Marc S

Lovely looking bass Think I'd go for the tort plate

[quote name='Sumbabba' timestamp='1449780046' post='2926834'] Yes someone needs to do the blind test and clear this up once and for all! Hopefully that'll bring the price of vintage P-basses down and then I'll be able to afford to buy one :)Except I'll then be buying an inferior bass I have to say I'm not keen on the look of those Roadworns, I think there's something a bit naff about artificially reliced basses. I'm after a rosewood fretboard anyway, I just don't get on with maple ones. Maybe I'll look at some of the RIs, what are people's opinions on those? Let me guess... they vary in quality right? [/quote] I used to think that "artificially worn" guitars are naff. However, that was before I actually played one I'd heard people rave about the Fender roadworn basses, and tried one which was for sale on BC I was instantly smitten! - I honestly cannot express just how good these are, apart from saying neither of my 2 US Jazzes was anywhere near as good. Fender have obviously built these with very high spec and finish The aged, worn-in feel is very convincing too - somehow, Fender have made it feel like it's been round the block As for its' appearance - I've had several bass players come up to me at gigs and ask how old that Jazz is! When I tell them it's only a few years old, they're amazed! It's a convincing look, apart from the fact that they all have the same wear pattern I've owned many basses over the years, and tried many many more, and nothing would make me part with my Roadworn Jazz It is more playable, comfortable and sounds better than basses I've tried which were 3 times the price Honestly Sumbabba, don't knock them till you've tried them. I was off Fenders for years, having had a real vintage one My RW has made me re-evaluate my thoughts..... Re the discussion about blindfold tests. There are videos somewhere on youtube of such tests Guitars and basses are tested. In the main the tests are Squier Classic Vibe guitars, v Fender US, v Custom shop Surprise surprise, most blinfolded players choose the Squiers! EDIT: I also usually wax lyrical about playing RW's at gigs - it's really liberating. I'm usually over protective about gigging mint basses But rather more relaxed with my RW - it really doesn't matter if it picks up another scratch

[quote name='spiltmilk_2000' timestamp='1449787645' post='2926965'] +1! I was flying to a gig in Edinburgh and a kind friend who lived that way said he'd loan me a P bass for the night. When he arrived, for some reason he had brought a Ric instead....... Anyway, since then, Ive played another friends with the pup cover removed (whilst seated) and had no issue at all. Loved it! Morale of the story? make sure you try a Ricci before buying one! :-) [/quote] Indeed, try before you buy - but a good point about the pickup cover / guard too I'm not sure how keen a shop would be, in allowing you to remove one of these if you were just trying So make sure you try one (or more) with the cover removed. It's a valid point, cos my faker is more comfortable to play than my Rick but I'm sure this is partly because I took the cover off that straight away As said above, that cover seems to be right in the way of the sweet spot, where you want to play But it also seems to make you move your right hand, which may even contribute to the "digging in" of those unchamfered edges....

[quote name='Highfox' timestamp='1449667455' post='2925748'] I tell you what, give the Roadworns a try as well.. [/quote] Another vote for Fender roadworn basses here. Although I've not tried a roadworn P, I have a roadworn Jazz, and that's my fave bass I've ever played That includes 2x US Jazzes as well! I've heard many players rave equally about the roadworn P They're made in Mexico, but are made to a higher standard than Mex basses. Finished in the US too, I believe As someone else has said, you could try a Limelight P too. Mark will make one to your own spec I've tried 2 Limelight P's and they've both been fantastic basses - really convincing sound, feel & appearance and at a fraction of the cost of a real vintage Fender Let us know how you get on

