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Wishbass Club pt. 2

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#301
I've got a set of Thomastik-Infeld Jazz Bass Flatwounds (JF344); I've been waiting for the old stock roundwounds on my MIM Precision to quit sounding so good. The .100 guage E string measures 49.125 inches long, 37 inches from the barrel to the start of the silk at the top of the string. Of course, all lengths recorded using the old bathroom tape measure.

The back of the box says "Use this set for 34" scale lengths; 32" &36" sets also available."

I haven't tried them on the Wish' but thought the lengths might help.
=wr=
 
#303
49sfine said:
Folks: I could use some feedback about what strings you all are finding that fit. I like a flatwound string on a fretless but so far D'Addarios XL Chromes in the SL series are the only ones I have found that are long enough for Wish's standard scale. I tried a set in just long scale, not super long scale, and now that low E is hitting the nut beyond where the string actually stops and the taper begins. Are these (SL) the only ones that work? I have a set of ECB80SL's on the Stude, but they are too light weight (I am going to leave them on anyway). That just leaves the ECB81SL's. Any other suggestions? Please be specific too, I would like actual model numbers/names so I could find them on Just Strings or elsewhere(?). Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...

GHS Precision Flats (34-35" scale) fit perfectly.
 
#307
I appreciate the info on strings - thanks! Now I have some options. By the way, the Stude is up and running with the Chrome flats and is sounding and playing very well! I am very, very happy with this one - it's a keeper. (I reduced the neck thickness somewhat on this one with a spokeshave and that, along with the super fine sanding has resulted in a super creamy feel that makes you want to play it.) I still may lower the bridge a smidge, but other than that, I think I am done. Pix will be forthcoming ...

Also, I leveled and sanded the FB on the JB (it was quite wavy once I put the level to it) and now it is sweet, sweet, sweet ... Boy, this one has so much mawahhh, it's unreal. I also lowered the bridge and regrooved the nut - all to bring the strings down. It's really nice now. One of these days I will refinish it and change out the pup. I love how light this bass is and it's funky tone - it's unique for sure; another keeper.

Well, have good week everyone. Later on ...
 
#313
49sfine said:
3tringPete; Well, here are a couple of views of my red birch Banana bass I just took a few minutes ago. Primarily I am detailing the K&K pup jack install with my brass alloy teardrop access hole cover. This one was sanded smooth, polished and then steel wooled with #0000. I sealed it with Nyalic clear sealer. Also shown is my brown ebony wood bridge and the black nylon strings - which I like a lot but go out of tune easily. They are finicky, which is the best way to describe them. This bass was stripped (to a point), sanded w/all edges rounded & smoothed, neck reshaped a bit, FB leveled and then everything fine sanded. I applied 4 or 5 coats of satin finish spray lacquer after one coat of sanding sealer. If the guitar could have been purchased unfinished I would have stained or sprayed the sides and perhaps done more with the lacquer finish, but this has a nice subdued look to it that will be easy to touch-up should that be needed down the road. - Thanks for looking ...
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Very nice, great refin job!!!
Mind if I ask what the price tag for that bass was?
I've been thinking about getting one.
 
#314
duckbutter said:
Very nice, great refin job!!!
Mind if I ask what the price tag for that bass was?
I've been thinking about getting one.
Click to expand...
Duckbutter;

Thanks for the feedback and the compliment. I am enjoying this one! Wish listed the bass back in early May with a BIN price of $400. I put in a bid of $305 when I saw that it wasn't going to his reserve. My goal was to top it out at $350 with shipping. The auction ended and then he sent me a second chance offer at that price and I accepted it. (Actually, three of my Wishes were obtained this way but it seems that lately the interest in Banana basses is rising and he is getting more response to his auctions/BIN prices). I have also noticed that his latest ones have a painted (or colored) finish on them (yellow I think) as opposed to the natural red birch like mine is. I assume this is an improvement because the gloss spray lacquer he used on mine raised the grain so much (not enough sanding prep) that the bass was REALLY uncomfortable to hold and play. I immediately took to the stripping/sanding process to make the thing a joy to hold and play. The biggest improvement though, came with re-leveling the fingerboard and taking it up thru 1200 grit sandpaper which got rid of some buzz (high and low spots). I also smoothed out the back of the neck so it invites you to wrap your hand around it.

Everyone who sees it just wigs out over it and I keep it on display under a light in the corner of my living room. It is just a very kool thing and now with the K&A pup, it can be used in a lot more music situations. I'm a big fan of the Banana! - and think they are worth whatever he is asking for them as long as you are willing to tweak them to some degree.

Good luck on snagging one for yourself ...
 
#315
I've been sanding mine quite a bit, and am up to 600 sandpaper. I've got a bunch more coming tomorrow from Stewmac along with some oil for the fingerboard. I suspect I'll be making a mess this weekend in my shed and start in on the oil finish.
 
#316
Gubna; Good to hear you're back in the sanding business. This forum has been kind of quiet lately. I too, have begun rasping and sanding the neck on my walnut JB in spite of my bath remodel project (I am slipping in the time to sand here and there) - I am holding off on doing the whole thing until later, but the neck was just screaming out for attention! Wish made this neck pretty thin by his standards, so it is just needing some smoothing out and fine sanding.

Say, anyone out there willing to part with a 5-string Wishbass? As I look at my basses I realize I do not have a 5 string fretless so perhaps I should let one of the 4 stringers go and get a fiver to add to the herd. What say ye?
 
#317
49sfine said:
Say, anyone out there willing to part with a 5-string Wishbass? As I look at my basses I realize I do not have a 5 string fretless so perhaps I should let one of the 4 stringers go and get a fiver to add to the herd. What say ye?
Click to expand...

Don't have a fiver to offer, but am looking for a four, especially one with frets...just hoping to find one with a PU closer to a P location than the right-on-the-bridge location wish tends to favor. So if/ when you decide to move one, PM me :).

Also, there's a crazy banana bass, natural, all solid wood, up on evilbay right now for $400. If it weren't for the silly angular soundholes on it it'd be heading my way right now...search for wishnevsky
 
#319
49sfine said:
Anyone here score #87 off ebay? I bid, but didn't want it as badly as the winner. I'm curious to know how it plays. Anyone?

Peace, James

I'm curious as well. Let us know if you are on this forum ...
Click to expand...


ya, i got it :) it plays quite well, nice low action and fast, great tone - punchier than my fretless wishbass, though they both have EMG Selects in em.

i have another with frets that plays like crap, so i'm pleasantly surprised.

this one def needs refinishing, though. it's got all sorts of tiny spots everywhere with what appears to be some white-ish filler, mostly in small cracks along the neck, etc. the lacquer isn't bad on the body, however. i'll post some pics soon :)
 
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