Ralf1e

Yes hacksaw looks like the way to go

All of the above. Routers along with planers are probably the most dangerous tools in the shop and when they bite they run away very quickly.

I would think about how your sound is represented to the mix. Do you use backline or monitors and everything through P A? If so is that P A digital with saved presets for the mix with each instruments settings saved to that preset or set of presets. i.e. Walk through the door set up the gear and have a good idea what the venue will need and have a selection of preset mixes to choose from. If so you need to consider what effect the different bass will have on the overall sound of the band. Who does the mixing? Will they be fazed by having to get their head around a different bass and the settings that might need? If we look into the recording sections we can get a good idea of how sound engineers can get stuck into a rut with their favorite bass to record. P bass or Jazz etc. I know we are not talking about recording here but someone has to fly that mixing desk if you are a pro working band. It maybe a good idea to talk to them first before you jump in and cause an unexpected problem. Sorry to be so long winded but if you don't anticipate problems they have a bigger chance to bite you in the chuff. It should never be a problem but people are strange at change.

I think a clear wipe on poly or similar will allow it to keep the brightness whereas the finishing oil is already a darker light brown colour straight from the tin.

I just peeled of a bit with a vegetable peeler and rubbed the root straight on. If the surface of the root dried out a bit taking another slice off to get a fresh surface to rub the juice out of. I have now done two coats of finishing oil and its looking good so far. The oil has just tamed the brightness down a bit as expected. I am happy with how its going especially for a Bitza project. While its apart the next step is to graphite paint the cavities. I usually use copper tape but this time bought some Rustings paint for the job to see how that goes

So you admit you secretly Frank Sinatra 😂

I measure at the 12 fret as well 2-2.50mm on the 4th or 5th string 1.5-2mm on the 1st string. If I can't get that lower figure I investigate until I do. One point, I don't play hard. Others might find that too low

Welcome TC Have a great time here. I too have been bitten by the P and the J bug just this last year after saying I would never own a fender. Funny how wrong you can be at times

Fancied something to play with so was looking for something to provide a fun fretless having been getting back into fretless after many years. I found a bitza fretless on BC that fitted the bill a short while ago for £60. Vintage Icon fretless jazz neck fitted to an unknown knocked about bright red body. I expected fun and games and was not disappointed. The string saddles were at maximum height and the action was fit to use as a wire slide but it was all wrong. Having taken it apart I was able to turn to the USA Jazz I recently bought for advice. Comparing measurements of body thickness, neck pocket, neck, fretboard height, string saddles, etc of the two it indicated that the neck was going to need a 2mm shim adding to it's heel to achieve a playable angle as close as possible to the USA Jazz. Pictures of that I need to get from here somewhere as I took some for another thead they are not on this tablet. Turning to the body. It has been sanded right back. Using a random orbit sander with dust extraction. Followed by hand sanding or scrapping all the little nagery curvey bits and as of yesterday now stained. I wanted to keep the grain showing but not have the stark white fresh timber look. So to yellow it down somewhat to match the headstock a little experiment had to happen. Enter fresh Turmeric root. The pieces used cost about 50 pence! My experiment to use natural colour rather than stains from a bottle. I expected it to get duller as it dried but it actually dried brighter. It looks drastic at first but I am sure the finishing oil is going to tone it down a bit. More to come later Test sample

Sorry to be honest but I cant see the value especially when the string retainer holes are cut at least 2mm out of line. Cheap hype. Necks not in line with the body either. That's what you get if you are not OCD.

So great to see this thread this morning. My first ubas was a Kala Rumbler which I have never been able to get an even sound level across the strings with despite trying several different sets. Then I got my sticky little mitts on a Kala SUB 5 string that has a neck repair for silly low money. They even put a set of pyramid metal wound strings on it for me as I said if the thing stays in tune with those strings on I would buy it. They tried it out left it overnight, reported back to me it was good. Job done they shipped it to me from Germany complete with the expensive strings still on it. It does sound better with the original strings for anyone thinking about it. The metal wound strings don't generate enough downforce to make the piezio give off enough volume. Didn't on mine anyway. Finally the hero of my baby basses is a hollow body, similar to the rumbler sold under the Donner brand for about £130. Theft they cried! Sorry I didn't set the price, they did and I recently found out they had dropped it from the range. It is the best sounding and best playing of the 3 by far although I had to do the dissect the bridge and separate the segments trick to get equal down pressure of the strings to get nice even volume across all the strings. (Not tried that on the Rumbler? The bridge is made differently) It might not look as fancy but it does the job best for me. Photos later it's still dark.

I like the rounds but have never tried the flats. I never had any rust issues either but have had them take on a slightly blackened appearance. I will have to try the flats.👍

Used Andertons for a long time and only one problem was when the online system quoted a bass amp as in stock that they didn't have. Having bought it for next day delivery it didn't go down to well when they said they had to check stock with their suppliers who it turned out didn't have it either. Bottom line was there would be fresh supplies it about two months. I took the refund and bought it from a shop in Yorkshire who did have it and got it to me the next day. Moral is computer systems only believe what they are told and pass the problem on.

Couldn't you just do more eggs so you got them as you like them? The left over ones could have be saved to throw at some politicians in the future🤣

I think you are asking too much but try Gimp massive amounts of stuff hidden in there

That brass screamed yes to me straight away although I confess I didn't consider the weight potential

I have used them and they are ok I think they were what is called half ground by either Rotosound or Ernie Ball. I swapped them back out because they seem to drag on the fingers despite the smooth ground surface. For my fretless I use Rotosound TRU BASS Had them for over 20 years but not played them very often Still in good condition and still have a good sound They cost a lot more now though

You forgot BT Before they were sold for next to nothing to those in the know who could get the shares they were the biggest asset owning company in the world because all the profit was constantly reinvested. After the asset stripping they still have to find profit for the shareholders with sod all reinvestment.

It's a shame they didn't send a replacement so you could just use that packaging to send the dodgy one back. Would have saved you £15. I understand why they don't though, because a lot of buyers would just keep both. Glad to hear they got you sorted. They will most likely put out the one you returned on the B stock list.

Never mind the basses you haven't shared out the red wine yet. Hope it's a Malbec. Virtual tasting session everyone get out your virtual glasses. Slurp slurp

HB 35 in Lemondrop built in Vietnam. Allegedly most of the other colours were built in China and are not as good a quality. The quality, sound, tone etc are good. It is the most uncomfortable guitar I own and that makes the heroes that like this style of guitar just that.

OOOHHH That's not fair on poor old fender he says having 3 G&L's. Well they are like buses I bought all 3 within this last year. oops 🤣

We are a very conservative bunch in general and prefer to stick to what we know and I don't mean designs I mean makers. i.e. best fake Fender (home grown) Squier I know there are a lot of far better fake Fenders but it takes years to win us over to something new. Not just us all musicians

Welcome from Bucks.