Marc S

[quote name='karlfer' timestamp='1478267835' post='3168046'] Definitely seperates as folk have suggested. Probably a head and 2 x 112's. Decide what sound and features you require. Do your research (Basschat really is an excellent resource for this). Then buy used from here, preferably from some of the guys with some decent feedback. If you buy decent gear used, you won't lose massive amounts if it doesn't work out live for you. Gear is VERY different in shop/bedroom/rehearsal room/ Ferret and Hat/O2. Welcome back, good luck, enjoy the journey [/quote] I meant to say, of course, the marketplace on here is very good for second hand gear And you'll get more for your money buying used. A new head, say TC Electronic 550W and a Markbass 1x12 would be a good start Then add a further (used) cab at some later date - check out what other BC'ers say about each cab, it's merits and weak points And as others have said, buying components makes it easier to change or upgrade

Ah JJ - one of my fave bass players! In fact, probably the man who made me want to play bass, and sound like him... Love the song, haven't played it in years. I seem to recall never really "nailing" that intro riff - just playing some rapid notes, with a pick, around A and B on the G string. Of course, youtube wasn't around back when I played it - so that's my suggestion anyway; see if there's any footage of JJ himself playing it live, or if there's someone on there who has made a video bass lesson? Worth a try.... Funny enough I saw the Stranglers recently, and watched out for a few details like that; eg, which part of the neck he plays such & such a riff etc. And I don't recall him moving his left hand that much when playing NMH Best of luck

[quote name='Lw.' timestamp='1478254590' post='3167854'] The current popular choice seems to be two 1x12" cabs - you can take one for small gigs & both for bigger ones. They're mostly light weight & pretty small box-sizes, especially compared to what you'll have used in years gone by. I chose the TKS ones because of the tone but there are plenty of other brands available; Bergantino, Vanderkley, Barefaced, even Ashdown apparently make a good one...... [/quote] Yep, plenty of choice of lightweight cabs out there these days. Barefaced, Markbass, Epifani I use a couple of Epifani 1x10's, also, love my Markbass 2x10 traveller Perhaps a rig consisting of a 1x12 and a 1x10? Don't be fooled by smaller speaker sizes, and thinking they won't cope... I had a 1x15 and it wasn't capable of handling any more power than some 1x10's. Also, it tended to sound very "boomy" and ill-defined at the bottom end, whereas some 1x12's and 1x10's can sound more well defined, focussed and punchy Also don't forget cabs like the Phil Jones 4x5 Piranha cabs. I had 2 of those, and boy did they sound great, despite the speakers only being 5". They were a tad heavy mind you, but now they do a lightweight version of those cabs too... [quote name='FuNkShUi' timestamp='1478255057' post='3167870'] Where do you live? Maybe a nice BC'er can offer you a go on their equipment? The more you try, the more you'll know [/quote] Can't see what area you live in, but honestly, most BC'ers seem decent folk to me. If you were anywhere near FuNkShUi and myself in South Wales, you'd be welcome to pop in for a cuppa at mine, and have a listen to some amp heads & cabs.... just bring some nice biscuits! Plus, is there a bass bash anywhere near you? As BC'ers usually turn up with basses and amp gear for others to try out... Any BC'ers playing any gigs near you? Check that, and pop along to listen to their gear in a live situation - and support their band & venue to boot. Don't worry about being out of the game a few years. Yes, things have changed, but IMHO, things have changed mainly for the better. There's lots of choice out there re basses. Cheaper end instruments are so well made now eg. the Squier Classic Vibe range. And amps and cabs are so much lighter weight than they used to be. I started playing in the early 80's and basses were expensive. There was quite some cheap tat out there too. And amps were very hefty. I stopped playing for over 20 years (nearly 25 in fact) and boy, things had changed - but look on it as an exciting journey, where you can learn a lot too. Most of all, good luck in your quest. And post your location in your info - so others will know when to invite you to a gig or bass bash

[quote name='PaulWarning' timestamp='1478184619' post='3167370'] I once fitted some SD quarterpounders to my Hondo professional II, could hardly tell any difference then found out they fitted DiMazio's as standard still I sold them on for not much of a loss (the Seymour Duncans) [/quote] Earlier in the year (or maybe it was toward the end of 2015?) I put a new neck on an old 70s / early 80's Matsumoko Japan built P bass I picked up cheaply. The old neck was really well & truly broken, Someone had (mostly) removed the old logo on the headstock, so I couldn't tell what it was. It looked like it may have been a Hondo... Once fixed, with new neck, the pickup in that bass sounded awesome! It was quite a high output, really punchy too. I sold the bass by advertising it on a local facebook group. It sold the same day. Guy picked it up next day. I regret not swapping the pickup out of that bass, as it was so good. Maybe they were DiMarzio's as PaulWarning says? They sounded great, whatever they were. I since found out that the guy who bought that restored P bass from me sold it on to a chap I know (this guy does a lot of buying & selling) and I think he's sold it on again. Perhaps I didn't ask enough for it?

