No love for the bottom?

[peskypesky]

I've actually been playing more bass than guitar these days - I got a bass because I wanted to be able to make better demos, then I figured I should actually take some lessons so I could do it right, then I got a better bass, now I need a better amp...!

Epiphone Thunderbird:
Thunderbird.jpg

Fender Jazz Bass Special (which I have since been restoring to something closer to stock condition):
Fender Jazz Bass Special front.jpg

the Epiphone Thunderbird bass is beeautiful and punches above its weight. Love it.

[Open G]

I love playing bass. At open mics and jams there are always lots of guitars but few bass players. I pick up the bass and jam all night with strangers sometimes.

[Mossman]

What the what?? I didn't even notice there was a bass forum here until now!

[Mossman]

Pron...

Mossbuilt Fender '57 Precision Jazz - Body is Fender Japan (MIJ) '57 RI in CAR w/ aluminum PG - Neck is a '60s spec Allparts Jazz Bass neck ambered and finished in Tru-Oil - Pickup is EMG GZR (best P-Bass pickup ever, IMO).

I call this one the "War Hammer". Ash body from an SX Ursa 2 Hum. Originally had a Musicman style humbucker at the bridge and a Jazz Bass single-coil in the neck position. I don't like single coils and humbuckers together, so I routed the neck position for another humbucker, added a Leo Quan Badass II bridge, pickguard is by our own @rmfroyd (hey where is he?? I thought I saw Ryan here?) and the neck is from a Squier VM '70s Jazz. The pickups are GFS (ceramic at the bridge, A5 at the neck). I tried a BUNCH of different pickups in this bass before I was satisfied. I like the GFSs better than the Seymour Duncans. This is without a doubt the growliest, meanest, angriest, bass I've ever heard, let alone played. But it's also articulate and well defined, and has high output without sounding wooly or muddy. Of course, I'm using 1meg pots and .1 caps to keep that clarity.

The neck came with the Squier logo scratched off, so I refinished the whole neck (except the fretboard) and put a '70s Fender decal on it... Just for the aesthetic. I always liked the '70s Jazz bass logo, and this thing screams '70s Jazz Bass. Or rather, the bass that Leo would have made if he never sold Fender and started Musicman.

Mo pics to come!

[dabbler]

The 4 stringer in this pic was my first JM pup bass. I learned that I'm really a JJ kinda guy, although there are usable tones as delivered, so I modded it with switchpots so I could choose either of the coils from the M or both coils in series or parallel. AND I can put whatever I choose from the M in series or parallel with the J (actually, I do a series/parallel mod on all of my player Js). VERY versatile axe!

[ID10t]

...by our own @rmfroyd (hey where is he?? I thought I saw Ryan here?)

Ryan is here, changed his handle to Floridian FX even though we still can't get pickgaurds or pedals.

[Mossman]

...by our own @rmfroyd (hey where is he?? I thought I saw Ryan here?)

Ryan is here, changed his handle to Floridian FX even though we still can't get pickgaurds or pedals.

Haha! Yeah, I remembered that after I posted, but I was too tired to go back and correct myself... I also hoped that maybe that meant he was back in bidness, but now, my hopes are dashed! I wanted to replace that tort PG on the War Hammer with a black one.

[Mossman]

I'll be re-posting the thread about this bass' transformation soon. A lot of people seemed to dig it (both here and on TalkBass). Everybody loves the Beatle Bass!

A couple without the pickguard... I don't know which look I like better.

Aaaaaand the headstock:

[Mossman]

Here's two basses that I didn't like, and don't own anymore, but I always thought these photos looked good, so I thought I'd post them for your aesthetic enjoyment. The Jazz Bass is an MIM that I bought in '98, and I tried everything I could to get it to sound like something I could get excited about, but it continued to sound boring. I put a Badass bridge on it and replaced the boring, stock, ceramic pickups with Bartolinis, which were the only kind of aftermarket pickups you could get for a '90s MIM Jazz Bass (the pickups were both the same width, while USA Fenders had/have a wider pickup at the bridge). I had to order them directly from the manufacturer and wait six months for the pickups to arrive (they had to make some), and they sounded just as bland as the stock pickups. I mean, they sounded good, but they didn't have that growl that a Jazz Bass is supposed to have. I always described them as sounding very "polite".

I also swapped out the chrome hardware for gold, upgraded the tuners, and replaced the stark white PG with a cream pearloid one.

I held on to that bass for a long time... Like 15 years, I think. Even after I bought an American Standard. I could just never give up on it. Other people seemed to like it more than I did, so maybe it was just me. A bassist friend who's band I ran sound for when I was living in Arizona always used to ask me to bring it to the gig so he could play it on stage... And that was before I had done a single mod to it. I eventually sold it for less money than I should have, because I got a call to be in a "reality" TV show in Oklahoma (that never came to fruition), and I needed some traveling money. The kid who bought it acted like he was stealing it.

