OutToPlayJazz

Very very nice Never thought of having that done to any of mine - Hmmm...

Traditionally, there's no such thing as a left handed instrument. They're a pretty recent development, coming from the popularisation of the guitar. If you look at the classical world everyone plays the same way, regardless of whether they're right or left handed. Particularly in the string section - Imagine eighty string players hitting eachother with bows in opposite hands! As part of my daily teaching, I do "wider opportunities" classical guitar full class lessons in primary schools (as well as violin and cello schemes in other schools) & I have to make all the left handed kids play the "correct" way, as all the instruments are right handed. Never had any problems. It does nark me that the manufacturers nearly always charge more for the honour of being left handed, though!

Squier Classic Vibe Jazz. The best "under £300" you'll ever spend.

[quote name='MartyBRebelMC' post='600864' date='Sep 16 2009, 10:51 PM']thanks, I'm really pleased with how it has turned out - the inspiration for the pickguard shape was the Steve Bailey Fender Jazz.[/quote] Aha! Thought I'd seen that shape somewhere before

How are you finding it, Andy? I know we talked long ago about trading between my then KingBass and your Spitfire. Does the reality have the measure of the dream? Rich.

I just bought a Squier Classic Vibe 50's Precision. See? It's not all boutique stuff

The Metros are very very nice basses. The quality is top notch & the Sadowsky preamp is an amazing piece of kit. Only downside is that if you're after a jazz profile neck, look elsewhere. The Sadowskys are a little thicker(fingers to thumb) than the norm. More like a modern Fender US Precision neck. Also make sure you try the 09 Fender American Standard Jazz. They're very very good. And you can always add a preamp either internally or externally as I have. Rich.

[quote name='peted' post='529946' date='Jul 1 2009, 08:40 PM']My first bass, a Japanese Squire Precision, which I could never bring myself to sell but I'm not a fan of the P sound. Had it pimped by Jon Shuker. [/quote] I thought this was a great solution to the "P" sound, too. Looks great, too.

[quote name='MartyBRebelMC' post='598998' date='Sep 15 2009, 10:17 AM']Just saw this thread and thought I'd add my recently modified Squier Deluxe Jazz V. [attachment=32886:P1020946.jpg][attachment=32885:P1020948.jpg] It has:- Hipshot string retainer (on refinished headstock), Nordstrand NJ5S pickups, John East U retro deluxe preamp and a homemade black pearl pickguard. Sounds great to my ears... and if I could play it better - probably to others ears as well. Mart[/quote] This is a really individual looking bass. Lovely!

I had the VM 70's Jazz when they first came out. It was a nice enough thing, but after having played a couple of the CV Jazzes, I'm utterly blown away by them. Especially the one at the Gallery which blew all of the Sadowskys out of the water!

In the classical world, once you get past grade 5 you need a better quality, more professional instrument, especially in the orchestral strings department where I come from. Having taught many players, this move invariably inspires them to play more and better. Perhaps it's less so for electric instruments, but I know that if I have a lovely instrument that I adore the sound of, I'm definitely more inspired to play it, especially when they're working tools of my trade. I just finished a two week run of the stage show, "Footloose." I played the whole two weeks on Status basses. Yes they're expensive. Yes, I could have done the whole run on a Squire Affinity series. Would I have enjoyed the playing as much? Would it have sounded as good? I doubt it. Obviously, Joe Public just notices the odd looking headless thing that he/she mistakenly thinks is a guitar, but I know the difference in terms of sound, quality and playability. And even though it's a large part of my living, I'm sure my playing standard rises to the occasion of playing something really nice. Rich.

The number is purely academic, really. For me, the answer would have to be heavy enough to feel substantial and of sufficient quality, but also something that I can play for two hours without getting backache. Status S2's fill that brief for me usually. The only bass I couldn't bear the weight of was my Marcus Miller Jazz. I couldn't play it for more than an hour without it causing serious back pains. tischbein's comment about balance is a very very valid one. Last thing you want is weight on your left wrist.

[quote name='purpleblob' post='598631' date='Sep 14 2009, 08:16 PM']"Is this the nicest bass ever made ?" No[/quote] That's a big +1 from me. It's all down to personal taste I suppose, but I think it's horrid. Now Jon's Singlecuts are another matter... Stunning!

Oddly enough, the founder of the Statii.com forum has just bought a nice S1 jazz in chrome red with a maple precision neck.

Thinking pragmatically here... I think we all go through stages of wanting a certain sound for a certain scenario (or several scenarios if you do it for a living as I do...) I'm very happy with my graphite sound now - In fact more than happy, but still working on the wooden side. Nowhere as near as bad as I was, though. Perhaps part of that has to do with giving up my main teaching post earlier this year and having less money? Hmmm... Really looking forward to my ACG and a new smaller amp. GAS? Bring it on!

Hey James, looking forward to trying out some of your gear next weekend when I come down to see your Dad. Anything you'd like me to bring for you to try? Rich.

Just seen Alan's pics of your Mean Green Machine on the ACG site. Very very nice!

Now, make sure you get each day's practise timed and signed by your mum for next week... Seriously though, try applying it with a double bass tutor book. York Studies for double bass or Double Bass solo 1 are good places to start. That way you're not just cramming theory, but applying what you're learning through playing. Next stage is to find a copy of Fred Paterno's "The Literate Bassist" on amazon or somewhere similar. But most of all, keep at it. It's definitely worth it. Rich.

Strangely, no. I usually learned all covers from the band while "jamming" or from the sheet music when doing covers. That way, it was always my own interpretation of the bass part. Only time I did a lot of listening was when I did a Blondie Tribute. I was doing 5-minute takedowns of the basslines and fills during rehearsals as I was so busy with work at the time!