Let's see your guitar and bass gear!

My latest bit of fun.

Bit funky but fun. My daughter has wanted to learn how to play one for a while so I said why not.

What is with the tuning on those? Weird. And they come in different sizes, but the tuning is the same. My wife wanted to learn how to play, and I've plinked it a few times but my brain can't deal with that high 4th string.

Unrelated. I bought myself a fun present.

In reply to Keith Tanner:

Google said: Standard tuning is gCEA, which is the most common ukulele tuning you will find. The tuning aDF#B (called D tuning) is shifted two frets, and brings out a sweeter ukulele tone. The dGBE tuning is more common for larger ukuleles, and it will give you the same root notes as the top four strings on a guitar.

They're tuned in 5ths like a violin rather than in 4ths like a guitar.

Yeah, but what's with the high fourth string?

Keith Tanner wrote: Yeah, but what's with the high fourth string?

I want to know that as well.

I just pulled the trigger on a new guitar. I'll post pics once it arrives.

David S. Wallens wrote: I just pulled the trigger on a new guitar. I'll post pics once it arrives.

Forgot to mention I ordered a new guitar over Christmas. However, it's custom so I haven't a clue when I'll see it. Hint: There is a very strong autocross connection.

Question for the experts - I've been plunking around with a late 90's Fender Duosonic reissue making a pretty halfhearted attempt to learn to play, but I've had a hard time getting the intonation correct, and it's a short scale guitar. Am I better off with something full-size? Should I buy an acoustic? My music knowledge is pretty good - I minored in music in college - but I've never been able to play anything. It's my goal for this year to gain some competence on an instrument.

I prefer acoustic all the way around, but especially for beginners. IMHO, bad acoustic playing sounds better than bad electric playing. Especially if you're starting just strumming, acoustic is better. If you're playing melodies and solos, then electric may be better for you.

But if the intonation is not right (meaning the guitar is tuned correctly, but not when you move up the fretboard--and you're not bending the strings) then take it in to get setup, which should fix the issue. The guitar should be working, so figure out why its not.

I think it's just kind of a crappy guitar. The bridge acts on 2 strings at a time, so you can get the intonation right for one, but not necessarily the second. That and I have a hard time fitting all of my fingers into the space on the neck.

I guess I'm talking myself into a different guitar here...

dean1484 wrote:

Keith Tanner wrote: Yeah, but what's with the high fourth string?

I want to know that as well.

That's where you get the fun chimy sound everyone associates with the ukelele. I have a baritone uke, tuned dgbe. It's fun but doesn't have quite the same vibe.

cmcgregor wrote: I think it's just kind of a crappy guitar. The bridge acts on 2 strings at a time, so you can get the intonation right for one, but not necessarily the second. That and I have a hard time fitting all of my fingers into the space on the neck. I guess I'm talking myself into a different guitar here...

If you have a plug in chromatic tuner setting the intonation is easy. Tune the open note then fret at the 12th fret and look at the tuner. If you are sharp you need to move the saddle away from the nut, if you are flat go towards it.

Tightening or loosening the screw will move the saddle. You should be able to get it really close with 3 saddles. Fender guitars were made with that bridge for a long time.

If you can't adjust it close you might have the wrong string gauge. You could always install a six saddle bridge

Also stewmac makes vintage style intonated saddles for Telecasters that "might" work

But if you find the fretboard cramped you might just want to buy a different guitar. It shouldn't be, but I am not about to talk anyone out of buying a new guitar

Over the weekend, I had one of my musician nephews stay over the house. This is the younger of my two nephews, and he's a bass player. Looking for something to do, I decided to take him to a music store called Music Go Round, which is a chain that sells mostly used gear, and they always have great stuff cheap. I decided to bring some trade-ins in case I saw something cool: A drum kit I've been trying to sell for years, and the black Epiphone Les Paul Special II I bought for $15 and fixed up. I figure if I want another one I can go down to any music store and buy another one for $99-129 new.

And this came home with me.

It's a Squier Vintage Modified '77 Jazz Bass. I have wanted one of these since they came out about 10 years ago. I even went to buy one once, but walked out with a Warwick instead (and I don't regret that), so my want for a good all-around bass had me looking again lately at these. Usually, you see them in a natural finish with a maple fingerboard with black block inlays. They even had one there alongside this one: a 5 string version that I also played. But this one was too sweet of a player NOT to take home. I walked out of the store with it for $160 with a gig bag, brand new.

Geddy Lee bass licks, here I come!

PS: If you have a Music Go Round near you, check it out. They rule. WAY cooler than any Guitar Center. They have tons of cool used gear, and the prices are excellent.

dean1484 wrote: My latest bit of fun. Bit funky but fun. My daughter has wanted to learn how to play one for a while so I said why not.

I FINALLY got one for xmas a couple years ago. Learned "Tonight You Belong To Me," then put it back in its case. So it served it's purpose lol. I found it interesting that while they obviously create radically different chords, a lot of the "forms" are the same as guitar.

My girls watch "Peg Plus Cat," so the tuning is permanently burned into my brain.

So, I'm already thinking about modding my brand new bass. What is wrong with me?

First off, the one I picked up was a "B-stock" bass. It has a few cosmetic imperfections that are minuscule at worst, and nothing that affects play. But one of the weird things about it is that it has a white pickguard. All the other ones I've seen in the Vintage Modified '77 line have a black pickguard. Like this:

I'm not sure if I like the black better. I am thinking that the white matches the white neck binding, but I'm conflicted.

