surfguy13

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[quote name='Kiwi' timestamp='1414852383' post='2593958']
If you don't want it, I'll take it.
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Right, for various reasons (mainly because I can't play it before buying it!) I'm not going to go ahead and buy this bass so I know you said you'd be interested if I didn't buy it so.....I'll PM you now with the guy's details!!

Thanks guys, this has REALLY helped to get my head around the concept of a thinner neck on a P bass. Before coming across this P with the J neck I had never heard of anybody doing this so it's great to have such positive feedback. Looks like this bass is now under [i]serious [/i]consideration!!!!

I had considered a P/J pickup setup on a P bass body as you really get the best of both worlds but when I saw this P bass I was really tempted as it's the same year as the one I've just got rid of and so is likely to sound pretty similar.

Some of the Mex and Jap basses are stupidly cheap now and really excellent quality......

[quote name='Highfox' timestamp='1414853798' post='2593978']
I have 1970 P with an A neck, it still says Precision on the headstock
They are very nice necks imo.
[/quote]

Well, this is all looking very positive! I wasn't too sure if it was going to be a bit of a frankenstein but as you have one and it works then it sounds ideal. Yes, this one has a standard P headstock as you would expect but when you look at the nut it definitely looks weird......but in a good way I think!!

I have just traded my '76 P for a Jazz and although I love the Jazz I now realise it was a [i]very [/i]stupid thing to do. I can't quite get that 'whatever it is' from the Jazz pickups. However, I think the neck on my old '76 was larger than standard and I did have problems getting my hand around the first 3 frets and yet with the Jazz it's a doddle. So, it looks like the J neck on a '76 P might be a perfect compromise.
[quote name='Jacqueslemac' timestamp='1414855082' post='2593990']
USA Fender Hot Rod P-basses did have a Jazz-width nut in the late 1990s. I know this because I tried one and loved it, but couldn't afford it at the time.

PS Completely off topic, but if you're looking for a surf band to join I could put you in touch with a drummer and a guitarist who is desperate to find a decent bass player into surf music.
[/quote]

I had no idea that Fender had produced a modern P bass with J neck....that's very interesting and I'll store that away for future reference!!

I'm really grateful for the offer of surf contacts but........I'm actually a guitarist that plays bass rather than the other way around!!!! That's one of the reasons that a P neck can often feel a bit large whereas I feel a lot more at home with a J neck.

[quote name='gary mac' timestamp='1414851817' post='2593948']
Don't know if the answer to your question is here but it is a good resource anyway

[url="http://home.provide.net/~cfh/fender2.html"]http://home.provide....fh/fender2.html[/url]
[/quote]

Thanks Gary, appreciate that. I've had a quick look and sadly no info on J necks.....however, as you say, excellent resource anyway!!
[quote name='KK Jale' timestamp='1414852405' post='2593959']
Fender did offer P's with this option from roughly late 60s through to late 70s. They are much less common than the standard, but not exactly rare either.

They are not "Jazz necks" strictly speaking but simply Jazz WIDTH necks (1.5" at the nut). This was known as the A series neck: the standard width for Js, an option on Ps in this period.

Value-wise I would say not much difference, if any at all: some players seek them out, while others don't.

Happy to be corrected on any of the above by those more in the know...
[/quote]

Aha! Thanks for that, really very helpful.

It's interesting to know that they are called A series necks and the fact that they are basically a P bass neck with a narrower nut width makes perfect sense as that's exactly what it looks like.

Hi Guys

I am in the process of considering buying a mid 70s P bass and wanted a little advice as it's not straightforward.

It's a '76 but has, apparently, a factory fitted Jazz neck. The bass looks exactly like a standard P, which is what I was originally looking for, and until the guy mentioned it had a J neck I was non the wiser. However, I genuinely like J necks and in many ways my perfect bass would probably be a P with a J neck! The neck has dots rather than blocks and other than the obviously narrower nut width it looks identical to a standard P.

So, I spoke at length with the guy who has it for sale and he's pretty sure it is a factory neck rather than just an add on. He's done a bit of research and he said that Fender did fit J necks on Ps in the 70s as well offering custom orders. I really don't have any knowledge of this and so far

I haven't found anything online that suggests that Fender [i]did[/i] fit J necks on Ps (other than as special orders) and was just wondering if anyone knows anything about this. I really don't mind if this P has just had a J neck fitted to it as long as it's a good fit but I guess, to an extent anyway, a P factory J neck on a standard P may be worth a bit more?

Any advice would be much appreciated!!

[quote name='VTypeV4' timestamp='1414460409' post='2589561']
Hi Guy, hope you're well.. Your old Celestion G15C still lives too.

My Trace Twin Valve Combo has all of the described above. It sounds stunning and will knock a hole in a wall volume wise but it does weigh 8000 tonnes and as such is a pain to move. I almost took it to rehearsal earlier but used the manky old Peavey thats already there instead. It's my go-to amp for when it counts..
[/quote]

I'm REALLY pleased to hear that the old G15C is still going strong!!!! They made them to last in the early 70s!

