Chiliwailer

Excellent, and well played.

I still fancy a VM fretless P Bass for a bit of now and again fun, as fretless isn't really my thing. If one came up second hand near me for the right price I'd jump on it. Not sure if I want to spend full price though on a bass that won't stand up to my others. Yeah yeah, I know they are good, but not that good

I just had the pleasure of meeting Daryl, definitely a top bloke and someone I enjoyed meeting. I bought a Squier bass and Eden practice amp on behalf of a friend, Daryl very kindly delivered too. Deal with confidence folks, he was honest, friendly and very genuine.

I get the same thing with Jazz Basses, which is why I now always have one in the wardrobe for those moments when I want to play one. Don't fight it, the P will always win.

Does anyone know what the drums are like on the B1XON / B1ON? I've got an old B1 that I use when noodling on the couch with headphones. I'm not expecting great drums, but an upgrade from the B1 would be nice. Ta

How about treating yourself to a holiday in the States too? https://www.gbase.com/gear?minyear=1960&maxyear=1968&minprice=&maxprice=&near=&daysago=&q=Fender+Jazz+Bass

[quote name='Bridgehouse' timestamp='1487851000' post='3243491'] I need to play a lot of basses I think.. [/quote] Right you are. But to be fair, some players also need to actually own various basses sometimes to see how they get on with them once the initial honeymoon period has ended. Buying second hand, especially here, is a great way to experiment at home and then lock down what you want/need without loosing any cash.

Nice dilemma to have, and one to enjoy You've chosen two very different animals to pick from, but it sounds like your heart is in the vintage one. I've had a fair few 50-60's Fender basses, including Jazzes, and when they are special they really are special, but when they are average they are very disappointing. The prices are wild and value is questionable, so get one that looks, sounds and feels great and it's all good. I have a Mike Lull bass which is custom, and nearly bought a Lull Jazz Bass a while back, they are amazing instruments but IMO so far removed from the vintage vibe, which I feel about most custom or modern basses tbh.

Quick update as I just posted about these in another thread just now... I love them, very happy. They ended up on my P Bass as from the feel out of the packet I could tell they wouldn't be bright enough for the Music Man, glad I trusted my gut as they suit the P Bass and my finger style (other flats can make my tone too muddy). The tension is nice and low (45-100 guage), they didn't feel sticky and I was smiling from the first note. Sadly, I think my love affair with Thomastiks is now over, though I'll still keep Fender flats on my Jazz Bass, well for now anyway, cobalts could end up on there too at some point perhaps Anyway, I reckon they are well worth a try for those interested and not looking for a true old school vibe flatwound string.

As mentioned, there are low tension flats out there, LaBella market some an Thomastik are notoriously low tension, though very Marmite. Ernie Ball cobalt flats are low tension too. Problem is, some guys who use 45-105 rounds get the same gauge in flats when a lower gauge might be more suited. I like thinner flats anyway for a clearer tone, unless you want to seriously fill the room and move some air because fat flats are killer for that. I love Thomastiks and Fender 9050L light gauge flats --BUT-- the new Ernie Ball cobalt flatwound are my new faves and amazing strings - possibly even a flat to convert some folk. They are not as bright as rounds, but a great alternative to old school flats. I got the second lightest guage (45-100) as I heard them were low tension, they didn't disappoint.

[quote name='Funky Dunky' timestamp='1487603530' post='3241093'] That's a good idea, actually! You're Tim from PMT in Newcastle, aren't you? [/quote] Doh, busted ...now pick up the phone and put down that deposit....

[quote name='Funky Dunky' timestamp='1487583425' post='3240829'] Shame about the RRP, but I still have to have it. If I find a buyer for my Standard, it will be mine. [/quote] Any chance you could make the purchase on a 0% credit card and pay it off when your bass sells? Only saying that as I always believe we should jump on those basses that makes us tick, they can vary massivly even when they are the same make/model etc. Hope you manage to get it

Nice one Sam, always good to hear. I've felt the same about my P Bass for the past 2 years. I've had some killer P's over the years, but this is the only one that has felt truly 'mine'. And of course, flats as standard

I once had 2 Lull PJ4's, both ash body, maple neck and same P pickup, both made same month/year. They sounded very different to each other to my ear. So it can't ALL be in the fingers

