JamesBass

[quote name='addam360' timestamp='1406474846' post='2511747'] Just an update, had to cancel the trip over to Newcastle and now buying online is looking quite probable so I'll be after a bass with more reliable QC. From what I've heard this means I should steer clear of MIM Fenders. The current top contenders are the Schecter Model T and Ibanez ATK800 Premium I think. Also, still interested in hearing about that Jaguar neck pup in series. I've heard only great things about MIJ Fenders. Any more opinions on the basses mentioned above or any other ideas? I'm thinking I can be more flexible on the thin neck thing. I've not really had any major problems with the Jazz. I'll keep you up to date and post pics once I've got whatever I go for. [/quote] Mexican Fenders are very good in my experience, you just need to find the correct one for you, sometimes that means sitting in a shop for hours and hours trying all the Mex ones they have, I wouldn't dis-regard them personally. If you're looking to mod and change things easily in the future then you can't go wrong with a Fender.

[quote name='DarkHeart' timestamp='1406310242' post='2510538'] Before you splash out on an expensive pup give an Entwistle PBXN a try you might be pleasantly surprised by the quality. [/quote] Have you experience of these yourself? If so got any sound bytes?

[quote name='eddiehoffmann' timestamp='1406278802' post='2510006'] Precisely what I use on my American Special and it sounds just as good as my vintage P. Another very important thing to keep in mind is the right strings to achieve the sound you want. I use D'addario Chromes and with the tone control full up I still get a lot of growl and enough presence to cut through any mix finger style, with a pic or slapping. Tone control rolled off to taste and you can have as much Motown as you want. Ah... And a proper set up too. [/quote] This is pretty much exactly what I'm looking to do, but I might stick with rounds on this bass and just use foam to mute the strings, maybe anyway. Still liking the tones I've head so far from the Aguilar AG4-P60, quite natural yet still has presence and cut. I'm waiting on a few emails back from some of the other pickup manufacturers so that I can get a better idea of what's available if I went custom and looking for some better sound bytes! John has actually PM'd me this morning so I'll be talking with the man himself about the wiring kit

Does anyone know what components KiOgan uses in his wiring sets?

Some good suggestions in here! Liking the Aguilar's and the antiquities! Though finding decent soud samples of bass pickups is extremely hard! Even Seymour Duncan have a sh*te varitity on offer!

Cheers for the suggestions! Has anyone had any experience of the Bill Lawrence P46's or the Kent Armstrong Pickups? What about UK "boutique" builders? Such as the creamery, or BareKnuckle? Just been browsing TalkBass and came across a thread that mentioned these http://www.mvguitars.com/P-Bass--3-8--Pole-Split-Humbucker-Replacement-Pickups-.html as being the best the guy had ever used, anyone ever used these? James

So my MIM P just isn't cutting it sonically anymore, I'm becoming more and more frustrated by the tones I can and can't get from it, and yes I've tried all other ways of sorting this, new strings, EQ et al. Current electronics are stock and just give either a horrible boomy tone or a very glassy top end. I'm looking for that more vintage tone, that nice pre-CBS vibe, lots of bass-bass mids and a nice top end that doesn't become glassy. What pickups are out there that get me near this, and what wiring sets are the best? I'll be replacing the pots as well as mine are starting to crackle occasionally.

Stunning look bass and a great sound! Mark might receive an email before the day is out!

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1405684945' post='2504323'] Yes, and we'll need detailed pics, too! Congratulations, by the way... [/quote] This man knows the score! Skej, plenty of pics and some sound bites are most anticipated

If you like what you're playing why change it?

[quote name='skej21' timestamp='1405448563' post='2502006'] It's finished! Just waiting for delivery now :-) [/quote] Looks cracking that! Impressed with the detail! I think that's the level of relicing I'd like on mine, when I order it! What level did you ask for?

