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Major Seven · Jul 22, 2026

micguy said:
I build my own basses - using really good woods and hardware. A bass that has absolutely everything the way you like it is a good thing. I have several of those, that's a very cool thing. That is, when you get right down to it, the whole reason for a custom bass - you can't buy what you really want off the rack; you're particular, you "know" what you want; you have an idea of what your dream bass is.

That said, hear's the rub: It took me a lot of builds to really figure out what I really like and don't like. If you've bought a few basses, and are basing your decision of you ultimate bass on comparing and contrasting a limited set of things, you are almost certain to miss your target on your first custom build. When I missed on a build ("this isn't my thing"), I had options - I like the body, I don't like the neck, I like most of the hardware, but the bridge..... when I missed, I could reuse the parts that I did like, and only change those parts I didn't - I iterated my way to my ideal bass, and each iteration could be done pretty quickly. Yes, I ended up with a pile of parts I didn't use (sold off a few sets of pickups), but compared to buying and selling basses from a custom builder, it was quick and "relatively" inexpensive (good hardware ain't cheap).

When you hire someone to make custom for you and it misses, your options are far more limited - typically you'll sell that one and try again. As the cycles are very long and very expensive, there is a lot of pressure/incentive to accept what you have as "good enough". So you're likely to end up with a very expensive bass that....you have mixed feelings about, and eventually you give up and sell. And, when you go to sell it, as your dream bass isn't anyone else's dream bass, you take a bath financially.

My suggestion to folks contemplating a custom build is...don't....for a while. If you think you know what your ideal bass is, buy something off the rack that's kinda close, and mod it towards what you think your ideal bass is. That's how I started, and it was very helpful - even before I started building my own, doing some experiments to figure out my preferences was helpful. You will almost certainly miss on the first attempt, but after a few attempts, when you get really close, you will either have a bass that's good enough (and you' redone) or, at the very least, you'll have a much better idea of what you really want if you do decide to go the custom route. And you won't have spent anywhere near the time or money that a custom build costs.

Also consider traveling to where the builder is. If thinking about a $5k bass, just make the trip. You might find that it cost $300 or whatever to
find out that spending $5k on it isn't a good idea. I have driven several hundred miles just to try a bass. Its worth it to quell the desire.
One day I just might go see Rodger Sadowski.
Too bad I'm not a guitar player. Martin is in my town.

Wood and Wire · Jul 22, 2026

jvdb said:
But I do know the serial number is definitely the least telling item to define the date of a Fender.

No kidding.

My serial number gives a date of something like February 2021, but the neck, and body are both opposite ends of October 2020.

I haven't checked the electronics; obviously there's more to assembling and finishing a bass, than just painting the body, and marrying the neck to it.

DonaldR · Jul 22, 2026

FirewalZ said:
I also want the option of not always needing a sub for smaller rooms without sacrificing low end.

You can use only one top + one sub in smaller rooms instead of two tops and no subs.

15" tops are like all-weather tires IMHO: convenient but not good in summer, not good in winter, and passable between those two seasons.

Aussie Player · Jul 22, 2026

StrudelBass said:
Well basically lets say you already have both, but they're not exceptionally good, and you could only choose one. Would you opt for a new bass or go for a new amp? Opinions needed. Replies welcomed.

A bad amp sucks the life out of a good bass.......but I'd audition cabs before I changed a head, if I thought I liked it.

agedhorse · Jul 22, 2026

Ondoval said:
What you think of his price? I was prepared to pay more, but I have no clue what the parts or work is supposed to cost. Guy has a rep for being a great tech.

For Europe and including a set of tubes, it sounds ok to me.

Muaddibb · Jul 22, 2026

LowEndOperative said:
A Wickenbacker, perhaps.

Sure Kripke, whatever.

michael_t · Jul 22, 2026

Loopster said:
2. What strings would you recommend overall that are less bright and steel-y and more punchy with a pronounced bottom end? I've heard suggestions about DR Lo Riders, but at the same time there are some posts talking about how they retain their brightness for a long time which is not something i'm after.

What you want is DR NICKEL Lo-Riders, which are warmer and punchier than the Stainless Lo-Riders.

Giff · Jul 22, 2026

I’ve had it! I am unsubscribing to all threads I have watched. Thank you.

Akami · Jul 22, 2026

mpdd said:
we were very lucky, just a scratched forehead that looked way worse than it actually was
i think the raccoon was more interested in getting away than taking on both the dogs at the same time

Glad your dog was okay! A few of my friends dogs have had interactions with wild animals they were lucky to survive, probably most unexpected one while chasing beavers in the pond and getting too close. Usually the beavers are able to just swim away, but the dog got too close one of the young ones and ended up with an adult attacking and leaving a long gash ripped down her back.

james condino · Jul 22, 2026

100%

I also have more than one in my quiver. When you like to set your bass on fire and jump into the crowd, you need a backup.

