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miles'tone

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Posts posted by miles'tone

    NBD - Charvel/Jackson Surfcaster Bass

    in Bass Guitars

    Posted

    Nice find! I've always wanted one too.
    I bought a Charvel Surfcaster semi acoustic in 1993, my first 'proper' bass. I still have it and would never part with it, in fact I played my first ever gig on it!
    Playing my Surfcaster unplugged has such an amazing tone, it has been my life's mission in a way to find an electric that sounds like it but amplified (the eq on my bass never came close unfortunately). I always wondered if an electric Surfcaster would be it. Really well made and designed basses (the fixed unadjustable rosewood bridge on mine is still pretty much in perfect intonation 21 years later!), mine is a joy to play.
    Congratulations on a great find and well done!

    I hate you for reminding me that I need one.

    ;)

    Does changing the bridge make much difference?

    in Bass Guitars

    Posted

    I have a Hipshot A in aluminium here waiting to go on my VM P bass.
    I'm hoping that it won't make any difference to the tone of my bass as I like it just the way it is and don't want to bugger up a good thing.
    BUT, I am hoping it will make a noticeable difference to the weight of my bass as I'm trying to shave off as much weight as possible (bad back, got lightweight tuners and knobs already on).
    Anyone know the weight difference at all or will it be just an unnecessary faff?

    Fender, In trouble?

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    [quote name='MiltyG565' timestamp='1414362391' post='2588701']


    I think they have too much choice. How would one ever decide?

    Some people think as much choice as possible is fantastic, but it isn't, because it's daunting and off-putting for customers. Just look at their Strat range. Absolutely endless. 15 pages of Strats on their website. In what volume are they selling each and every version to justify 15 pages worth of product variations?

    Maybe that's where they're going wrong - too much choice. Too much invested in slight variations of the same product. If I had any persuasion within Fender, I'd be looking to cull a few lines and consolidate the range.

    As it is, their variations are a bit mad. Sometimes you see a colour you like, but it's not available on the guitar you like. I presume that's most a cost-saving measure. I would think if the range was consolidated that they could offer all their guitars in all finishes (and do some limited-production "special" finishes to peak the interests of the hardcore fans).

    Those are just my thoughts on it. I don't really know of any brand where expanding the range (beyond a certain point) expands the profits. In fact, one of the biggest companies in the world only offers a few variations of each product, and they have millions in cash reserves - Apple.
    [/quote]

    Random observation:
    This reminds me of Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmares. He'd show up at some failing restaurant to troubleshoot and get them back on track, turn them into a little goldmine. Usually the restaurant was overstretching themselves with too many choices on the menu, therefore spending a fortune on stock, customer relations not so great, etc..
    Ramsey would always slash the menu down to a handful of dishes and concentrate on doing those dishes incredibly well.
    Cue excellent word of mouth, reputation restored, everyone happy..kerching!!

    Should've given Gordon the job instead of fu**ing Bono.

    Fender, In trouble?

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    [quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1413883691' post='2583013']

    Thanks for the info the vm and deluxe keeps getting a good mention on here, bit more home work online then a shopping trip I think, white fender deluxe V blocks and bound rosewood finger board is top of my list right now, I've got gigs in the diary to pay for it too which is the main thing :)
    [/quote]

    Hey if the money's there then hell yeah, get that! :)

    Fender, In trouble?

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    [quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1413834885' post='2582625']
    Yes I wont rule out a Squier, whenever I have a P I dont get on with them even though all my favourite albums are recorded using one, I know people here who have the opposite with Rays.
    :( Which 5 string Squier Jazz should I be trying?
    [/quote]

    I'm very much a Stingray fan and still wake up with night terrors every now and then because I idiotically sold my trans red late '80s stingray years ago :/

    As I feel the same way about Jazzes as you feel about Precisions, I'm probably not the best to advise other than the Squier Deluxe active Jazz (in black) does intrigue me. It's got a much wider neck than any Fender 5, 51mm at the nut which I really like the idea of myself.
    I guess it's just down to what you're after.
    As long as you factor in a pro set up to tweak them to your preferences, I Don't think you could really go wrong with either the Deluxe J or VM passive J.

