LukeFRC

Go play it

If I had that money and you tasked me to buy basses I would track down a ceilinder jazz and see what the fuss is about. Pino sig p bass and an original 1977 stingray. Custom ACG build would be fun too. Could probably get all of them in your budget. Then I would sit there surrounded by nice instruments and probably only ever gig one of them, one of them wouldn't fit my playing style as much and the other would be too old and or precious to leave the house. So old probably sell them again a few years later.... So in my mind you either fill your life with things that you are going to play and gig and beat up - in which case the question isn't "what don't you have" but "what sound are you after" - and the answer might be another precision. Or alternatively you are looking for something nice as a playable investment - in which case, two approaches - vintage fender as known "safe" investments. Or you try and work out what is underpriced now that in a few years won't be and 'invest' in a load of cheaper basses - which is more risky. Or the fodera monarch classic looks nice

Zoom in on the fret markers and the one on the right you can see a bit of red in- I think they are red LEDs and having seen a few bass direct bass descriptions I think it's far more likely they forgot to meantion them.

Gareth stuck a photo of one his beautiful basses in a thread last year - I've owned most the things I want to but it was about the only thing left on my GAS list so I messaged and asked if he ever sold it, let me know and I'ld try and save for it. He came back with a price if I wanted it. Fast forward a few months and I sell a bass, ask him a hundred questions send him some money and he sends me a bass. And I'm super happy with it. So, great comms, really quick postage, really knows his basses and looks after them - and to be honest undersells his stuff. Top bloke. Luke

The way the preamp is designed will work better onboard IMO (or don't use any pots on the bass)

[quote name='Kev' timestamp='1487350783' post='3239239'] We are truly blessed to have so many amazing luthiers on our shores. If budget allows, I would always try and have something built here to support this wonderfully strong community! [size=1](But, of course, would still strongly recommend an Alpher...)[/size] [/quote] it is odd isn't it - I wonder how influenced we are by American forums and press that the US versions of our luthiers are revered but ours less so. Some of it is the size of marked I guess - but if I compared Sei to Fodera, or overwater to sadowsky would I find a massive difference in the end product?

The ones I've seen for sale currently are out my price range and over a grand - think it might be a non goer

Fender Roscoe beck There's been a few on here - at fairly widely divergent prices. How much do they go for roughly? I know they don't come up often, but I've a feeling that the answer is "more than my budget" but thought I would ask before I pull the trigger on something else. Here's a random google image search photo of the bass in question... (cos we all like photos right?)

Done properly like Ricks fine 52's build threads I think it looks good. I remember wanting a Nash years back- until I saw one!

[quote name='TheGreek' timestamp='1487100869' post='3237146'] Looking at your sig and the basses you already own I'm assuming that you'll inevitably go for a Jazz design. This puts you in quite a "difficult" area as I've owned many custom Jazz style basses including a GB Spitfire, a Shuker fretless Jazz, and an incredible Overwater. I'd recommend them all. I currently own one of Alan's masterpieces as well as a bass rescued and brought back to life by our own Andy Rogers. You should also give Enfield some consideration because of their unique pick up system. All are fantastic instruments and you'd be hard pushed to pick between them if they were all in front of you. Does this make your decision harder? If anything, I'd say "No"...you are in the enviable position of knowing that there are many UK builders who can and will build you a great bass...and probably have built it many times over. The bass you're after may well already be out there and if you can find a pre-owned model you may save yourself a few hundred, if not thousands, of pounds. Check out your local Bass Bashes, even consider travelling to events further afield just to give yourself a chance to try other gear. Some might say that having a custom build can be a minefield, personally I'd say you're almost certainly in for a treat finding what you're looking for. My advice?...Enjoy the journey before jumping in. [/quote] Good ideas here. I think knowing what you're looking for, and why you're going custom is key. It was an option for me a year or so back, and I eventually concluded that I could find what I was after secondhand. Actually I decided that what I have currently probably couldn't be bettered (for me), and if it could be, that would cost a lot of money and I would want to try it before spending that money.

I found an old 1975 Cimar Jazz bass in a glasgow junk shop £50 I think. Ash and maple, Horrid bridge and missing a tuner part, with the help of the amazing [b]Bassassin[/b] and a bridge I fixed it up and sold it to a friend. Only way I could justify spending the money at the time. But it was one of the nicest sounding, most utterly fun rewarding things to play ever. The annoying thing is that my friend who has it knows that too!

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1487072431' post='3236701'] I wasn't that bothered either way until I bought the Flea Jazz Bass. Even my Dad, who doesn't play, thought it looked really unique. [/quote] probably wondered more about the colour than the wear patterns?

Ryan saw a wanted post I had made and sold me a really nice bass neck. Possibly the best packaged thing ever. Thanks Ryan!

Just sold Tony my BB1200 after he sent me a speculative PM - few PMs and a chat on the phone later and we're both setting off to meet midway on the M1 - a great guy and a pleasure to meet him. Would have no problem in recommending him for any basschat related buying and selling. I hope you enjoy the bass Tony, it's one of the good ones out there.

ACG?

Molotow graffiti paint has worked for me a couple of times- ideally needs a month to fully cure mind

So just the one big port?

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1486318004' post='3230851'] I think people confuse boosting signal with boosting eq? [/quote] I think people are just confused. Some passive basses are good, some aren't so good Some active basses are good, some active basses are bad. (and sometimes that's a crappy active system's fault) Just play the things!

A few things that you've said (this is directed to the OP) make me think that it's possibly more your left hand technique than your bass. When you play is your left wrist bent or straight? Where does your thumb sit?