The next thing that sorta bothers me about it is the bridge. It is basically a bent piece of sheet metal with strings through it, and compared to my other basses' bridges, it is crap. This should be an easy fix. I was looking at one of these:

It's a Gotoh cast bridge. It's basically a copy of the Leo Quan "BadA**" bridge, which I believe Geddy Lee uses on his Jazz Bass that spawned the Fender signature model. They go for more than double of the cost of the Gotoh, and I hear they are nearly as good.

The bridge is the only "real" complaint I have with the bass. Other than that, I love it.

In reply to SilverFleet:

Definitely upgrade the bridge if you want more punch and sustain.

I mostly know Strats - does it have a block underneath? I put a heavier block on my Squier strat and it made a big difference.

If you are feeling adventurous I have one of these I would give to you.

I bought it for a project and saw no easy intonation adjustment and stuck it in a drawer.

It is heavy brass, which is good. It just seemed like a hassle to intonate.

Keith Tanner wrote: I mostly know Strats - does it have a block underneath? I put a heavier block on my Squier strat and it made a big difference.

No blocks on basses. This is a metal plate that just bolts to the bottom that acts as both a tailpiece and a bridge. The heavier and thicker they are, the more sustain and "solid" sound. The factory Fender ones are cheap lightweight stamped metal.

Also, I found this thing on eBay:

El Cheapo Bridge

It's a "high mass" bridge like the Leo Quan, Gotoh, etc, and it's $7 shipped. I can get a Gotoh one for $37, and a used Quan (they don't make them anymore) sells for over $100. I almost like the plain, non-branded look to the cheap one, but $7 seems waaaaaay too cheap for a quality piece.

Jumper K. Balls wrote: If you are feeling adventurous I have one of these I would give to you. I bought it for a project and saw no easy intonation adjustment and stuck it in a drawer. It is heavy brass, which is good. It just seemed like a hassle to intonate.

If that thing had five holes, I'd be all over it!

(That's what he said?)

SilverFleet wrote:

Keith Tanner wrote: I mostly know Strats - does it have a block underneath? I put a heavier block on my Squier strat and it made a big difference.

No blocks on basses. This is a metal plate that just bolts to the bottom that acts as both a tailpiece and a bridge. The heavier and thicker they are, the more sustain and "solid" sound. The factory Fender ones are cheap lightweight stamped metal. Also, I found this thing on eBay: El Cheapo Bridge It's a "high mass" bridge like the Leo Quan, Gotoh, etc, and it's $7 shipped. I can get a Gotoh one for $37, and a used Quan (they don't make them anymore) sells for over $100. I almost like the plain, non-branded look to the cheap one, but $7 seems waaaaaay too cheap for a quality piece.

It's not really complex, so it needn't be expensive. Probably the same factory that makes them for Gotoh selling them out the back door

Ian F wrote: Forgot to mention I ordered a new guitar over Christmas. However, it's custom so I haven't a clue when I'll see it. Hint: There is a very strong autocross connection.

So is Jeff building it himself or is it just in a long queue at his company?

SilverFleet wrote:

Keith Tanner wrote: I mostly know Strats - does it have a block underneath? I put a heavier block on my Squier strat and it made a big difference.

No blocks on basses. This is a metal plate that just bolts to the bottom that acts as both a tailpiece and a bridge. The heavier and thicker they are, the more sustain and "solid" sound. The factory Fender ones are cheap lightweight stamped metal. Also, I found this thing on eBay: El Cheapo Bridge It's a "high mass" bridge like the Leo Quan, Gotoh, etc, and it's $7 shipped. I can get a Gotoh one for $37, and a used Quan (they don't make them anymore) sells for over $100. I almost like the plain, non-branded look to the cheap one, but $7 seems waaaaaay too cheap for a quality piece.

I have this on one of my basses and it works just fine. No issues, looks good, sounds good. $5 even out of a mix no one would notice the difference vs a high dollar piece.

Type Q wrote:

Ian F wrote: Forgot to mention I ordered a new guitar over Christmas. However, it's custom so I haven't a clue when I'll see it. Hint: There is a very strong autocross connection.

So is Jeff building it himself or is it just in a long queue at his company?

Who knows. My guess is the latter. According to some guys on FB, the wait time can be months, but it can vary depending on how complicated the guitar is. Other than being a brand new version, there's nothing I can see as being particularly unique about mine.

I'll need to call them in a couple of days to check on the status. Mainly because I use my work office for the shipping address and we're moving in a couple of weeks so I'll need to change the address.

Gimp wrote:

SilverFleet wrote:

Keith Tanner wrote: I mostly know Strats - does it have a block underneath? I put a heavier block on my Squier strat and it made a big difference.

No blocks on basses. This is a metal plate that just bolts to the bottom that acts as both a tailpiece and a bridge. The heavier and thicker they are, the more sustain and "solid" sound. The factory Fender ones are cheap lightweight stamped metal. Also, I found this thing on eBay: El Cheapo Bridge It's a "high mass" bridge like the Leo Quan, Gotoh, etc, and it's $7 shipped. I can get a Gotoh one for $37, and a used Quan (they don't make them anymore) sells for over $100. I almost like the plain, non-branded look to the cheap one, but $7 seems waaaaaay too cheap for a quality piece.

I have this on one of my basses and it works just fine. No issues, looks good, sounds good. $5 even out of a mix no one would notice the difference vs a high dollar piece.

Good to know. I'll probably order one up when it becomes time to change the strings.

I played the bass for a good 45 minutes last night and I'm loving it so far. It plays great! I tried out some alternate tunings, and it handled them like a pro. The bridge upgrade will really complete the bass, at least for a while.