Beedster

[quote name='wateroftyne' post='722918' date='Jan 24 2010, 10:34 AM']In't PJB stuff made in China? Nowt wrong with that, mind...[/quote]

It's a fair point! I'll rephrase.

It's expensive period!

Chris

[quote name='MIJ-VI' post='722813' date='Jan 24 2010, 04:49 AM']Do you feel that the Super Flightcase would provide sufficient volume as a bass monitor in conjunction with PA support?[/quote]

Yes and no really! Yes, for monitoring it's infinitely better than any other small combo I've used (i.e., when it's also having to serve as the backline). Flip side is you can't beat a wedge firing directly up at you, as well as a backline, as well as a PA!

So small band, not too much stage noise, yes. Larger bacd, more srage noise, it might be asking a bit much.

Still gets my vote though!

C

[list]
[/list][quote name='waynepunkdude' post='722658' date='Jan 23 2010, 10:06 PM']I'm in town tomorrow if you're about?[/quote]

May be later on, but I have to uninstall from my Jazz (the older JR you could collect for sure). Could we speak about midday?

Cheers

C

[quote name='waynepunkdude' post='722616' date='Jan 23 2010, 09:29 PM']I may well try out the solder free one if that's OK buddy?[/quote]

Of course mate, you've got my number

C

Good deal, these don't come up often, which suggests that they're good. A mate of mine did a Chilis covers gig through one of these and he kept up with the drummer and guitarist (not a loud gig but loud enough). Impressive volume for a small box

C

[quote name='MythSte' post='722619' date='Jan 23 2010, 09:36 PM']I really loved the J retro i had my Bacchus Jazz 5... Sigh! Thats completely one that got away. However some models dont have a passive tone pot when in passive mode, and you can only have both pickups on or one on (I think default is both pickups full or bridge pickup full via a toggle switch) I think i'd miss being able to have a shapable passive tone now. But if youve got a few jazzes it shouldnt be a problem [/quote]

Yep, that's a good point. I would say in defence of the JR that I doubt there's a tone you can get on a traditional passive circuit that you can't get with the JR active circuit, it might take some working out for sure, but it's in there. Flip side is that there's no simple switch to get back to passive mode on all but the four-pot models (John may want to update here). I think the only time this would be a problem is when the battery died live or recording, and you had to use the rather limited passive options on the JR. For sure, I will always prefer a pre-amp with a direct passive option, but the quality of the active tone has to be the main reason for selecting a pre-amp. If passive tone is critical, why go active!

I have a 1981 Precision Special pre-amp on its way from Alabama. Nice active/passive switch. Can't wait!

C

Problem is that if you build a Fender from parts these days, unless you're

1. extremely patient
2. extremely lucky
3. extremely rich

it makes so much more sense to buy an original bass. I've seen 70 Jazz PUPs sell for £900, necks for more, bodies for £700, even bridges for well over £100. As a project, a 'best of' would be great, an early 80's (heavy) bridge, recent neck and tuners, old body, old PUPs etc, would be interesting. Let me know if I can be of any help

C

[quote name='waynepunkdude' post='722574' date='Jan 23 2010, 08:43 PM']I'd appreciate that buddy, how hard are the J Retros to install?[/quote]

I have a new one (8 months old) that's a solder-free and an older one (2 years) that would require solder. You can have either, although the latter will be cheaper.

Off to the pub now!

C

See final post in [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=72691&hl="]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=72691&hl=[/url]

I've owned a lot of gear, and for balance of lightweight and tone, the PJB Super Flightcase is as good as it gets.

Expensive but good!

C

[quote name='Clarky' post='722542' date='Jan 23 2010, 08:17 PM']Hi Wayne, Beedster is probably your man for asking about putting pre-amps in Fenders as he has tried J-retro and Audere, two of the most highly tipped. ACG I believe get good write-ups too.

I had an Audere in the Jazz I sold a month or two back. It was like putting the bass on steroids. Loads more tonal options from sparkly hi-fi, to clean classic Jazz to deep and low (could even get a P bass thump out of it), a really good piece of kit. Also solder-free idiot-proof instalation (hence I managed it). If you want an active option in a Jazz I really recommend the Audere. Also battery lasts for absolutely ages and has a warning when running low so no chance of it dying on you mid-gig.[/quote]

Thanks Clarky, Wayne, I've two J-Retro's going spare here mate, you can always drop by, pick one up, install it and, if you like it, we'll agree a fee or trade

If I was going for tone it would be the J-Retro every time, if I were going for ease of use, it would be the Audere. The Sadowsky was nice tone-wise but too limited (2eq and to powerful).

C

[quote name='BigBeatNut' post='722474' date='Jan 23 2010, 07:21 PM']Is this really worth the BIN price of £1600+ ?[/quote]

I'd say no, but i guess the market will decide.

Problem is, if this sells, the bloke who's after a late 70's trans red is no longer in the market for one, soif you want to sell yours, put in on ebay now a couple of hundred cheaper than his!

C

[quote name='Beedster' post='719070' date='Jan 20 2010, 02:47 PM']Anyone played the new TV Bassman 1x15? I'm very keen to hear how it sounds.

Cheers

Chris[/quote]

Anyone?

[quote name='MIJ-VI' post='721866' date='Jan 23 2010, 04:41 AM']Update?[/quote]

OK......

