LukeFRC

why? arn't they twice that new?

that 12th fret inlay is odd.

I find F holes on a P bass just odd... or f holes generally. A P bass should be built like a tank not some semi hollow thing... just too fragile - I like the idea of the warwick infinity too... just not the f holes

[quote name='bartelby' timestamp='1368205471' post='2074513'] When it's out it's in passive mode. In is active mode. Dumb question, but have you changed the battery? [/quote] what I was going to say...

[quote name='NJE' timestamp='1368173474' post='2073964'] I always thought I could play anything and I usually adjust very quickly to basses but that has changed recently. I moved to a Roscoe Beck 5 recently which has a very wide neck and now playing my quite narrow Squier CV Precision for any length of time gives me cramp. I keep trying but it still doesn't get any better. Its fine for about an hour but then gets uncomfortable. I think I just naturally find wider necks more comfortable now, but part of that could be because I do have quite large hands and fat fingers. I really want a 50's Precision now, especially since I found out it has the same nut width as a MusicMan Stingray 5. [/quote] see I think I'm the same as you but with short dumpy fingers. I always used flat wide necks but having got used to a thinner neck it's a lot harder to go back to the 57 spec precision width now - the strings are just slightly further than my natural reach.

[quote name='Cosmo Valdemar' timestamp='1368133453' post='2073758'] I don't think I've ever played a neck I consciously found to be uncomfortable, but wafer thin necks - like my old Rick 4001 and Geddy Lee Jazz - tend to give me cramp after a short period of playing. That said, I'm with Lozz on this one - a good Precision just feels like 'home'. [/quote] not uncomfortable as such maybe - unfamiliar

I've long been someone who's said that I can play anything and (providing a reasonable setup) can play most basses with no fuss. For years I played a status shark (wide flat neck) then P basses (also wide flat necks) I picked up a warwick (skinny deeper) and also have a jazz with a skinnier Pish neck on it but the trad wide P always felt like home. years passed and I've ended up playing the warwick more.... then the nice fellas at alpher sorted my frets out and it almost exclusively the wick. So I've a gig coming up, first one with a new band, had a couple of practices and took the warwick - sounded good despite the complex preamp and still trying to feel where tonally I fit in. So for simplicities sake I thought I would take the P, got it out, get new strings on it and got practicing.... and it's good, great in fact. then picked up the wick and suddenly it's an ease to play, effortless to think through and just more fun. The jazz as well doesn't need much thinking about even though it's not as well set up, it's just rewarding. This common with folk? and is it a playing thing and what you get used to a certain type/style or just one bass? And what do you do with basses which arn't so instant to click with? Do you get used to them again with time, or do you play them differently as they aren't as natural to play?

[quote name='NJE' timestamp='1368101166' post='2073158'] I have played a few 'Super J' type basses and based on what I have experience of playing I would say my votes would be: Nordstrand or Nordy Jazz - Amazing build, lovely slim but wide neck on the couple i have played and just a quality instrument. I nearly bought one from Bass Direct, guuted I didnt snap it up. Fender Roscoe Beck V - I am on my second one now having foolishly sold my first. Amazing basses, wide tonal palette and the build quality is up there with any high end bass I have ever played. [size=5][b]There is also one for sale on here for under 1k.[/b][/size] Sei Jazz - Great basses, build is impeccable enough said. GB Guitars - Bernie makes amazing instruments. One of the nicest basses I have ever played was a GB Spitfire at a guitar show years ago. So flexible with the EQ and just absolutely beautiful instruments. Overwater J5 - I owned one, brilliant bass but I didn't like the neck, but it was built for someone else so I cant knock Overwater for that. Also brilliant customer service and you can take it to the builder for adjustments and servicing, same as Sei. Alleva Coppollo - same as all in the list, great build etc but I found the B a tiny bit lacking but that could be setup etc. great bass but it wasn't very exciting and I didn't find it particularly 'lively' sounding. Sadowsky Metro - Good bass, I found the B string lacking but that could be set up and string choice, overall brilliant bass but for the money they go for I would try some of the basses above first, I really don't think they are worth the price tag. Heard great things about Xotic and Lull, I really want a Lull P5. I would suggest you head to Bass Gear or Bass Direct. Mark at Bass Direct is a true gent and has a brilliant selection and he will keep giving you basses to try all day long. [/quote] Important point here.... a £2k budget opens up lots and lots of top end stuff.... but more expensive doesn't necessarily mean better and "the best" could be a £500 secondhand bargain for something that's not fashionable at the moment....

My word... a question about strings and it all got a bit silly and heated, including the OP being accused of trolling his own thread....! madness everyone needs to chill out a bit, this isn't Off Topic. [quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1368015043' post='2072017'] Cheers, all. I've gone ahead with the order to see what happens. if I get stung.. I'll be on the hunt again. But then I'll have two sets of flats to get through so it'll be about ten years' time. [/quote] Guitarguitar are pretty good about being able to order stuff for you from distributers (and at good prices), from what i've heard/experienced the newcastle shop isn't the best advert for the chain but an email to head office and they might be able to sort you out. Edinburgh and Glasgow guitarguitars are good... newcastle less so...

what like that could be anything from a passive dingwall to a sadowsky to some thing that looks like the starship enterprise...