I've played 3 limelights, and I really liked every one. My preferred one was actually for sale - a Fiesta Red P bass. I tried it out, loved it, but didn't buy, as I needed to sell one first... I really regretted that, because the Limelight sold, then the bass I was selling (MM Stingray) went only a week or so later. I still rue the day I missed that particular Limelight, as it had been reduced in price to expediate sale (which it did) You could get Mark to build one to your spec. I have resisted, as I now have too many basses (again) Yes, the pickups Mark uses sound great. Good luck with your search. Keep your eye open in the marketplace on this forum They do come up for sale (like all makes / models) but if you see one that really floats your boat - don't hesitate like I did There were 3 Limelights on the market last week, 2 of them sold pronto EDIT: In the Limelight thread (p 11, I think) there is a Shell Pink medium relic Jazz, and I think that's the best looking bass I've ever seen. If that came up for sale, I'd really want it..... I mean, really really want it

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1478009298' post='3165949'] Seriously Marc, I wasn't having a pop at any real luthier - not intentionally anyway. My suggestion was intended to steer Mr. Newbie Scam away from Basschat. If he asked Dearnaley to do a job for him, then that's between him and Dearnaley. If it reads that I was insulting Dearnaley then my apologies to all. [/quote] No problems Happy Jack - I was only saying that if Dave doesn't charge 230 quid, then either the guy who did the re-fret is overcharging the new owner, or the new owner is over egging the actual cost, in order to get more from the seller I didn't think you were having a go at a luthier, or luthiers in general matey

[quote name='Beer of the Bass' timestamp='1478081148' post='3166540'] It wasn't a Squier, but I had a five-string OLP neck which just didn't have enough range on the truss rod to get a good setup with 0.045" to 0.130" Ernie Ball flatwounds...... [/quote] That surprises me, as I've heard nothing but good reports about OLPs

I haven't heard that tale myself. I used to have a Squier Vintage Modified Jazz, which I put Steve Harris Flats on. I found they were pretty high tension, and I had to adjust the truss rod to compensate for that, and it was absolutely fine The VM series Squiers (made in Indonesia) are good quality, well constructed instruments, though the neck doesn't feel as hard a wood as the Classic Vibe (made in China) series... In fact, my CV P bass seems to weigh more than the VM Jazz bass I used to own - though I never weighed them properly I still have a Classic Vibe Precision, and it's a superb bass - really great quality, well built, great construction and finish When changing strings to higher tension flats, I'd expect to have to adjust the truss rod on any bass. I wouldn't worry about that, and I'm sure it's well made enough to handle the adjustment. Though I use rounds on my CV P, I'd have no hesitation in adjusting if I decided on flats - go for it Some other BC'er must have fitted flats on their Classic Vibe.... anyone done this?

I'm not that keen on the feel of flats - despite also playing double bass. On my Fretless Precision, I use Thomastik Flats. They are low tension, but if I don't pick the fretless up for a week or 2, I forget just how low tension they are! Previously tried Rotosound flats and Steve Harris sig flats. Both of those seemed very high tension to me EDIT: Not tried LaBella flats, but I'd really like to. I hear good reports from others

[quote name='skej21' timestamp='1478004045' post='3165869'] IF the bass did require a refret, the buyer should've taken the following steps. 1) Contacted you in a reasonable time (legally distance selling regulations are only 14 days for items bought online so maybe a grace period of 30 days is fair). 2) Explained what they thought the issue was, backed up by a quote from a luthier. 3) Allowed you to counter his thoughts with the paperwork that gave the bass the all clear from your luthier when it was in for a set-up pre-sale. 4) Discussed a compromise (maybe pay half each etc). By taking no reasonable steps to solve the issue with you and simply pursuing his own idea of an outcome and expecting you to pay, I would feel completely guilt free and point out in your response that you may have been accommodating had you been given an opportunity to independently diagnose and resolve any issues in a timely manner. [/quote] Spot on answer! I really think that the 2 month period between him buying the bass, and then contacting you is way too long. And as others have said, he really should have discussed with you first, before getting the re-fret done. Also, Dave Dearnaley in Cardiff is a top luthier - he wouldn't have charged that much! He may have been scammed by a luthier, but then that would have been avoided if he'd checked with you first, as you'd have asked him to get a 2nd opinion, I'm sure..... I know what you mean when you say this makes you feel bad. I think I'd be the same. I prefer buyers to check instruments or amps over before handing over any cash. That way, the buyer gets to inspect & check the item, and ask any pertinent questions at the time.... Best of luck with this, but in this case, I don't think there's any duty on you to do any more A 2nd opinion closer to purchase date, and a compromise for the cost would have been best action