The Rickenbacker was the culmination of a life-long dream fueled by hero worship and nostalgia, that ended in disappointment and heartbreak. Some of you have heard me rant about Rickenbacker before, and I don't really have the gumption to get into it right now, so I'll spare you all of that, but they sure are purty aren't they!

[dabbler]

I'll be re-posting the thread about this bass' transformation soon. A lot of people seemed to dig it (both here and on TalkBass). Everybody loves the Beatle Bass!

BBF5.jpg

BBF3.jpg

A couple without the pickguard... I don't know which look I like better.

BB36.jpg

BB34.jpg

Aaaaaand the headstock:

BBF4.jpg

I look forward to the re-post. Though not main players for me, Beatle basses definitely handle their turf well.

[glasshand]

[mention]Mossman[/mention] , that's a gorgeous Rickenbacker, although I agree that I hear a lot of mixed reviews about them. I'm a little sore about Rick basses because a while back, I had an opportunity to get a great deal on a used one. It had a lot of road wear, but it just had character out the wazoo...and then at the very last minute, seriously about 20 minutes before I was going to pick it up, the seller changed his mind about selling it.

I'm happy with what I ended up with, but really nothing has attitude like a Rick...

[Mossman]

I look forward to the re-post. Though not main players for me, Beatle basses definitely handle their turf well.

I've thought about buying a Beatle bass from Rondo on a few occasions (either a Douglas, or Brice), but I owned an Epiphone Viola, and I couldn't see the point in owning two Hofner copies. Though the Viola is nowhere near a Hofner in construction (not even semi-hollow), nor in tone or general vibe, to be honest... And the body shape is different. I eventually sold it, and by the time I was interested in getting a Beatle bass again the Rogue came to my attention. I liked that the headstock was shaped like a Hofner headstock, and the fact that it was on sale for $99. And I think Kurt had already started losing interest in selling basses by then. Have you looked at the bass section in the last couple of years? Last time I looked, there were 28 different kinds of bass ukuleles, but only ONE bass guitar! I mean really? Is there THAT much demand for bass ukulele? Is that what all the kids are nuts about these days?

[Mossman]

@Mossman , that's a gorgeous Rickenbacker, although I agree that I hear a lot of mixed reviews about them. I'm a little sore about Rick basses because a while back, I had an opportunity to get a great deal on a used one. It had a lot of road wear, but it just had character out the wazoo...and then at the very last minute, seriously about 20 minutes before I was going to pick it up, the seller changed his mind about selling it.

I'm happy with what I ended up with, but really nothing has attitude like a Rick...

Yeah, Rickenbackers are kind of a "love or hate" situation. They're polarizing... You never hear anyone say: "Yeah, they're alright, I kinda like them". You either hate 'em like a fungus, or you revere them like a work of renaissance art.

The 4001/3 has a lot of design and technical issues that I wish Rickenbacker would address, but they doggedly insist on standing by the mistakes of their past in the name of "tradition". Even if they did miraculously remedy all of my objective sticking points; on an ergonomic level, I just find them uncomfortable to play. I can make a Jazz Bass sound like a Rickenbacker, and I find it a lot more comfortable... I think attitude is in the player, not the instrument.

[dabbler]

I look forward to the re-post. Though not main players for me, Beatle basses definitely handle their turf well.

I've thought about buying a Beatle bass from Rondo on a few occasions (either a Douglas, or Brice), but I owned an Epiphone Viola, and I couldn't see the point in owning two Hofner copies. Though the Viola is nowhere near a Hofner in construction (not even semi-hollow), nor in tone or general vibe, to be honest... And the body shape is different. I eventually sold it, and by the time I was interested in getting a Beatle bass again the Rogue came to my attention. I liked that the headstock was shaped like a Hofner headstock, and the fact that it was on sale for $99. And I think Kurt had already started losing interest in selling basses by then. Have you looked at the bass section in the last couple of years? Last time I looked, there were 28 different kinds of bass ukuleles, but only ONE bass guitar! I mean really? Is there THAT much demand for bass ukulele? Is that what all the kids are nuts about these days?

Yeah, I don't know why he added all those ukes, although I bought one of those too.

I just think his volume has always been in guitars, and so I learned that if he puts up a bass I might want, I'd better JUMP on it, because of it doesn't take off, it won't be back. And it's kinda sad because he has done done nice ones.

[nomadh]

I love playing bass. At open mics and jams there are always lots of guitars but few bass players. I pick up the bass and jam all night with strangers sometimes.

