Marc S

Happy NBD Glad you've found a bass you like so much. Enjoy

Well, that brought a smile to my face this morning And the reply? Even better than the ad! lol

I would generally place a bass cab away from a wall, to avoid the boominess you describe. Perhaps there is an optimum distance, but remember that will also apply to walls opposite the front of the speaker - which will usually be closer to you in a rehearsal room than most live situations you're in. Were you in the exact same rehearsal room as last week, or a different one? Was the layout and distribution all the other gear the same? Another thing to think about, is slightly leaning the speaker cab backwards. There was a thread about this, some time back on here. It was quite interesting and there was a useful diagram, demonstrating what happens to the sound when you do this.

You aren't alone in buying a bass, letting it go.... then wishing you'd kept it I did the same with my Roadworn Jazz and my Squier Classic Vibe Precision Not owned a Sire, but did have a quick noodle on one a while back, and it did seem like a really well made bass, especially at the price point, and an even better buy 2nd hand Now if you have that one set up + modded just the way you want..... keep it. Problem there, I suspect is - you already have too many (like me!) Glad you had a good NBD

I do like the Jazz in Shoreline Gold. I think this wasn't previously available in the more "budget" MIM range - just from the custom shop, at a price (or at least, I hadn't seen one) But apart from that, it does look a bit "same old, same old" IMO. The Fiesta Red Precision looks remarkably similar to the MIM classic 50's P bass, with it's maple board Might have been nice to see one with Rosewood (or Pau Ferro). In their defence, I suppose they know their market and what will sell.......

I've not seen or heard of it either. Have you used it in a live situation yet @Old Horse Murphy? Thanks for letting us know about it, and what your thoughts on it are... I use a Dunlop MXR, and I quite like the distortion on that (not that I use it much). It's also a really nice "natural" sound to the EQ controls. This is in the same sort of price bracket, and looks a quality, well made unit

@Stingray5 - just looked at your photo of the Jazz without plate..... and it's grown on me a bit! lol I was just thinking, I might even give it a whirl at some point - perhaps put a little dab of black acrylic modellers paint into each screw hole? Somehow, I think the scratchplate screw holes look worse on black - perhaps to my eye, they seem to stand out more? Fair point about an instrument looking "new" or at least different. I won't buy a new suit - just wear it with a different tie EDIT: Re my point about the holes - they look fine on your bass mind you....

@Stingray5 - thanks for posting those pics. Thinking about it, I'm not sure I like a black Jazz with no guard. I like the Ray without guard even less, I think Definitely like the Sunburst Jazz without though - perhaps it's because of the different colours and tones of the Burst finish, that makes it more visually pleasing? (Just IMO, of course) Been thinking I quite like a ply black guard, with B-W-B "layers". I'll leave it for now though, as the body shape of mine, being MIJ means it may be hard to get the best fit.... Thanks for your thoughts folks - and I really like that comparison shot above Mr Stingray

I'm a fan of shell pink. The previous version of the Flea sig was just a tad too pale / faded for my tastes - I would have preferred it to be more pink! From the photos, I don't like the look of the rosewood headstock though.... I would have to see one "in the flesh" to know for sure.

The white Pearl plate wasn't quite as good a fit on the MIJ Jazz in the end. The holes didn't align so well, and the contour for the neck pocket wasn't quite "right" it pushed the lower horn quite a way out of alignment. It's odd, because everything aligned so well on the Roadworn Jazz, and a US Jazz I tried it against. I hadn't quite appreciated how different body shapes were, between MIJ, US, MIM etc. I was aware of some of the screw holes not quite lining up. So I've left the Tort one on for now. I do like Pearl on black though - so I may look for another plate. A mate gave the set-up a bit of a tweak the other day (I've been a bit short of free time lately and he offered) - the bass is now playing better than ever - so I'm even more chuffed with my Fretless Jazz

@paul_c2, I've left the white on for now. The holes on the Tort guard look as if they line up really well, but there are a few minor differences in overall shape of the guard, but it's a good fit.. I'm definitely keeping this bass. I really liked the Fiesta Red CV I had, and regretted letting it go - it was a lovely bass.... But this one's even nicer. I had intended to leave this bass at our guitarists place, where my band rehearses - but now I'll leave another bass there, perhaps sell one. I just can't stop picking this bass up

Yes, I'm a dyed in the wool Tort fan myself. But when I popped the Tort guard in place for that photo... It looked nice, but not as good as the white. Just something about that pale blue colour Edit: if it had come with Tort fitted, I'd never have tried white with it

I forgot to mention earlier, that it's already got a Kiogon loom installed too. Perhaps that helps it sound so nice I must say, though I'm not normally a fan of white pickguard, I am tempted to keep white on this bass. I can picture it with a minty guard too.....