Overall I'm extremely impressed. I'll do this by bullet points as I think it'll be easier to read than my usual rambling and lengthy narrative

Good

* It's very, very quiet, no hiss, no whistle, no nothing. Lovely quietness.
* The tone is outstanding, really outstanding. It makes my other gear sound mono by comparison - I'm sure you know what I mean.
* The tone controls are extremely versatile, I can dial in a serious range of tones, very small changes in orientation of controls makes a big change in tone.
* I can hear myself clearly, the band can hear me clearly. The bass feels like it's playing through a surround sound system at times
* It's very light and very small, surprisingly so on both counts
* I've had very good follow-up from Phil Jones via email regarding my previous issues

Bad

* It was very expensive (close to £900).
* It doesn't move a lot of air. It's rated at 250w but I'd say it puts out half what my old Trace/Marshall 250w rig put out (that rig was however very powerful and big)
* It seems more sensitive to room acoustics and dimensions than previous gear I've owened (I struggled to hear notes around D at rehearsals. Fine at the last gig)

All in all, if I didn't need a small amp with good monitoring capability, I wouldn't have paid £900. But I did need one, and on that basis, it was worth the money. All USA-built gear is very pricey at the moment, and had any UK manufacturer made anything like this (or even the continental guys e.g., Markbass), I'd have gone for it, but having owned a lot of Markbass gear, I'm confident the PJB tone is way better. Seriously way better.

Trust me, it will NOT keep up with a loud drummer or a Marshall/pointy dude on lead. I think the title 'Super Flightcase' (and it's '300' model number which perhaps suggests it's more pwerful than it is), is a little misleading. Furthermore, I'm not convinced the Flightcase was a whole lot quieter (although I never gigged it). Luckily we have a well trained guitarist and a drummer with a light touch, and for that band, this unit is perfect (although I'm running it close to max most of the time at gigs). I gigged at a party for a singer last week, and many of the guest were musicians themselves. It was the first gig in a long time at which I was complimented on my tone as well as my playing (TBH the latter doesn't happen all that often either). A couple of the more knowledgable guys commented on how the bass tone was also clear and articulate.

Will I be using this for the newly formed Texas Boogie band? NFW. Will I be keeping it? Yes.

Hope that's helpful guys, please let me know if you need any further info

C

Really sorry to hear that Jack. Thoughts to his family and friends, and to the band

C

[quote name='solofunkyjazz' post='721501' date='Jan 22 2010, 06:28 PM']I have to say that this sort of thread highlights a major problem with the feedback on this site. Why should feedback be open for everyone to jump in on and add to ? It turns into a witch hunt which is unfair IMO.

The way feedback is on Talkbass is far better, again IMO.

Why is the guy above "out of order" ? He has a point. Your mate, I take it he is your mate ? He failed to notice the fault, he appears to have had the bass for quite a long time before you told him it was faulty. So why can't everyone accept that the seller might also have not noticed the fault too ?

I've looked at Mr SSB's feedback and he seems to have sold quite a few items on here and on Talkbass with no problems.

He also says that he welcomed people to come to his house and try the bass. That doesn't strike me to be the actions of someone who is trying to knowingly sell something that's got a fault.

Did Mr Rudun maybe get a soldering iron for christmas [/quote]

It's a good point. Perhaps the code/rule should be that you can only comment on a feedback thread if you have entered into a deal with the person in question? The opinions and rhetoric in the above posts have likely damaged the reputations of both parties, and it's quite possible that neither is actually to blame.

C

Chris

[quote name='Beedster' post='721494' date='Jan 22 2010, 06:24 PM']...in certain USA states I believe 2:4 is acceptable...[/quote]

And of course Wales

IMO you'd be mad to buy it at only £49 less than you can buy it new anyway. Not the most reliable piece of kit. And it's been used. By a bloke who lives in Dover

[quote name='Marvin' post='721488' date='Jan 22 2010, 06:19 PM']

I must try harder. [/quote]

I want a full written report on how you intend to redress the wife:bass ratio (WBR), which is expected be at least 1:3 (in certain USA states I believe 2:4 is acceptable). I want this on my desk by Monday Marvin.

[quote name='Marvin' post='721483' date='Jan 22 2010, 06:16 PM']Mrs Marvin would definitely notice any new acquisition as I've only got one bass and she is fully aware of what it looks like.[/quote]

Dude, that's an appalingly defeatist attitude

[quote name='Pete Academy' post='721423' date='Jan 22 2010, 05:24 PM']I used to have another customer who bought guitars in always the same colour so his wife wouldn't suspect a new one.[/quote]

I've been using that one for years. Makes me laugh that a couple of guys on here think I'm some sort of colour fetishist, which I'm not! Simply put, if all your Fenders, and the odd Sadowsky, are all Oly White, it's amazing how much you can get away with. At one point I had five Oly White basses in the place whilst the good lady was utterly convinced I had reduced the collection to one.

In a gesture of goodwill I owned up to owning two.

C

[quote name='fatback' post='721317' date='Jan 22 2010, 03:38 PM']Any tips for learning your own lines?[/quote]

Write them
Play them
Play them some more
Play them with your eyes closed
Sing them to yourself when you're not playing them
Then play them again

Our drummer occasionally improvises. Well, he used to, he knows what the stare from the bass player means now

Discipline dude. If your guitarist was doing the same, you wouldn't call it improvising for sure, you'd probably call it f**king up. Sad fact of playing in a band is that for a number of reasons, you sometimes have to stick to the score.

That is a bargain, love SUB 5s, great basses and almost indestructable - I know, I tried (well, stripped and refined, and trust me, they're solid)

C

[quote name='Dr.Dave' post='721158' date='Jan 22 2010, 01:37 PM']OK - anyone of a nervous disposition , look away now.





[/quote]

Showing a pics like that should be covered by some form of law

So what's the story behind the meeting Howard? Was it the case that, like me so often, he needed some good advice and got in touch?

C