NickD

I can't offer a direct P pickup comparison, but my Jake has the Delanos, and while with the tone rolled off it nails the P tone IMO, it's pretty aggressive. Dial the tone back in and it growls beautifully, so that's probably not what you're after. Output is massive, my Elwood has the Haussels through a glock preamp, and the output from my passive Jake is much more brutal, add in the Humbucker I have in the bridge and it's pure rawk (which is not what I do, but it's nice to have... gotta keep these folky/country types on their toes!). I can't speak for the Haussel P type pickup, but I find the J types pretty authentic, warm and vintagey, what I'd expect from a jazz. If that extends across their range it might be an option. I'm sure Adrian could advise. Playability wise, I had a Lakland 55-01 alongside my Elwood and found the Elwood much easier to get around on, Some of this would be down to losing an inch off the scale length, as I spend a the bulk of my time at the deep end, the profiles are very similar. I sold it when I ordered the Jake. I'd previously played a standard Jake, and got on with it fine so that's what I went with for mine. It's maybe slightly deeper than the Lakland, but feels more rounded somehow as you move up the neck where the Lakland flattens off more, dead easy to play and certainly not what I'd call big. Compared to the few Fender's I've played, there's much less wood, and the gentler radius and rounded heel makes all the difference to me. I'm no expert on Fenders mind, I've never lived with one, so my experience is limited to little jams on other people's instruments, but they feel a bit primitive to me, and I don't get that from the Jake. Just as a caveat, I'm talking about 5 strings here. The only Jake 4 I've ever had a little play on was Sibob's Beautiful gold, chambered beastie, at last years Herts Bash. That was a lovely instrument to play too.

... and they've started to get a bit active on FB over the past couple of days too!

[quote name='Fisheth' timestamp='1479812034' post='3179414'] Still waiting on mine, should be ready soon I hope! [/quote] At this rate it might come by sleigh!

[quote name='andyonbass' timestamp='1479808411' post='3179370'] So you guys with the 5 string instruments - hows your B? I've had hit or miss affairs with B strings on Fender type basses and the inability to try before buying worries me..... Also, am I correct in thinking the prices of the stock instruments on the website include shipping to UK? [/quote] Shipping is included. Both my B strings are as they should be, in that they feel and sound just like the other 4 strings. That's running a 120 on the Elwood L5 and a 125 on the Jake. I came to these from a 35 inch scale Lakland, which was the first B string I was really happy with, and they're both at least as good.

I think this has always been the model, and it probably made sense when you could hope for an increase of record sales through reaching a large audience, potentially receptive to what you do. Now, when those record sales are replaced with downloads and streaming for which you get sod all, I think it's fair to ask 'what's in it for us?'.

I used Transferwise. Took about a day, cost me under a fiver.

Ifor you want that particular bass fret less, I'd say it depends on your confidence level at doing it well. Personally I wouldn't touch it, John Shuker lists £120 to defret and line an existing board, I'd do that in your situation. I think a defret limits it's desirability to an extent being a bit more niche, but I reckon having someone of his skill do it maintains it's value more.

Just found out that Moulettes are playing out in November, but Brighton and Bristol are closest to me, and neither close enough for me to make it... Oh well, I'll have to wait a while longer for my next fix of distorted Bassoon!

It's a stunning little touch.

That flamed neck though... I wish I'd thought of that!