miles'tone

[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!

'ere y'go: http://www.fender.com/series/american-special/american-special-precision-bass-rosewood-fingerboard-3-color-sunburst/ (click on "specs" next to "overview". Then scroll down to the bottom, it's listed as one of the "unique features")

The '77 sounds the nicest to me too. Interesting because a lot of people write off Fenders from this time period as being the worst (Q.C, materials etc..) I could certainly live with that one!

Cor that was exciting! Well done Bilbo!

My 3: Squier VM Precision V (2014) Charvel Surfcaster semi-acoustic (1992) Meinal upright (1980) All the bass food groups covered!

It already looks like it's a custom job as is IMHO. Any "improvements" would be a step backwards I feel. Gorgeous looking Jazz that mate, Squier are just killing it these days

[quote name='lurksalot' timestamp='1412111497' post='2565864'] Quite bizarrely , I had a discussion about the film idea the other day with my lad , I played the entries through to him and he actually mentioned a competition to score his next short film . I intend to keep the idea in loose discussion with him to see if it will gain any legs , but he can make a film , and the BC composers can certainly do a tune or two . Dont hold your collective breath , but if it shows promise I will liase with Skol to asses the feasibility of the idea. [/quote] and why not? (Barry Norman pun not intended) Onwards and upwards!

[quote name='lurksalot' timestamp='1412111497' post='2565864'] Quite bizarrely , I had a discussion about the film idea the other day with my lad , I played the entries through to him and he actually mentioned a competition to score his next short film . I intend to keep the idea in loose discussion with him to see if it will gain any legs , but he can make a film , and the BC composers can certainly do a tune or two . Dont hold your collective breath , but if it shows promise I will liase with Skol to asses the feasibility of the idea. [/quote] and why not? Onwards and upwards!

You lot should get a little collective together and start trying to score some independent films . Seriously, I know it's almost a cliché now to state that the quality of the compositions gets better every month, but it really does. Up until this months offerings I don't think I've actually voted once for my actual favourite piece of music to listen to out of the contenders as I always go for the piece that "scores" the photo best (for me). Well, this month's music has been the hardest to pick from as all your scoring chops have improved greatly and they all spoke to me in their own way and did indeed really suit the photo so well. Dad got my vote in the end as, for me personally, his tune scored the piccy wonderfully and actually got me bopping around my kitchen in the process! Thanks Dad and congrats to everyone as you should all be proud of yourselves!

[quote name='DrBike' timestamp='1412092520' post='2565584'] The last 2 basses I've gigged are a Squier P Bass that my wife found at a car boot sale for £65 and a Vintage V4 that I got new off ebay (via DJM Music) that was £85 which I'm assuming someone priced wrong but I wasn't going to complain. A reasonable amp does help too but in my case the Portaflex setup cost me around £500 and it suits me fine. Both basses play and sound great to me, I might be a little self centered but if it sounds right when I'm playing then I don't really mind how it sounds to everyone else. I've had no complaints, in fact the comments that I have had are "Your bass always sounds great" so I'm going to stick with what I've got. I've got a couple of "kosher" Fender Jazz basses and I've owned a Gibson EB3 and an Aria Pro II in the past but I'm more than happy to play my "cheap" basses for the forseeable future. [/quote] Nice one! I also had a Vintage V4 that I bought for £80 off the BC classifieds. The only cheap thing about it was the price. Great P bass and I really regret selling it on (for the same price) as that £80 just went poof! so quickly that I didn't really notice having it. Should've kept the bass even though it wasn't being used at the time. Fantastic pickup and hardware on a well made bass for next to scratch. Just wish they'd jump on the P5 wagon with a V5 now.

The EMG Geezer Butler signature passive P pickups are getting rave reviews over on Talkbass. Pretty true to the mid sixties lively/throaty pups by all accounts. I've had a Fralin and Fender Original which are both really great but if I still owned a 4 string P bass I'd be gunning for the EMG GZR right now myself.

Gorgeous bass, congrats. I wouldn't bother changing the pickguard mate, the white on white looks killer.

http://basschat.co.uk/topic/245337-hipshot-ultralite-tuners/ You did check back into this thread after you posted there right?

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1411654969' post='2561607'] +1 I have joined several bands and been given many deps on the strength of my what people in the audience have seen and heard. Never underestimate who is in the audience, and what they know. [/quote] Very true, same here.

