Recent content by The Mushrat

Cue the Benny Hill music as I run screaming into the woods. Turns out that the bass is suffering from some serious delamination.

According to the seller, it's a 3/4 flat-back.

So, aside from pretty big, what were they like? When were they made?

Looks like I have a good chance to snag a mostly disassembled bass, made by Mathias Thoma in West Germany. It's a project that's being abandoned, and the guy wants $200. So, how far wrong can I go. Google tells me that basses with this label came from both West Germany and Romania. History...

1946 Rubner Upright ? Juzek Upright 1950 Kay Upright ? Ampeg Baby Bass 1979 Ovation Magnum I Stereo Bass

Yeah, I want to see them. I have a similar project on the bench.

Just joined that band. Dave is still the drummer and still a total monster. It's a real privelege to work with a guys who's just that damn good. He's also drumming with a couple of other bands including Herman's Hermits, but his enthusiasm for The Clowns is undiminished.

I have a 1950 Kay upright that I got as a basket case. Because it's so very, very screwed up, its only hope for a useful future is as an Electric Bass --which is just great for my really loud psychobilly band The Reach Around Rodeo Clowns (think: Elvis drops acid with The Sex Pistols)...

I might at that. I'll post over there too, but you cats are much more likely to know about electricity.

Closing the F-holes is strictly a feedback reduction trick. If you're bass isn't howling like a moose in rut, leave them alone.

Hey, your fingerboard is ebony. EBONY. It's the hardest most durable wood that you can find in a fingerboard. I've been slapping on ebony boards (pounding on them really) with Super Sensitive steel strings and have created no discernible damage. You worst case scenario is that you may have...

You are who you are. You play what you play. Play it well and to hell with the rest.

I have a 1950 Kay upright that I got as a basket case. Because it's so very, very screwed up, it's only hope for a useful future is as an Electric Bass --which is just great for my really loud psychobilly band The Reach Around Rodeo Clowns (think: Elvis drops acid with The Sex Pistols). I'm...