[quote name='addam360' timestamp='1405351145' post='2501093'] Shops which specialise in second hand are actually perfect. The restriction is more that it has to come from a shop then necessarily be brand new. Actually getting to Manchester would be an issue so I'd have to just trust that the bass is right. Could do with finding a similar shop around Newcastle or Glasgow. That Deluxe P looks great. Both Schecters look great, especially the T. I've heard bad things about the electronics in Schecters so I shied away from them but if you both recommend it I can't see them being all that bad. If their putting Seymour Duncans in then at least I know the pickups are good. Prices are very close to Mex Std P, how does the build quality compare? Not going to have a chance to save up my own money unfortunately. I will only be in the area for about a month and a half and during that time won't have access to to another bass so would like to get one at the start. A P of one type or another does to be where things are leaning. If there are any PJ Mexs in my price range I can't find them unfortunately! Thanks again! [/quote] No worries, if you're based North, then look at GuitarGuitar, one shop in Glasgow and Newcastle each. They often get second hand instruments in and are EXTREMELY helpful as a company and if you want brand new then they'll order it in for you. Can't stress how great they actually are as a shop! As for other places up North, I'd suggest seeking out either BassDoc or WaterOfTyne on here and PM them with some questions, both top blokes and based up near where you're based! Happy searching, let us know what you get in the end

[quote name='cocco' timestamp='1405285708' post='2500508'] Been thinking about these all day. I've never seen or heard much less played one. Is there really that much of a difference between a slab and a contoured body tone wise? Obviously there is marginally more wood but I can't see that it would make a huge difference. Anyone got any experience? If it makes that much of a difference I'm tempted to build a bitsa as I don't think I'd miss the contours too much. *edit* also if I did build a bitsa would I be likey to capture the magic? [/quote] BassChats existing thread which is fast becoming the bible for these basses on here! BassDoc and Slab66 are both great guys and EXTREMELY knowledgable! Check the thread here: http://basschat.co.uk/topic/171336-66-slab-precisionanyone-seen-onegot-one/page__pid__2490652__st__150#entry2490652

If I were you, I'd be sticking with Fender and get a P. They are the cornerstone of the rock tone, they are workhorses that will take beating after beating and are indeed absolute tone animals! Yes you've got one pick up, one volume knob, and one tone knob, but if you're a good player and know how to get tone to work for you, then it's all you'll ever need! I do believe there were some PJs in the Mex range? Anyone confirm this? Edits: bloody autocorrect on iPhone causing havoc again!

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1405259942' post='2500151'] Yeah, they all say that [i]before [/i]the initiation ceremony. What..? You've not been told of the initiation ceremony..? Oh dear. Have you not bought your latex stuff, and informed next of kin..? Do you have personal injury insurance..? Perhaps I've said too much... [/quote] Christ! How are we meant to keep this initiation ceremony a secret if you keep spouting your mouth off! About it! Just wait till the mods get a hold of you again, best take those days off work now to recover

Welcome aboard! This journey you've just started on will only get better! Never be disheartened by not picking some stuff up straight away, always keep going and remember to enjoy yourself! As for your bass dilemma, you're not alone there. Plenty have been in your position and plenty will get there someday. You will find an absolute wealth of knowledge and opinion on this forum regarding basses and what to get. Although there are many different necks and basses out there, the scale isn't that much of a big factor, in my opinion anyway, it's more about the shape and feel of the neck in your hands, so as I tell everyone, go and try the basses on your shortlist! I personally can't get on with skinny necks, they just feel too small and not comfortable to me, I much prefer a thicker neck, but not a neck that is too deep, if you get what I mean? In my opinion there is no better bass than a straight up Precision Bass, it's Fender's original design and has barely changed in over 60 years(almost). Many great players have used them such as James Jamerson, John Entwistle, and Steve Harris. The bass is still widely used today as it is something of a workhorse, very simple plug and play being that it is a passive bass and built very well normally! The affinity series by Squire are very good instruments for the price http://www.gak.co.uk/en/squier-affinity-bass-guitars And the Squire Classic Vibe series is absolutely excellent for the price http://www.gak.co.uk/en/squier-classic-vibe-basses Don't be afraid of going pre-owned either, there's always a bargain to be had! Good luck with your search, keep us posted! James

