NJE

I have had several J basses in the past and LOVE the sound when practicing, usually both pickups on full so you get that lovely scooped sound which sound big and smooth when you have headphones on. Playing in the band, that sound gets eaten up and lost, and I usually end up boosting the mids and then depending on the song I lean heavily towards neck or bridge pickups. I have had a P bass for a coupe of weeks now and when I practice the sound is pretty awkward and clanky and I don't really like it because there is a lot of mids. like other folks have said, those mids are amazing when your in a band and just sound superb. I don't know why my ears like the scooped sound so much but live it never works for me, bring on the P bass.

[quote name='jassbass' timestamp='1423827439' post='2689420'] Are these p bass vm 5ers really good enough to gig with? Im so tempted.at the price its hard to believe.not many vid reviews either.thanx jay [/quote] Yes they really are, I cant express how much fun mine is to play and how good the playability is. Obviously it sounds great too and I am now a massive convert to P basses. I play in three bands and rehearse twice a week and gig on average 2-3 times a month and I havent put this down since it arrived. The bridge and tuners are solid, the pots are nice and firm when you turn them, the only things that need changing are the strings!! A very close friend of mine does a lot of studio work and owns a Lakland 55-02 Deluxe. Whilst the Lakland is a great bass and a 'swiss army knife' for his kind of work, he actually prefers playing my Squiers and was blown away with the new VMP 5. I have to say that for some very bizzare reason I enjoy playing it more than most of £1000 plus basses I have owned. For the cost, i would suggest just getting one online, you always have plenty of time to return it no quibbles with most stores.

[quote name='walbassist' timestamp='1423387924' post='2684102'] I have a Providence Dual Bass Station, which I run with two basses, and it is a terrific piece of kit. It's 24 volt operation, so there's tons of headroom, 3 band eq with sweepable mids, mute, and tuner out. I much prefer it to the Tonebone I used to have, which I felt always sucked some tone out of the bass. They are £300 in the UK, but I lucked into a new one from the US for £150 via eBay [/quote] Sorry to derail the thread, but I have been trying to find someone with one of these in the uk. Did you have to pay and duty or anything extra to get it from the US? also do you remember which store you bought it from? Oh also do you need anything special to convert current? Many thanks.

[quote name='GrammeFriday' timestamp='1423310496' post='2683343'] Glad to hear you're enjoying it! I've heard from quite a few sources that these are light basses, but also that they tend to have a bit of neck dive as a result. Is this something you've noticed with yours? [/quote] They are a mixed bag reading on talkbass, some have come in over 9lbs apparently but I would say mine is just over 8lbs. When i am sitting down there is some neck dive but I come to expect that with a lot of light fender instruments, even my old american standard Jazz 4 had some dive when on my knee. With the squier it is minimal and on the strap it isnt an issue, I use a nice wide Mono strap and it doesnt move unless I want it to.

I got the white one as I am a sucker for white and tort, I was almost swayed by the red one as well though. I bought mine from Gear4Music, they were superb and it was free shipping I think. I know Thomas are super cheap but I presume they add a chunk for uk delivery.

[quote name='jassbass' timestamp='1423226357' post='2682433'] I don't really need one but so tempted to get one [/quote] I have had one just over 2 weeks now, and I have to say it is one of the most enjoyable and playable basses I have ever owned. I wont even say it is good for the money, it is just a great bass. I would say it is easily as good as my old classic vibe precision and it cost a lot less. In fact it is better than my old 2013 American standard Jazz. I just cant believe they can make good basses for so little money, I enjoy playing it more than any of the more expensive basses I have owned, plus it is very light.

I just bought the same bass and was considering fitting a Nordstrand P5 pickup. I read a lot on talkbass and people there are reporting much of the same when changing the pickup on this bass, its slightly better/different but certainly not the massive change people expected. I still might go for a Nordy and a new wiring harness when I have some more cash.

I searched and couldn't find any feedback for Miracle (Julien) and couldnt find anything, so time to start a feedback thread. Julien bought my Roscoe Beck V, he was a superb buyer, great communication and he speaks superb english. I would glady do business with him again and can reccomend him as another trustworthy member fo this forum. All the best, Nathan

Thanks everyone, I am really thrilled and it has been a really positive start to the year. Even selling my main bass didn't cause me too much heartache. I was going to quote replies, a lot of them made me chuckle, but there are too many Some mixed experiences with the playing, I guess a lot will depend on technique and style, I must admit I do have a general issue with anything being around my hands when playing, I don't even like long sleeves, but I am sure I will get used to it. I got an evil look when I suggested not having a wedding ring so perhaps something thin and light might be in order. Its good to know that you get used to it quite quickly, it feels rather alien to me at the moment having never worn rings before. I thought if there were a lot of people saying it caused damage to bass necks, I might have tiny excuse to get a pre-relic'd bass. I don't think I can use that excuse now though.

