Marc S

No, haven't tried it. I recently played a gig (hosting an open mic) A guy walked in, with a Squier Jaguar bass. He'd changed the pickups in that One of them was, he said, from a US Jazz, and the body needed some work to accommodate the pickup The other pickup was one he picked up cheaply, and had apparently come from an old 70's'/ 80's Japan copy bass Sounded awesome! I was struck by just how good it was If you do decide to go for it, let us know how you get on I think you've just got to bite the bullet & go for it - at least it's a cheap bass, so you've not too much to lose Best of luck with it

I've got both a CV and a VM bass. The VM series are great value for the money, and each one I've tried has been a good bass As you say, the VM's are made in Indonesia. And as others have said, they're not always set up the best when new. The CV's are made in China, and in a different factory to the now improved Affinity series (which are far better than they were) The Matt Freeman bass (x2 colour options) are also made in the same factory as the CV's My CV is definitely a tad heavier than my VM. And the quality of wiring, pickups and fittings is also better Although I converted my VM to a fretless, I used to gig it before I did that, and it definitely held its' own Gig with them, use them as backup, or take them to dodgy gigs instead of your expensive Fender I like the VM's a lot - but I love my CV P bass.... it's just that bit better than a VM ..... and not far off as good as my US P bass IMO

[quote name='FuNkShUi' timestamp='1457430638' post='2998362'] I think it's hard to teach someone rhythm. It is possible, but the process of learning becomes so much easier if someone has natural rhythm [/quote] Yes, it's more tricky than you might think at first. I'm trying to teach Mrs S rhythm and timing - But it's quite alien to her She sings backing in a fun band, which is a bunch of mates who regularly play a folk club we attend Sadly, teaching her rhythm is really difficult, as she just has almost no sense of it I bought her a drum, so she can tap along when listening to music, but it's a long hard slog - maybe it's partly her teacher, of course But it begs the question - "Is there such a thing as natural rhythm?" Is it something we intuitively hear? Or do we teach ourselves to hear it? Does this start at a young age? Can older people learn it, or do you have to start young? I'm sure we each as individuals learn rhythm differently, and at very very different rates Some people just seem to hear a beat easily, while others not so..... Incidentally, in my 1st spell of bass playing -t'was before days of T'internet.... I had a book entitled "Learning Rock Bass" which came with an intro to TAB ...... and a flexi-disc "Dad, wot's a flexi-disc?" lol

Sounds great Kert Good on you, for buying him the gear & getting him started Just ask him what his fave songs are, and show him how to jam along You'd be the best tutor, to get him started. Just think back to how Jon Caulfield taught you Seek out some blues and rock stuff on youtube, and judge for yourself which would be good bass lessons for him This is great news. Perhaps when I retire, I should learn to play too?

[quote name='Christian Houmann' timestamp='1456952849' post='2994053'] Still diggig my P's! Anyone else feel the love [url="http://s113.photobucket.com/user/Houmann/media/IMG_8595_zpsfbxnxh31.jpg.html"][/url] [/quote] Yes, yes, yes - I feel that love.... all the way from here The new scratchplate looks good on your P too Discreet I generally prefer Tort, or a dark plate - but it just sits right with that colour red somehow

I have a CV 60's P bass in Fiesta Red. In fact, it's my 2nd one. I had one, sold it due to having too many basses I instantly regretted selling it, as it was so good. Tried carrying on without it, but in the end, I bought another Lovely bass, superb build quality, comfortable to play with slim, fast neck. Yes, it's covered in a thick lacquer of Poly, but it feels great, and doesn't get sticky when your hands get hot & sweaty, like some glossy finishes. I'd disagree that the tuners are sloppy or go out of tune. The 2 I've had hold tune really well. The pickup was pretty damn good IMO, although I've had my CV P turned into a PJ, by the superb Cardiff luthier / instrument builder Dave Dearnaley I only replaced the P pickup, as I had a set of Entwistle PJ pickups, and thought I'd stick to using the pair. Dave Dearnaley reckons the build quality is fabulous, and said he could see why they stopped this particular range - as they were so good. He also said the pots on it were fine, but not quite as good as the CTS pot he installed for the extra pickup - That was his only criticism If you see one of these knocking around 2nd hand - go for it It's a tad heavier than my US Standard P, and the pickup is a teensy weensy bit less "grunty" But pound for pound, these are the best value for money basses I think I've ever seen

