Marc S

Just thought I'd share my feelings & thoughts here I double up, but play mostly Bass Guitar these days - not so much DB, unfortunately I used Markbass gear (a CMD 102P) and the 151 extension cab. This was great with BG, but not so with DB I tended to find that the lower end was a bit muddy, boomy and undefined when using the 15" ext cab. I switched to a Phil Jones 4x5 and what a difference that made! It sounded much clearer and better defined and focussed. A lot of DB players said that they much prefer smaller speakers when playing DB, for those very reasons. Incidentally, I now have a Markbass 210 cab, which I have played the DB through, and again, it sounds good I have gigged with just the PJ 4x5 cab and it sounded great - even outdoors, not going through the PA at a festival! Re that amp you posted a link to - I think 8" may be fine, or better still a 2x8 or 4x8 (if such cabs exist) What would concern me, is whether that amp has enough power / headroom I've heard a few DB players use the PJ suitcase (or is it the breiefcase?) and one who was using the similar Markbass 2x8 combo. The Markbass sounded great! It also depends of course, on what other instruments you're playing with. A loud drummer will mean you need more volume / power And if this is in conjunction with loud guitarists..... well

[quote name='dave_bass5' timestamp='1469455184' post='3098408'] .....The low end market has matured a lot since the JV's, and while that doesnt mean they arent good, i always laugh when i see one for sale for £600+. These are basses that cost £199 new,and while it was a long time ago are they really worth the current asking price? [/quote] As a matter of interest (well, to some anyway) when JV's first came out, and were around £200 new, I bought a US Fender P, which was a 1970's model, and just a little over £200. Although a JV might be around £600 now, I guess that 70's Fender could fetch £1500 - £1800, Which is an even bigger escalation in price. BTW The US P was heavy as hell, and had a really chunky neck. I bought it because I was obsessed with the logo on the headstock. I played a JV shortly afterwards, and recall thinking it was much nicer than my US P. Again, many people at the time (including guitar shop staff) used the awful term "Jap Cr@p" to define these now sought after instruments... I suppose in terms of relative quality, they probably aren't worth the 2nd hand price now, as you can get some fabulous quality instruments for less cash. However, my bet is that that JV I played is still a better bass to play than that US P I owned. Of course, as those older JV's become older and rarer, they become more collectible, and the perception is that they are indeed worth the asking price of £600

[quote name='Bassassin' timestamp='1469366343' post='3097714'] ...Unless it really. really has to have "that" serial number, don't get hung up on JVs, though. The later MIJ SQ, E and A - serial instruments are excellent quality and will cost you a few arms & legs less than a JV..... .....There are also various 80s MIJ replica-standard brands to consider - Fernandes & Tokai are the best-known brand & likely represent excellent value compared to JVs. Jon. [/quote] I'd agree with this sentiment. Don't get "hung up" on your next bass having to be a JV Squier Yes, JV's are superb, very collectible, very playable and in some eyes as good as or better than many US Fenders But there are other superb P basses out there too (if it has to be a P bass, that is) I recently played a Squier "Silver series" Precision, and it was lovely, and very reasonably priced As Jon says, so are earlier Japan made Tokai Hardpuncher / P basses I currently have 3 precisions; a US Fretless, which is lovely But my 2 fretted P's are IMO the best I've ever played - One being a Squier Classic Vibe P bass (made in China - not the same factory as the Affinity series), and the other being a Roadworn Series Precision... The Roadworn series are built in Mexico, and are absolutely brilliant (different line to other MIM built instruments). These can go for very reasonable prices second-hand, and I would try one out before you rush out to buy any US P bass But the best value for money I think, is the Squier Classic Vibe. The ethos and thinking behind this series was to try to replicate the build quality of the JV series, but in a factory in China. I had a Fiesta Red Classic Vibe, but then sold it, as I had too many basses - instant regret though! So much so, that a few months later, I went out & bought another identical instrument. Since then, I got a luthier to convert it to a P/J and it's even better Definitely check out as many as you can, before splashing the cash on a JV. Try a roadworn series - they look, feel and sound like they've been round the block, and I don't know how they get the necks to feel well played and "worn-in". And if a second-hand CV P bass comes up for sale on here - try it out, or better still - grab it while you can. As they've stopped making the CV in Fiesta Red - I'm glad I bought one back.... I'm sure in years to come, they will be regarded as highly as the JV's are now Good luck with your search EDIT: Though I've not tried one, the Squier Matt Freeman P basses are built in the same factory as the Classic Vibes, and are said to be brilliant! These are still available in shops btw