I got engaged a couple of weeks ago and today I have been sorting my fiance's engagement ring out. While we were in the shop the subject of wedding bands came up and it got me thinking whether an engagement ring will get in the way when playing. So, to all the married ladies and gentlemen out there, does you wedding band get in the way when you play and has it caused any damage to the neck of your bass?

For some reason (probably lack of money) I have GAS for some pretty cheap basses at the moment, number 1 is this: [attachment=181359:Squier_by_Fender_Vintage_Modified_Precision_Bass_V_MN_OW.jpg]

[quote name='Sibob' timestamp='1421323321' post='2659795'] I have a friend who is a VERY busy London 'session' bassist with some big pop acts, he often can be seen out with his Squier.......yes it's a JV, and its a backup to his '63......but still, no-one tells him not to use it because of the name on the headstock Si [/quote] I think Andrew McKinney who plays with the James Taylor Quartet uses a JV a lot as well.

I should have put my comments in context with my situation which is basically a 'hobby' bass player. In the bands and venues I play in it won't matter. I know that professional players have a different set of expectations put upon them, my very best friend does session work and writing and there are certain instruments he 'must have' for certain jobs and a lot of the time they do need to have the right logo on them to be taken seriously.

[quote name='No lust in Jazz' timestamp='1421316544' post='2659669'] Agreed and this is a view I share, but I think that its great to have the range of options available - we're not communists. [/quote] I agree completely, I think it has got to be one of the best times for bass players in terms of amount of gear available to us at high and low price points. The quality and diversity has just got better and better even compared to what was available to me when I started 15 years ago. I just think there are a lot of people out there (myself included) who have spent a lot of time concerned with what brands they are using, as if someone at a gig was going to walk up and say "sorry mate that bass isn't good enough, your a fraud, please leave". If I had the money I would spend a fortune on basses, I love Mike Lull stuff and Sadowsky, but no-one will look at me any differently for turning up with a Squier.

I wouldnt say I have ditched Fender, but pending payment my main bass after today will be a Squier Deluxe Jazz V. It was always my 'back-up' bass and basically never got used so a few weeks ago knowing my Fender was for sale I started to use it exclusively. I can honestly say I dont know why I thought it was only good enough as a back-up, it is an incredibly good bass and not just for the money. I have had far more compliments on its looks and sound than most of my other basses. The construction is very very good and the neck it very nicely finished. The machineheads are a bit heavy and unrefined but they hold tuning. I did replace the bridge with a Hipshot and converted to classic passive jazz wiring but thats as far as the mods have gone. After selling and buying far too many basses over the past 15 years I have learnt one major lesson (it may not apply to everyone) and that is, no-one gives a flying crap what bass or rig you have. Most people wouldnt really notice at a gig whether you have a 6k Fodera or a £160 squier as long as you sound 'bassy' thats all that matters. Most of my band wouldnt know whether I changed bass or not as I just sound like me when I play. I am even GAS-ing for a Squier P5 at the moment. I just tell myself; play something you feel comfoirtable with and can get a decent sound out of, it doesnt matter what the logo is. I once owned a very expensive Overwater J5, a guitarist walked up to me and said "not a bad guitar that mate, why havent you got a Fender, are they a bit too expensive for you".

We have all been there, stick with it! Little and often was the key when I started playing but I know that isn't always possible. Play with a lighter touch and turn up as well, you tend to play harder if you can't hear yourself. Takes me back to when I started, I remember doing 3 nights in a row, two hours a night when my fingers were still hardening up. By the third night I blood pouring out of my two plucking fingers because the blisters under my blisters had popped. I can stick needles through my finger tips now.

[quote name='paul_5' timestamp='1420728067' post='2652668'] My 'rules' for being in a band are fairly uncomplicated. 1) Don't be a dick 2) Practice 3) Turn up on time You're welcome [/quote] That is the simplest and best set of rules for being a musician in my opinion. I am also a firm believer in bands being run as a dictatorship, and that too many opinionated people can ruin a good band. Oddly I am never really the dictator, I give my opinion when it is asked for and I am listened to but often overruled. The band leader in one of my bands owns all of the kit, the rehearsal space, gets us well paid gigs, picks the songs (most of the time) and its a case of, 'do it my way and do it properly of f*@k off' basically. I like it, everyone knows where they stand and if your a knob and don't work hard your gone.

That looks like someone has taken a Sterling neck and built their own body to replicate the old Stingray limited edition with the flame top. The pickups dont look right either, I thing the standard Sterling 34 has the new pickups with the built in sloping thumb rest bit, they dont look like normal Stingray pickups. I would stay clear, you wont shift that on IMHO.

I have always thought that as well as a Squire or cheaper backup bass I should also have a 'proper' bass. For the past month I have been using my Squier 5 string exclusively as my Fender Roscoe Beck is for sale. I have to say that I don't really miss my 'proper' bass and may just get another Squier. I don't know why I feel like I should have something better as to be brutally honest, if it plays well and sounds good, what does it matter, the folks in the crowd couldn't give a monkeys what you are playing. Its also quite nice to be complimented on your playing and sound when you are using a budget instrument.