Welcome to BC From sunny South Wales..... ... wait a minute, it's about to rain

I'd have said £600 - £700 depending on condition etc as others have said However, the marketplace seems a tad slow at the moment, and has been for a few months now some basses have been sold for rather less than they would have done maybe a year ago Whether you're buying or selling - good luck with it anyway

Awful paintjob! But a real hideous look anyway! What were they thinking of?

The marketplace seems to have been awash with all sorts of great basses recently, not just Stingrays Or is it that we are all trawling the marketplace more thoroughly? Selling on here also seems to have been slow lately... If you see a bass on here you like, why not give it a whirl? - you could save yourself some money... Alternatively, the bass on here may be here a few weeks, so go to the bass show, keep your eyes open and if you don't get a bargain at the show - buy your next bass from BC ..... Or buy one at the show AND one from the marketplace! Good luck with your search. PS. Love the sound and build quality of Stingrays, but had one and didn't like the chunkiness of the neck at the bottom end, each to their own though.....

[quote name='keefbaker' timestamp='1456837468' post='2992689'] No need to mention equipment except, yes.. I have a bass... yes.. I have an amp. [/quote] My thoughts too. If he's really interested in just meeting a bass player, he'll just want to make sure you can play, and that you've got a bass and a gigable amp, and maybe own transport.. No need to mention brands or equipment value. If it's still a concern after your first meet, maybe take a Squier along to a jam, rather than a Fender for example Most of all - just chat about influences and find songs you'd both like to have a go at. Keep it simple & fun for now - it's just a jam that may lead somewhere. And lastly, good luck, PS. Let us know how you get on EDIT: Just want to second ribbetingfrog's comment too - there's nothing like having to learn a few songs, and a jam or rehearsal in a full band, to get you up to speed. Also, play them at an open mic night too

[quote name='andyjevans' timestamp='1456838114' post='2992702'] Other dealers recommend Markbass mostly, and sometimes Eden. They differ on Tonehammer........ [/quote] Hi again, as I'd said in my first reply, I was surprised at how good DB sounded through my old Markbass 102 combo Just to add to that - I've had a couple of EUB's and a couple of DB's in such a short space of time.... I have to say that the Markbass combo sounded good with all of them. So much so, that I'm thinking of getting a Markbass head at some point perhaps to replace the EA head I recently bought..... I'd definitely look into trying a Markbass head if I were you - are there any friendly BC'ers near you, who'd let you try their amp? Worth asking!

