JPJ Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 So when this bass came up on eBay I couldn't believe my eyes. An original series 36" scale five string with the filter preamp doesn't come up all that often and for once, I was in the position to buy. The purchase was even pre-approved by Mrs JPJ (only the second time that has ever occurred). I've been a fan of Chris May and the teams work since I was a pimply youth who used to visit Chris and Andy's guitar shop on High Bridge in Newcastle on a Saturday afternoon. I watched their progress with envy until eventually, as a forty-something I finally managed to secure a J series 5 string which became my main squeeze. Lately, I've obtained a Perception 5 as an alternative to the J, but secretly I've always desired an original series who's body shape just presses all the right buttons for me. A quick exchange of PM's with the seller and a deal was done culminating in a trip to Nottingham today to collect her. Arriving back at 7pm, she was with me in the rehearsal studio at 9pm! She is unbelievably well balanced on the strap, not a hint of neck dive or indeed left shoulder weight - she just sits there! The filter pre is intuitive to operate, and I can't help thinking its a much better alternative to the traditional active bass, middle, and treble set up. The 36" scale is hardly noticeable (mind my J is a 35") but it adds another dimension to the low B. All in all, I'm one very very happy bunny. Big thanks to our very own Big-Red-X for the deal. [url="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/JPJ/media/Overwater%20front_zpsgihoafex.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/JPJ/media/Overwater%20body%20front%201_zpseixi3o7f.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/JPJ/media/Overwater%20body%20front_zps735mycgq.jpg.html"][/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 Wow. Excuse my ignorance, but is this an Overwater Original? Nice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPJ Posted October 9, 2015 Author Share Posted October 9, 2015 Yes, I was so busy babbling on like an excited schoolgirl that I forgot to mention the Overwater name :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBus Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 Exceptional! How do you get on with the long scale? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madshadows Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 Awesome looking bass, congrats John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 That looks fantastic, how does the filter pre-amp work? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kodiakblair Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 What a result. Good to know some dreams come true. Congratulations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPJ Posted October 9, 2015 Author Share Posted October 9, 2015 [quote name='BassBus' timestamp='1444374804' post='2882597'] Exceptional! How do you get on with the long scale? [/quote] Very easily actually. The difference between my two 35" scale and this is hardly noticeable at all. It feels a much bigger jump going 34" to 35" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPJ Posted October 9, 2015 Author Share Posted October 9, 2015 [quote name='Graham' timestamp='1444403340' post='2883008'] That looks fantastic, how does the filter pre-amp work? [/quote] Well I'm no expert but the way it was explained to me a long time ago was if you think about it like a multi band graphic eq for each pickup, then at one end of travel the graphic is in the 'classic' smiley shape, and at the other end its in the 'frown' as you turn the knob you gradually go from one to the other. The good bit is that its still musical at both ends of the scale and with two pickups, two filters and a pickup pan, the tonal possibilities are almost endless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 [quote name='JPJ' timestamp='1444408170' post='2883088'] Well I'm no expert but the way it was explained to me a long time ago was if you think about it like a multi band graphic eq for each pickup, then at one end of travel the graphic is in the 'classic' smiley shape, and at the other end its in the 'frown' as you turn the knob you gradually go from one to the other. The good bit is that its still musical at both ends of the scale and with two pickups, two filters and a pickup pan, the tonal possibilities are almost endless. [/quote] Awesome, have fun with that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 Great to see this bass go to a good new home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White Cloud Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 Congratulations...what a stunning instrument. Filters rule imho. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cameronj279 Posted October 10, 2015 Share Posted October 10, 2015 I agree with you in the filter preamp comments. There's so much you can do with them once you figure out how the hell they work! Good buy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPJ Posted October 10, 2015 Author Share Posted October 10, 2015 And less than 48 hours after collection, she's out earning her keep :-) [URL=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/JPJ/media/straightout_zps8m1giuq3.jpg.html][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v208/JPJ/straightout_zps8m1giuq3.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redstriper Posted October 10, 2015 Share Posted October 10, 2015 That bass suit you sir Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPJ Posted October 10, 2015 Author Share Posted October 10, 2015 [quote name='redstriper' timestamp='1444502988' post='2883763'] That bass suit you sir [/quote] Why thank you kindly sir! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sercet Posted October 10, 2015 Share Posted October 10, 2015 I was very close to buying this. A very cool bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bass_Guardian Posted October 10, 2015 Share Posted October 10, 2015 That is an awesome bass! I can't say I'm not jealous! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted October 11, 2015 Share Posted October 11, 2015 [quote name='JPJ' timestamp='1444502031' post='2883757'] And less than 48 hours after collection, she's out earning her keep :-) [url="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/JPJ/media/straightout_zps8m1giuq3.jpg.html"][/url] [/quote] One of the few times that I could do with a "like button" on Basschat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted October 11, 2015 Share Posted October 11, 2015 That bass screams John Entwistle to me - fabulous looking thing and from the photo you seem to like it too. Congrats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrevorR Posted October 11, 2015 Share Posted October 11, 2015 Those original Overwaters are fabulous. Nice catch, sir! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPJ Posted October 12, 2015 Author Share Posted October 12, 2015 Thank you for the kind words gents, as you can see, I'm one very happy chap. Thanks again to Mike (BigRedX) for selling her to me :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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