL=http://s1341.photobucket.com/user/4Strings1/media/Ruach%20Utility%20Bass/IMG_3450-4_zps90637421.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/o760/4Strings1/Ruach%20Utility%20Bass/IMG_3450-4_zps90637421.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Then with rod fixed and walnut skunk stripe inserted to put the strength back in: [URL=http://s1341.photobucket.com/user/4Strings1/media/Ruach%20Utility%20Bass/IMG_3452_zps1ef3ba4a.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/o760/4Strings1/Ruach%20Utility%20Bass/IMG_3452_zps1ef3ba4a.jpg[/IMG][/URL] and a clue to the final back of neck: [URL=http://s1341.photobucket.com/user/4Strings1/media/Ruach%20Utility%20Bass/IMG_3451-3_zpsc9e3d174.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/o760/4Strings1/Ruach%20Utility%20Bass/IMG_3451-3_zpsc9e3d174.jpg[/IMG][/URL] I keep saying it, this neck is, for me, the most important and exciting part of the project!

[quote name='rubis' timestamp='1378406949' post='2199924'] I think a set of Gotoh 510 tuners would look great with your headstock design [attachment=143135:0836-10.jpg][attachment=143136:original.jpg] [/quote] They certainly look nice on that headstock. The current headstock design is quite a bit bigger, and I quite like the agricultural look of the traditional Kluson sort. [URL=http://s1341.photobucket.com/user/4Strings1/media/Ruach%20Utility%20Bass/IMG_3448-3_zpsef8820a9.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/o760/4Strings1/Ruach%20Utility%20Bass/IMG_3448-3_zpsef8820a9.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Assuming the Rubners aren't going to happen, the default choice (as they will be the same screw holes and perfect match for the D Xtender) will be Hipshot: [url="http://s1341.photobucket.com/user/4Strings1/media/Hipshottuner_zpsddce5fe9.jpg.html"][/url] with these Gotohs as an option: [url="http://s1341.photobucket.com/user/4Strings1/media/GotohTuner_zps5ab9bee6.jpg.html"][/url] and, a bit different, these also by Gotoh: [url="http://s1341.photobucket.com/user/4Strings1/media/GotohTuner2_zps68baaa7d.jpg.html"][/url] The Gotohs look really nicely made and the bush screws into the tuner keep it all tight, and even has a friction adjustment.

[quote name='rk7' timestamp='1378362513' post='2199046'] Its early in the day, but I'm thinking of something like the legs of a cymbal stand. Not a tripod of course, but a single leg each side of the neck on the back of the bass? And made of wood. And with witchcraft. N'that. As I said, its early. zzzzz Btw, 4strings, theres a build thread on here for my bass, also it will be at the NE Bass Bash this weekend. Time for a nap! RK [/quote] Thanks RK, I found it, that's a very nice choice of, well everything! Great read too! Is the finish a matt lacquer?

Great build, beautiful bass, nice choices! Would love to hear it.

No idea, but I am too. Last effort then. I had thought of a proper rubber cover for both ends of the bass, to protect etc, but decided I'd like it less than a few digs in the wood.

[quote name='owen' timestamp='1378325630' post='2198754'] How about 2 strap buttons at the bottom which will then create a stable surface to lean it against anything? [/quote] Nice and simple, unfortunately not so good with strap locks and may slip on a hard surface. Keeping with it, a couple of rubber feet, not so elegant, but would work, if the strap button could be solved. I'd like to pursue not leaning against things first though.

I have a charity gig in East London on Saturday, any use?

[quote name='rk7' timestamp='1377329633' post='2186216'] What an interesting project! I recently had a bass commissioned, and it cost an arm and a leg, but at the time (through selling other things) I had a spare arm and leg so it was all good. It really is a great experience. Whilst this bass is being built to your specific budget, it still meets every requirement you have and that's the beauty of it. Great build! I'm also fascinated by the built-in stand concept. Such a simple idea, but potentially could be a huge development in bass design. Best wishes with the build, enjoy every minute! Subscribed RK [/quote] Thanks RK, would love to see the bass you had made! Regarding the stand, thanks for the encouragement, I'd really like to go for it. I feel that anything taking wood from the centre line of the body may have an effect on the sound, rigidity etc so I've had to drag my mind away from a 'A' shape that swings out with a hinge up near the neck joint. I'm now wondering about an 'L' shape (with a curvy bottom) which swings out sideways from a hinge offset to near the edge. If it was near the top edge it would naturally want to lie flat in use (if you see what I mean). Whatever the design, it will need to be recessed to leave the back flat and also cause no rattle or sympathetic resonances when playing but be quick and easy to use without flapping about. No news can be bad news, in that a bit of communication with Rubners about some special has come to a standstill. Looks like Hipshot or Gotoh after all. Other news also not so good in that John East uses spindles as standard which are longer than required for the detailed measurements of this project. He'll do shorter ones as a special but may take some time to get round to them. Heath is playing with dimensions to try and make the longer ones fit. Pups, I think I'm pretty settled on a MM type near the bridge and a P type single coil in the P position. Hopefully we can get the P type to either match the MM case or maybe a J type case would look neat. I still really love the simplicity of a single pup but will probably go for two, without the plug in option. Still can't make up my mind about the scratchplate. If I have one Heath will use the space under it to extend the neck joint to be super rigid with a massive contact area. In the name of Utility and performance I should do this, I just love the simplicity of those G&Ls! Heath said he'd send me some pics of the neck in progress. Can't wait! One of the good parts about buying a bass this way is the neck can be shaped as I want it, and, as it will be a waxed/oiled finished I can have it reshaped if needed (albeit in one direction only!) I find this a very important feature.

900 here, no looking back. Silly power to weight ratio and great sound, if you like warm - which I do! When you've worked your way round it, if you find the distortion comes in too soon (as many have) have a look at this thread, made a huge difference to how useful the amp is to me. http://basschat.co.uk/topic/191375-new-valves-for-genz-streamliner-any-experience

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1378254149' post='2197855'] So if you're just dabbling go with a class D... and if you're a pro go with a big valve amp..? [size=4] [/size] [/quote] The other way round. If you're dabbling, big amps are fine, if you need to be playing a lot and therefore shifting your gear a lot, the little stuff is life changing. Actually, my littl'un has a Class A valve preamp and a Class D power amp.

[quote name='Count Bassy' timestamp='1378298183' post='2198274'] Go on then. [/quote] The old water analogy. Volts is pressure and amps is volume. You can't have water pressure with no water volume, nor can you have any volume flow with zero pressure.