    Fender, In trouble?

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    [quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1413796333' post='2581857']
    Even though I'm fairly sure the fender B string isn't going to do it for me something still makes me want to go and (triple by now) check, so even as a taker or leaver of fender something still makes me want that badge? I'd only want either another squier as a project or a full on USA, stuff in the middle doesn't appeal to my snob side :(
    [/quote]

    I can recommend giving a Squier P5 a go.

    My VM Precision V has a great B string although the Fender strings were very flubby and I wasn't so impressed on first play.
    Sent it for a decent pro setup and had it restrung with DR nickel Lowriders and boom! The B was there. Sounds massive, even acoustically, plus it is now in perfect balance with the other strings.
    A cheap American Standard P5 pup bought here on BC, and a KiOgan wiring harness has left me thinking I'd be a fool to throw a grand or so more at the Fender version.

    Fender, In trouble?

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    [quote name='Jazzneck' timestamp='1413648768' post='2580561']
    Interesting but price does not equal cost.
    Most successful businesses seem to focus on maximizing quality whilst minimizing cost, keeping overheads low and giving the customer what he wants.
    Fender may have missed the point that the majority of the Fenderphiles out here want 50s or 60s Teles, Starts, Ps and J's in classic custom colours.
    Why not sell off the dross, clear the debt and concentrate on a limited range which suits the market, keeping the CS for specials.

    I suspect they are too big and clever to do that ;)
    [/quote]

    Well said.

    Ashdown customer service!

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    [quote name='mikebass84' timestamp='1413054530' post='2574596']
    Who steals knobs? (no rude jokes needed)
    [/quote]

    I would love to know too but it was the why rather than who that stumped me. A joke? Did someone on mushrooms think they might look nice on their cooker? A massive knob shortage in West Wales? (although the perpetrator proved that one wrong ;) )
    Thankfully the replacements came with grub screws to keep them on, the old originals were just push on (and easily pulled off obviously).

    Ashdown customer service!

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    Another happy Ashdown customer here.
    I've been using a Mag200 kickback combo for 12 years now with no issues.
    Around my amps 10th birthday while gigging at a festival in West Wales, some tw@t actually nicked all the knobs off the front of my amp! (We'd soundchecked and gone for a wander to kill some time).
    I contacted Ashdown to see if I could buy a new set, worried that they might not have them anymore as my amp's a bit old now, and the nice chap on the phone there sympathized with me and sent out a replacement set free of charge! That's customer service for you!

    Where no humbucker has gone before... i think..

    in Bass Guitars

    Posted

    [quote name='lucky' timestamp='1411678003' post='2561909']


    haha there is. It's one of the most comfortable guitars that I've ever played but i think that the old cheap electronics are letting it down so i'd like to see if i can have something that sounds as nicely as it plays before i move it on and regret it.
    It's not particularly valuable so i doubt selling it would get me anywhere near being able to afford a custom build to replicate the aspects of the body and neck that i like. So it seems as though I might as well try to take those parts that i know i like and see if i can beef up the sound a little with replacement electronics.




    I have to admit i'd not even considered emg's as it's got to be passive but they do look good like a good set. Ahhhh And now i have even more tempting choices to consider.. :)
    [/quote]

    The EMG Geezer B's are passive.

    Tell me about American Special Precisions

    in Bass Guitars

    Posted

    [quote name='loudandclear' timestamp='1412678600' post='2570916']
    thank you I did check that and have now just noticed that unlike the American standard spec sheet it is listed in the misc features , thank you , does make you wonder what the actual difference is between the special and the am standard !
    [/quote]

    Well the necks are much thinner front to back (I had an Am Special jazz neck on my P bass - very slim but rock solid thanks to the Posiflex rods) and I believe the bodies are slightly thinner front to back also (mentioned in a review somewhere - can't remember where sorry) which means the Specials are known for being relatively lighter in weight than the Am Standards.
    I so wish Fender would make an American Special 5 string Precision. I would have one instantly!

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