GeeCee

[quote name='bubinga5' post='903435' date='Jul 23 2010, 12:52 PM']Hey was just wondering what you guys/girls thought of the Jaydee Celeste...i know it was quite popular with JazzFunk bassists in the 80's 90's...what sort of tone could one expect...?[/quote] They are nice enough basses, at least the one I tried was, but they were never popular with anybody. You might want to speak with John, but I don't think he made very many of them at all.

[quote name='Cairobill' post='864168' date='Jun 11 2010, 06:15 AM']It's a shame that Karn could have been core to the sound of a successful group and still come out the other end with no real financial benefit. It's highly likely that Sylvian being the main financial beneficiary in the band contributed to Japan's split up and the band's difficult internal relationships.[/quote] I would recommend that you buy and read Mick's book if you have not already done so (and Mick gets the royalty). While it's a frustrating read at times since it was/is self-published (I think) through LuLu and Mick comes across as someone who could be quite difficult at times, it's amazing how little it would appear he got out of his Japan days. That and his subsequent struggles to finance albums and tours, was quite an eye opener.

[quote name='Mowac' post='832764' date='May 9 2010, 10:34 PM']I had it done by a local guitar luthier that lives only a few miles from home. He has worked on a dozen bass projects for me. He fixed the neck issues that I had on my Jaydee MK2 in cherry red and refretted it for me. He relaquered my Washburn-Status headless also. He has replaced the nut on several of my basses and makes them by hand. It's a luxury to have a very skilled luthier that close by.[/quote] How do you get around the loss of the decals on the front and back of the headstock when the old lacquer is stripped off? Also, am I correct in thinking you're located in NC? I have a JD bass that needs some work done on the headstock that will likely require a partial refinish and did not want to ship it back to John (too expensive).

Who did you have do the work (if you don't mind me asking)? Cheers.

[quote name='lscolman' post='819816' date='Apr 26 2010, 02:25 PM']Hi, Thanks for all the input. Of course I couldn't accomodate what everyone felt was best, but looking at pics and taking advice on board, this is what I have on order now:- ... Bottom of body pointed (like GA24 and to make it more unique) ... Cheers, Lee[/quote] Why not go the whole hog and have a Roadie made in the GA shape with a 24-fret neck? That's what I have. I would also recommend relocating the jack socket to the edge of the body, to stop those ugly stress cracks that seem to plague most Jaydees that have been well used. Also, in case you didn't know, the xlr is not a balanced line out like on a Wal, it's just an alternative method of plugging the bass in so if you don't already use that kind of jack with your cables, I would ask if you really need it. The body looks cleaner without it.

[quote name='worldmachine' post='789827' date='Mar 29 2010, 02:56 PM']Hello, I have a 1986 Series II with the 'funk groove' but I have never particularly liked the groove, does anyone know if it would be possible to have such a thing removed/filled in, or is this a major structural thing? I like the Series II in all other ways, it plays like a dream ... Any info welcome, Aidan[/quote] Yes, it's possible. I have seen a Series II with the groove filled. Looked a bit odd as whoever did it had not tried to match the laminates, so there was a contrasting strip of wood at 90 degress to the neck laminates. I would imagine it would cost a bit though since you would be looking at a partial refin as well. Give John a call or send him an e-mail.

[quote name='BarnacleBob' post='735789' date='Feb 5 2010, 03:10 AM']Did one of the headless graphitey mob not build a similair bass but it was a big circular knob at the headless end to operate the moving frets? Again I think it was one off. Or have i done too many drugs? BB[/quote] I think you're thinking of Steinberger.

[quote name='silverfoxnik' post='732320' date='Feb 1 2010, 05:14 PM']Andy did some of the records as well, and was with Numan for some years. As for Pino, I've no idea..but that's definitely Andy & his Wal Pro 1. Besides, Pino didn't use Wals as far as I can remember..[/quote] What he said, Andy Coughlan with a modified Wal Pro with tremelo. I believe Pino did record the album track and this video looks like footage from Numan's White Noise live album (or around that time).