[quote name='stevebasshead' timestamp='1449678449' post='2925906'] Spend a couple of quid on a wrist sweatband and the problem with Ric binding hurting your wrists goes away [/quote] Yes, forgot to mention this is what I did. Pack of 3 from a local sports shop was about a fiver. Only trouble is, sometimes you forget to pack one (and worse, leave it in your case after a sweaty gig! lol) Also, as ezbass says; it'll be a voyage of discovery - whether you discover you love them to bits, or whether you decide they're not for you after all - you'll have still learned something. If you lived close to me, you'd be welcome to come along & try my faker. Maybe there's a kind Rick player near you, who would offer you a try of theirs? Certainly Gelfin always takes his Rick along to the Cardiff bass bash - if you were anywhere nearby, whenever the next one is PS. Gelfin challenges even Rick haters to play his, and tell him they still don't like Ricks - it's certainly a good 'un Cheers again

I agree with the sentiment of others who say try a few - try as many as you can Yes, they are marmite basses, and there are a lot of people who really seem to hate them However, if you get one you like, there's nothing else quite like it I've always loved the look and sound of Ricks. I owned a 4003 and it was good I sold it because it was mint, and I was over protective of it, so didn't gig it, and it didn't really suit the sound of what I was doing at the time My 4003 didn't feel as nice as some of the older 4001's I'd tried I also own a Shaftesbury faker, and that's really amazing to play - just as good as the older Ricks IMO Before buying a brand new 4003 - try some S/H Ricks, then try the 4003 and see how it compares But do it that way around - so you're not tempted to just lay the cash on the table straight away! I don't find Ricks as comfy as some other basses, as the edges of the body are relatively "sharp" They aren't rounded off and the body isn't contoured. Depending on your style of playing of course, this may not matter... Good luck in your search. Let us know how you get on. And ignore comments from those who hate them It's your money, it's your choice

It's not vintage (but obviously, it will be one day.....) But this is almost identical to my US P Which is absolutely lovely If I didn't have one, I'd be after this in a shot! It's an absolute steal at this price too - you just have to not be bothered by the neck plate being swapped (not current owners doing) http://basschat.co.uk/topic/274283-2010-fender-american-standard-p-bass-olympic-white-l675/page__fromsearch__1

[quote name='Bigwan' timestamp='1449649845' post='2925460'] I think Bassman Steve has it about right. If it's for playing you don't need to spend big money. Best P I've played (and in my estimation the best bass I've ever had in my grubby mitts) was a refinished '64 that belongs to a friend (lets say roughly £3k, £3.5k conservatively). 2nd best was a used/abused '83 Squier SQ I bought locally for £100... [/quote] As others have said - if you want one to gig with, buy one that feels & sounds right for you Changing pickups can also change the sound / tone you get, so this might be worth experimenting with too Years ago, I had a 70's Maple neck P. I bought it because that's what I wanted at the time It may have sounded great, however, it was heavy, and the neck was way too chunky and uncomfortable to play esp if I had been playing it for long periods of time These days I have a lovely US P from the 2000's and it still has that P sound, but the neck is the far slimmer C shape and it's also much lighter than that old 70's P. But I tend not to gig that P I take out a Squier / bitsa, or my Squier Classic Vibe 60's - and that's an awesome bass There's not a lot in it, sound-wise, and it's light and very playable, far better quality than its' relative price tag would suggest If you want one as an investment - buy a near mint one and put it in a case under your bed But there's not much point in that IMO. They're made to be played Good luck in your search EDIT: Due to that old 70's P - I was actually put off Fenders for a long time! But I'm back to loving them again now

[quote name='Wonky2' timestamp='1449528259' post='2924463'] Good feedback guys, thanks.... My aim is to get to a single unit solution.... Ext cabs route is great but I would probably only use it once in a blue moon so not sure I can justify the spend on the 121p combo AND the 121ny cab (circa £900 together) ........ Ahhh ... I used to be indecisive but now I just can't tell ! [/quote] I know what you're saying, but I think a 2 cab scenario is more flexible With manufacturers like Markbass and Phil Jones, the design is brilliant, and adaptable I've used my CMD 102 for a lot of smaller - medium gigs and it's been great However, playing with different bands, and in very different venues, the ability to use an additional cab has been vital As others have said, additional speakers, moving more air is sometimes necessary But also I found the ability to have a cab each side of the stage can help balance the sound more it has even helped other band members to hear me more clearly I'd be wary now of buying a combo that didn't give me this option Remember, it might suit your current band, but you may be in a different band this time next year - you never know Of course, it's your choice - but I'm just underlining the positive benefits of 2 cabs Though this might also be expensive - you can spread the cost / outlay You can get the combo now, and maybe pick up the ext cab at a later date - keeping your eye on the 2nd hand market Cheers again Marc

