spongebob

Has anyone got any ideas of good, well-stocked bass retailers in the Kent/Sussex area? I can think of Music Bay in Cheriton (nice place, not stocked too well...), and that's about it! I tend to normally buy online - but I was thinking of buying something a bit new to me, so would like to maybe do it through a decent shop where I can try out, and make sure it's got a decent set-up. Any ideas??

Many thanks for that. On the same note - will a USA intended-pickguard fit a MIM P, or is there fractional differences in screw placement, etc?

Hopefully an easy one here.... Where is the best place (online) to buy a replacement pickguard for a MIM P? E-bay has a quite a selection, but what are the other options?

Superb.....thanks, Doc!

The G string on my Geddy Lee Jazz is touching slightly on a couple of the frets. There aren't any neck issues or anything, it just needs the action raised a little. However, the Fender-supplied allen/hex key won't fit the Badass to adjust. Any ideas which size I need to sort this? I've tried a couple, but to no avail.....time to call in the experts! Please help!

I'm a fairly new convert to Fender, owning a Geddy Jazz and and my newest bass, a MIM P in Lake Placid Blue (maple fretboard). Had a Jag, but sold it, as I spent more time playing with the switches rather than the bass itself! I used to play Rics, but with multiple QC issues, I just wanted to play a bass out the box, gig it, and replace it off the peg if needs be. Obviously, the Ged is MIJ. Great quality lovely bass. I went for a MIM P, as it is my first P, so didn't want to spend the earth, in case I couldn't live with it. Between the two, I'd be hard pushed to tell any quality difference. Both are faultless. Out of interest, you can buy a new MIM P for about £400, but a new MIA is more than double. I'm not looking for another (no more P GAS....yet!), but for what I do (pubs, small dingy places, etc), is the price tag on a MIA worth the difference? Are you just paying for the MIA name? I play all mine through Markbass (121 combo with NY cab), and they both give me the tones I want. I love the look of a black P with a black pickguard.....however, if I was ever going to do it, am I off the mark to just stick with the MIM stuff?

I too was a Ric man for a long while. However, I bought a Geddy Jazz last year, after many years of swearing I'd never have a Fender. The Ged blew me away, one of my faves and I gig it all the time. Seeing as my Ric's never really gave me the tone, I started to GAS around, and suddenly fancied a P as well (all Rics now gone). Looked at the various locations of production...and ended up with a MIM in Lake Placid Blue with a Maple fretboard. Must say, it's a cracker. I'm not over-worried about where I take it, as it doesn't cost the earth, and just comes off the peg. My 'P' inspirations were Steve Hanley, ex-of The Fall, and JJ Burnel. The tone I get from the P and my Markbass set-up is a nice cross between the two! I too didn't know what to expect...after the horror stories....but for me it's a great, simple, use-able bass. A good bass is what it is, regardless of age and place of manufacture. Go for it, I'm sure you'll love it, whatever you buy!

Across a few years, I owned 4 Rickenbackers - 2 4003's and 4004's. I always thought, high-end, should be flawless. All 4 had issues - from the classic Ric problems, through to other more annoying issues. In the end I kind of gave up, and resigned myself to the fact that it was part of ownership! I used to read all the forums, and found I was far from alone. I now play a Geddy Jazz, and as of this week, a MIM P. Both came flawless - and the combined cost of less than 1 Ric. Use, abuse, whatever....and if one goes, get another identical one off the peg! In essence, I was just surprised that the QC on mass-production basses was so good....or maybe I've just been lucky!

Thanks guys! Good advice on there.... I've been away for a few days, hence the delay in response. I'm still quite tempted by the MIM P's - I've seen them for around £399. Any thoughs/opinions on the these? My biggest thing is weight - compared to the Ged Jazz?

I'm a bit worried abut the MIM Fenders..... I play through a Markbass amp....with a pick, but... after playing a Ged, the general action, bridge, and quality issues have concerned me about about the MIM Fenders!

I've recently been re-discovering some early Stranglers material, and just love the 'classic' JJ tone circa up until, and including, 'Black And White'. Thing is, I'm in the need for a back-up bass. I've currently got a Ged Jazz (love it to bits) and and a Jag (superb bass but not for me). Question is, do I go for another Ged to replace the Jag, and re-string with flats, etc, and have another option....I do love the feel, weight, and tone of the Ged. Or do I try to go for a JJ-type sound? If so, how do I do it? Can I re-create it with a MIM P? (Although they scare me a little...) I'm an ex-Ric man on a budget!

I bought a bass in their sale, and their service was excellent. Ordered lunchtime Monday, arrived 9.30am Tuesday. The only thing I'd be aware of is their 'availability'. The green tick simply means available - it doesn't actually mean that it's in stock, just that they can actually get it. I found this when looking for my Markbass NY cab. Gave them a ring, and was told that it could take up to 3 weeks to get, even though the site said 'available'. Like what's been said above - good service, but always buy by phone just to be on the safe side.

Thanks for the help guys. I've now ordered a couple from Roqsolid - they're all black..... .....but I've opted for the yellow stitching to match the Markbass colours! Nice one!!

Does anyone know of where I can buy a couple of covers for my Markbass 121P combo and New York amp? I've seen some 'unbranded' stuff on e-bay, but you can never tell quite how good they are! Any thoughts on this? With all the Winter gigs booked, the chance of getting a soaking is becoming higher. Last time I wrapped the amp in a bin bag - not cool!! I don't think that Markbass make covers themselves...I've searched the net, but I must be missing where they are! Any help or suggestions appreciated.

Are the changes on all the new sunburst colour models with immediate effect? Any other upgrades? I've got one in black and I luuurrrve it! :wub:

From what I have read on the 'net, there seemed to be concern about Fender not importing the Jag to the US anymore from Japan, but this seems to be a lot of rumour. I had a check on Fender.com, and there's no sign of that at all. In fact, their Jag section is better the the co.uk site, with some players pics that use them as well! - [url="http://www.fender.com/products//search.php?partno=0259505506"]http://www.fender.com/products//search.php?partno=0259505506[/url] They seem to have a quite a following on 'another' bass forum....which is nice! :brow:

[quote name='RhysP' post='568203' date='Aug 13 2009, 05:37 PM']I've always thought of Adamson as the "Post punk Squire", which I'm sure he'd hate me for![/quote] Anyone for 'Correct Tales Of Topographic Soap'?

[quote name='RhysP' post='567566' date='Aug 13 2009, 06:21 AM']When I saw Magazine in Manchester earlier this year his bass sound was bloody awful until he changed from his Jaguar to his Ovation Magnum. Awesome player though - one of my favourites.[/quote] That's surprising about his tone, as I've been gigging mine pretty regular of late, and it cuts through with a great sound, using both active and passive modes. As for the scrapping of the model, it's only rumour....and it's still on the Fender site. Don't know about the production move to Mexico, though? As for Mr. Adamson...totally agree - I think he's one of those players under the radar. I've not seen the reformed Magazine - too young first time round, but been listening since about '93. His basslines got me hooked! On an aside, anyone know what bass he used on record? I've seen pictures with a Ric 4001S with modified pups, but I really don't know what he used on LP. I was actually jamming with 'The Correct Use Of Soap' yesterday - what a record!

I read on Talk Bass the other day that Fender are discontinuing the Jag. If it is such a good seller, surely this can't be the case? Elsewhere it mentioned transferring production to Mexico, but this is unconfirmed. Anybody else heard anything on this?