[quote name='wombatboter' post='592245' date='Sep 7 2009, 12:11 PM']I've owned over 100 basses during the last 25 years but I felt really bad when I had to sell the Jaydee because I like to have satisfied customers. The new owner failed to try the upper register, otherwise I would never have gotten rid of it.[/quote] Hmm, remind me never to buy a bass off of you!

[quote name='doctor_of_the_bass' post='554604' date='Jul 28 2009, 06:26 PM']Thanks Shaggy My bass is just like the Supreme model (third one in from the left, bottom row)! The frets have been filed down to the tang underneath the G and D strings so the board has two distinct levels.[/quote] See the pic below. [attachment=29948:Wilkes_2h.jpg]

[quote name='JBassist' post='554960' date='Jul 29 2009, 06:58 AM']claypool and paul simon do it buit does it damage the the neck[/quote] Yes, it certainly does mark the fingerboard over time (after all it wears grooves into metal frets). I recall reading an interview long ago where Pino Palladino described having replaced the fingerboard on his fretless Stingray more than once (with an ebony board) and also ruining the polyester coating on the fingerboard of his fretless Pedulla Buzz after slapping it while recording one of the Paul Young songs (Playhouse maybe?). Like others have said, ebony or a coated fingerboard should wear better than rosewood and flats should be gentler than rounds, likewise lighter guage strings. However, if you have a hard playing style and slap frequently I would think you would have to expect more than normal wear and tear.

[quote name='BarnacleBob' post='519168' date='Jun 20 2009, 06:19 AM']Not going for an Audition with Simple Minds just after the 'Sparkle in the Rain' Album - wouldn't have got it but you die regretting the things you didnt do..... BB[/quote] Damn, that's a pretty good one. Mind if I ask why not?

[quote name='Rich' post='486695' date='May 13 2009, 05:16 AM']Firmly in 'phwoarr' territory. I want I want I want I want I want I want I want I want I want I want I want[/quote] Good lord, over 1,300 pounds with changed electronics and cosmetic flaws. Some folks really wanted that bass!

Looks like the electronics have been messed about with. I think it should have a rotary P/U selector where the blank space is, a vol, tone and a 3-band EQ much like a Jaydee by this point. Not quite sure what's going on there.

[quote name='doctor_of_the_bass' post='445618' date='Mar 25 2009, 08:59 PM']Talking of facing replacement, Jaydee has done such work in the past, for example, Thom Boyle's original #001 bass has had its facings changed twice - there was a GA24 in the workshop recently which had new facings added. As noted, it would require a read of its documentation in order to evaluate the full story - to me, the bottom horn looks more pointed than normal, but then thats perhaps an optical illusion![/quote] Raises an interesting question, how much of the # 001 bass can be changed before it is no longer the "original" bass? Two different new tops, different pick-ups, added hum cancellor, different electronics (was passive V/V/T/T, now active), etc.

[quote name='BeLow' post='438883' date='Mar 19 2009, 03:27 AM']Fuzzy, not sure what the original fit should have been - but I would tend to be a little circumspect about what original fit might be. My Pangborn, owned by me since new (its now 22 years old), was bought from the man himself and I recall when I picked it up he said - 'I have fitted it with a 3 way pickup selector because I haven't got any pan pots at the moment, I'll change it for you when you bring it back for its check over' (which he did). Not sure if John Diggins was bit more organised (The Doc is probably more aware than myself) but it is also possible the owner could have specified the different knobs if they bought the bass direct from JD. Hope you bass player enjoys it as its an iconic instrument and even better you now know some of its previous history.[/quote] I can recall seeing at least one other JD with the same kind of knobs so they may be original. I think John has a policy of using whatever is available in the workshop at the time. He fitted some gold Sperzel machineheads to a JD I owned because gold Schallers were not available and I also recall seeing a JD with Ibanez tuners that the owner swore were original as well.