Grangur

As there's the Encore in there as the nominal cheepie, I can offer a Warwick PJ Streamer as an alternative to the Gear4Music if you'd prefer. It can be played passive with the P-pup only? It sounds loads better than the G4M.

Updated: 1. Biaeothanata-Bassist - 2009 MIJ Steve Harris sig, SPB-4 signature Steve Harris pups, Maple, D'Addario Nickel rounds 2. The Greek - US 78, standard pups, maple 3. Jonnyboy Rotten - Squier, SD QPs, rosewood 4. Hertsbass - US 2012, standard CS pups, maple 5. Grand Wazoo - Dingwall PJ5, Dingwall pups, maple / Ibanez P/J 1984 super super bass (yes 2x super wait til you try) 6. Charic - MIM 2006, SD QPs, maple 7. Seashell - MIM, standard pups, rosewood. 8. Balcro - Encore; own-brand p/u; Made in Korea (probably); Elite Stadium 45-105 rounds; maple. 9. Bottle - Squier Precision Special, standard p/u's, Fender #7350 roundwound strings, rosewood fretless 10. Jazzneck - Squier CV 51, SD Basslines, Maple 11. Grangur - Gear4Music LA bass - rosewood board, standard pups

I'm planning on coming btw. Very interested to take a look at your Corvette Bluejay, if you bring it. I'm bringing a Gear4Music P for the P test and I can bring a Wishbass if anyone's interested, or a Streamer PJ; fretted of fretless? Anyone interested?

[quote name='JazzBassfreak' timestamp='1403731643' post='2485824'] He coming to Notts? [/quote] Not to my knowledge. I think its just Liverpool, Leeds and London.

Well it's a 5 string. So he's not entirely wrong.

London Thanks for the heads up

Agree with all the above. A lot of folk like Ibanez as a first bass too. The important thing is go down the shop and make a menace of yourself, go try some basses. Find out what YOU like. If you stick with the main brands you won't go far wrong: Fender, Peavey, Ibanez, Vintage, Squier (made by Fender), Cort, Yamaha, Epiphone

It sounds to me like you want a good all round bass and as Pukie says, a PJ will give you lots of options on the sound you can get. Some points worth thinking about as a new player: Basses are like women. (And men to I guess) 1 - You will pay a premium for anything that looks distinctive 2 - You probably don't yet know what type of music you'll go playing - that will come when you join a band. 3 - You will almost inevitably trade up a few times until you find one you settle with. Even then you'll still keep looking about. This would be a fantastic start if you can afford it: http://basschat.co.uk/topic/239523-fender-precision-lyte-1993-immaculate-condition/

[quote name='Thunderbird' timestamp='1403601297' post='2484230'] I did not know that those standards dictated length and I do use a decent extension lead to me though the Antex does feel quite flimsy but in all fairness for the price it cost maybe I have been a little unfair on it [/quote] It's a long time ago, but I used to work for a TV manufacturer. If I recall correctly the longest a TV lead can be is 2M. I think on a kettle it's 1M. But, as I say; it's a long time. Actually its a long time since ANYONE in the UK worked in a TV factory! Edit: God, I must sound old.

I guess you just need to be thankful you weren't the one with a cooked pig, gas used to cook it and nobody paying a bean for the pleasure.

I'd go for this one: [url="http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/antex-25w-soldering-iron-type-xs-silicone-cable-nd94c"]http://www.maplin.co...one-cable-nd94c[/url] The tip is the one you want. Also, it comes with a silicon cable. PVC heat resist cables that come on irons are stiff and don't flex well. silicon ones bend better and give you better control over the iron, especially in cold weather. OK, you'll need to add a stand to the order, but I wish I'd got one with a silicon lead. Edit: If you look after it, you won't ever need another iron. So buy the right one.

[quote name='Clarky72' timestamp='1403596197' post='2484152'] So if I bought an Antex 30W soldering iron would most replacement tips fit, are they universal sizes? [/quote] 1 - Antex have been going a long time and I doubt it will be a problem. 2 - I'm an ex-electronics engineer and I've never replaced the tip on an iron. Use a damp soldering sponge (or an old damp rag) to keep the tip clean and it'll be fine. Watts - the higher the wattage the faster it heats. Either will get to the heat you need. If you're only wanting it for doing the occasional bass re-wire and a few other stuff you come across, then don't go mad. 30W will be fine.

[quote name='Thunderbird' timestamp='1403439655' post='2482647'] Hi I am no soldering expert but I have an antex 40W kit and it is bloody hopeless the cable is extremely short .. [/quote] In Britain the Electrical good standards dictate maximum lengths of cables for many goods. This includes kettles, toasters, and soldering irons. Buy an extension lead... or take one out of your gigging kit! Hey, maybe that's why the Scots want independence; longer leads on soldering irons!

You could also subscribe to Musescore.com and browse through the library of music they have online. You can download it as a PDF, or you can use the Musescore (FOC) software and change it.

I bought my Antex iron kit about 35 years ago. I recon it'll see me out. So on this basis, don't skimp. buy a descent one .After all, they're not very expensive. The Weller soldering stations are brilliant, but for home use they're a bit overkill. If I were buying now I'd buy this one: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Antex-SK9-Soldering-Iron-Kit/dp/B003IU3XAI/ref=sr_1_4?s=diy&ie=UTF8&qid=1403442084&sr=1-4&keywords=Antex#productDetails

[quote name='bagsieblue' timestamp='1403332211' post='2481861'] No Tab. IMO tab is a short cut that, like most shortcuts, is actually the long way round. I dont get the non readers comments as you have to 'read' tab to some extent. Charts also need chords to be able to apply the dots to the underlying harmony. I've avoided tab like the plague for a couple of years now. I honestly believe that it seriously held me back over the years. [/quote] + 1 TAB imho is "painting by numbers" for musicians. The trouble is TAB gives no timing. So you can't play anything you don't already know the sound of.

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1403272064' post='2481389'] Most of the adverts seem to be in the region of "Professional producer (middle aged guy with a keyboard) looking to put together an all girl band (between the ages of 18 and 22), own rehearsal space (his living room) and industry contacts (wrote down the number for xfactor applications) experience and talent not required, please send full length photo, clothing optional....." [/quote] And... did you get the gig?

i just bought a Gear4Music P off Ebay for £20. It's got a dodgy paint colour and Rotosound strings, but they can both be fixed and the neck is fine (no dead spots) apart from an embarssing name on the headstock, but it all feels good and sounds good.

Allighatt0r is right on the money I recon. Unless.... you could always relic it. I've got a blow lamp.... (Runs for cover!)

The neck is no-doubt exactly how you like it, and the inlays look great with the body, but the headstock does look a bit yellow. (It might be that which makes MoonBassAlpha say it looks out of proportion) Maybe you could spray the headstock to match the body colour?

Thunderbird? Or maybe that's a brand name too..