mr zed

Thanks Coldflows - what a difference a bit of plastic makes eh?

I would have a quiet word with the drummer along the lines of "we're the rhythm section and it's up to us to work together to keep the rest of them reigned in". From what you have said, the band seem to respond to the drums & bass tempo anyway so get the drummer on side and you're 90% there. Also gives you some moral support. I hope it works out for you.

[quote name='kodiakblair' timestamp='1452594354' post='2951364'] Mr Zed That's fantastic,scratchplate was a brilliant idea and brings the bass to life visually. Does anybody believe when you say it was £70 all in ? Answers somewhere between " Aye right !! " and " F... off " most likely. Congratulations on a stunning bass. [/quote] Thanks Kodiakblair - I'm really pleased with the way this has turned out. The bass needed something to break up the white and I was torn between black or tortie for the plate. My wife insisted that black was the right choice so I bowed to her better judgement. Ohhh.... and yes, you're absolutely right, no one can believe what this cost.

Thanks for all your kind comments. It crossed my mind to buy a router to do this and keep it for future jobs but I ended up winging it. I used a 10mm drill bit for the corners of the pickup hole and neck recess then a jigsaw with a fine blade to cut out the shape which worked a treat. I then used some scotchbrite to smooth off the edges then drilled the screw holes. A countersink drill bit was used to sink in the screws but I also used this in a pillar drill we have at work to create the 45 degree bevelled edge by moving the plate around the fixed countersink drill bit (the scratchplate was on a piece of wood). A quick file around the edges to smooth out the shape then a little more scotchbrite to finish it off and done. It would have been easier and neater using a router however I don't know if I'd ever need a router again. Thanks again.

Thanks for the reply's guys. Decided to have a go myself. Cost £17 for the blank scratchplate material & the screws. I think it came out ok. [url="http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/zedsled/media/Harley%20Benton%20B550/Harley%20Benton%20B550%20017_zps0eczs7bu.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/zedsled/media/Harley%20Benton%20B550/Harley%20Benton%20B550%20013_zpshlidowtb.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/zedsled/media/Harley%20Benton%20B550/Harley%20Benton%20B550%20015_zps8sts1mha.jpg.html"][/url]

My white Harley Benton B550 Progressive arrived just before Christmas. Needed a truss rod tweak and now all is good. I have put Schaller Straplocks on and made a scratchplate (which I think improves the looks). Cost so far is £70. Plays nicely and sound great in both passive & active. Very happy. [url="http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/zedsled/media/Harley%20Benton%20B550/Harley%20Benton%20B550%20011_zps4medzlr7.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/zedsled/media/Harley%20Benton%20B550/Harley%20Benton%20B550%20012_zpscevznpwz.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/zedsled/media/Harley%20Benton%20B550/Harley%20Benton%20B550%20013_zpshlidowtb.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/zedsled/media/Harley%20Benton%20B550/Harley%20Benton%20B550%20014_zpssqnr0rol.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/zedsled/media/Harley%20Benton%20B550/Harley%20Benton%20B550%20015_zps8sts1mha.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/zedsled/media/Harley%20Benton%20B550/Harley%20Benton%20B550%20016_zpsokdu81js.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/zedsled/media/Harley%20Benton%20B550/Harley%20Benton%20B550%20017_zps0eczs7bu.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/zedsled/media/Harley%20Benton%20B550/Harley%20Benton%20B550%20018_zpsa62ynfbp.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/zedsled/media/Harley%20Benton%20B550/Harley%20Benton%20B550%20019_zpsybdmij4p.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/zedsled/media/Harley%20Benton%20B550/Harley%20Benton%20B550%20020_zpseiypkgmn.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/zedsled/media/Harley%20Benton%20B550/Harley%20Benton%20B550%20021_zpsy6nzpy39.jpg.html"][/url]

Gasgas - I want an off road motorbike.

Not sure if this is the right place to post this, if not mods please move. I have designed a template for a scratchplate that I want to put onto my newly acquired white Harley Benton Progressive 5 string deko. I have had a quote of £55 to have one made to my template (inc p&p & screws etc). This seems expensive for a bass which cost less than this (£46 in total). The plus points are that it will be professionally done and I won't have to lift a finger. The other option is to have a go myself. 3-ply blank material comes in at less than £15. However I don't have a router to be able to cut a nice 45 degree bevelled edge. I would have to adopt a 'bodge it' approach with a coping saw, files and sand paper. I don't mind doing the work myself and think that I could achieve a reasonable finish however it will probably never look as good as a professionally made plate. Anyone made their own scratchplate without a router and how did it turn out? Should I just stump up the cash? Does £55 sound pricy and does anyone have any recommendations for someone who could do a professional job cheaper? Thanks all.

