Machines

Superb choice, I liked this when I was there last month.

How much ?

I find single pickup basses to have more of an identifiable character but also more limited. I prefer the versatility of 2 pickups but always feel I'm faffing to get the right sound.

Designed in Britain eh? But made in China I bet. Seems very overpriced

Other than wood choices or neck profiles etc, I don't think many custom builders offer much you can't get from the big companies with careful consideration (in terms of sound at least). I think 'handmade' is over hyped, to me it just means it took longer and hence cost more. Technology does indeed save money, and i'd say a PLEK machine is more precise than a luthier. The difference is on quality control of mass producers, not the technology. When you find a big maker than has high QC (cough Lakland cough) then there is nothing better than a very well made bass at a reasonable price. I've started moving away from the US made principle as some of what coming out of the far east at the moment is as good in quality but a lot cheaper. Other examples are G&L Tribute, Squier, Sterling by Musicman etc.

[quote name='CokeyW' timestamp='1430854394' post='2765324'] Thanks Machines.....what do you have now? [/quote] I've been through alot, but my Lakland Skyline 55-60 is never leaving. Others are a Mexican Precision, Korean Warwick and Indonesian Spector. These are good, but not necessarily forever.

I had an Overwater Progress 3 Deluxe which costs about 3 grand new now. It wasn't my custom bass I had it 2nd hand. The quality was outstanding but in the end I would rather have a couple of good basses than one excellent. So I sold it.

Do you know what you really want in a bass ? What is lacking in each one ? If you are able to make sense of this, you will be in a better position. I think a lot of people he gone the custom route without really knowing what they want and sold soon after, the amount of 2nd hand customs in the Market Place is evidence of his.

I think it could be http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paradise_Syndrome when it comes to GAS and bonding with instruments. Having found something that meets your requirements (a great bass), you feel a little deflated that the hunt may be ove My Lakland is perfect, it makes me dribble whenever I see it and smile whenever I plug it in, if anything I play it the least as it makes the others seem a average - this will never be sold (said this before with others, but I mean it, honest). The Precision has a special place as my Dad gave it to me a few years ago, I like to keep it as a benchmark of what a 'decent bass' sounds and feels plus it has that classic sound (flats and a foam mute in place). The Corvette is only a couple of months old so hasn't had too much play time, but it feels great and sounds it too. I want to upgrade it to include an MM pickup at the bridge. Then again, I think it would add zero value to it and I'd prefer if it was just a Stingray (so I should sell it and get another Ray I suppose). The Spector looks great but is perhaps underwhelming on it's own (it wants a big metal band to join in with). I'm also not really a big 6 string player. I think the fact this is my 2nd one and I sold the first one years ago and regretted it is stopping me parting with it, despite me being more knowledgeable now on why (plus I had to grovel to the missus to buy it !). That said, i'm not even in a band anymore so should stop all this dillydallying and make some music.

I can't promise I'll buy it, but will certainly read the column in WHSmith. #thisisnotalibrary

It's about tim.

Satellite?

Thanks grangur, but I'm definitely aiming for the coil tap ability of the TW for now.

Thanks for all the info chaps. I've found an EMG MMTW on Thomann for £65 which is pretty good I think. plus I can use a 3 way switch which is what I wanted. I've ad a quote from Jaydee for routing too which is very reasonable

[quote name='Henrys' timestamp='1397710447' post='2426642'] All you need. [/quote] I've been thinking of getting an anodised gold plate for my Precision and this has convinced me to.

I looked last night, i'm quite sure there were indeed power connection wires, and this schematic seems to back this up: [url="http://www.warwick.d...ck.de/Technical%20PDF/Scematic/PS-AS/PS_Corvette_Activ_60003.pdf"]http://www.warwick.d...ck.de/Technical PDF/Scematic/PS-AS/PS_Corvette_Activ_60003.pdf[/url] The MEC MM ones are all passive so that rules them out (as well as being over priced). EMG seem to do a few MM pickups but only those that link to their own preamp ?

Well 3below im not sure, i expected just passive pickups with a preamp but was going on what Warwick say. If not active pickups the world is my oyster.

I'm happy to use an active pickup, just not sure what there other than EMG.

Would a Mark Hoppus bass pickguard fit? If so try ordering from Fender UK.

I'm going to upgrade my Corvette which is currently J/J with active MEC pickups. I want to replace the bridge pickup with an MM style humbucker but also retain the ability to have it as single coil via a switch (like a $$). Can anyone advise which pickups would work here? Do i need an active replacement?! I've looked at EMG, Seymour Duncan and Aguilar but they all look the same. Cheers

I'm sure Leo Fender made the original Precision headstock bigger to get around the 5th fret deadspot (it's around 6 now) and was surprised nobody complained about it.

I think the only solution is to change the mass of the bass. Prove this by clamping on something (FatFinger) or a G-clamp, but this generally just moves the deadspot a fret or two. Or just hold your head stock against a wall when playing (or corner of a door frame) and instant no dead spots AND extra sustain. Perfectly practical for gigging too.

[quote name='neepheid' timestamp='1429973989' post='2756861'] Why is she going to kill you? Have you seriously compromised the household cashflow for the month? If she's going to kill you just because you've bought a bass then to be honest the fact a bass is coming into the house is the least of your worries. [/quote] This.

I started in 2000 when after watching Metallica DVDs at my mates house whilst skiving off college. I bought a guitar and of course learnt lots of heavy metal riffs, then decided I liked the bass playing on Cunning Stunts (Jason Newsted's Bass Doodle, to be exact) and bought a Squier Bronco just to learn that. It all went from there, I play guitar too, but not much and certainly nothing above the 12th fret !

Why does it have to be neck through ? Taking that out of the equation allows for so many more options.