I'm another CMD 102 P user here, and I have to agree with the comments about the Markbass 10" speakers being so good. I used to use my 102 combo in conjunction with a Markbass 15" cab, for larger gigs It sounded great, but I found sometimes the bottom end seemed a little bit less defined I now use the 102 on its' own, or with a Phil Jones 4x5 pirhana cab as extension Those tiny Phil Jones 5" speakers seem to give me a more defined, deeper low end than the 15" ever did. Also heard some cracking double bass a few months ago, from a PJ Suitcase, or briefcase (forget which it was) and they are 8" speakers. Maybe take a look at the PJ range of cabs too. Not heard the Alain Caron 121, I'd be interested to hear one of these. Personally, I like the tones I can get from my 102, and I sometimes wish that Markbass did a 1x10 combo as well as the 121 Good luck in your search

I can only echo the thoughts and comments of others Stunning refin!

Thanks for the heads up. There may be a few bargains, in the lower or middle range stuff But I've a feeling anything vintage, or rare would end up going to one of those dealers with deep pockets Don't think I'll make the journey over from Cardiff - cos I may not have enough dosh left for the Bridge! But if I were a musician in the Bristol / Bath area, I think I'd be tempted PS. I too have deep pockets...... sadly though, they're quite empty

Thanks for that idea Kert Cheers mate

Any keys players out there? We have gigs in the new year waiting.....

The through neck on my Shaftesbury is rock solid, as stable as heck, and IMO, rather beautiful with it's dark stripe No problem with any neck joints, as it's through construction. Originally, the Shaftesbury basses had some rather dodgy square-ish tuners. My recent acquisition has had these changed for a more authentic appearance, and I have to say, these are nice & solid and seem to hold tune well. I've not thought about fitting a D-tunner, though if you get the correct one, I can't see why it wouldn't work. My bass has a true vintage Rick tone, it's lovely. I keep saying this, but I'd put my Shaftesbury alongside a "real" Rick any day I had a 4003, and it was nowhere near as comfortbale to play as the Shaftesbury. Sadly, when I picked it up, the original truss rod cover was gone, and replaced with a Rick one - how I wish I had the original The replacement tuners though, are a good upgrade. If you get that Shaftesbury, I'd change those straight away Other than that, they're superb quality. I've played several Rockinbetters, and these are OK, but not as good IMO I only ever played one Greco Rick, and that was also very nice. Though the one I tried was rather beaten up It had had some minor woodworking / surgery, and although cosmetic, I didn't like the look of it too much, so didn't buy it Cheers

A bass will always be better protected in a hard case. However, when I had one for my first DB, the case was so huge and cumbersome. When I transported it in my last car, which was large-ish, I had no room for any other passengers! Whereas in the padded gigbag, I could safely transport the bass, along with amp, and 2 passengers. I'd say unless you have a large car or van, get the best quality padded gigbag you can. I heard that Hindersine were good for the money Though I couldn't get hold of one at the time. Everyone seemed to be out of stock. I got a slightly cheaper, less well padded gigbag and it seemed to do the job, although I read that the padding was thicker on the Hindersine Let us know what you opt for

Not seen that website before I'm amazed that they're selling MM copies with the actual EB logo on them The quality of these guitars looks good. But of course, the reality may differ I'd also be interested to hear what buyers say about these basses

Glad the bass was recovered