Ritter667 · Jul 22, 2026

C24 High+Low Pass filter pedal

C24 is a combined HPF and LPF filter pedal with 24dB/octave slopes and up to +20dB of gain. Fully-adjustable high-pass filter and low-pass filter. True Bypass.

sineeffect.com

m2k2p · Jul 22, 2026

Tony has some free bass lessons on his site

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TFunkadelic · Jul 22, 2026

drpepper said:
Nice!

Thank you

Tuckytunes · Jul 22, 2026

Ok, so 10 years later I too bought one of these (the pickup is a little different—in the side), and haven’t played an upright in 50 years or so (then it was a coffin shaped baby bass never to be seen again), but I am happy as a clam, also like to buy cheaper instruments to “play with” so wanted you to know you have a time warped kindred spirit. Btw, also trying to figure out what gig bag to buy, just like you apparently did! Best to all.

Neb · Jul 22, 2026

JanBerisha said:
Big news to those into Cliff Burton and his pedals, tones, etc. This comes as a modern reissue of the OG Telray Power Wah Boost PWB of the 70's/80's, ofcourse with modern design choices like being powered with the standard 9V instead of 120V/240V, glow-in-the-dark treadle grip, LED indication, and ofcourse, still built like a tank with cold-rolled steel. 60dB of boost!!, 40dB higher than the rest of the pedals in their lineup as of now. Same Wah Tone/Sweep. This is something the Cliff Burton tone chasers have wanted for years, even decades now, and finally, its here, available May 8th worldwide.
View attachment 7471848
Not payed by Morley or anything, just a big fan.

Sadly it falls short yet again it doesn’t have the same sweep
Yes it’s close but close isn’t good enough
I have an original volume boost wha that I had restored and made adjustments by bending the LRD to the correct sweep

This new pedal you cannot adjust the internals although some are currently experimenting with tapping millimeters of the optics with tape non have succeeded duplicating the sweep

It’s frustrating because Jason Newsted has Cliffs Morley and all they have to do is open it and take measurements of the LRD angle but they refuse to and won’t listen to the people who have kept Cliffs tone alive

ColinR · Jul 22, 2026

The only stupid question is the one not asked.
You were smart enough to ask it.

Axis39 · Jul 22, 2026

My wife bought us 'butt pillows'. (That's what I call them) I have a number of bulging disks and feel your pain! We both have less than great chairs. But we both use these seat cushions that have a u-shaped cutout for your tailbone. It relieves a lot of the pressure.

Here's the one we have

Although, it is time for a new office/studio chair, so I'll be looking at all the recommendations!

Timmah · Jul 22, 2026

As a lefty with an affinity for white Jazz basses… :drool:

Great score!

bassbrad · Jul 22, 2026

Great to hear @Dr. Cheese and keep enjoying your new life journey we all worked a lifetime to get aka retirement.
Appreciating the things I have is a huge source of joy to me and that you have discovered.
I have accumulated far too many toys and other stuff.
Time to play, listen and read and too much TV, oh my.

bass player 53 · Jul 22, 2026

Have you been following all the posts about the Grace Design Felix (1 and 2) floating all over TB? There are other devices that others are using too, but this one seems to be royalty.

SharpCat · Jul 22, 2026

Thumpin6string said:
Lovemyswitches.com has them. Cheap too.
Mono jacks for guitar pedals and DIY electronics, shipped fast from Love My Switches.

Came in to say this. LMS is great.

Matt Liebenau · Jul 22, 2026

No input on the tuners other than if I was going to keep and play it I’d replace the tuners with guitar style keys. Unfortunately, I’m occasionally optimistic about what I’m actually going to play. On baritone uke I’ve always tuned it DGBE low to high and, mostly, play it like the highest 4 strings on a guitar. I’m no virtuoso but it works with my abilities, such as they are.

vvvmmm · Jul 22, 2026

Michedelic said:
Once the settings are in the sweet spot(and knobs with pointers are a prerequisite), I use those little bitty multicolored dot stickers, placing them in the appropriate location, sometimes using tweezers during placement.

#11, above :thumbsup:

Milo Spleen · Jul 22, 2026

agedhorse said:
It may be that it was something else as well...

I used it this past Saturday and it was good to go. I was told to turn it up, and it responded to the call.

KyleGorf · Jul 22, 2026

wmelander said:
I just got my DB02 last month. Here is what I used on stage last week, a K&M 14160, with a modified Gator uke/mando hanger clamped on. I like the OP's stand solution too. I am looking at a 10mm titanium cello end pin to replace the stock carbon fiber unit.View attachment 4992458

Hi. Have you changed the screw-in body rest? It looks like you've straightened the arms so it sits differently on your body.

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