That is a big reason to bass

[nomadh]

I look forward to the re-post. Though not main players for me, Beatle basses definitely handle their turf well.

I've thought about buying a Beatle bass from Rondo on a few occasions (either a Douglas, or Brice), but I owned an Epiphone Viola, and I couldn't see the point in owning two Hofner copies. Though the Viola is nowhere near a Hofner in construction (not even semi-hollow), nor in tone or general vibe, to be honest... And the body shape is different. I eventually sold it, and by the time I was interested in getting a Beatle bass again the Rogue came to my attention. I liked that the headstock was shaped like a Hofner headstock, and the fact that it was on sale for $99. And I think Kurt had already started losing interest in selling basses by then. Have you looked at the bass section in the last couple of years? Last time I looked, there were 28 different kinds of bass ukuleles, but only ONE bass guitar! I mean really? Is there THAT much demand for bass ukulele? Is that what all the kids are nuts about these days?

Yeah, I don't know why he added all those ukes, although I bought one of those too.

I just think his volume has always been in guitars, and so I learned that if he puts up a bass I might want, I'd better JUMP on it, because of it doesn't take off, it won't be back. And it's kinda sad because he has done done nice ones.

IMGP3401a.jpg

IMGP3804a.jpg

Ever seen those epic essex bass threads over at talkbass.com. 7 or 8 of them that went in for hundreds of posts. Fun read and rabid sxers

[Mossman]

I've thought about buying a Beatle bass from Rondo on a few occasions (either a Douglas, or Brice), but I owned an Epiphone Viola, and I couldn't see the point in owning two Hofner copies. Though the Viola is nowhere near a Hofner in construction (not even semi-hollow), nor in tone or general vibe, to be honest... And the body shape is different. I eventually sold it, and by the time I was interested in getting a Beatle bass again the Rogue came to my attention. I liked that the headstock was shaped like a Hofner headstock, and the fact that it was on sale for $99. And I think Kurt had already started losing interest in selling basses by then. Have you looked at the bass section in the last couple of years? Last time I looked, there were 28 different kinds of bass ukuleles, but only ONE bass guitar! I mean really? Is there THAT much demand for bass ukulele? Is that what all the kids are nuts about these days?

Yeah, I don't know why he added all those ukes, although I bought one of those too.

I just think his volume has always been in guitars, and so I learned that if he puts up a bass I might want, I'd better JUMP on it, because of it doesn't take off, it won't be back. And it's kinda sad because he has done done nice ones.

Ever seen those epic essex bass threads over at talkbass.com. 7 or 8 of them that went in for hundreds of posts. Fun read and rabid sxers

I think Dabbler started all those threads on TB.

[dabbler]

Yeah, I don't know why he added all those ukes, although I bought one of those too.

I just think his volume has always been in guitars, and so I learned that if he puts up a bass I might want, I'd better JUMP on it, because of it doesn't take off, it won't be back. And it's kinda sad because he has done done nice ones.

Ever seen those epic essex bass threads over at talkbass.com. 7 or 8 of them that went in for hundreds of posts. Fun read and rabid sxers

I think Dabbler started all those threads on TB.

OK, I didn't start them... but I DID contribute to them!

Luv me some SX.

[nomadh]

Ever seen those epic essex bass threads over at talkbass.com. 7 or 8 of them that went in for hundreds of posts. Fun read and rabid sxers

I think Dabbler started all those threads on TB.

OK, I didn't start them... but I DID contribute to them!

Luv me some SX.

Actually a 5 string j bass was my first rondo purchase along with a 3/4 ash strat. I hated the bass. It had a vibration or overtone or something I hated. My bass player liked it. Another friend didn't notice it playing. I tried strings and a few other things. Kurt offered to return it but i scratched it widening bridge string holes because of course the new strings didn't fit . I eventually sold it instead and the guy who bought it also loved it. The ash mini strat was quite decent but of course I don't play it much. I was so impressed with kurt's customer support I kept buying and never had any issue since.

[Mossman]

I think Dabbler started all those threads on TB.

OK, I didn't start them... but I DID contribute to them!

Luv me some SX.

Actually a 5 string j bass was my first rondo purchase along with a 3/4 ash strat. I hated the bass. It had a vibration or overtone or something I hated. My bass player liked it. Another friend didn't notice it playing. I tried strings and a few other things. Kurt offered to return it but i scratched it widening bridge string holes because of course the new strings didn't fit . I eventually sold it instead and the guy who bought it also loved it. The ash mini strat was quite decent but of course I don't play it much. I was so impressed with kurt's customer support I kept buying and never had any issue since.

