mcnach

It looks like my fretless CIJ Fender Precision will be travelling to a new home in Germany. Has anybody posted an instrument to Germany? Any recommendations as to what carrier to use? Or to avoid!

OK. A bunch of you will be happy to know that no P-basses were harmed in the production of this thread. The bass remains unmodified... but it will be leaving me soon. I decided that I preferred the Squier VM Jazz for sound and I just will cope with the fact that it does not feel as nice (but it's still nice) or looks as good, and I am selling it to purchase a beauty of a natural CIJ 75 RI Fender Jazz. I could keep both, and swap necks! Imagine that! No. The P-bass is going. To Germany.

[quote name='Ou7shined' timestamp='1342368841' post='1733834'] True. One thing that kind of nags at me is it's getting tougher for bikers out there due to the amount of genuine idiots on the road these days. I remember a time when the roads were mainly populated by enthusiast or people who needed to drive out of necesity... nowadays it's just something to throw expendable income at (and fill the parcel shelf with cuddly toys) which obviously includes those who seem completely and utterly devoid of natural ability. [/quote] Yeah, I didn't mention the other road users... (forget whether they ride bikes or not). Idiots everywhere, and it only takes one. Only this morning on my way to work... I'm stopped at the lights. A van behind me, also stopped. Then suddenly, it lunges forward and it very nearly hit me. Lights were still red, and stayed red for some time, it wasn't him "anticipating" the change. The guy was using his phone. For whatever reason he lost control (who leaves the car in gear when waiting for the lights, anyway?).

[quote name='M-Bass-M' timestamp='1342380204' post='1734093'] I'd also echo ezbass's comments about the sound, but it's worth remembering that the SUB Ray5 is only a 2EQ model, while the Sterling Ray35 is a 3EQ model. But again, you get what you pay for. [/quote] More is not necessarily better. Lots of fans here of the 2EQ Stingray preamp. Which, equally, does not mean those fans think the 3EQ is worse... it's just different, and the 2EQ sounds better to some people, including moi. The MM Stingray 2EQ is not, contrary to what some people think, a 3EQ minus mid control. They are both voiced differently. Any idea whether this 2EQ is the same circuit as the Stingray 2EQ? There's nothing expensive about it so it could well be, and that would be really nice

[quote name='Ou7shined' timestamp='1342367520' post='1733817'] Me neither mate. But it never prevented me riding around the country for years, joining a MCC and living the dream as a dick-wad renegade (one of the benefits of the remoteness of where I lived) These days I'm a dad with a family car and all legit - regularly cursing out the dick-wads who use their mobiles as they try and negotiate roundabouts. I keep making noises about getting a project bike to do up and ride (legit) but the Mrs won't have it. [/quote] I told my gf about my desire for getting my license and buy a bike... and she, too, will not allow it. To be honest, after wearing the leathers etc on a hot day... it does not seem as much fun as I thought initially. And after seeing the damage caused by a fall on the road, I would not dream of riding without good protection. And so many injuries to hands... if I got injured and it prevented me from playing I would be very miserable. I think I can live without a bike now. However, I think I might just keep pretending I do want to ride, and use that to negotiate some bass-related purchase in the future

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1342285734' post='1732860'] I need to try one of these pre amps, why do you live so far away?! [/quote] I think it's good that we don't live too close. I fear I'd have a preEB and a 5-string too by now There is another BC member I'm happy to live far from (hi apa! ) for similar reasons.

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1342285700' post='1732859'] Fell off my motorbike earlier!, when the Wife finds out I might just have the funds for a Classic5 after all! [/quote] Ouch, I hope you're ok... but are you sure it was an accident? When I was a student, and poor, I did my CBT and asked my parents for a loan of a £1500 to buy a bike etc and planned to get my full license soon after. My mother then called me and she said that rather than a loan, she would *give* me the money if I got a car instead, as she was so afraid of motorcycles. I told her that it was not just the cost to buy, but to maintain, tax etc... she then said she'd cover that too. I could not refuse that offer, and to this day, I still do not have a motorcycle's license. I never thought of exploiting it further... "well, if I were at home playing the new bass I would not be out there getting into accidents"

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1342208902' post='1731869'] Man up Jose No idea how it compares with the John East version? [/quote] it´s very similar. I also had the original 2EQ from my Stingray in an OLP, I had a SUB5 with 2 band EQ, and I have a 4 string SUB too... I guess that´s just how I like it!

[quote name='MattM' timestamp='1342203087' post='1731687'] Oh aye, 4th vote for maxing the bass, treble on about an eighth or adjust to taste. THE definitive bass sound for me.... [/quote] You must all use very trebly amps

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1342188172' post='1731192'] so translated... this bass will give you.... 1) something that might increase the sustain 2) something to stop the sustain 3) softer versions of maple less suitable for a bass neck than non figured 4) a shiney thing 5) a different sticker on it 6) another shiny thing 7) pretty colours. and 8) possibly a 5th string [/quote] ha! nice

[quote name='bertbass' timestamp='1342130358' post='1730302'] Had mine attached to the strap with the supplied clip and when I spun round it flew across the stage and my bass went strangely quiet. [/quote] But did anyone in the audience notice???

[quote name='bubinga5' timestamp='1342046062' post='1728844'] Yep.. i know this a very subjective question... but what i think comes close, is a bass line that does everything required, in a balanced way, to compliment the chords/rythm/song but show the players own personality.. this Freddie Washington on his P bass is just groove central imo... i cant imagine someone playing a better line on this track.. subjective of course.. [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Amzp7W0RkPA[/media] [/quote] Beautiful! This is the bassline that made me think "oh, so a P-bass can sound great slapped after all!". Very tasty line, one of my "jam standards".

