dave_bass5

[quote name='Musicman20' post='899099' date='Jul 19 2010, 04:23 PM']Ouch haha[/quote] Was that a bit harsh lol. Seriously, you wont have any trouble setting up you basses, as long as there isnt anything wrong with then like twisted neck, raised frets etc. The Mr Gearhead site has the Fender specs and ive always found these to be good starting points.

[quote name='Musicman20' post='899068' date='Jul 19 2010, 03:54 PM']Excellent, thanks for all the contributions. Off to google for some tools now.[/quote] Have a look on TalkBass, plenty of tools there

That sounds like a good plan. Good luck. One thing that i couldn't find anywhere was a ruler that starts off in 1/64's. They all have 1/32 markings for the first inch. If you do find one with 1/64's please let me know. The only thing to watch out for is (and this is just IME) is the Musicman FAQ's seem to be a bit contradictory. I found it very confusing looking for the right specs.

[quote name='velvetkevorkian' post='898906' date='Jul 19 2010, 01:26 PM']I set my basses up to my spec. I couldn't care less what the manufacturer recommends! [/quote] Good for you. Im pleased for ya Im not suggesting you (or anyone should) but sometimes starting with the bass set up for how they were designed is a good idea. Certainly for someone who has never done it before (like Gareth) setting the relief to how the manufacturer designed it to work well will make all other adjustments a bit easier.

[quote name='velvetkevorkian' post='898850' date='Jul 19 2010, 12:51 PM']Honestly, for a basic set up I've never felt the need for anything more than a screwdriver and some allan keys, and I like my action very low. Try reading through some of the guides online (like the Willis or Jerzy Drozd ones), apply it to your bass(es). If you're happy, sorted. If not, you can buy additional tools and resources. It's not voodoo, but the only way to learn is to try it IMO. It's pretty difficult to do any permanent damage unless you're using totally excessive force.[/quote] Agreed. You can get everything you need in Maplins and im sure it will be cheaper than buying a kit. A 6" ruler (and 18" if doing it the Lakland way) cost only a couple of £. A feeler gauge will be helpful if setting the basses up to the manufactures spec. Not sure how much they cost but they arent expensive. All the allen keys should have come with the basses anyway and a couple of screwdrivers are all that needed IME.

As above. Ive just got the Sad and i want to run it off the mains. I can see what type i need but im after some suggestions of what make etc to go for. I am tempted to get a One spot and i know these do work ok but not sure what else is out there. Not looking to pay silly money though, say £30 max. Cheers. EDIT: i dont think ill bother with a PSU at the moment so please disregard this thread.

[quote name='Musicman20' post='898480' date='Jul 18 2010, 11:11 PM']In addition, do I need any more specific tools other than a tape measure, screwdrivers, and the tools that came with the Fenders? Thanks![/quote] The Lakland vidoe changed the way i set all my basses, in a good way. While ive always known the basics, the idea of using a straight edge (and not a string) has really helped. I always struggled to determine if the gap was right, even when using a feel gauge. There was always a bit of leeway. Being able to feel the straight edge rocking has really helped me get it right.

Companies should make Relationship friendly basses, so you can get them all in the same colour if you need to sneak them past the other half. Saying that, mine never notices so im ok.

[quote name='allihts' post='898648' date='Jul 19 2010, 09:28 AM']I'm dying on getting one aswell, just need to find £300 somewhere :/[/quote] These are very nice basses. Ive been gigging mine as my only bass since last month. Done about 12 gigs wih it now. Its probably the nicest bass ive ever played as far as neck and action go. Tone wise im not so sure as it seems a bit uneven note to note. Ive not owned a Basswood bass before and i know they have a warmer tone so maybe that what im hearing. either way, these basses are very, very good. I have a MIA Jazz coming this week hopefully, but it has a lot to live up to. And yes, i will probably be selling the CVJ but ill need to gig the MIA a few times first.

[quote name='goaround' post='898615' date='Jul 19 2010, 08:49 AM']I have also been thinking about getting a small amp, purely as a backup. I've read all the comments here with interest but pricewise the Ashdown LG 350 is available from Thomann delivered with 3 year guarantee for £165. Thats almost half the price of the next cheapest option new that I could find (LMK 250 £291). For an amp that might never get used and for emergencies when it would be more a case of the show must go on rather than getting the ideal sound looks good value. Does anyone have a good opinion of these and are they a option for anyone looking for a budget solution?[/quote] I think the LG is a very good idea. Like you say, it probably wont get used but if it did it would certainly get you through a gig. Dont for get to get a backup for it though ;-) There are people on here who have them i believe, although i cant remember who.