As has been said. Some Fender MIM's are superb. Far better that my awful bass I had when I first started Bartolini pickups - good choice there. And lucky you, a handed down free amp! Welcome to BC. Keep playing and keep enjoying it

[quote name='Manton Customs' timestamp='1469093781' post='3095618'] If that's the worst of it then there is enough material there for a fret job. [/quote] Yes, I thought this too. I'm sure a decent luthier could do a fret dress, with plenty of life left in those frets still

Hi stingrayPete, Sorry to hear this has happened. How old is the bass? Were you the first owner, and has it been transported around a lot? Just wondering what other factors might bring this situation about... I'm sure a decent luthier will solve the problem for you. Let us know how it pans out Best Marc

[quote name='AndyTravis' timestamp='1468969663' post='3094847'] Bought it... [/quote] That's great! What a bargain If it was nearer me, I'd have done the same - to do it up & sell it on, or just sell the parts to someone else who needs to fix theirs Nice to have a project on the go, especially if it hasn't cost you a fortune Let us know how you get on with this one - good luck

I too have a modular rig. Actually, I probably have too many combinations of amp, and way too many speaker cabs I used to haul big heavy cabs around the place, and whilst I got fed up of lugging large, bulky equipment around, I also noticed that for many venues, I wasn't getting the sound I really wanted either. Some venues, my Markbass 15 extension cab sounded great, some it didn't (and that was much smaller + lighter than my old 2x15") So I now use my flexible rig, depending not only on size of venue, but also on what type of music I'm playing, and whether I'm playing Bass Guitar, DB, or doubling up, with a combination of the two... My Markbass 2x10 cab is usually plenty for most pub venues. For larger venues, I tend to use my PJB 4x5 Piranha cab, or if I don't think I'll need that - I take a further 1x10 cab. I know, it may seem odd, but my Epifani 1x10 cab is brilliant. The amp heads I have operate on the principal that one 8ohm speaker gives me 300W, but when I use an additional 8 ohm cab, I get either 500W or 550W (depending on which head I use). Although having 3 x 10" speaker cabs may seem odd, the Markbass 2x10 and the Epifani together create a great sound, and usually I've plenty of headroom.... In some smaller pubs, I've used the Epifani alone, with either an Orange Terror 500 or my TC550W head, and I have to say, it has been plenty for smaller venues. I also wanted to say, I don't think I ever got a satisfactory sound when playing DB through a 15" speaker. Again, it may be down to venues and or choice of amp head - but it didn't half make the bottom end of the sound rather unclear and un-defined. Interesting to hear what you opt for. Shame you weren't at the Cardiff bass bash last Saturday, as we compared several small cabs and heads. Good luck

Sorry to hear your sad findings, and losing out on a tour Henry. I say this, not being a professional DB player, or bass guitar player mind you But I'm in several bands & duos etc. Personally, I find for various reasons lately, I'm not playing much DB However, a couple of the bands (one I'm regularly playing with) seem to want me to play DB on a few songs or one of 2 sets They're actually attempting to get me to introduce DB on more gigs! Again, they may be thinking of giving one set more of an "acoustic feel", but I think it's largely because in pub bands you don't see many DB players - they want to introduce something different... Interesting question. I await more players findings Hope you pick up another tour soon mate - chin up

[quote name='roceci' timestamp='1468936056' post='3094470'] Seconded. Great to meet a couple of guys off here in the flesh. Not to mention playing some fantastic basses in Gelfin's bassment of wonders! & Marc I'm not selling you your fretless back Till the next one! [/quote] I wish I could've justified keeping that fretless matey - it's a nice one, don't let anyone diss Squier basses till they've tried a few Hope the next meeting isn't too far away - perhaps we should all think about going for a pint afterwards too?

