Marc S

Really like that cherry burst colour on the P bass

As Lozz and Lewis say, the benefits of the Fender Roadworn series lie in the quality of their build, sound and feel. Somehow, Fender have managed to create a series of instruments that feel as though they've been around for years, and played for the same amount of time. They're definitely a step up from the MIM Classic series (though these are also great basses). Personally, I also say that there's something quite liberating about gigging a bass that already has a few knocks & dings. I've gigged expensive mint or near mint condition basses, and I'm always a bit nervy - in case of being the first one to scratch or bump the bass.... I've often told a story of a singer tripping over a wire and bringing a cymbal & stand down on a mint condition Rick I once owned. Very next time I took it out to a gig (different band) I had a similar incident, and decided it was too good (and expensive) to risk damage. Of course, there are those who quite rightly say, it's a working instrument, and it's going to pick up knocks along the way - but I just don't want to be the first to do this, or make another band member feel guilty about an accident.... I've owned a couple of Fender Roadworn basses, and they've knocked spots off US Fenders I've owned. IMO, they're superb instruments. I wasn't particularly a fan of reliced / roadworn basses before - but the RW's have opened my eyes. The fact that you're not over cautious or living on tenterhooks about whether your bass gets a bump or not is just the icing on the cake for me. Re the pickup position - I'm not sure just how much difference the position of the added J pickup makes, but I love the configuration. I've got a P/J and a straight P, and the P/J just gives me the flexibility I want. P sound with as much (or little) Jazz burble as I want, whenever I want it.....

Re the OP - I'd be looking for another band, but give these guys one more chance You never know - perhaps if you can get together, you may find one, or the rest of the guys are up for something with more commitment Honestly, the number of bands I've been in, where someone else decides that's enough, or I want this, or I want that and this isn't doing it for me... But you meet other musicians along the way, and make new pals and meet other people I sometimes wonder whether I've wasted my time, learning songs - only for the band to fall apart Then, one day, I'm at an open mic or I'm playing a gig, and someone asks me to play something that's not in my / our set list.... and hey ho - I might just remember that song! plus, in the long run, it's all good practice to learn songs you probably wouldn't have played otherwise Sure, keep in touch with this band (and give them another chance), but keep looking for something else PS. I'm currently in 4 bands - I always keep at least 2 bands on the go.... as they're always disintegrating! lol

When I'm playing acoustic pub jams, I often take my tiny Tanglewood Elfin bass. It's about 25" scale.... I'm 6' and yes, it does look a bit "toy-like" - but do I care? Nah! Actually, it's often my backup bass too - surprisingly, it sounds like a full size Precision (don't know what pickups they are, but they sound great) and it probably only weighs around a kilo..... maybe even less

Hi Al Krow, I know what you mean. It might just be that when a DB / EUB is on a stand, you just end up playing it as though it's more of a "static" instrument In fact, having done both, I'd say this is what I do myself - almost even without realising it.... I often play with the bass on a stand, for reasons of logistics in rehearsal, and to make doubling up a bit easier when playing live. It's surprising how much simpler it is when you're onstage actually, and how much time & faffing it saves When I first started playing, other DB players told me you need to "dance" with the instrument. It does somehow feel a bit more natural when playing a bass off the stand. Though I must admit, I find it easier to play on the stand... The DB in the 2 video clips, and of course the nature of the songs themselves also will dictate how much movement / dancing with the bass there is. Thinking about Matt the bass player in the JSM video, he defnitely moves about more when he's playing his 5 string bass guitar..... I saw Imelda May at Cambridge Folk Fest a couple of years back. She was great, as was her DB player. Love that song too

The trouble with a lot of YouTube clips, is that they're normally so compressed and the sound tweaked to the extent that you can't really hear the bass that well.... Anyhow, here's Matt aka "Matt the Hat" as he's known locally with Jamie Smith's Mabon

I've also seen one in action ( a few times in this particular case) bass player (nice bloke and talented guy) Matt Downer, playing live with Jamie Smith's Mabon Certainly sounded good live - though I didn't think it sounded just like an acoustic DB..... Actually, in Mabon, the other instruments are quite different to the usual (whatever that is! lol) being acoustic guitars, violins and piano accordion (Jamie is something of a wizard accordion player). I'm not sure whether they don't want a typical DB sound here, so it's being EQ'ed to sound like it does, or whether it doesn't sound particularly like an acoustic DB, and they aren't trying to achieve that sound..... I should ask Matt really..... next time I see him Or will he think I'm being offensive about his sound? lol EDIT: Matt also plays bass guitar with Mabon live - he usually doubles up

Hi again XoSo, Glad to hear the neck may be OK. Yes, slackening off strings then shipping the bass could have caused temporary problems But once the bass is set up, make sure the luthier has it for a couple of days - to make sure everything has settled down well - I understand your impatience! lol As others have said, once you've got it back and played it for a few hours, don't forget to post some piccies and some thoughts on the bass I really hope the neck is fine - I'm sure it will be....

Yep, in complete agreement there Coilte Though I suppose "The Wheels On The Bus" and "Agadoo" are not particularly mature.....

I had one of those Steve Browning. I thought it looked cool, with maple board - a nice contrast However, it weighed almost as much as two small fishing vessels! lol And the neck was very wide and very deep - I bought it thinking I'd get used to it in fact, it's the bass that put me off Fenders, which was also for a very long time. Gladly, I have seen the light now though

Hi DiMarco, Yes, being a Mod / Administrator on a forum must be a real thankless task..... But the guys on here carry on regardless, and do a great job, I must say Still, on to pastures anew for you anyway - so just join in the discussions here, and forget all the past nonsense elsewhere Welcome to BassChat good sir. There are a few fellow "gear addicts" on here too - so you're not alone lol

Hi XoSo, I'm really sorry to hear of your woes mate, I really am That's every instrument buyers nightmare. Of course, it may be that this is something that happened in transit? Who knows at this point. Also, it may be that your guitar tech can fix it..... hopefully this is the case it can be sorted Truss rods can be replaced - so hopefully it can be fixed.... I'd get a written / printed report from your tech / luthier, and I'd be emailing the people who sold it to you Best of luck with it mate

Hello dasitor, Glad you joined in, and didn't just observe from a distance BC is much more fun, and much more useful as a resource, if you're a member. I feel it's far better to be able to post questions and answers, and join in topics more I too gave up playing, but for an even longer spell than you - over 20 years actually! Still, never mind - we are both playing bass again Welcome to BassChat Marc

Me too Sylvia Bluejay Problem identified, diagnosed and fixed within seconds Truly impressed..... Does he move even faster if he drops a tenner?

Ha ha, my own thoughts too I don't know you from anywhere else either Just wanted to add; "Funkfingers" is a fab user name Welcome to BC