thebassist

Yes I saw that video and they do sound pretty good but, like you, I'm not massively convinced they're far better than other Jazz Bass pickups on the market. Hopefully, somebody on here has used them because Jayme, the guy in that video, is an Aguilar endorsee and while I've got no reason not to believe him or anything, it'd be good to get a truly independent opinion if possible.

I'm so glad I asked for your opinions gentlemen - in addition to the great advice shared, an old band mate has just contacted me off the back of this thread saying he's got an Emperor 4-string that he may be interested in selling so I'm off to Brentford and then onto Denmark Street instead this Saturday. And I played brand new 2013 Fender American Standard Jazz/Precision Basses yesterday. While I did quite like the Precision, it didn't really do it for me but I was really impressed with the Jazz - I've always liked J-style basses but I think the revamped post-2012 Fender model is a pretty incredible instrument. So I'm considering one of those with pickup replacements - maybe the Aguilar AG 4J-HC if I can get some opinions on them. I think my budget will pretty much enable me to get either a Fodera or at least two other basses so roll on Saturday.

Has anyone fitted some Aguilar AG 4J-HC to their Jazz Bass/other J-style bass?

Thanks a lot - that's nice of you to say. That's a very old recording - the later material is even more minimal than that and certainly won't be to many peoples taste.

I'm going to Bass Gear on Saturday to try their Monarch and while I'm there I'll try out a load of their other basses. Thanks for the input all.

Great resource. Thanks - I'll definitely use that a lot. "Total import duty & taxes due: £738.70" - scandalous amount isn't it.

Isn't import duty and VAT the same thing? While Jason at Fodera tell me they have these available to ship now, I've since decided that I definitely don't want to take a risk buying a bass like this without playing it first so I'll go down to Bass Gear, test it and if I like it I'll try to work out a deal there.

I've played a four Fodera's before and I've loved all of them but I’ve never actually owned one. Brilliantly bassgear.co.uk have the example I want available in stock so I'll be getting down there to have a test this weekend. It is however priced £4190 whereas the same bass will cost about £2895 directly from Fodera. Even considering import duty, £1295 is a considerable mark up. I suppose I could wait for a used one to crop up but I’ve not found one of these become available second hand yet.

I don't want or intend this thread to get into any kind of debate about whether a Fodera is value for money, etc. but I'd appreciate some opinions from people. My budget will enable me to purchase either: 1. A Fodera Monarch 4 Standard ...or... 2. A combination of these: Fender American Deluxe Precision Fender American Standard Jazz Fender American Standard Precision Music Man Stingray Music Man Sterling Suggestions? I've never bought a bass without playing it first and unfortunately I wouldn't be able to try the Fodera before actually buying it so it's a bit of a gamble if I went that route. That is my biggest concern with the Fodera - A LOT of cash on a bass I can't play before buying.

I checked out a taster lesson there and wasn't really enamoured by Nathan East's overly genteel (in my opinion) approach. Now if John Patitucci had done the electric bass version too I'd have gone for it.

Anybody tried tonygreybassacademy.com, labasslix.com or any other online bass tuition courses?

[quote name='JamesFlashG' timestamp='1385135927' post='2284888'] i have one for sale in the market place for £650 ;] case tools and original documents included [/quote] Got a link to the sale page?

I can't remember a playing a bad USA Precision Bass. I have one next on my list.

That '64 doesn't look right? Had clay markers?

[quote name='EddieG' timestamp='1384457313' post='2277033'] Yeh, I really did and John said a while back that he would strip the epoxy and fret it for me. But when it came down to it I felt that the bass was built to be a fretless, and it should stay that way. The fella who bought it was really impressed too, but because the fretboard followed the shape of the '62 Jazz closely he couldn't get the action down where he wanted, so sold it on but the buyer is over the moon with it, so I think it's found a permanent home. And if I had the money that John's asking [i]now[/i] I think I'd get a fretted one built. His work is unrivalled in my opinion. [/quote] I agree. I'd probably have a 10/10 condition one though. My genuine beat up '64 Jazz did look different to my beat up Bravewood. I don't think you can fake the tobacco filmed body and the thousands of hours playing time put on the neck.

[quote name='EddieG' timestamp='1384388057' post='2276238'] I previously owned a Bravewood "Jaco" fretless, it was the first that John ever built. I've never owned or played a Fender CS relic, but based on pictures I've seen John's work smokes the Custom Shop in my opinion. For instance, the Jaco Pastorius relic was about £3.5k when I ordered my Bravewood, and the wear patterns looked like they'd been masked off with a stencil and sprayed around! They might have improved now, but they looked very amateurish back then, and nowhere near worth that much. My Bravewood was a great sounding bass, the neck was absolutely amazing, the back looked like the neck of an old cello or something, and if it had been a fretted bass I'd still have it. [/quote] I had a Bravewood Jaco fretless too - I wish I'd kept it and had it fretted now. Did you ever consider doing that?

I just imported a Bass valued at $499 and got stung for £93 import/handling costs! I'm not sure I'd bother importing again.

This is 100% subjective of course and I've never had a Fender Custom Shop but I've had two Bravewood Jazz Basses and used to have two all original 1964 Fender Jazz Basses. I've since sold both the Bravewoods and my least favourite Fender – I don't intend to ever sell my remaining '64 Jazz. [b]Looks: [/b]I think the Bravewoods do look very good indeed but when you have a real one sat next to it you can definitely tell the difference in my opinion. [b]Feeling/Playability:[/b] Although very good, the Bravewood necks didn't feel like my '64 Jazz Basses to play. They were quite close but not as smooth – personally, I just don't think that anybody can really recreate the thousands of hours playing time that has been put into an old bass. [b]Price:[/b] I think Bravewoods are great value for money. I've no idea what a genuine '64 Jazz Bass goes for nowadays but I'm guessing it's going to be upwards of £5000 whereas I noticed a Bravewood Jaco Jazz Bass on the forum today available for around £1350. That's bloody reasonable in my opinion.