[quote name='Musicman20' post='898532' date='Jul 19 2010, 12:30 AM']They look great![/quote] There is a thread on TB comparing these to the MIA Fenders. looks quite interesting as most prefer the Atlkins. Big gamble for us here in the UK though.

Hey Gareth. Have you considered one of these? They seem to be very well liked over on TB. Obviously it will be hard to try one out first. [url="http://www.atkinsonbasses.com/"]Atkinson basses[/url]

Thanks again Frank. Yes, gut feelings are worth listening to IME. The MIA is double my budget but im really looking forward to playing it. I had a P5 so know how nice the latest Fenders can be. Not that there was anything wrong with the build quality on the MIM. That too was spot on other, than the fret issue and the E string being offset with the pups. I intended to change the bridge anyway so that would have hopefully been a non issue. Its a shame the MIA doesnt have blocks and inlays though. That would be ideal and was the main reason i went with the MIM.

[quote name='munkonthehill' post='897865' date='Jul 18 2010, 10:58 AM']this one here: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=93543"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=93543[/url] i asked on the thread but he said its cos his is a 5 and mine is a 4,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,does the switch turn the B string off hahahaha[/quote] Yeah, as Pete said, the 5 string models are quite different to the 4 strings.

[quote name='machinehead' post='897295' date='Jul 17 2010, 02:17 PM']Mine has a badass bridge fitted which not only looks better but solves the problem of sharp bits sticking out. I've no idea if badass bridges change the sound very much, especially in a gigging situation where it's hard enough to hear anything. The answer to your problem is a US 75 RI jazz. Mine has possibly the nicest neck of any bass I've ever played. You'd just have to dig quite a lot deeper into the wallet. Frank[/quote] Cheers Frank. I shimmed the neck and more or less got rid of the pain from the bridge by having to raise the saddles up a bit. But ive sent the bass back and ordered a MIA Jazz. I dug in but couldn't dig too deep. I really wanted to like the 70's classic, and i did to a point, but it seemed to have a raised fret that was stopping me getting the action as i wanted. I found i could live with the neck but not a high action. As its a new bass im not going to get any work done on it so off it went. I must admit im really loving my CVJ, its easily the nicest neck ive ever played. The MIA has a lot to live up to.

[quote name='JTUK' post='897108' date='Jul 17 2010, 09:30 AM']Distinctly unimpressed with the amps..esp the EVO thing. That amp would muddy up most cabs, IME.[/quote] +1 but i guess some people like that.

[quote name='Rayman' post='896669' date='Jul 16 2010, 04:08 PM']Shame, I was just about to post something along the lines of 'don't buy a MIA jazz whatever you do, the Reggie Hamilton is a much better bass'. [/quote] LOL, im sure it is. It certainly ticks more boxes than a bog old standard Jazz but i do have an issue about paying for something i wont use, and the active part of the bass was putting me off. That and the fact that there is no tone control in passive mode (yes, i do use it) I did think the black version looked almost perfect though.

Just wanted to post ive just ordered a MIA Jazz so this thread is redundant now.

You do know there is a 10 page thread already on this topic dont you ;-) [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=90084"]Squier Jag thread.[/url]

[quote name='budget bassist' post='896528' date='Jul 16 2010, 01:55 PM']I haven't tried a standard jazz actually, but the neck is undoubtedly the best part of the bass, IMO, very slim and fast! I *think* it can run without a battery, though i'm not sure. I don't see what's wrong with active basses, though the preamp in that particular bass is rubbish.[/quote] Cheers. No, nothing worng with active basses in general i agree. I love the tone of my Ray34. Its just that i have a Sadowsky outboard pre to cover that. I also dont want to have to remember to unplug the bass after each set or risk it going dead on me. I guess im a bit paranoid. And if the pre in this bass isnt that great thats another reason for not wanting to use it.

[quote name='nollaig' post='896427' date='Jul 16 2010, 11:59 AM']If VMJs are such good value, so well crafted etc then why is a MIM at twice the price not twice the guitar? - leaving aside country of origin and brand name. In reality Fender need to look at the £500-£750 range and make them really worth it (like CIJs - why aren't they easier to get??????).[/quote] A bit off topic but i received a MIM 70's classic yesterday and spent a whole evening going back and forth between that and my CV Jazz (less than half the price) and the MIM just didnt play as well. Partly preference i guess and its a very nicely made bass but i couldn't get the action anywhere near to how comfortable it is on my CVJ.

[quote name='Musicman20' post='896370' date='Jul 16 2010, 11:05 AM']I still think the CV Jazz is prettier than all of these models....maybe thats just me.[/quote] Me as well. I love the look for the Jag neck but not the pointy horn. I love the look of the Jazz but not the neck. No, i wont be buying both.