Sean

I've had Fender Precisions, MIJ, MIM, US and now, well, look at my sig. Yamaha BBs lay them to waste but I'll admit they are a bit Marmite.

I still don't understand the difference between a P and a J and searching brought up no threads on them.

[quote name='steve-bbb' timestamp='1348167949' post='1810397'] may i recommend [b][url="http://sealionisland.com/gallery/index.php"]here[/url][/b] [/quote] Looks fab but none of those sea lions look like they know the difference between a P and a J, infact they look like they couldn't give a F-ender about basses at all. < definitely the right look!

P or J? What exactly is the difference between them? Which one is best for a desert island? Where is the desert island and would this affect my choice? Is the J best for Jamaican reggae and the P best for Puerto Rican soca and bomba grooves?

I checked the cap in my BB2025x to get that info but it's worth saying that I replaced the cap in my BB2024x with a vintage paper in oil one, not much difference to be honest.

[quote name='Ruck' timestamp='1347719655' post='1804327'] Many thanks Sean your efforts are much appreciated! faster than Yamaha too [/quote] A pleasure. I have a battery operated screwdriver, Yamaha probably only have a manual one, so that's why they're a bit slow

The cap is 473J so that's 0.047uF with 5% tolerance.

They are 250 ohm.

I don't think it's a DiMarzio, more likely the lookalike design was around in Japan at the time. Maybe Noel will be along to advise soon.

I reckon it's the date it was signed, Mel. There could be aconnection with the Samba Bandits in Northampton. Anyone know them?

Wow! "Bass is Ace" That's pretty cool. It's like a window into the past. Wouldn't it be fantastic if through the magic of BC the original owner was reunited with it.

How much are the pickups?

I'm surprised that no one has yet pointed out that the nuts on Spectors (cheapest to the most expensive) just are loose and fall out when the strings aren't there to hold them in. I've had four Spectors and they all had loose nuts. It's not an issue. It's just the way they are. Cracking thread. Definitely in my top 5 for 2012. It's even got me posting again! I'm still waiting to find out what town/village the OP is in as it's probably on a very good motorcycle route and I could stop off and sort this instrument for no more than a cup of tea in return. I love setting up basses, all mine play like low fat spread (they used to play like butter but the doctor told me to watch my cholesterol).

The body contouring is very different from one to the other too. The BB1014 looks more machined where the BB2024 is very much more sculpted looking; in the flesh it's very obvious.

I've tried a BB1024 and was impressed, it easily compares with a Lakland Skyline or Musicman for build quality and sound quality. The BB2024x and BB2025x that I have are sublime, top end instruments that feel, look and play like the £2k+ instruments they are. They are very special and I'm impressed with them every day (I've had them about two years and in that tim ( )have found nothing that I have lusted over as much. They chime and breathe and feel absolutely right. I have a PRS C22 guitar which is an exceptionally good example of that make/model and both Yams are a step above that in all respects. If anyone has any doubts about the 2025x's B-string I can confirm that it is as good as any 34" scale low B I have ever tried. Negatives? Yes, I suppose. Single coil hum but this doesn't bother me. Anything else? Uh, not for me but some people baulk at paying £2k for an instrument that is easily mistaken by Joe Public for a mid-range bass. But then again these people that baulk probably wouldn't buy a Sadowsky because it looks like a Fender copy. I love my BBs and think they are worth every penny. I did some sound clips on one of the Yamaha threads and the modern Super BBs just wet all over the other cheaper BBs I have. Unfortunately for a full comparison, you would have to feel them, play them and live with them; I'd put them up against any custom made luthier instrument of similar construction.

I really like it for lots of reasons however, like my BB1300, I can't help but think it's not a proper BB because it's not a P or a P/J. At £549 it's probably better than anything out there for the money.

OldGit (bless him) posted a lot about band websites and how they should be to maximise interest from potential customers. Do a search on BC to try to find some good stuff and PM me your email address and I'll send you a ton of OG's wise words on band websites that was aimed directly at a function band website I was setting up at the time. It's priceless stuff from someone who knew what they were talking about.

[url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hondo-Alien-headless-bass-guitar-very-rare-eighties-/290723669692?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item43b07b26bc#ht_832wt_1165"]Hondo Alien[/url] craziness.

[url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ibanez-Blazer-Bass-Custom-Series-Made-In-Japan-80s-Simply-stunning-/261079215771?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item3cc988ae9b#ht_4111wt_1399"]Nice Blazer[/url]

[quote name='noelk27' timestamp='1344548475' post='1766414'] Jack Bruce, Geddy Lee, Lemmy, etc, etc. [/quote] Yeah, but they can sing and play. It's strictly one or the other for me for any basslines that are not straight time or just very easy; if I start singing when playing the playing goes wrong and if I start playing when singing the singing goes.

Oli's an easy guy to deal with. Just sold him a pickup, prompt replies, swift payment. All good stuff.

[quote name='cheddatom' timestamp='1344498186' post='1765330'] Have you not thought of getting a bassist instead? Then you can take the vocals [/quote] We've been through this with a couple of bass players and it changed the feel of the band too much and became a problem because I build the songs around my bass lines and the bassists didn't get it. Plus I love bass playing more than singing.

I've been in a band for 18 months and we've really struggled to find a singer that's a keeper for whatever reason but the three of us get on well and are vey creative. We've recorded a few bits and pieces with me singing; overdubbed because I can't play my busy lines and sing the melodies. I was wondering if anyone else is in this situation, whether you think it can be maintained long term, what the pitfalls are etc. I like the recording process, I like writing as a collective and I love singing ( I fronted bands on guitar and vocals for 20 years) but obviously we'll never gig unless we find a singer. I get a massive buzz from gigging, always have since I was 14 years old. Am I like an alcoholic trying to convince myself that orange juice is the way forward? I've thought about packing it all up and joining a function/tribute band or someone else's original band but I've been there, done that in the past and I don't get the satisfaction cos there's no ownership. I'd be interested to know your thoughts. Cheers Sean