[quote name='cameltoe' timestamp='1451587535' post='2941731'] A personal thing, but I always find the pickup placement to be a deal breaker on Stingrays. Too far back to be comfortable playing finger style! [/quote] ^^^This^^^ I bought a Stingray and moved it on because I had exactly this issue. I bought a thumb rest but couldn't bring myself to install it as it would have ruined the looks and arguably devalued the bass. The solution was a Stingray HH (or a HS if you're so inclined). Still get the Stingray tone and looks and a whole lot more with the 5 position selector (inc single coils). Fantastic and versatile bass.

I picked up a white Harley Benton Progressive Deko 5 banger for the princely sum of £46 a few days ago inc postage and exchange rate conversion charge from my credit card company. Needed a truss rod tweak to get rid of a fret buzz on the B flat on the E string at the 7th fret and a neck shim to get the string height down but now that's done it plays perfectly. Action is just how I like it. Used it at rehearsal tonight for the first time at any volume and it sounds fantastic. Really pleased. I've designed a scratchplate for it and will get this professionally made so it looks the part. This is likely to cost as much as the bass lol. Really happy. Active 2 band eq with the option to go passive as well. The rest of the band couldn't believe what it cost - they suggested it was a ploy to get it past the wife!

Thanks for the heads-up FuNkShUi - just ordered one of these along with some Schaller straplocks (at just over a tenner). Used my 30 euro voucher that I received from leaving feedback for some other products I bought years ago. So, the gigbag, straplocks and postage totalled up to less that £20. Well happy

[quote name='mr zed' timestamp='1450690290' post='2934818'] Well, it arrived on Saturday. Gave it a good visual inspection - all good, plugged the tuner in and got it in tune, checked the intonation at 12th and 24th frets - perfect. Plugged it into my practice amp and all works fine both passive and active. Even the battery works. The tone in both modes is actually very good. Output from the pups is fine. Action is nice and low. I've left it to settle and it would benefit from a quarter turn on the truss rod which i'll do this evening. Very happy. I'll try it in anger at Wednesday's rehearsal but so far I would be more than happy to gig this. [/quote] So, a quick update. I had a slight buzzing on the A flat on the E string at the 7th fret. Tweaked this out with the truss rod but now the string height is a bit high for my liking at the dusty end of the fretboard. The bridge saddles are as low as they will go so I'm going to shim the neck. Got some Schaller straploocks on order and a new strap so I can swap quickly between my 4 string and my 5 mid gig. I'm also going to design a scratchplate as I think this would add to the looks. Can't decide between tortie or black. Whichever one I go for, it will be 3 ply.

Thanks Wonky2. Just ordered a Levy's leathers MSS3-HNY strap from this very boutique. Reduced from £49 to £24 (plus £4.99 postage). Still less than £30 - result.

A copy of 'how the Fender bass changed the world' from my good lady wife. Fantastic book, a great read. I also thought it was a great book when I got it for Christmas from her last year. Didn't have the heart to tell her! Oh......and I also got socks and under crackers which I shall also play my bass in throughout the year. A gift that keeps on giving!

[quote name='mr zed' timestamp='1450184957' post='2930341'] Just pulled the trigger on the white 5 string progressive and had the confirmation email I'll report back when it arrives - with pics obviously [/quote] Well, it arrived on Saturday. Gave it a good visual inspection - all good, plugged the tuner in and got it in tune, checked the intonation at 12th and 24th frets - perfect. Plugged it into my practice amp and all works fine both passive and active. Even the battery works. The tone in both modes is actually very good. Output from the pups is fine. Action is nice and low. I've left it to settle and it would benefit from a quarter turn on the truss rod which i'll do this evening. Very happy. I'll try it in anger at Wednesday's rehearsal but so far I would be more than happy to gig this.

Well I for one wouldn't be so low as to cause any embarrassment by bumping this.....oh, hang on a minute......!

Just pulled the trigger on the white 5 string progressive and had the confirmation email I'll report back when it arrives - with pics obviously

Looks like George Martin has added some echo.

Thunderbird - as others have said, your 8ohm cab is fine to use with this amp. If you choose to do so, you could also add another 8ohm cab which will give a resistance of 4 ohms (and therefore maximum power from the amp) however this is up to you, you don't have to add another cab, yours will be just fine. If you fancy the amp, go for it - all is well with your cab.

Computer says no.

I've just ordered one of the PJ5's - my first foray into attempting to snag a deco. Now the wait for the confirmation email begins

ADJ dotz TPAR brilliant system. Not the cheapest but you get what you pay for.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1449445857' post='2923669'] +1 Clearly it does not, judging by the amount of orchestras still covering Mozart tunes. [/quote] lol - I hadn't thought of the LSO as being a covers band before. Going to use this whenever anyone that plays originals gets aloof. Re McCartney, the basslines in Something and And your bird can sing are pure genius.

[quote name='Cato' timestamp='1448929157' post='2919402'] Pretty much everything that's been discontinued from the Music Man bass range, especially the Reflex. [/quote] There are some really good deals on Reflex's on the gear4music website at the moment. You can thank me later!

I recorded/watched this and I enjoyed it. I also enjoyed Oil City Confidential. Hope you enjoy the gig tomorrow night Hutton - should be a cracker!