markorbit

It IS one of the best bass preamps out there. Currently taking pride of place with my Berg IP.

I would have said more than £1000 too due to the hype and rarity of a Trace V8. I would expect to see them advertised at £1400+ if the condition is right. Rightly or wrongly they have attained legendary status. I have a V4 combo (with the 2nd OD channel and compressor). It has a million tubes and it is indeed real valve tone.

[quote name='bigjohn' post='718630' date='Jan 20 2010, 12:33 AM']JCM800's nail that sound.[/quote] +1. I can vouch for that. I owned one back in the 80s and it was the definitive British valve sound for rock. It had a sweet spot that just punched and growled. Reminded me of Bruce Foxton. Technique and setup also plays its part - I would recommened big heavy pick like a Gibson and play over the P pickup ([i]slighty [/i]towards the bridge) with the action quite low and the neck straightish.

P bass, maple neck, rotosound rounds... and low action.

Javier bought two basses from me - a Pino P Bass and a Ric Blueburst 4003. No problems whatsoever and a real pleasure to deal with. I would have no worries trading with Javier again. Thanks.

[quote name='Clarky' post='656646' date='Nov 17 2009, 08:05 AM']Hi, given my continuing failure to find an early 70s Precision (missed another one on eBay last night) I am looking at US Fender 62RI Precision as a real possibility. So has any BC'er A/B'ed the two models and do they have any comments on the playability, weight, quality etc? In short, is the 62RI worth the extra dosh? Thanks in advance, Clarky[/quote] I have a 62RI and have owned numerous Precisions but none from the early 70s. Mainly late 70s or recents. The 62RI is great and that neck is certainly wide and slim. It makes my 2009 feel like a Jazz. Unfortunately I don't get the big P bass vibe from it. I think an early 70s may have the neck profile somewhere between the two which might be the sweet spot. Personally, I love the logo of the late 60s/early 70s Ps the best. The 62RI feels like a real P bass. I find that sometimes the back of the neck can get a little sticky. I have mine set with La Bella flats with mute and it does that thing very well.

The new Fenders are fantastic but I've realised that a Precision only feels like a Precision to me when it has a 1.75" nut width. The new ones are 1.625" I think. I prefer the 62 reissues now. The new ones come with a great moulded case though. I think a P bass is very versatile - it's all in the setup and technique. I have flats and a mute on mine and while it may not do modern slap that well the mute is a fantastic device for clean studio tone. Play at the back for a picky 60s style or at the front for big round pillowy bass. It's all in there. I'm using La Bella 760FL and they are great for giving me what I think of when I think of bass. I find the versatility comes from the fingers not the tone knob.

LMIII = £586 here. [url="http://www.electromusic.co.uk/product.php?productid=19391&cat=571008&page=1"]http://www.electromusic.co.uk/product.php?...1008&page=1[/url] They will get it in stock for you.

Thomann have been fine to deal with in my experience. Very polite and efficient. One thing to watch is the 30 day return policy they have. On the one hand it's great if you want to take a gamble on something but on the other hand - where do you think the returned stuff goes? Not everybody will treat it right before returning it. I got a Fender preamp from Thomann and it had no manual, nothing. And all the polystyrene packing was in bits. I guess you can't have it both ways. Most of my Thomann experinces have been positive.