Sorry to hear of your woes artisan. I've only made minor purchases from GAK. I also selected a bass for my sister, as a present to my nephew. All my transactions have been whilst visiting their shop in Brighton, And I have to say, GAK have always seemed fine to me. Helpful staff etc etc. Hope you get the matter sorted asap and as smoothly as possible. Re Gear4music - I had real problems with them when I had something delivered! The depot was miles away from home, and not open during the hours stated on the depots' delivery docket. The item was not in the condition stated, and they just didn't want to know when the word "refund" was mentioned. I exchanged a couple of emails with them, tried phoning, but service was awful... Best of luck

As FuNkShUi asks; would you be willing to buy second hand? You'll get better value for money that way... Trouble with buying amps & cabs, is that when trying them in a shop, or someone's house you're not really able to asses them very well, particularly at high volume... Keep your eye on the marketplace here, and if you can - see if the seller will let you try the cab(s) in a rehearsal studio somewhere... Some BC'ers seem to store their gear in such places too. Also, maybe try different heads too. Do you need 800W? Also, as said above - could you end up losing money, as the marketplace isn't great atm EDIT: I've got a couple of Epifani 110 cabs, and they are brilliant. Haven't tried the Epifani 1x12 but I'm sure it's great A lot of love on here for Vanderkley cabs too

This is my 2nd spell of playing, following a 20+ year break in playing. During this 8 year spell, I've only broken one string (a "D" string). These days I mainly play finger style, and sometimes with a pick, but in my previous spell of playing it was mainly pick, with occasional finger style Back during my first spell of playing, I played more heavily, due to playing punk & rock. I seem to recall breaking mainly D strings then, funny enough - but certainly one E string too In the 80's Rotosound released a version of their "swing" bass string, which had no windings on the core at the bridge end of the stings. This was apparently to create a more lively sound. Broke 2 of those, and they were quite new strings too - so stopped buying them I'm amazed to hear that some players have never broken a string. I know a couple of guitarists who occasionally play bass, and they've broken bass strings. Again, they play with a pick - so I'd be interested to hear what is the percentage of strings broken by pick players v finger players.

As has already been said, trying out new or different (often other peoples') gear. Also, my tastes have changed as well, and almost come around full circle - I'm back playing Fender basses now; a Jazz and a Precision (P/J). But my amp rig is flexible and I "tweak" it to suit the band I'm playing with and the venue. I also play Double Bass - though these days I don't tend to double up (i.e. swap between DB and BG during a gig) But my main drive to change gear has been to create a flexible rig, with a choice of amp head, a choice of a few different cabs, and most of all, the need to have as lightweight and portable a rig as possible Heads include TC Electronic 550W. Orange Terror 500 Speakers incl Markbass Traveler 102 cab, and two Epifani UL110's

Love the colour & grain on this one. I'm a fan of P/J pickup arrangement too I already have a couple of great Precisions, or I'd be lusting after this..... EDIT: Actually, I AM lusting after this lol

[quote name='Geek99' timestamp='1477408500' post='3162039'] You can buy jazz bodies quite cheaply on eBay - surely a Luthier can spray it up for you for less [/quote] I was going to suggest this. Alternatively, could you spray a body yourself?

Nice Project Kert. I usually carry a backup bass (for paying gigs) and sometimes I end up playing in a jam session - so sometimes need to travel very light. So IMO, it's handy to keep a small-ish, lightweight bass in the stable for such occasions I've heard good things about the quality of Encore basses, or at least the earlier Indian made models of their P bass. Not heard any in depth reports about their short scale basses though, so I'd be interested to hear your thoughts once this has been fully upgraded. A bit of sparkle could be nice on a budget project like this, but I have to say, I do like sunburst - especially on a fender shaped bass Good luck with this project, and keep us posted Marc

I too have a Roadworn Jazz, and I love it. I wasn't particularly unhappy with the pickups in it, but an old set of 2nd hand DiMarzio's came up for sale, quite cheap, and local to me. The young guy had bought them for a project, and I don't think he ever fitted them. I didn't try to look for a serial number, or date on them. I just fitted them, and I was mightily impressed with the result! They sound a lot beefier, and have much higher output, and all round tonal output is better too. The lows are incredibly well defined, and the mids & highs quite punchy As for sounding like a P, well, it sort of does, but it also still sounds like a Jazz, as it still has some of that "burble" that a Jazz seems to have. Sorry if this hasn't helped hugely, but if you do happen upon an old set of these pickups, it may well be worth a punt, just to try one of them in the neck position - you can always sell them if you don't like them, but I'm not taking mine out of the Jazz for any reason EDIT: Could you even try a Bridge J pickup in the neck position? Isn't the output higher / different?