Well, I've had a big, pleasant surprise. I took a bass in trade, and it has blown me away! I had a Squier CV precision in the past... Sold it and regretted it. But I recently got this one in trade, and it's even better that the Fiesta Red one I had before. That red CV was amazing, but this one (sonic blue) is one utterly amazing bass. I took it to rehearsal the night I got it, and it sounded as awesome as it plays. It's lightweight, looks lovely, and is the most comfortable P bass I've ever played! It's a better player even than my JV, and sounds as good.... Perhaps it sounds even better? I can't quite believe it. I know many people will think I must be mad, but I've owned US, Mex, VM Squier, Japan & Roadworn p's and this is the best one. It has surprised me, to say the least Oddly enough, I don't normally like to keep the bridge cover on a bass, but I like it on this bass. Anyhow, couple of pics, and a question - should I keep the original slightly yellowed white pickguard, or change for my favourite Tort?

Played one of these, in buttercream finish today, at PMT in Cardiff. It's a lovely looking bass. The colour is just beautiful, and works well with the maple board. It played nicely, and sounded great. Neck was just a tad chunkier than my ideal, but I was very taken with the build quality. I was offered it at around £50 off the RRP, and if I hadn't just got another P bass, I may have been tempted. Alongside the bass was a US std precision at twice the price - but it wasn't anywhere like twice the bass. PMT also had a player series Jazz in buttercream - it looked lovely too - but I dare not pick it up

Sounds like an offer you can't refuse mate. How generous is this? Go for it... Otherwise, how will you ever know?

Innovation Silvers take a little while to settle in. They aren't terribly loud, but I've only got much higher tension strings to compare them with. I've a feeling they have got a bit louder as they've aged - but that's only a "feeling" could easily be my imagination lol

I get a sound I'm happy with, using Innovation Silver Slaps (Think mine are Gold - but I've been told Gold & Silver Slaps are the same) I really like them, but haven't compared them with too many other of the more "slappable" strings. They definitely sound better slapped than the Honeys... incidentally, I've not tried the Rockabilly Blacks - what do you reckon to those? Let us know how you get on, and what you decide on....

Maybe the 5 string is made of a different material? But I wouldn't have thought so.... anyhow, it's definitely light It's actually around the same scale as the Elfin. But the Elfin is 1 whole kg lighter. I'm also 6 feet tall - so yes, it does look small - but no one ever said anything "unkind" - some even thought it looked great But it was a very pale (+ rather nice IMO) blue, which may add to it looking a bit toy-like to some.... If you don't want very short scale, and you don't want something like a Uke bass, it's definitely going to be a struggle for you to find something I had a Hoffner Violin bass at one time. I really liked the sound from it, and it was lightweight and compact - but I struggled with the shape of the body. It tended to move about a lot. And I found it rather awkward to play, which I think was partly down to the sharp, bound edges. Also tried a Hofner "shorty" and I didn't get on with that at all, either standing or seated. Sounds like you need an acoustic / semi-acoustic bass then? A chambered body bass like a Maruszczyk would set you back a lot more than your budget. Good luck in your search - I'm interested to see what you opt for. I fully understand weight becoming an issue, due to my own advancing years You spend years, saving for your ideal bass, few basses - only to find you can no longer play them!

I'm not 100% sure that's correct @hooky_lowdown I weighed mine at 3Kg on my new digital scales.... and that's the 5 string version (the scales seem very accurate, and were recommended by someone on BC) If you are looking at super short scale my old Tanglewood Elfin weighed in at 2kg

Good suggestion @miles'tone - that does look a nice bass (I have no affiliation with the seller either) @hooky_lowdown - Are you considering short scale, or even super short scale? I recently picked up an Ibanez Mikro, to keep at the side of the sofa for noodling, and for travelling, acoustic pub jams (with battery amps) It's very lightweight, and sounds absolutely amazing (you wouldn't know from the sound that it's such a short scale bass) Other than that, anything acoustic. Like an Ibanez electro-acoustic. I had one a few years back. Sounded great (though you still need an amp for most live situations) I only parted with it cos my son liked it so much That was full scale, yet very lightweight