[quote name='sellisnba' timestamp='1411403046' post='2559173'] Hi all. A question that's been floating around in my head for a while "who gigs a cheap bass". I just thought i would try and get some feedback on this. I've been looking through a few forums (probably not the best thing to do) and the attitude of some people has surprised me a bit. The fender forum was interesting, a majority of people seem to think anything that hasn't got the F logo on the headstock might as well be used as fire wood. There seems to be (on other forums) a particular hatred for anything Chinese or Indonesian and for that matter short scale is a swear word to some people!? So whats the feedback from the Basschat mind? [/quote] For me, one of the best things I've personally got from surfing all the bass forums is how to put together a fantastic bass for very little outlay. Looking back to when I was a young player, it's almost embarrassing to remember that at one point I felt that unless I had a big name bass, a "real" bass, then it meant I wasn't a ""real" player! I've had many nice, expensive basses but I'm getting the most pleasure from my Squier VM P5 that I've modded a bit. Probably because it's tailored to suit my needs (I know exactly what I want from a bass now - sound, feel, setup), plus I feel more secure about my musical ability these days. Great if a person can easily afford more expensive instruments but ultimately it doesn't matter what it says on a bass' headstock, it only matters what it says when it comes out of the speakers.

[quote name='eddiehoffmann' timestamp='1411392154' post='2559009'] Question: How thick are the headstocks on these basses? Are they thicker like modern Fenders or thinner like the real vintage ones? I know it's a minor thing but... I love my American special but it disturbs me when I look at the headstock and it's much thicker than on my older basses. Minor OCD I guess... [/quote] I remember reading somewhere that the thinking behind the thicker modern headstocks is that the extra mass (along with the posiflex graphite support rods) decreases the likelihood of having dead spots on the fingerboard.

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1411377056' post='2558808'] All these clips of Disco, Pop, Rock, Funk, Soul, Ballads, Prog Rock, Blues, 80's Slap etc are just high lighting just what a one trick pony the Stingray really is [/quote] You missed out Acoustic David Bowie, Live Acoustic "Heroes": http://youtu.be/pBiiFplMWls

Looks gorgeous John, I really like the stealth look of these Rog P's and I hope to try one one day. Enjoy!

Sounds like just my thing! Thanks Nige, gonna check her and the band out. Always great to discover something new (and I trust your musical taste of course ) Cheers man.

Oooo! Thanks stoo, that looks perfect XLR out of the B3 and a headphone port too! Old school ideas with nu school toys Awesome.

I really would like to be able to do this somehow so I can plug my bass into my Zoom B3 then into my phone and record straight onto the tape machine app: http://tapemachine.samalyse.com I realise there is the Peavey ampkit for iPhone but I was hoping there is something similar for android (had a few googles on the matter but still not too sure). I'm getting a Samsung Galaxy S4 or S5 as a free upgrade on my mobile contract soon. I like the Galaxys, always had them but never really thought about doing this kind of thing on one. I just want to be able to plug in, record some bass and email it to my buddy who has a studio. That's it and all I need. I'm not a tech head at all so the ease of this really appeals to me! Anyone know the best way to achieve this at all? Many thanks!

[quote name='spongebob' timestamp='1410883805' post='2554301'] I've got a set fitted to my 4003 - genuine USA - I bought mine from Mark at Bass Direct. Really love them - they are NOT a direct fit if you use all the Hipshot parts, it does involve drilling some holes. I didn't mind, as my Ric is a bit away from standard anyway with other mods, and I wanted the most comfy and playable Ric I could get....and these help a great deal. The weight saving is amazing, especially if your bass is quite heavy to start with - as mine is. ....and I love the look as well! [/quote] Stunning headstock that spongebob, I was really glad when Rickenbacker went back to the longer headstock and walnut wings. The Ultralites look the part too Bought the satin USA Hipshots for my old Fender off Mark at Bass direct actually. Top guy and really helpful to boot.

I think the licenced Ultralites are meant to be non-reversible although someone on talkbass apparently worked out how to do it. Sounded like a FAFF and a gamble to me and would no doubt go wrong if I tried it! Best to decide what you want before ordering and just buy what you need. BTW - although the USA and the Licenced Ultralites look the same, the Licenced tuners have "Hipshot" embossed on the rear, whereas the USA made tuners do actually say "Hipshot USA" on the rear.

[quote name='Paul S' timestamp='1410875486' post='2554164'] Thanks for those links! [/quote] Pleasure

[quote name='Paul S' timestamp='1410862755' post='2553919'] Could either of you be kind enough to link to the seller for these licensed Ultralight copies, please? Sticking that into the search doesn't come up with anything. Ta. [/quote] Just checked myself and you're right, they're not on eBay at present. This is the seller I bought mine from and a direct link to their site: http://www.sporthitech.com/hipshot-ultralite-lic-bass-hb6c-1-2-tuners-5-string-5-inline-3x2-etc-chrome-plated/