Marc S

Quality workmanship here Jabba

I've had a dabble on the newer Affinity series, and they're not bad. In fact, they're a damn sight better quality than much of the cheaper end of the market when I started playing (anyone remember the Kay's catalogue brand? eugh!!!) The Affinity would be a good starting point, and they do a P/J which is quite commonplace, I believe. There is a VM series P/J - I know, cos I had one. That's less commonly available, but not "rare" exactly.... For me, better value for money would be the 2nd hand option. And the VM series are definitely a notch up from the affinity. But perhaps, if you saved just a tad more, you could go for a Classic Vibe series (or a Matt Freeman, which are made in the same factory) The CV series are another notch up again from the VM's - but they are starting to go for more money second-hand, as they are now (mostly) discontinued. That said, I've seen a few going for relatively low money on eBay - so keep your eyes open.... There is a CV 70's P bass in the marketplace on here, and I can't recall the asking price - but I think it's around or just over £300. I know, I know - you can go on wanting to add just a bit more money - but in a CV you get great quality. As others have said though, also look at some Ibanez basses. I've seen a Ibanez SDGR (Soundgear) SR500 go for not much over £200, and that's amazing value, given the high quality construction and the superb Bartolini pickups & active electrics it's fitted with. Most important of all though - try as many as you can, and go for the one that feels most comfortable to you.... Sometimes, you just feel a "bond" with an instrument - it may be several factors, it may be down to your hands feeling more comfortable on the neck, it may even be that you can't quite put your finger on exactly why you feel more comfortable with that model.... but I think it's essential to try as many as you can.... Pop into your local shop (s) are there any BC members who live near you, who don't mind you having a try of their bass? (most BC'ers are very friendly and open to this). Is there a tutor near you? Tutors often know a pupil who is looking to upgrade... Best of luck in your search EDIT: If you try a Squier Affinity and like it - remember, it's a good entry level instrument anyway, and if it's the most comfortable you feel playing, then get that one

Funkfingers is right here. Apart from the quality of pickups and electrics, bridge and nut - the woods used by the manufacturer of the "higher end" bass should be of higher quality, be subject to a high degree of selection / quality control, and better seasoned. Add to that, the finish in the higher end instrument will / should be of a higher standard. An example from my own personal experiences here, is the quality & finish of the Mexican built Roadworn series (Yes, I know I bang on about them! lol) - leaving the relicing / roadworn finish aside, I've owned 2 Roadworns (a J and a P) and played several models of their more standard MIM counterparts. Apart from being lighter in weight, the quality of the woods used just seemed / felt another level higher again, plus, the finish on aspects like the rolled edges on the necks, and the edges / smoothness on the frets was what set them apart, along with the quality of the (aged) varnish on the neck.... You could take a Harley Benton, and put top end components in it - it may sound much better, but I suspect the finish and comfort of aspects like fretboard and fret edges would also need attention. Then of course, would you need to re-sand the neck and re-apply a higher quality of varnish / finish? By the time you have done all this and costed your time (even at sub minimum wage) you'll have spent more on the cheaper bass. Of course, I think everyone should try some upgrades and / or repairs to an old bass anyway... it's a valuable experience and can teach you a lot about how instruments are put together. Aside from all this, there's then the question of resaleability (is there such a word?) You can spend lots of money on a cheaper brand bass, buying pickups, electrics, bridge, brass nut etc etc - but when it comes to a resale, you rarely get that money back... that is, unless you part the bass out and flog all the components separately. Having said all this, I'm really tempted to one day have a go at doing an early Fender P bass, using the HB 50's P clone - like Discreet and several others have done such a smashing job of... Of course, if you're doing it to teach yourself some useful skills, or you just want a model of bass you can't afford the genuine version of, and you are willing to write the costs of the components off (or simply, you aint ever going to sell it) - then to my way of thinking, these are the best reasons for upgrading an inexpensive bass

Only just caught up with this thread, and I'm in complete agreement What a kind offer iKay But can you please tell me - what's this "time on my hands stuff"? eh? Never heard of it

Yep, I have one of these too, also bought second-hand for just under £100 It's great for keeping under the coffee table or in the corner, plus it's damn handy for carting to guitarists (other musicians are available!) houses for a jam I take it along to acoustic pub jams too. It's really handy, as it will run on AA batteries. Fab little thing, and louder than you might think

To the OP - though I'm not quite your age..... I stopped playing for nearly 25 years! So yes, I know what it's like to be starting again, later on in life.... But heck, I'm so glad I did start playing again - I'm less "competitive" in my approach to playing now, and I'm enjoying it more than ever Get yourself some lighter weight gear. Maybe try a short, or perhaps medium scale (32") bass And there's plenty of light weight amp gear around too, like Markbass , Epifani, or TC Electronics Plus, don't under-estimate the value of a half decent bass strap. I was still buying those cheap guitar straps until I found a nice wide-ish soft leather strap and couldn't believe how much more balanced and comfortable it felt Most of all, persist with it, enjoy it, get back in a band...... once a bass player, always a bass player - just relax + have fun

"Je Suis descendant de Charlemagne...." - we could go on quoting, eh Bass Fumbler? Now I have that catchy bass line to "Euroman" rattling through my brain! lol I'd forgotten that Brian James and Lew Lewis were on this album...

