Geek99

yes, even after re-reading the leaflet, de-installing it completely, re-installing it,. and making sure it all was set up same as the documentation, and reading various forums, it still didnt work. I therefore gave up as recording was only a novelty anyway.

[quote name='cheddatom' post='241839' date='Jul 17 2008, 03:56 PM']geek99 - what are your issues? My Zoom worked fine with cubase, but I already had it installed.[/quote] Mainly due to the codecs and latency through them. I'm working in IT and pc support, so I'm fairly handy, but I couldnt sort them out. SOme XP setups just work striaght off the bat.

I've got one - the standard patches are usable, I particularly like C6 and D1 - the DeFret works quite well, as does the octaver but to be hoinest I only really use the comp/lim, NR, reverb and bass amp modellers. The drum machine and basic metronome included are good enough for practice. The tuner works well enough, even on 5 string. Its been robust and nothing has gone wrong. I agree that an Aux input would be nice. Only thing I never got to work properly was Cubase on Windows Xp, and that seems to be a bit of an old chestnut for many, and is probably Windows XP at fault not he Zoom. I'd buy another one.

I remember reading the original brochure for them (a scarily long time ago) but I recall I decided against as I didnt like the headstock and the Marlin models had a cool fish inlay at the 12th fret. Here ends the nostalgia segment....

Can someone tell me how different the Squier standard jazz and VM jazz actually are? There does seem to be a a large price difference. I like the look on the VM more, but I'm not sure look alone is worth the differential.

[quote name='Machines' post='240649' date='Jul 16 2008, 09:51 AM']Guilty. I really fancy a Squier Telebass or the 50's Precision. I'd probably be lame and change the logo though..[/quote] what, you mean, scrape the squier one off? Can you buy the fender decals?

I found this an interesting thread as I am looking into buying a jazz bass and have been wondering whether it was worth paying the extra for a real Fender, or whether the Squier was up to the mark. I'd like to ask BudgetBassist (as he's in my neck of the woods) if he knows a local music shop that he trusts?

I take your point about Pots, I have read about people changing the capacitors and so on. What did you put in place of the existing 500k pots? Would good quality ones from Maplin do, or are there particular spec for instrument pots? Did you also change the capacitor? ( i did read somewhere that changing the pot value also implied a change of capacitor to maintain or improve the tone). It seems to me that a Squier VMJ may be the way to go. Can I presume that "they're all a bit different and some are better than others" or are they fairly consistent.? It sounds like the higher end ones (ie the fenders) are a bit variable.I'll look out for the two piece body though.

Interesting as the 70s black scratchplate & natural look is one that I like. What is "a Squier 70's VMJs", is it a "Vintage Modified Jazz", whivh I think I've seen online.(GAK and bass centre)? I ask as a store on the Orange Blossom Trail in Florida had exactly the one that you show at a good price ($279), and I cant seem to find a music store in my area that has any Fender/Squier [i]jazz[/i] basses. Precisions seem to be commonplace, and cheap Jazz copies can be found although neither is what I'm looking for. Reading through the posts above, the Squiers do seem reasonably well thought-of. which is interersting for the budget end of Fender's output. I'm happy to buy the cheap end provided the workmanship is good enough and the sound is fairly close or can be made more so, say with a pickup change. I dont gig, or record, so its just kind of a hobby. I cant really justify spending nearly a thousand on an expensive version of something.

thanks for that, I will digest what you've all said.

hi can anyone advise me which of Fender's (or Squier's) various jazz bass models (fretted) is the "most authentic" sounding? I'm planning to buy in the US to save some money. Is it necessary to go to the active models? Are the basic passive ones good enough? Does the mexican standard or the squier do the job well enough or is it worth the extra for the US model? Does the wood make that much difference? I have a Laney RB2 45w amp and a Zoom b2.1u. I like the natural + black scratchplate model and the sunburst + rosewood models cosmetically. I want this to be the last bass I ever buy (ie it does everything, and also looks nice), and I'm disillusioned with cheap stuff that sounds rubbish, or isnt properly finished. thanks