[list] [*]The Make/manufacturer - japanese, if bassassin was still around he would be able to tell you what factory it came out of.. but as it is, 70's japanese stuff. More likely satalite than ibanez if you know what I mean, [*]What type of Pick up that is, and are there any similar ones i can replace it with today? Not a clue. Hows it sound? [*]If i can fit a badass bridge - you could - your bridge would possibly be worth more than your bass but it could work. [*]If i can fit a dropD tuner - ahh the bass might be worth a wee bit more than the D tuner. Bare in mind that you'll have small diameter almost guitar size holes for the tuner. [/list]

oooh I like alpher's work (lucky enough to have had a go on a few too ) nice looking spec too - I'ld like to hear/see a alpher with a mm pup as think it would look good - where you having it placed? the rear jazz pup position or the MM sweet spot?

minus points for G&L's spelling of "turquoise"

So update... a day off and I went into the shop again to try the G&L (USA, £700 on the ticket, v. v. nice - needed the truss tightened badly, couldn't work out the switches) and tried the '74ri er, good points - it was lightweight. Build attention to detail all seemed to be there, looked dead good. bad points... it was (IMO) horrid. Thick finish, dull dull sounding, fat clubby neck, mediocre tone - blind playing test I would have thought it was one of the chinese squiers. (ie good but nothing standout) Oh yeah. bright white new maple neck - but the front of the headstock vintage tinted - looked dead odd. So my thoughts... (having only played one of them) get a '75ri - they are really nice!

[quote name='warwickhunt' timestamp='1367759029' post='2069111'] TBH the value is (as always) what someone will pay... I'd not give £800 for it but I would for a nice early one. I think saying that it is worth £600 more after a set-up is ludicrous and as has been pointed out if he is flagging up that it needs setting up, I'd want to know why it isn't done? Truss rod might be a concern (not as common as folks think) and it'll not have the easy remove truss rod but if it isn't an easy fix (again 'why' hasn't he done it) to set it up, you could be looking at a pig of a bass to resell... unless you moved it on and told the next potential owner it just needed a set-up! [/quote] not tempted to ask him? just for the craic?

I used barts in my ss1 The acg preamp helps too, it may be easier just to get a different bass though as a lot if the sound is designed in. Barts and DR fatbeams may help!

flip me - that beats me for warwick bargin!

... i know a shop with a USA L2000 for the same price as the galleries korean one... (I think would need to check)

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1367605509' post='2067571'] That inconsistancy is Fenders achilles heel . If they were all as good as the best examples , Fenders would be fairly priced compared to the competition , in my opinion . The problem is that if you are ordering in or buying sight - unseen , you can literally have to buy half a dozen to find one without any production glitches that's worth keeping . It's pot luck as to what you will get when you open the case . [/quote] and also if you do set about playing them to find a good one - that can often be the one that costs £250 rather than £2000

[quote name='Lynottfan' timestamp='1367531998' post='2066701'] For £2K i would be saving up a bit more and that Super J making man Mr Dingwall would be very near top of my list, stunning! [/quote] warwickhunts still got his up for sale at far far less!

[quote name='PrecPro13' timestamp='1364760773' post='2030630'] OK, then. I own this bass-It's the only one so far built. Those that order will receive in 6 months to a year. I saw the bass at NAMM; the right to purchase it (Dealer) was raffled. (2) months after NAMM, and after FCS used this for catalogue shots, etc. I paid for & received it. The comments; Opinions are acceptable of course, have at it. If it's not your type OK then. But the build, playability, and sound of this instrument is 110% World-Class. If anyone thinks tht the Fender Custom Shop build leaves anything to be desired, think again. It does not. Most all of the comments here do not warrant reply. Think what you want, this is by far one of the most astounding P-Basses ever built by Fender. Good Day, gents- Off to enjoy it. [/quote] how odd someone comes on here and talks at great lengths about their bass they've got, copies everything from fender's press release but doesn't tell any of us folk how it actually sounds! whats the point! [quote name='AndyTravis' timestamp='1357859766' post='1929823'] This... [url="http://www.cmcguitars.com/Fender-Custom-Shop-2011-NAMM-MB-DP-P-Bass-p/fender-masterbuilt-55-p-bass.htm"]http://www.cmcguitar...t-55-p-bass.htm[/url] I would like. Colour options etc. [/quote] see the bass in the OP I saw and thought that the PUP config would possibly be quite interesting - but it looks ugly as.... change just the pick guard.... and it looks great!

[quote name='cloudburst' timestamp='1367526040' post='2066561'] A bit confused about what you and Dingus are saying about '74 jazzes. I still play the 74 jazz that my dad bought for me in 1974. It has a 4 bolt neck, is quite light, has a beautiful neck and stays absolutely in tune regardless of the season - I haven't needed to go near the truss rod since the late 70s. Do you know something I don't? CB [/quote] yes. not all of the 70's fenders were as good as yours!

is yours just the preamp or the whole amp? what's the diference between SMC and SMX?

[quote name='geoffbyrne' timestamp='1367521990' post='2066465'] Buy the G&L. G. [/quote] I was a good boy and bought a printer cartridge for Mrs FRC!