Burns-bass

I mean this with respect, but Max jazz pickups are about £15 secondhand, so it’s dishonest of the shop (if they knew) and poor form if they didn’t, but hardly crime of the century. Annoyingly I had a pair of Mex jazz pickups I could have sent you but I gave them away.

You need to remove the strings before you turn the truss rod. I was told by the previous seller it’s all original and I have no reason to question it.

It’s personal preference of course, but I have found all Fender bass strings to be inferior quality when compared to D’addario strings. I’ve bought US, Japanese and Mexican Fenders new and always found the stock strings to be lacking. Perhaps I’m a snob but I’ll always change stock strings to my preferred strings as soon as I buy an instrument - whether second hand or new.

If you’re worried about the price then get a Player series and upgrade the bits that need doing (if you feel they need doing!) The Player basses are just fantastic and not worth getting into debt for or regretting your purchase. I’d suggest buying in a shop. Last time I got a generous discount on a case and a new set of strings (and the factory strings are rubbish!).

I went for a run (or what passes for a 39 year old man jogging a bit then stopping) and my nearest rehearsal studio is open. The rooms are massive so I’m sure they’re following the rules. Even though the music was awful, it was great to hear it!

You should hang your head in shame on a music forum!

I've got one of those, but i still found it to be really loud. My Bryant is currently languishing in my loft (covered0 after a seam split. I'll bring it out again when i can get to see someone who can work on it. I'm using an MK bass at the moment, which is lovely, perhaps I'll give it a go later - if I don't melt first!

My US professional bass was about £900 more expensive than the Player Series bass I bought (both new) and I'm confident at saying it's the best Fender bass I've played in years, if not ever. Obviously, it's personal preference, but I've had them all, pre-CBS, 60s ones, 70s ones, 80s ones and up to the present day and this thing is exquisitely made. Plus the case is great too. I bought a FSR run model, which apparently is a limited run model at a knock down price, and perhaps the standard ones aren't as good (I can't compare). I've used it for gigs and recordings, and it's just beautiful. But if you want a perfectly perfect bas, then the Player Series is ideal I'm sure. I should say I bought these all from shops where I played them through different amps, so was able to choose what I consider a good one. I'm certain there are dodgy ones out there, like all production instruments.

Personally, I found the Player series to be great basses but everything is better on the US models. All hardware on the US models is spot on, the pickups are fantastic, finish is better and it’s lighter too. Oh, and it comes with a superb moulded case too. Player series basses are amazing and the equivalent of an older US standard but the new US basses are of a whole different order. Music shops open now. Go and give one a go!

It’s a whole big bag of cliches, but my daughter (4) likes this song so I sometimes play along with it while she’s dancing. The bass player here is a monster and doing a great job. I certainly can’t play it cleanly and with the confidence he does. And he plays keyboard too!

Very cool! Will be downloading these and have shared.

May have been a dodgy set. I’ve complained about strings before and when I sent them back we’re replaced free of charge. They asked where I’d bought them and all that, assume to try and identify the batch.

What set up do you have? I use either a Yamaha Session Cake or a PJB headphone amp with a set of PJB headphones and there’s no hiss. The right headphones will help.

I liked it.

I'm sure I wouldn't have let it get that far. What I was most worried about was their power to seize money and claim it from your bank which I still find a little strange, particularly as they don't seem to investigate these claims, but merely side with the buyer in teh majority of cases. Had it been for a trivial amount or I was in the wong, I'd accept a few quid but not the £1,200 it could have cost. Anyway, all was well in the end as I'm sure it will be with this one .

Cheers Dan, the looper is (another) brilliant idea and on the list for when I have a few quid. I'm waiting to hear on some jobs, so hopefully today. I'd love to be able to practice with a bow, but much of my practice is done when the kids are in bed so it's unlikely. I'll get there.

I had a similar situation when I sent a pair of speakers to someone in Spain. The packaging was faultless and there's no question that they arrvied there as they left here. I received an email a month or so later dmeanding money back, and I ignored it. I had an indentical experience with a 70s strat that I sold to a chap in France. Same deal and I ignored him too. In fact, I went to the extremes of closing my Paypal account down to stop him claiming the money back (which he didn't attempt, thankfully).

Not really my thing, but it’s a good tip!

Over the last few weeks I’ve been including some ‘blind’ practice into my routine. My wife said I looked like the karate kid when I played with a mask on, so now I just play in the pitch black. I use a drone and work on intonation, tackling scales and so on. This is a brilliant tip that has helped me make some great process that someone here raised. I’d never considered it, but it makes perfect sense. Any other good DB practice tips you would care to share that I can use during lockdown?

Will do! I’m very much a beginner at recording so trial and error I guess.