bubinga5

I've had 3 V7s. Two 5 strings, ash and alder and a Vintage 4. I don't think there was anything wrong with the bridge or tuners apart from an aesthetic point of view. My problem was the weight. The tone of all of them was just fabulous though.

Just remember without bass the music is like a house without foundation. Stand yor ground.

I bought a brand new Fender 1975 RI Jazz. Put it in the hard case. (Without clipping it shut) Picked up said hard case and the bass went downwards on to the tarmac with the most horrible noise. Shocking moment.

If you know your notes(especially notes) on a 4 string /scales etc. You should be able to switch between 4/5/6/7. The bass has the same notes/scales all the way up the fret board. If you don't know them you haven't practiced enough. Extended range basses are nothing to be scared of. IMO. In fact they are easier because your hand that plays the notes/ scales dont have to move as far. And they are better for your brain because your having to think ahead more. I will always be a 5 string player. Going to 4 is easier because of the pure physicality of the neck slimness, but I have to jump up the neck a lot more.

Putting in a great preamp with bad pickups is the wrong way around for me. The pickups are the first contact for a good sound. A good preamp will compliment the good pickups.

Not sure about second hand , but try Wizard pickups. Or Some second hand Fender USA single coils.

Control.

Ive never heard of Bartolini Quarter pounders. I guess you mean Seymore Duncans. Just go for the Bartolini Original Jazz pickups. They won't dissapoint. I have them in my Sei Jazz and they smoke many others like Nordstrand etc imo.. Just make sure the size is correct for each cavity.

What are Jazz Pickup rings and what are they for.?

You could probably get a second hand Sire Jazz for near the price of a new J Retro preamp. Sire Heritage preamps sound amazing. There a no brainer.

Its just GAS. I love the Sei, But the Shuker's look lovely. Holy Moly.

Trust in John East. Learn how it works. When you do It's the best preamp in the business of bass preamps. Imo.

An audition is when you know what your auditioning for. What songs do you want to play. They wanted a juke box on the spot. I tried to jam they couldn't. I'm out

Im literally dribbling looking at some John's J basses. Wondering wether to sell the Sei to get one. This is GAS in its purest form. The grass is always greener. But WOW http://shukerguitars.co.uk/j-bass/

That was my second bass. I thought it sounded great. But an East Uni pre would be the way to go. I have one in my Sei Jazz with Bartolini's and its immense.

Apparently he was fired from Toto due to his cocaine abuse and a drug bust, probably the reasons behind his lack of focus with his voice.

Joe Williams kicks donkey also. But he's no Bobby Kimball in his prime.. imo. Great great band anyway.