[quote name='hiram.k.hackenbacker' timestamp='1486480422' post='3232149'] triptych. [/quote] I had to look that up, nice word

Every time I update on here I end up selling or replacing one. It's now time to post on my favourite thread and break that cycle 1979/80 Music Man Sabre - 2015 Mike Lull PJ4 - 2015 Fender US Std Jazz [URL=http://s1381.photobucket.com/user/chiliwailer/media/The%203/4BDE43E8-9DC1-4658-9FBC-18D5FE441D3F_zpshfdthl5p.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1381.photobucket.com/albums/ah227/chiliwailer/The%203/4BDE43E8-9DC1-4658-9FBC-18D5FE441D3F_zpshfdthl5p.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

Personally, in your position I'd get a HH or HS Stingray, or a good Jazz Bass and add a series / parallel switch (IMO more versatile than a PJ, but it's close and of course very debatable ) I own a PJ, a Jazz with the series / parallel switch and a HH Music Man, all are versatile basses especially with different pedals. For that I use a Aguilar Tonehammer for an active boost, a JHS Colour Box for an old school Neve desk type tone and a Sansamp Bass Driver for heavier driven tones. Enjoy the fun of the search.

I stopped using them after a terrible experience involving a product return and lazy / arrogant phone and internet contact. They couldn't give a monkeys and they were the ones who had messed up!

[quote name='hiram.k.hackenbacker' timestamp='1486162423' post='3229843'] [/quote] Drools... Where's Starry?

[quote name='MoonBassAlpha' timestamp='1486120837' post='3229369'] I do this kind of soldering at work (and much smaller!) and always use a microscope. I would recommend magnifying spectacles at least for doing fine work as it gives you confidence that you are doing a neat, clean job, even if you can actually do the job without magnification. [/quote] Good advice, so mines going in the bin then! And cheers for the soldering confidence reboot

[quote name='hiram.k.hackenbacker' timestamp='1486071789' post='3229093'] Just love the look of that ebony fretboard without the dots. [/quote] [quote name='LewisK1975' timestamp='1486113629' post='3229271'] Ah - Stingrays, my nemesis, had 3 in my time, for me they are the bass that I always [i]think [/i]should work for me, whenever I hear someone else playing one, to my ears, they sound amazing. Then I get one, and they just haven't worked for me. I've been mainly a pick player for large parts of my life, perhaps it was that? Pretty much play with fingers exclusively now, perhaps it's time to give a Stingray another go??!! [/quote] [quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1486113858' post='3229278'] Those limited Musicman basses are far nicer than I imagined. They've really nailed the interesting finishes to the necks. [/quote] [quote name='burno70' timestamp='1486129703' post='3229454'] Wow - just wow! And I'm not into Musicman basses! [/quote] Agreed, agreed & agreed. Cut my teeth on a Ray, miss having one very much. Having a Sabre & no money puts me out of this one. My fave Ltd Ed Ray so far.

[quote name='Crawford13' timestamp='1486162924' post='3229845'] Hmm is there any way to know the authenticity of this? Is this the actual album track. Listening closely the seems to be a lot of rushing the beat etc. [/quote] Im fairly sure it's real, if you've seen them live it makes sense and many album recordings have the odd blip left in - like the half buzzed notes etc. There's more of this stuff out there, you can also get Bit Torrent files for tunes from this and other albums with isolated drums, drums plus bass, guitar, guitar plus bass etc etc

[quote name='LewisK1975' timestamp='1485946137' post='3227849'] I see the s/h P4 that was at Bass Direct is now sold. Lucky escape for my wallet I think! [/quote] Yeah, but they just got this... http://bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Musicman_SR4_Starry_Night_HH.html

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1486042674' post='3228720'] Can you not choose to solder to either the top or bottom set of contacts? Or a mixture of both? That might make it a bit easier. [/quote] I'm fairly sure you're correct there, it crossed my mind too. However in all honesty, I just couldn't trust my soldering throughout on the other little ones, and it was a pain all the way. I'd prefer to stick to the easy switch I already know...but.... when my new soldering iron tip arrives I might just give it one last attempt....