Paul S

A few randomn thoughts - this has become my favourite configuration now, too. Swapping necks is easy and the absolute sure-fire way of getting a P-Bass with a Jazz neck.. I bought a MIJ P Bass that had a Mighty Mite Jazz neck on it, albeit with tinted laquer. I swapped with someone for a clear laquer and it went on with no problem. It has become my favourite bass at the moment, especially with a P-Retro on board. Fender Jazz Bass Special and/or Power Jazz Bass Special (this is the active version). They are P shaped, P/J pups and a J neck. Nice. But I wouldn't necessarily say they sound P-Bass-like. My Power Jazz Bass Special is more aggressive, although that might be because it has a SPB-3 in it, which I am not entirely sure about. Thinking outside the box, as they look nothing like a P- Bass - a Hohner B-Bass or a Hohner Jack Bass or a B2A cricket bat can all manage to sound exactly like a woody old P bass and have skinny (ish) necks. you get a lot of bass for your money with those, too. A Westone Thunder (or similar) fitted with a decent P-Pickup - say a Wizard Trad - will sound like a P-Bass but have one of those lovely Westone/Matsumoku necks that are nearer Jazz sized.

Had the same thought myself - just 4 posts on this one thread. Seems a bit odd for an introduction.

Development - I just spoke to a gentleman named Matt at the GenzBenz service desk and he is going to send me one, gratis! Superb service.

Thanks for that! I will contact Genz Benz and see if they can point me in the direction of a replacement LED (not bulb- doh!) I bought it secondhand, so a warranty wouldn't apply. Thanks again.

Talkbass? Is that another internet forum type thing? Looks like I may have to. Thanks.

Paul Spracklin - South Benfleet, Essex

Different people have different experiences, it seems. I had the long term loan of a '98 USA Standard Precision and found it ok but nothing special. And certainly not a patch on my MIJ mid 80s Power Jazz Special which I would say is the nicest put together instrument I have played. I think you've just got to kiss a lot of frogs before you find a prince.

[quote name='lurksalot' timestamp='1358078856' post='1932629'] we could even anounce the event at each gig and put a hat round,though that would be optional . [/quote] Like that idea.

Great idea - if it gets to the North Thames Delta count me in. I have a Kent Armstrong pup lurking in my bits shoebox you can have, if you still need a P pup.

Noticed today I am missing the blue light inside my GB Streamliner - bulb must have gone. Not exactly important but if it is easy and cheap I may as well stick a new one in 'cos it looks kinda perdy. Anyone had to do it yet? If so what do you get and from where? ta.

[quote name='garythebass' timestamp='1357838398' post='1929374'] For me it's absolute perfection, but maybe it's just a matter of personal taste - let's face it, life as a bass player would be pretty dull if there was only one bass, one amp and one cab that were the solution for everyone. [/quote] This pretty sums up how it is for me. All my amp/cab gas is cured. 95% was getting Barefaced cabs, the other 5% switching to a GenzBenz.

[quote name='bluejay' timestamp='1357916279' post='1930558'] I don't see that as saying anything sad about your existence - rather as giving praise to Basschat as a community. [/quote] Yes, community is about the right word, isn't it. It is heartwarming to read some of the immense support given to folks on here at times of trouble. Let alone the wealth of experience and knowledge that is freely shared. I am a member of discussion forums connected with other aspects of my life and also ran one for best part of 9 years. This is one of the best out there IMO. Yes, there are trolls very ocasionally and a few grump bags but generally it is a great place to visit and spend some time.

I had a Peavey Fury II and it had the thinnest, skinniest neck I have ever played - one for you to avoid.

I just looked on my profile and I have been a member here for 4 years. Where did that go? I joined when I had just graduated from bedroom to ballroom, joining my first ever band around the same time, and so my learning curve has been exponential. In terms of the music I have a far greater understanding and level of interest in what I am trying to do because of Basschat. It has also given me the interest, confidence and safety net to fiddle with basses - do my on setups, change the electrics etc etc. It might be a sad reflection of the state of my existence but additionally Basschat has now become the lens through which I view the world. If I want to find anything out I come onto here first. If it is in the news and worth reading, it is on here. If it is for sale, it is on here. If I (rarely) am bursting to say something, I do it here.

[quote name='redbandit599' timestamp='1357821932' post='1928898'] I used to have a Hohner B Bass, this was very light in weight and to play, with a slim neck. Can't imagine they go for much now but it was a really nice giggable bass. Through neck, Jazz configuration pups and active/passive. Might be worth a look if one comes up for the right price. Lighter than my Warwick Corvette 4 (which is also very nice) and a similar size body. [/quote] I have one I could be persuaded to part with. Black. Missing a battery cover.

For the price of a set of flats I'd just buy them and see for myself. That way you don't make any rash decisions without being completely informed. If you don't like the SG, another thought would be to get a short scale Fender like a Mustang? Best of both worlds then, maybe?

Yes, i saw that thread but they don't seem to have worked out too well? Anyway, having a capacious waist ensures I have a supply of ex-belt picks for some while.

I had a weird kind of pearloid finish white one for a while - RBX800A bought on here and sold on here about a year later. Gorgeous neck, completely odd bridge. I found the tone fairly harsh, though, and had I kept it would have wanted to change the electrics somehow. They usually go for peanuts, so an extremely good buy secondhand. Top of the range in its day, I think?

Thanks for your input Felt ukelele picks - might well try one of those. Also foam under the strings, which I hadn't thought of either. All the other stuff - adjusting the angle of pick, distance from bridge etc I have tried. Well, apart from washing up liquid bottles and sticky tape, anyway. But, yes, the best thing is to keep practicing playing with fingers until I can do it properly. Strange how we vary - I find pick playing completely intuitive but finger playing totally alien.

That is interesting. Looks liker a good bit of kit - can you get them here or are you buying direct from the USA?

I voted 'yes' because I use a Boss OD-3 for one Muse track (which doesn't really do the job properly but it is as close as I can be bothered to get) and an EBS Unichorus that I used to use to try and get a Phil Lynott type sound on another. But I'd rather not, really.

I play with a pick. I would like to be able to play fingerstyle as well as I can with a pick so I have both skills at my disposal but, try as I might, don't have sufficient control, consistency or speed. I practice and improve, but not quickly. At the moment I am learning songs for a new blues band and, for some tracks, could really do with less attack - something nearer to a fingerstyle sound but still allow the greater speed and control that a pick gives me. Rolling off the treble/playing nearer the neck/using the fat end of a regular pick etc didn't cut it. After trying a few soft plastic/rubber things that went wrong I wondered if leather might work. I tried an old strap but it was too floppy. Then I found an old leather belt I wore when gardening that has gone a bit hard - I cut the end off that, shaped it a bit - perfect! Weird kind of sound, not quite fingerstyle but a reassuringly soft plunk. Yet easily controlled like a pick. I'll still plug away at fingerstyle as it would be nice to be able to nail it. But for now I have a whole belt's worth of soft picks. Anyone else discovered a Blue Peter approach to playing?

Thank you Sir, appreciated. A little wider than I had supposed - probably enough to make me not buy one, whatever the weight. I had one of its first cousins for a while, a Hayman 4040 and my first 'proper' bass and the one that made me realise I don't like wide necks. Built like a tank, neck like a floorboard.

I recently put a Hipshot Supertone bridge onto an Epiphone EB0 and was *really* impressed by the quality. One of their A style bridges might do the job - not sure about screw holes etc but quality-wise it knocks spots off a Gotoh 201 I put on another bass.