[quote name='Kesh' timestamp='1342000507' post='1727614'] Am replacing my pickups (P/J configuration) and electrics on a bass that is very playable, but has a lacklustre sound to it. Am going for passive circuit and vintage sound. It seems I can pay anywhere from £40 (say a wilkinson set) to £230 (Nordstrand or Fralin). Can you really get that much more value out of what is just copper wire and alnico magnets? Or is it like when they blind tasted wine with some wine experts and they couldn't tell cheap from expensive? Before I part with my money I'd be interested to know your thoughts. And hello (it's my first post). [/quote] It varies. A lot. In my experience, the cheaper pickups are almost invariably disappointing and a waste of money in the long run. They can be an improvement over some stock pickups in some Squiers etc, but not that great. At the same time, just because it's expensive it doesn't mean it's a pickup you will like. It will be made well, but it can disappoint as well. I owned several OLP Stingray-like basses. Their stock pickups are quite uninspiring. I tried a Seymour Duncan SMB4A and loved it. I still do. NIght and day, fantastic pickup and not terribly expensive. Then, one day I bought a Nordstrand MM4.2... a lot more expensive and... utterly disappointed, I reverted to the SMB4A. If you stay with the "big ones" SEymour Duncan and DiMarzio, you are safer, in my opinion. They make good ones, and there are many many many reviews all over the place, so you can narrow down your search substantially before pulling the trigger. But in the end, it's a bit of trial and error... what sounds great in one bass, may not sound the same in another.

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1342012736' post='1728023'] If the transmitter doesn't attach to the guitar strap, then where is it supposed to go? [/quote] IT has a clip to attach it to the strap, yes, but I (and others) think it looks rather flimsy, so I avoid using the clip and I have a holder instead. I use one of these: [url="http://www.amazon.com/Levys-Leathers-Wireless-Receiver-Holder/product-reviews/B00074B67A"]http://www.amazon.com/Levys-Leathers-Wireless-Receiver-Holder/product-reviews/B00074B67A[/url]

I bought mine from Pickguard Heaven, when I had the SUB5... it wasn't that expensive I think I ended up paying around £40, with delivery, which is expensive... but then again it was well made and there aren't so many other options around. I went for the matt black finish, 3-ply, which was marginally more expensive than the glossy one. Ok, I just looked... shipping seems to have gone up, at $38, but the pickguards are between $27 and $54... $29 for white or black 3-ply pickguards, $33 for the matt black 3-ply I used to have, and many other colours... if you go for pearloid and tortoiseshell then it goes to $49 and $54... If I had mine still I'd scan it for you... but I sold it a few months ago

[quote name='cocco' timestamp='1342120539' post='1730050'] I like a jazz, but they just dont sit nicely in a mix to my ears. [/quote] I suppose it's a matter of what sound one is after. But this comment reminded me how there seems to be a lot of people who always play with both pickups on. It's my "least favourite" option in a Jazz. Both pickups on sounds big and deep, and sounds very good with a soft/acoustic band. But with a rock band it can get lost easily. However the bridge pickup can cut through with ease. I guess I am a bridge type of person, since I seem to play nearly always with the bridge pickup alone when using a Jazz, and if not I'll be using a Stingray... with a single (bridge) pickup.

[quote name='Lfalex v1.1' timestamp='1342120676' post='1730055'] Jazz Bass? Every home should have one. Like, before you buy a cooker... [/quote] One? you mean *at least* one

You turn the bass all they way up? I normally don't go beyond a quarter of its travel, or a bit more perhaps.

Well, the Seymour Duncan SJB-2 pickups arrived today... and as soon as I got home, I installed them. First impressions are very positive. I don't know how the Hammers would have been "unsuitable" but these do the trick. The bridge pickup is great. Very nice tone. It's powerful, full bodied... since this is what I use most of the time, I think I did well. The neck pickup I'm not as keen on. It is good, absolutely, but a bit on the dark side. Both pickups on also lose a bit of the "traditional" Jazz sound, compared to the Gotoh I had previously on this bass. It still sounds good, but not as good as I thought they'd be when I listened to the bridge pickup alone: that one is just right. Well I have to try it in a band context now, but it seems good.

And today the Squier got a pair of Seymour Duncan SJB-2... worth for the bridge pickup alone, enormous!

[quote name='uncle psychosis' timestamp='1342090832' post='1729319'] You could drive to Dalgety Bay and get a nice black Jazz... [/quote] and I was there only a few days ago! That black Jazz... would look even better if the fingerboard was darker. Oh, what a coincidence! I have some dark wood stain in my drawer too!

[quote name='Ant' timestamp='1342032145' post='1728525'] ive got hammers in my shuker bass, totally amazing, awesome gnarly midrange growl and beef, very articulate as well. ive got a series/parallel switch and they sound awesome in series [/quote] That's more or less what I expected... from the description, but Andy totally put me off buying them (shrug). Ever used tapewounds on that bass?

[quote name='Conan' timestamp='1341913990' post='1725935'] Really? Interesting.... in what way were you underwhelmed? [/quote] it's hard to explain in words. They seemed "polite". They were not horrible, but they sounded "polite". I bought a Seymour Duncan SMB4A after that one, and it was like day and night, nice "thump", lots of body, nice midrange without being overpowering... But each pickup is different, so you can't judge all GFS by a single model (either good or bad). However I have not yet been disappointed by a SD pickup, either in guitars or bass. Hence my choice now.