The bridge on the first SX bass I bought back in '08 or '09 was an unmitigated piece of garbage. It rattled and buzzed like crazy, and drove me nuts until I put a Badass bridge on it (which was a mandatory mod for all my Fender-style basses back then). However, the bridges on the last two SX basses I bought were actually pretty damn good. Like American Fender quality (not the "High Mass" but the regular bent metal plate kind). I put a Badass on those basses too (I already had them... I used to collect Badass bridges ), but I hung on to the SX bridges to use on future projects.

I am no longer enamored with the Badass.

[nomadh]

OK, I didn't start them... but I DID contribute to them!

Luv me some SX.

Actually a 5 string j bass was my first rondo purchase along with a 3/4 ash strat. I hated the bass. It had a vibration or overtone or something I hated. My bass player liked it. Another friend didn't notice it playing. I tried strings and a few other things. Kurt offered to return it but i scratched it widening bridge string holes because of course the new strings didn't fit . I eventually sold it instead and the guy who bought it also loved it. The ash mini strat was quite decent but of course I don't play it much. I was so impressed with kurt's customer support I kept buying and never had any issue since.

The bridge on the first SX bass I bought back in '08 or '09 was an unmitigated piece of garbage. It rattled and buzzed like crazy, and drove me nuts until I put a Badass bridge on it (which was a mandatory mod for all my Fender-style basses back then). However, the bridges on the last two SX basses I bought were actually pretty damn good. Like American Fender quality (not the "High Mass" but the regular bent metal plate kind). I put a Badass on those basses too (I already had them... I used to collect Badass bridges ), but I hung on to the SX bridges to use on future projects.

I am no longer enamored with the Badass.

Oohh. How many quotes can we nest on this sw?

I suspected the bridge at first so I tried
To really lock it down when plucking. I mostly proved to myself that wasn't the prob. I then suspected the truss rod actually. But I never figured it out. Maybe it's not possible to lock the bridge down enough with those fat strings.

[dabbler]

[
Oohh. How many quotes can we nest on this sw?

I suspected the bridge at first so I tried
To really lock it down when plucking. I mostly proved to myself that wasn't the prob. I then suspected the truss rod actually. But I never figured it out. Maybe it's not possible to lock the bridge down enough with those fat strings.

Not having channels for the height screws at least on the E (or B) and G strings does tend to allow things to move around. So I shimmed my necks so that, when set up for reasonable action, the intonation screws were pretty much parallel with the base of the bridge. For me, that gave enough down force on the saddles to make them pretty much stay put.

Of course, YMMV.

[nomadh]

[
Oohh. How many quotes can we nest on this sw?

I suspected the bridge at first so I tried
To really lock it down when plucking. I mostly proved to myself that wasn't the prob. I then suspected the truss rod actually. But I never figured it out. Maybe it's not possible to lock the bridge down enough with those fat strings.

Not having channels for the height screws at least on the E (or B) and G strings does tend to allow things to move around. So I shimmed my necks so that, when set up for reasonable action, the intonation screws were pretty much parallel with the base of the bridge. For me, that gave enough down force on the saddles to make them pretty much stay put.

Of course, YMMV.

We lost our quote nesting. I guess 4 is the limit?

[nomadh]

OK, I didn't start them... but I DID contribute to them!

Luv me some SX.

Actually a 5 string j bass was my first rondo purchase along with a 3/4 ash strat. I hated the bass. It had a vibration or overtone or something I hated. My bass player liked it. Another friend didn't notice it playing. I tried strings and a few other things. Kurt offered to return it but i scratched it widening bridge string holes because of course the new strings didn't fit . I eventually sold it instead and the guy who bought it also loved it. The ash mini strat was quite decent but of course I don't play it much. I was so impressed with kurt's customer support I kept buying and never had any issue since.

The bridge on the first SX bass I bought back in '08 or '09 was an unmitigated piece of garbage. It rattled and buzzed like crazy, and drove me nuts until I put a Badass bridge on it (which was a mandatory mod for all my Fender-style basses back then). However, the bridges on the last two SX basses I bought were actually pretty damn good. Like American Fender quality (not the "High Mass" but the regular bent metal plate kind). I put a Badass on those basses too (I already had them... I used to collect Badass bridges ), but I hung on to the SX bridges to use on future projects.

I am no longer enamored with the Badass.

Why no on the badass now? I've thought about adding something like that if I get back into bass. My fav bass is my p/j kawai and it has some type of big cast bridge and it is an outstanding bass. Dont remember if its a badass.

[MattFireblade]

Honestly, I think the Gotoh 201 is just as useful as the BadAss bridges. Really, it's more about saddle side movement than the mass of the bridge, tbh.