I've been in exactly the same position as you. I've been trying to get as small and lightweight an option as possible, and for my rig to be used for both Bass guitar and upright - sometimes for just BG, sometimes DB, and sometimes suitable for both. With the emphasis on a small size rig, and being as light and portable as possible, as I got tired of lugging larger cabs and combos up stairs, and 300 yards from the car park.... However, it's not really that easy - as I've found out. Finding a head with dual inputs is tricky. I now have a Euphonic Audio EA Micro 550W head. it's really tiny, and ultra lightweight. I couldn't believe how small & light. Yes, it's got 2 separately controlled inputs, BUT I find it's OK, not brilliant. It rather lacks a little "colour" IMO. Yes, you can EQ it, but it still sounds a bit "flat" to my ear.... Perhaps a pre-amp might help improve matters The amp I mainly use for gigs with BG is a TC Electronic 550. I have to say, I'm quite pleased with this head. It's quite small, and fairly light and compact. But of course, it only has 1 input - so a mini mixer or splitter & pre-amp would be needed for gigs with both BG and DB Re speakers, I've found that using 15" speakers to be rather problematic, esp with DB. I found the sound rather "boomy" and not well defined at the bottom end. Some venues were OK, others not so, and difficult to get the EQ right, without loosing that definition. For me, I've found my Phil Jones 4x5 Piranha cab to be the best for gigs where I'm doubling up. More definition at the lower end, and less boominess, or at least it's been far easier to EQ that out.... One prob I've found with the PJ cab though - if it's on the floor, or not tilted upwards, I sometimes can't hear it if I'm stood right in front of it. I also bought a Bareface One 10 cab, for it's tiny size, incredible light weight and sheer portability. However, that too is a little flat and colourless, and takes some EQ'ing to get a decent sound. It's especially flat with the EA micro head - I just can't get the tone I want either with BG or DB... I also have an Epifani 1x10 cab, and this I feel is rather more colourful than the BF cab. It's quite a bit larger and heavier than the BF, but rather better tonally. Using both 1x10's together at a recent gig was pretty good, and it's OK for medium sized gigs, but I'm not sure it would cope at large venues Another shout here for Markbass though. I recently sold my CMD 102P combo. It sounded great with BG and better with DB than I'd ever have thought. I missed it really, and I recently picked up a second-hand 102 Traveller cab. Trying this with BG (so far) is a huge improvement - it's warm tones, depth and definition are superb. Not tried it loud, with my DB yet, but I'm looking forward to doing so soon. Hope this rather waffling answer is of at least some use! But good luck, and let us know what you find

[quote name='Bigwan' timestamp='1456741895' post='2991796'] That's what I mean. Never seen a 3 tone version before myself. [/quote] The red in this one looks more prominent in the photo It's more tobacco burst, with a teeny hint of red I've not seen another example "in the flesh" so I can't really comment any further.... I'm looking forward to getting home this evening, and having another noodle with this bass I can't recall being quite so excited by a new bass

Back in the 80's, I sold a Shaftesbury Rick copy. Gorgeous bass, but it needed a re-fret, which was expensive to me at that time Regretted not getting the work done. Years later, I searched high & low for one..... and eventually got one, even better than my 1st one Result! Had a Squier Classic Vibe 60's P bass recently. Loved it, but sold it cos I had too many basses Instant regret, which I tried to live with.... but couldn't - so Bought another one, and had it converted to a P/J which makes it even better All in all, 2 great results for me - but alas, I really still have too many basses Now if only I could find my first proper bass - an early 70's Fender musicmaster..... EDIT: I also put a new neck on a broken Matsumoko Japan built P bass copy, and loved it as soon as I'd set it up Sold it the same day I advertised it, and instantly regretted it. It sounded, felt & looked rather cool and now it appears the buyer may want to sell it on - do I buy it back? lol

Hi Paul S, Yes, GAS can be an awful thing - but if you've got this cheap and you enjoy playing it, where's the problem? 70's & 80's Japan built stuff can be fantastic quality - really underrated IMO But it does seem to be gaining fans, and financial value recently Let us know how you get on with it. I might be tempted for something short scale, small bodied myself soon - if/ when I sell my US Precision Cheers

Still loving this RW P bass When I go out to work, or anywhere else for that matter.... ... I just can't wait to get home and play it again! Lol How "sad" is that? Still, it kind of feels like its a new bass fortnight... Off to rehearsals, to hear it through full rig tonight

Thanks for sharing those videos Twincam As others have said, there are lots of factors affecting set up & action height I would say, do a basic set up yourself, and have a go at putting a thin shim (maybe even just thin card) at the heel end of the neck If it doesn't work - fine, you have learned that it didn't work on this occasion but it's cheap & cheerful & quick to do, and you never know, it might just get the height down another half millimetre If that doesn't work as well as you'd like - try a decent luthier I'm not sure where you're based, but I'd recommend Dave Dearnaley if you're anywhere near Cardiff Try a luthier local to you, who other trusted BC'ers recommend Above all, good luck BTW. I mainly use heavy gauge strings, it may just be the way it seems to me, but I think my action is set lower with heavy than with standard