theyellowcar

4 basses, without a gig (other than YouTube/Instagram) which is maybe one too many. I feel it slightly more acutely with my 2 Mexican Deluxe Precisions which are pretty much identical basses made ten years apart. The later model is the nicer bass on paper, but the earlier is/was my first ever Fender bought with my savings as a teenager so neither are going anywhere. The other two, a Mark Hoppus signature (the bass that teenage me was really trying to save for, and literally irreplaceable without spending a fortune now) and a US MusicMan SUB bought in spring last year which is more often than not the first bass I pick up when I’m learning something new. So too many, but nothing is going anywhere because there is no harm being done and they all get used. I’d love to buy more, but that feels excessive for my needs.

Brought Big Red out to play tonight.

I have two versions of the Deluxe Active P-Bass, one is the 9V preamp version which I bought as my first Fender back in 04/05. I also got the newer 18v preamp version more recently (2015 I think) Both are excellent, the newer model has a more modern flatter neck profile and an active/passive switch. Both great basses. The newest version of these (Player Plus series) has had a bit of a price hike so I would definitely scout the used market. I do also own more than one shirt. Promise.

I played a Squier when it was an in-life model years ago and literally every line of your post here resonated with me. I still remember how underwhelming it was. By comparison, the RW Fender model is to this day one of the nicest basses I’ve ever played. If I had room on my rack I think I would be picking one up in a heartbeat - my one in, one out policy has me beat though because I don’t know which bass would go to make room.

Here’s my latest. A cover of one of my favourite tracks by The Wonder Years where I do everything but the drums.

Perfectly succinct advice. Thanks!

Evening. Does anyone have any experience with swapping out a “regular” Mexican Fender P-bass neck with a neck from a ‘51 style Precision? I have an old faithful Mexican Precision which while I love (and would never sell) it has a Jazz style neck which can at times be a little cramped for me. The NICEST Fender neck I have ever played was on the Mike Dirnt P-bass which has a ‘51 style body. A seemingly legit US seller is selling these necks, but the listing is light on spec so I have no clue whether it would slot right into my P-bass, or end up an alarmingly expensive doorstop. If anyone has experience with a similar hack, it would be greatly appreciated!

Black/Black/Maple to be precise 😂 Kudos to you Lozz for knowing what works for you and sticking to it.

Looks amazing. I’ve been intrigued by these but put off by the prospect of a very wide neck so 41mm-ish is interesting. How is the neck profile front to back? Standard P?

Welcome!

Welcome! I’ve found the best way to stretch my playing is to listen to songs I love and find basslines that are slightly intimidating for me to learn. Nothing impossible, just enough to push my limit. It takes perseverance, but I’ve found with age (and kids) I have a bit more of that than I did when I was first learning to play as a teenager. I then record and post the outcomes on YT/FB/IG which keeps me honest (if I’m not playing it well enough to put out in the world, have I really learnt it?) Might not work for everyone, but I’ve found this to be a great way to keep challenging myself.

Welcome! I can definitely relate to your hiatus, as I’ve had a couple over the years. I hope your return brings you happiness (and gear)

True there’s a lot of variability through the eras. I know if I were buying used today I wouldn’t spend market rate on any Fender from around the era I was “growing up” playing (mid 00’s) without playing it first. And I would still then question the relative value vs something more current because my experience of playing later models (especially Mexican) is comparably better than the raft that I played from back then. There’s also the matter of the overlapping ranges - how do you objectively evaluate a premium Mexican model against a paired back American model which is delivering the prestige of an American made instrument while solving for a price? Other than getting your hands on them of course!

Spent most of my playing “career” in pursuit of this tone. P-bass through an SVT with the EQ set to “clank”.

What is the neck like on this? I see 42mm nut on the spec, so a little slimmer than the traditional dimensions, but can you tell me more about the depth?

Congrats! Looks ace. Tell me more about the neck - we talking Stingray feel or have they gone for something more like a modern Precision?

Here’s my latest

Latest cover collaboration with some folks from across the pond

Best of luck to you and especially your guitarist. Not to recycle all of the excellent suggestions that have already been made, you could possibly try and cover some good “Brit pop” ground as a three - Blur (Song 2 comes to mind) Oasis, Suede, maybe Bluetones, maybe Primal Scream etc.

I’ve taken to putting out punk/ ska covers on my channel, with the odd full band collaboration worked in too. Here’s my latest effort, a slightly untidy cover of The Press Corpse by Anti-Flag.

I don’t remember them being ridiculous, but I don’t have a photo without the plate and it was 8 years ago. Here is a pic with the generic plate on it though, if helpful!

Mine from way back when was not a match, and I ended up drilling new holes in the generic plate I bought to line everything up properly.

Not normally into dark-wood finishes but all three of these are stunning. What a collection!

What gets me is finishes aside these are ostensibly the same basses as the MIM Deluxe family that clocked in 10-15% cheaper. I have two MIM Deluxe PJs of different ages (one c.2005 with the 9v preamp and no active/passive, and one c.2015 with the same setup as these) and they’re both great, but neither would have me paying £1k. The only MIM Fenders I’ve ever played that would justifiably command that kind of £££ were the Nate Mendal and Mike Dirnt Road worn signature models - different league.