Sweet gig indeed! Yes, it sounds great as others have said. Also, as you say "it's a gamble to how its gonna turn-out when its a live broadcast mix" But your sound is also cutting through and sitting well in the mix, after the whole thing has been compressed / converted for viewing on YouTube Sounds nice through my headphones, but also sounds pretty good through the tiny little (under-sized) speakers in my monitor.... Well played too matey

Freddie Laker, show them what to do!

Yes, I think they are the ones. As I say, they came already on the bass - so I didn't see the packaging You may also wish to consider the Innovation Honeys though.... these have a synthetic core, but unlike their other strings, they have a metal outer / winding.... These strings work with magnetic type pickups, as the other types won't - being non-metallic. I'm not sure what the pickups on the NS are like? I found the honeys to be higher tension than the other Innovation strings, but not as high tension as other metal wound strings..... All depends on what you prefer, and in the case of magnetic pickups - what will and won't work with your pickups.. To learn to play Slap style DB, I fitted a set of Weedwackers - they helped start me off with slap stlye, but they're awful strings - so they weren't on my bass long

Yes indeed. The intro to "princess of the streets" is great too And I always liked the bass to "Hanging Around" not the most complex bass ever - it's mainly octaves, but it's just brilliantly done and an integral part of the song "Peaches" was the 1st bassline I ever learned to play along with the record. Not a bad bass line on the whole album, or a track where you could "lose" the bass to, without losing a major part of the song EDIT: "Down In The Sewer" is another great bass line...... Old fashioned P bass sound, but it suited the rest of the band mix superbly IMO

I loved the JJ Burnel sound, and his bass on the Stranglers first album "Rattus Norvegicus" was what first made me listen to the bass guitar So that's my contribution - not necessarily my fave album these days, but it's what got me into bass

I'd say most of the sustain will come from the bass, or the body / design of the bass itself, and how well this is set up, of course. Some strings will suit certain basses better, and of course this will also depend on how you play and what style of play etc.... As your playing improves, your fingers will get stronger and sustain should improve too Innovation strings are honestly really good, and less expensive than many other brands. Mostly, they don't bow too well though, down to tension and their construction / materials (which is one reason I asked whether you intended to bow - I must say, I use silver slaps and they sound dreadful when bowed) In addition to their Silver & Gold Slaps, the Rockabilly's and the Honeys, they also do a set called "Silvers" - I've got these on my KK baby bass, as it came with them on from the previous owner (Happy Jack) I had intended to change them, but I quite like them. They're slightly harder material and slightly higher tension than the Silver Slaps, but they're good for pizz, and they've grown on me.....

I've ticked the "exclusively 4" box, as that's my go-to standard I do own a 5 string, but don't play it too often - it's just there to noodle with now & again, and remind me how to play a 5er (I tend to get confused too easily, and play the wrong string on a 5er! lol)

Hi Fleabag, Really laughed when I saw the tumbleweed pic! lol Sorry I didn't see your post sooner.... I've not tried the D'addario orchestra strings, but if these are indeed the strings on your EUB, they are likely to be part of the problem Sorry to state the obvious, but they will have been designed primarily for playing with a bow. Are you intending to bow at all? If not, you may wish to consider some of the strings made by Innovation In addition to the Silver or Gold Slaps, they make Innovation Honeys - these are higher tension than the Slaps and Rockabilly strings they make but they're still relatively lower tension than several other strings. They're relatively inexpensive, but they're good quality and made in the UK Keep your eye on the marketplace here, as DB strings do come up 2nd hand from time to time..... yes DB / EUB strings are expensive, but you can pick up a used set for a good price Often, the player will fit strings, try them for a while, then decide to move them on and try something else..... PS. Just had a thought, not having played a NS design EUB - will standard DB strings fit, or does the bass require something different / unusual?

Hope you get it sorted Chewie Let us know how you get on....

Yes, weight is an issue for many of us, who've reached a "certain age" now Gone are my days of lugging speaker cabs the size and weight of fridges.... Trace gear tends to be on the heavy side.... that is, it seems to vary from "very heavy" to "*@$!*?* heavy"

Good on you Paddy515

Just took a look at it, and it has been "removed" This listing was ended by the seller because there was an error in the listing. Yes, like it wasn't even new & unused - let alone not a Fender....

I'd leave the body on Chewie's bass as it is - I do like the RW Jazz in Sunburst..... then again, I like them in Fiesta Red too. Good suggestion here though Rumple, thanks for posting that link BTW. Chewie, you could buy a Shell Pink body and see whether you prefer it? If not, keep the sunburst one for a while - just in case....

I tend not to buy many new releases as soon as they come out, but I really like Skinny Lister They're an amazingly energetic live band, and great musicians with it. They have two lead vocalists, a male & female But all the band do backing vocals too, and there's quite a few of them, so it's very effective, with lots of "Too-ray-ey 'ing" Anyhow, their 2017 album; "The Devil, The Heart & The Fight" - far from being the difficult 2nd album, is great