Just wanted to say a huge "thanks" to Gelfin, for putting on the basschat event in Cardiff once again Great to see you guys - wish we could catch up more often. It was useful, just to hear the comparisons between the 3 small lightweight cabs Sorry I couldn't stay long - Like FuNkShUi, I had a gig, and it was early in the evening (and all the way up in Tredegar) Cheers again - hope you enjoyed it too Gelfin

[quote name='LewisK1975' timestamp='1468397530' post='3090599'] I have a Roadworn 50's Precision in sunburst and that has the same neck dimensions as the classic 50s. I really like it, it's actually probably my favourite Precision out of all of those I've had........ Regarding the heel truss rod adjustment - A few of my basses have it and you can usually get enough access by removing the pickguard, doesn't usually require taking the neck off....... [/quote] I'll second Lewis's comments here. I bought a RW Precision from this very forum, and it's my favourite bass I've ever played Though I'm not 100% sold on the pickup - it's just a tad less grunt than my Squier Classic Vibe, which I've put an Entwistle PBXN pup into. (Check out Entwistle pickups - they're cheap + great!) Certainly from a comfort, lightweight & playability point of view, my RW P is brilliant It has, like my Roadworn Jazz (yes, I have both and they're both my favourite ever basses of each model) the neck adjustment at the heel. I have to say, I too thought this might be an issue - but it really hasn't been Both necks are really stable. I adjusted the J neck once, and it could do with a tweak again now With a little bit of the scratchplate filed away, I don't need to take the neck off. The P bass I've not needed to adjust.... I know you said you didn't want any "play them both first" type responses But do just that, and go for the one your gut instinct tells you to Truss-rod adjusting isn't normally something you'll be doing every week Good luck

As others have said - get a luthier to do a fret-dress and a set-up You'd be surprised at how much of a difference this can make If you were nearer Cardiff, I would always recommend Dave Dearnaley He's a top-notch luthier, and has worked on several famous musicians instruments, as well as building his own, custom made guitars - and they fetch quite a handsome price... If the frets are too worn for even a fret-dress, then get that same luthier to re-fret it If it's 100% original but unplayable - then it's either useless or a Deko model for the wall of Hard Rock cafe.... You could always wait a while - do a bit of research, and see if similar instruments that have been re-fretted come up for auction? Compare the prices to unmodified (un-repaired) examples..... It all depends on whether you actually want to play this fabulous instrument Personally, I would never buy a vintage car that didn't work, unless it was to fix it & get it back on the road, where it belongs even if only to drive it a few times a year.... Good luck, and let us know what you decide

It sounds to me like you might be playing some venues where you would rather not risk theft of, or damage to your precious P bass. I've owned several Precisions, my current favourite is my Roadworn P (which I've PJ'ed). It's the best P bass ever, but that's just my opinion What I can't get over, is just how much one basic design can produce such variations, in terms of weight, comfort and playability.... However, there are some venues I play in the South Wales valleys, where I'd rather not take a bass which is worth £1k new So I have a Squier Classic Vibe in Fiesta Red (which I also PJ'ed). It's an absolutely fantastic bass for the money. It's a tad heavier than my RW P, but it's great quality and very playable and comfortable. The Squier CV's are made in the same factory as the Matt Freeman P's, and though I've not played one of those - I've heard great reports about those too. If I didn't have my Squier as "reserve bass" I'd be looking at a Matt Freeman.... I know it probably sounds a bit paranoid, to have a substitute or reserve bass for "certain venues" and I should probably just sell the CV and take my Fender RW to every gig - but in truth, I like to take the Squier out now and then anyway, for a change.... And I must say, I love it For the money, it's the best quality bass. I had one, loved it, realised I probably had too many - so I sold it, and instantly regretted it! .... So I went out & bought another Had it PJ'ed and decided I'm not going to ever sell this one... If you can find one for around £250 second-hand, I promise you'll never regret buying it. Hell, when new at around £400 they were a bargain!

Jazz AND Precision - well, P/J Actually, maybe just a P/J ... but better get a Jazz as well, just in case...

I don't have the Squier CV Jazz. But I did replace the pickups in my Roadworn Jazz, for a pair of old secondhand DiMarzio pickups - I got them cheap, after placing a wanted ad on a local facebook group The pickups are amazing. They have a lot of punch, yet still sound vintage Good luck in your search

Try a Fender Roadworn Jazz. They're based on the '62 J - And they're absolutely stunning. I'm sure it would be great to own a truly vintage Fender - but I'd be too afraid to take it out anywhere, for fear of theft or damage