Really great to know that your Trace Twin is so good.....I really don't mind if it's massively heavy as I won't be moving it much once it's here! I shall go forth and see if I can see any for sale out there. Thanks for getting in touch!

Thanks guys, some really useful info there! Great to have a list of models as i was really struggling to find any combos t all.
Weight isn't an issue for me as i'm not taking it out, it's purely for use at home. My ampeg B3 weighs a ton and when i do take it out i have got a full flight oherwise it'd be backbreaker.
The idea of making a head sounds wonderful but sadly i just don't have the know how.
Xgsjf mentioned adding a sansamp.....is that adding it to a valve combo or using it with a solid state unit? Be interested to have more details.
Yeah, the old silverface amps are not half bad and the suggestion of a bassman sounds like an idea. I've always thought of hemas guitar amps bizarrely and never even considered ne for bass!

[quote name='Beer of the Bass' timestamp='1414406479' post='2588898']
There are not many valve bass combos around nowadays. I think this is because open backed cabinets are are the easiest to design a valve combo around but they don't work so well for bass.
As far as modern low powered valve heads go Ashdown have a few, otherwise it's a case of looking for an older amp.
[/quote]

Appreciate that. You have confirmed what I suspected but I didn't realise the lack of valve combos was due to the fact that open cabs work better.....makes perfect sense though.

I'll have a look at Ashdown and also maybe have a look around for an old T&B or something similar.

Hi Guys

First off I need to say I'm a guitarist that plays bass so my experiences with bass amplification are strictly limited. However, I've been using valve guitar amps, mostly 50s/60s, for the last 40+ years.

I don't play bass 'out' so there is no need for me to have anything other than a fairly low power set up and my current bass combo is an Ampeg B3 which I've had for years. It's a really nice sounding combo and I have no complaints. Previously I had an old WEM Dominator MK1 which was nice but a bit rattly when you started shifting some air!

So, as I'm used to valve amps and currently have a solid state bass combo I was wondering whether there were any valve bass combos out there or whether they are all solid state? I'm not completely sure that a valve combo is going to give me a hugely different sound but as I want quality rather than quantity (in terms of pure watts) I thought maybe a valve set up might just have the edge. I used a Selmer Treble and Bass for years for guitar and maybe something like that might be an option?

If there aren't any decent combos out there are there any decent low output heads I could consider as I [i]could [/i]use the Ampeg B3 as a speaker cab and run a head through it?

Any advice would be warmly welcomed!

PM on the way....

[quote name='HowieBass' timestamp='1412510096' post='2569419']
If you're getting fret buzz with mostly one string and the others play cleanly I'd guess the action is too low for the offending string; it might only need raising slightly to cure it. As a guide, fret buzz near the nut usually indicates too little neck relief, fret buzz at the 'dusty end' usually indicates too much neck relief... since yours seems to be in the middle that to me suggests the string's too low.
[/quote]

That's interesting, I wasn't aware of that and it's good to know. Cheers.

I decided to re-set the bass up this afternoon going back to the Fender spec page you suggested. The truss rod appears to be spot on according to the Fender guide for a 7.25" radius.....it should be 0.14 and it's 0.15 so as close as it needs to be.

I then checked the saddles and the E had to come up a touch, and only a touch, to get it it 2.8mm and the G had to come up even less to get it to 2.4mm. I then used a radius gauge and got the string alignment over the bridge and all the way up the neck to 7.25". To get this spot on the D and the A had to come up a fraction.

It feels fine and I'm going to stick with this and see how it goes. However the buzz on the E when fretting the E at the 5th and the D at the 7th is still there. The buzz on the A is now mainly there when fretting the 7th fret but there is slight buzz on the 8th and 9th fret too. Mind you, this is almost impossible to hear when it's plugged in and so maybe not worth bothering about? However the buzz on the top E is just there when plugged in.

I went up and down the neck with a relatively small, but good quality, fret rocker that I use for the guitar and the only discrepancy seems to be on the 9th fret on the A. When the rocker is resting with one tip on the 9th fret and then over the 10th/11th and the other tip on the 12th fret it rocks [i]slightly [/i]on the 9th. When I say rocks I mean it dips very slightly onto the 9th fret suggesting that it is a little low? I then checked the frets around the 5th fret on the treble side and when the rocker is resting on the 5th/6th/7th frets (beneath the E string) there is a similar rock on the 5th fret. The rocker just dips fractionally. Does this suggest that the 5th fret may be a touch low a la the 9th on the A. Could this be the problem?

[quote name='gary mac' timestamp='1412414047' post='2568674']
Not suggesting that you start whacking it with a large hammer but if it's just a case of the fret having popped up a little, a gentle tap can sort it. Last time I did one, I used a little piece of wood placed over the offending fret and then a couple of taps with a light tacking hammer and all was good.
[/quote]
[quote name='zero9' timestamp='1412414290' post='2568676']
[url="http://www.jonhaireguitar.co.uk"]http://www.jonhaireguitar.co.uk[/url] if you're near Peterborough at any time. He worked on some of my basses.
[/quote]

First of all thanks for the tip re John Haire.....I've heard of the shop but never been there, it's a definite possible. Not round the corner but no further than Stevenage.

