Rayman

Does anyone else regularly walk into the room where the basses are, literally just look at them and sigh, then turn around and walk out again? Mrs Rayman: “ I wish you looked at me like that”

I love these kind of finds….. that has TI flats or tapes written all over it.

Fenix are great

No scales here….. the Mrs won’t have them 😆

I’ve done a lot of research, they were made at the same factory as Encore, and in fact some of those Encores were decent in terms of the timber, the necks were really nice, it’s just the electrics that let them down, and iffy hardware. Honestly I don’t see or feel much difference between this and a couple of 70s Fenders I’ve had, now that it’s finished.

So after seeing one of these featured on Bass The World, I've had my eyes peeled for one for ages. It's mid 80s, made India (eh?..... yep), I think its one of the early ones, as there's no bullet truss rod nut, and if you can find one at all in decent condition, they're not expensive at all. Past reviews are mixed... "Budget" or "Cheap Eastern knockoffs" ...to... "Best kept secret" "Future Classic". Not sure about any of that, but this thing is a belter. Really. I've been around long enough to know what's driftwood and what isn't. This isn't. Because it would sink. Many people describe these as "Cheap and cheerful", however having spoken to a couple guitar (6 string) techs, the "strats" were actually really very good when they're in good order, and desirable by some folks. One went on to say that actually the Indians were actually very good with the construction side, with regard to the timber, it was just the electrics that were "functional", but surprisingly, the pickups, although lowish in output, actually had a nice tone and perfectly useable. "Many people will replace the pickups for no reason, they're fine" Quote. Mine was in a sorry state when I got it, poor Ander (who I bought it from) had removed most of its gunk after he received it from someone else in that state. It had a broken tuner, cheap nasty and broken EQ, and looked like someone had used it as a battering ram. Not a bad idea, as it weighs a ton. So, lots of TLC later, an 80s set of (identical to the original ones) Hohner tuners, Dunlop straplocks (wouldn't want to drop it, it would go straight through floor), oiled fretboard, KiOgon loom and a set of D'Addario tapewounds, and I think its bloody awesome. I had my doubts about the pickup before I actually heard it, but it sounds perfectly decent with the new loom, no problem there. The neck is one peice maple with an Indian rosewood board, it's really nice and straight, and the body is.... solid ash? (it took ages to rout out for the CTS pots)(apparently the guitars were 3pcs mahogany). Nice tight neck pocket, decent construction from what I can see. Full ahead mojo on this thing. Very cool. This bass is a survivor, and I hope I've given it a new lease of life, because hasn't been loved for a long time. Great range of tones, SO good with the tone rolled back, lovely low action, no buzz, easy to play thanks to the tapes, AND it looks the dogs. Old school marvellousnes. It's a P bass? Looks like one, sounds like one, feels like one, and it reminds me of a '78 Fender I had in a lot of ways. Definitely 70s vibes, even though this was built 10yrs later, and having just spent a couple of hours playing it, I have a massive smile on my face. I don't care where it was made or how much it cost. With a proper clean up, set up and new parts (Original pickup), this thing is class, I was grinning from ear to ear. I literally haven't touched the other basses since I got this one, I just can't put it down. Fabulous thing. Precision bass requirements fulfilled. Obviously by the time I’d edited this post, I’d added a second one.

I was in a similar position 2 or 3 years ago, and sold everything. I learnt a couple of things.... 1: I bitterly regret letting my Stingray go. The others... Roadworn Jazz, US Precision and the rig not so much. 2: Long term, it didn't help selling any of them. Financially it was a help at first, but in the end made no difference. As a couple of grand doesn't last long. If you really have to bring some money in, sell the Pino and see how you go after that. Selling the 62RI could be a big regret, as replacing a bass you love so much could be tough. I've made the mistake of selling "my favourite bass" a couple of times and I miss them a lot, and like I say, long term it didn't help at all financially.

Overwater are awesome folks, Chris May is a legend. I spent an afternoon there many years ago getting my Progress 5 serviced. They let me just hang out and watch them work. Superb company and the basses are a thing of beauty.

I don't think there is better, just different. Which kind of answers the original question doesn't it? It's all in the ears of the player, which kind of makes the OP null and void. Very interesting to read all the input, thanks all.

Well that's the question Is the tone from an 80s Eastern made pickup with thin wires (does that matter? I don't think it does) going to be markedly improved by a more expensive pickup, costing 4 times as much, say, a Fender US pickup. I guess quality means "better" magnets, plastic, wires etc.

Exactly my thoughts The old pickup has been cleaned, and is going back in. If I don't like it, it's easy to change. My favourite pickups ever were Duncan designed PJs in a Schecter Model T. Cheap, but fabulous.

I might get lucky with this one, it might very chalky cheese.

That's my opinion too. My belief is that expensive vs cheap, in terms of the pickups, doesn't mean better vs worse, just different in terms of tone. I saw a Sunn Mustang, like this one, on Bass The World, and the tone was lovely albeit on a defretted bass. I don't need high output, I don't need a massive range in tone, so I reckon the original pickup will be fine. I'm certainly not going to drop a pickup that's worth more than the bass into it. If I'm unimpressed once it's finished, I'll drop a Tonerider into it.

I've put a similar post in technical, but I thought I'd ask a more general question..... Does it really make a difference to your tone when it comes to the build quality of the pickups? I'm restoring an old P bass. I'm going for an old school vibe, KiOgon loom, tapewounds, but I'm umming and ahhing about whether to use the original 80s budget pickup or replace it with something better quality. Is a pickup just a bunch of magnets and wires at the end of the day? Do thin wires matter, or do thicker cloth wires sound better? I don't want a bright, high output tone, I want old school. Surely the original pickups will be fine with a decent loom? I'm asking because I really don't know in terms of a pickups performance.

So I'm working on a cool old P bass project. I'm upgrading various parts, KiOgon loom etc.... the question is, will the original, cool but budget looking pickup, with very thin wires work fine with the loom? Does the thickness of the wires matter? Would a replacement pickup really make a difference, as I'm going for the old school vibe, with tapewound strings etc...

I guess I love the album so much, partly because my girls loved it so much, it was on in the car permanently. Plus the gig was my eldest daughters first gig, so it has special memories. I just think it's a catchy album, maybe a bit lightweight, but its still my favourite

Am I the only one who preferred Josh Klinghoffers guitar work? I just can't get on with John Fruscante at all, soz. "I'm With You" is my favourite album by a mile..... They were SO good live on that tour. FYI, my Mrs disagrees with me vehemently on this.

That's wicked

I’ve been driving bangers for the last few years. Started a new job in November which came with a BMW. I honestly feel like a total fraud AND that everyone is looking at me thinking “knob”, just like I used to. I reckon if I turned up to a gig with a 5k bass, instead of my usual £200 beaters, I’d get the same reaction 😆

I guess having sold beloved gear to pay the rent, I've avoided getting attached to them. Hopefully those days are gone, but, everything has its price.

I actually like the idea of one bass, you really know and love…. unfortunately my ADD makes that impossible. I change my mind SO often, even in one day, it’s ridiculous. I’ve probably changed my mind in the time it took to type this…. in fact I think the one bass idea is stupid….. no I don’t….. etc

+1 to all of the above Where’s the Whore and Trumpet? I really want to go there.