[quote name='basshead56' timestamp='1404953546' post='2497334'] Hi all, There's a bloke up the road with an early 90's Gibson Thunderbird for sale. I've got him interested in a part exchange with some cash his way but he seems to think $4K NZD (2000 pounds) is what it's worth?! A new one is about $2700 (1350 quid) and this one isn't 100% original and has quite the number of scuffs. Also if i'm honest - never been a fan of the sunburst ones - much prefer the Ebony models. But looks arent everything - i prefer a bass sounds good rather than look good Now i have numerous 70's basses, some in mint condition, some are 'mojo'd' to hell, but I've never paid anything like 2 grand for any of them and they are considerably older and all bar one are in closer-to-original-condition. My questions then are - have I been lucky up to now? or is 2 grand a bit ambitious to say the least for a 90's Tbird? Cheers Col [/quote] Hi Col, Personally I'd ask the bloke what he's smoking! £2K for a 90s TBird is HUGE money! Not even 70s Ps are going for that much in good condition! I'd steer well clear personally. It's not mint, it's not the colour you prefer and it's up for huge money!

[quote name='HowieBass' timestamp='1404923215' post='2497049'] If a MIM P 'outguns' your 2012 Limited Edition Walnutburst Rickenbacker 4003 then do you really need that custom build P (unless of course you've already played a Limelight P bass and found it blows your MIM out of the water)? But whether you get another P bass or not it looks like the Ric is going to a new home... [/quote] I wouldn't say it sounds the better of the two, just more comfortable to play. Getting a Limelight would just allow me to have that vintage feel and have a bass to have flats on. The MIM just doesn't suit flats.

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1404887187' post='2496632'] if you don't really have the $$ what advantage will the limelight P give you that your current one doesn't? [/quote] I've always wanted one P for flats and one for rounds, my MIM is lovely with rounds on but isn't as amazing with flats on unfortunately so a nice one for flats would be ideal!

So I've currently got a 2012 Limited Edition Walnutburst Rickenbacker 4003 hanging on my wall along with a MIM P resting on my stand, when I first bought my Rickenbacker it was all that I played, however since buying the P I've had the realisation that I am without doubt a P bass kind of bloke. Now, I'm planning as a 21st birthday present to myself as well as from my family to get a limelight 62 P made, but currently I'm between jobs and am not the most financially well off person with car tax looming round the corner, I could use some funds. My dilemma is do I shift my Ric on and go back down to 1 bass until I can afford to order the Limelight? Or do I try and sell my practice amp and make do with just using my CTM300, and also sell my squire P which is currently earmarked for my first self-mod/self-build project and forego that project? I don't really play the Ric anymore but when I sounded out a trade value for another P bass I was getting offered significantly less than £1k! If I do swap it in, where's the best place to get my money back/a trade?

Plenty of John Mayer been learnt up today, pretty much the whole of Continuum, Vultures is perhaps one of my favourites as it's so simple yet so groovy! Also HUGE shout for Belief and Bold as Love Hendrix cover! Gotta love Pino's playing!

I use D'addario EXL series to get that sort of tone with my tone pot fairly open. It's also worth considering my P is a 2011 Mex with Maple neck. Gives it a slight growl when pushed, especially though my CTM300.

[quote name='skej21' timestamp='1403991980' post='2488431'] Looks like you'll be waiting til I get mine. I'll PM you if I'm the first to get something recorded with a link :-) [/quote] Cheers buddy! Eagerly awaiting it!

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1403990365' post='2488411'] You mean you haven't?? The longer you leave it the longer the lead time will get! [/quote] Not yet no I keep delaying it to purchase new CDs and other bits and bobs that take my fancy, plus I'm still unsure whether to trade/sell my 4003...

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1403990365' post='2488411'] You mean you haven't?? The longer you leave it the longer the lead time will get! [/quote] Not yet no I keep delaying it to purchase new CDs and other bits and bobs that take my fancy, plus I'm still unsure whether to trade/sell my 4003...