discreet

[quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1458835352' post='3011391'] This just reminded me of another thread, it's more likely hydro-dipping than the old Fotoflame technique... [/quote] This from D Konig, I hope he doesn't mind me reproducing it here: "The finish is in fact a craft paper which is glued to the primed bass body then sealed with many coats of nitrocellulose lacquer. This gives it a high-gloss, hard-wearing finish. The process of gluing the paper does add a certain amount of texture to the finish so it is not as glass-like as a painted finish, but the slight texture only adds to the snake effect in my opinion." So there you have it.

[quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1458834598' post='3011377'] I guess they are photo laminates like the old MIJ Fender Fotoflame basses, so it could be pretty much anything that could be printed. [/quote] I guessed that, too.

The grain and figuring on both neck and body are truly remarkable. Nice job.

[quote name='ahpook' timestamp='1458774085' post='3010882'] No, but I jammed with a drunk wasp once. [/quote]

[quote name='KevB' timestamp='1458812283' post='3011049'] ...on the actual night we played 6 or 7 from the list and the rest of the gig was me desperately trying to see what the gtr player was doing so I could busk something over the songs he'd decided to do which weren't on the list, and it was 2 x 1 hr slots [/quote] This really boils my piss. Absolutely hate being expected to 'play' songs I don't know on the whim of some asshole singer or guitarist when on stage. Shows complete lack of respect for everyone and puts you in a very difficult position. If it happens now I just sit it out, I don't care if I don't get any more work with that outfit, if they think that's normal, professional procedure they can f*** right off. No doubt I'll get a load of replies such as, 'ooh, you should be able to busk it, la-la-la, I never know half the set when I play.' etc. That may be OK for you, but I like to be well-rehearsed, or at the very least have a basic working knowledge of a song. Saying that 'it doesn't matter, no-one will notice' is no way to carry on, imho. Rubbish!

[quote name='Roland Rock' timestamp='1458779843' post='3010898'] ...sit down and work out the parts by ear. By the end of the week they should be pretty much under my belt. [/quote] This. I can't be doing with charts or tabs or bits of paper of any kind. Just listening, learning and playing.

[quote name='YouMa' timestamp='1458763621' post='3010698'] ...you will need seperate vsts to get a pro sound in my opinion. [/quote] +1. I recommend PSP Audio VintageWarmer II.

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1458759608' post='3010631'] That's one of the things mastering is for. [/quote] +1. But don't overdo it (see 'Loudness War').

Fantastic. Just goes to show that you don't need a digital 48-track recorder and a 72-channel automated desk.

[quote name='paul h' timestamp='1458735345' post='3010278'] It does look the nuts. Would suit my country band rather well too [/quote] I'll find out if it suits my country band this evening at rehearsal. I think it might, especially with La Bellas fitted. [quote name='Beer of the Bass' timestamp='1458737685' post='3010318'] ...what if I picked up the HB 5-string Stingray copy and made a proper 2-band preamp for it? [/quote] I think there's a good chance you'd have a halfway decent 5-string active Stingray-a-like for not very much cash. I'm not helping much, am I..?

[quote name='cheddatom' timestamp='1458736946' post='3010307'] yeh but that was more to do with my awful sense of humour and love of smelly food [/quote]

[quote name='rogerstodge' timestamp='1458738567' post='3010333'] snurgler?? Isn't that a chap that enjoys sniffing the odd bicycle seat? [/quote] No, he enjoys sniffing the normal bicycle seat.

[quote name='mcnach' timestamp='1458733935' post='3010253'] Looks and sounds fantastic! If they came with that lovely tint, my debit card would be already in danger of being utilised. [/quote] Thank you, sir... my latest plan is to do one more P and then have a go at a HB Jazz/Precision neck swap (where I get to keep the Jazz with a P neck - as you know I don't get on with J necks but like the J sound)...

[quote name='cheddatom' timestamp='1458733209' post='3010244'] I used to want to be able to play really fast so I practised a three finger technique on my right hand while at work for a couple of years. It worked but now I have no desire to play that fast any more. [/quote] ...and you annoyed the crap out of your colleagues for a couple of years.

If the guitarist can't make five out of twelve gigs it really makes me wonder what his reasons for not doing them are. I bet they're pathetic. The great thing about the outfit I'm with at the moment is that everyone prioritises the band - and so far there has only been one cancellation - due to bereavement, which is fair enough, imho. Otherwise the band comes first, which is why we're gigging on Saturday, Sunday and Monday this weekend.

[quote name='neepheid' timestamp='1458729834' post='3010186'] If I don't like the strings which are on it, I change 'em. If the setup's not right, I set it up to my liking. There's no point complaining - factories churn these instruments out and a final setup would impact negatively on the price. [/quote] +1 Agreed, doing your own set-up should be a minimum requirement for a bass player - if you have to play a bass as it is straight from the factory you are going to be severely disadvantaged. The first thing I do when I get a new (or different) bass is to change the strings and adjust intonation and action. If necessary I'll shim the neck, too. These simple adjustments make such a huge difference to sound and playability.

[quote name='Chienmortbb' timestamp='1458383963' post='3007108'] If you use the really thin jigsaw blades and take care, a jigsaw will be fine. Most people use the wide blades and they do not turn easily. [/quote] [quote name='darren' timestamp='1458563915' post='3008564'] Thanks! I'll do that. [/quote] +1 Great advice, for my next attempt I'll do that too and try to get much closer to the headstock shape before sanding. [quote name='Chienmortbb' timestamp='1458384128' post='3007109'] A wise choice. A pickup is only a coil of wire around a magnet, no matter how much fairy dust you sprinkle on it. [/quote] +1 I've heard nothing so far that makes me want to spend fifty-odd quid to swap out the stock single-coil Wilkinson. It's a good pickup. A second HB PB-50 on order! Going for a body refin this time... HB PB-50 Mod v2.0 will be posted in due course.

[quote name='karlfer' timestamp='1458687042' post='3009964'] I would be smiling if I had a Chris [/quote] That's not a Chris, it's a Rickenbacker. Ha!

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1458686409' post='3009952'] What if you decide the character is a miserable bastard? [/quote] Yes, my character is a shabby middle-aged man with high blood pressure. He is a snurgler.

[quote name='BassBunny' timestamp='1458418665' post='3007552'] ...we would all be playing P Basses through Ampeg Flip Tops and nothing else would exist. [/quote] What a happy thought.

[quote name='Rick's Fine '52' timestamp='1458674005' post='3009764'] Always welcome Mark, although despite its name, I've never heard it called oop north!! [/quote] Fantastic, thanks very much. Well it's not really oop north, but it's oop north from where I am (dahn sarf).

Wow, that is really something. Perhaps I could make the trip oop north and see it in the flesh sometime? Absolutely fantastic, a real piece of Fender history... like your rug.

Bit late to this but another vote for La Bellas and Fender 9050. Both are very smooth and lovely. The Fenders are half the price of the La Bellas, though I will always go for La Bellas whenever possible. They just get better and better the more you play them.