When I said I have a "high fret" I[i] assume[/i] it is a high fret but after playing the bass again this morning I'm not so sure. When the bass is plugged in the problem I'm going to describe is FAR less obvious but acoustically it is really obvious. The problem appears to be somewhere between the 5th fret and the 9th fret and probably on the A. This is what's happening:

When individual notes are hit between the 12th and the 5th on each string the GD and E are all clean. However, on the A the 7th/8th/9th and to an extent the 10th fret buzz. The 12th and 6th frets are clean.

To make it all the more weird when I fret the 5th on the G and the 7th on the D the G buzzes!!!!! Hmmmmmm? No other combinations buzz though and all the notes on both the G and the D fret cleanly when fretted in isolation.

I might even post this as a separate issue but I'd be very interested to know if anyone has any views as to what this could be?

Cheers

Guy

[quote name='HowieBass' timestamp='1412321449' post='2567740']
I'm curious to know what you've done and in what way you think your basses can be better? I tend to follow Fender's guide for advice on height settings for action and pickup heights and this affords a nicely playable instrument IMHO.

[url="http://www.fender.com/en-GB/support/articles/bass-guitar-setup-guide/"]http://www.fender.co...ar-setup-guide/[/url]
[/quote]

Strangely enough I did set it up using Fender's online guide but just haven't been able to get it 'right'. Bernie Goodfellow used to own this bass and when I bought it it was great but a couple of string changes later and a lot of use it doesn't feel quite as sorted. I am fairly competent at setting up my guitars but don't feel [i]that [/i]confident with basses. I do have a high fret which needs sorting around the 5th and that's something that I think would be better done by somebody that really knows what they're doing but it's not critical. I thought I'd get it set up properly at the same time as getting that done.
My own attempts at set up using Fender's guidelines have resulted in a [i]very[/i] high action which isn't unplayable but could definitely be improved upon. All I've really done is to get the truss rod right and then set the bridge up but using Fender specs string height is quite severe. It's obviously me and [b]not [/b]the spec that's the problem!!

[quote name='barkin' timestamp='1412288609' post='2567642']
Is Stevenage too far? If it's not...I've not used him myself, but I've heard good reports for Terry Chapman at tjcguitars.com

I think Lozz on here has had work done by him, so he might chip in here soon...
[/quote]
[quote name='gary mac' timestamp='1412318118' post='2567705']
Yes, Terry is well regarded. Band mates have used him and I have chatted to him, very friendly and knowledgable.
[/quote]

A la Andy Viccars, Terry refretted an old Gibson 330 for me a year or two ago and also did the binding too......really superb job I have to say. I hadn't thought of Terry because I assumed he just did guitars but that sounds like it's not the case!! I'll have to give him a call and have a chat. Thanks for that guys.

[quote name='Bobthedog' timestamp='1412288313' post='2567635']
Not too far away from you but I would recommend Andy Viccars nr Milton Keynes. Not only a good bass man (and builder) but a good down to earth man who will not rip you off.
[/quote]

Andy is one of the nicest guys I've ever met and a great bass player too. He did my guitars for many years throughout the 80s and 90s when we were living in Bedford. For some strange reason I hadn't even considered Andy probably, I guess, because it's a fair drag to his place there and back and then to have to do it all again the following week is maybe pushing the pain barrier!! Really appreciate the suggestion though and it's definitely food for thought!!

I suppose I can't temp you with either of these.......?

http://s956.photobucket.com/user/guymerchant/library/Fender%20Precision%20Bass%201976?sort=3&page=1

http://s956.photobucket.com/user/guymerchant/library/Fender%20Precision%20Bass%201978?sort=3&page=1

Cheers

Guy

Hi guys

I'm a guitarist that plays bass rather than a pure bass player and so the luthiers i know are really more guitsr orientated. I have a couple of mid 70s P basses that i've tried to set up myself and they're 'OK' but i think they could be a hell of a lot better. Wondering if anyone knew a good bass tech in cambridgeshire or in this general area? I do't have any issues with shipping a bass to someone for work if that's the best option?

Cheers

Guy

You mentioned that the pickups are Lace.....do you know what models they are? Is the bridge the Man O War? Can't see the neck on the Lace page?

Are you interested in trades at all or just a straight sale?

PM'd

PMd

[quote name='Shaggy' timestamp='1406225457' post='2509579']
Thanks surfguy! Something special about Martins you can't appreciate in pics; this feels just as "crafted" as my series 1 Alembic, albeit simpler

NB; I used to live in Ely (Broad st), though not a native "Fenner" - cool place! Still go to the market when I go back to visit
[/quote]

Yup, the EB-18 looks a little plain and 70s'ish but it feels and sounds amazing. I think Martin didn't quite get the [i]look[/i] right in this case but what the hell - it does look a bit 70s but I quite like that and let's face it, 70s retro seems to be the flavour of the month again!

Blimey, another fenny! There's a few of us out there although I have to say it's my adopted home. Great place to live though!

I have a '78 EB-18 and it really is a superb bass.....different, but just a real joy to play. Somewhere between a P and a J with the phase switch. Good luck with the sale!!!