Nostromo

[quote name='Sunburst79' post='1193484' date='Apr 9 2011, 03:54 AM']I have a working 1996 Rumble Bass Stack (head and 2 410 HF cabs).

I had a bit of an issue with crackling and the volume going up and down. Checked the tubes which were original and fine. Reseated the multi pin amp to chassis connector a few times. The Amp worked for about a day and then the noises came back. I decided that the next logical step before taking it to the shop was to clean and lube the pots - although none of the pots were actually scratchy. Which I did. I also tapped and probed all of the caps and resisters with the unit while running and none of them were particularly microphonic or intermittent. These units seemed to be designed to be field serviced and for whatever reason Fender used 148 "Fast-On" Connectors! (Spade terminal connectors) to connect various sub assembly's to the main circuit board. While the unit was apart I made point of going through and rocking each connector to ensure it was making good contact. A bad connection here is going to act exactly like a cold solder joint. Its worth taking your amp apart and checking these connectors. My amp has been flawless since July of 2010 After doing this. [color="red"][b]Normal precautions about working on high power amps apply.[/b][/color] It worked for me and hopefully helps someone. I've never played through a vintage Blue Line SVT but this thing has noticeably better tone then my mid nineties SVT CL 810HE.[/quote]

Thanks for the above advice Sunburst79

What are the normal precautions that apply when working on high power amps ? . . . . I know there are issues about high voltages inside valve amps . . . and as Im a mechanical engineer and not an electrical one this has always put me off tinkering ?

Are there easy steps that can be taken to discharge any potentially dangerous components so that you know the amp is safe to work on ?



Cheers

[quote name='Bankai' post='1260941' date='Jun 8 2011, 11:11 AM']My first bass was a Shine Extreme Series 845.

Very very tasty, obviously not going to be as good as a £400+ bass but definitely good as a starter/intermediate player![/quote]

Thanks all,

Hes bought it . . . . . £110.00 cash . . . . and is bringing it over to my place at the weekend . . . .

I'll post up a foot note to say what I think of it.

Thanks for posts.

[quote name='hillbilly deluxe' post='1259984' date='Jun 7 2011, 05:46 PM']Sein (shine)make decent quality reasonably priced gear IMO.I tried one of these about 4-5 years ago and was quite impressed,iirc it was about £250 new.[/quote]


Thanks for your thoughts guys and girls ?

Im still unsure as to what to tell him tomorrow ? . . . so this is a sort of bump just in case anyone else has a view . . . . . .

Cheers

A mate of mine, a hobby guitarist, who plays 6 string acoustic & electric guitars is thinking of taking up bass.

He's on the verge of purchasing a second hand Shine Bass (not sure if I've spelt Shine correctly ?)

He’s described it as a 4 string Bass, natural timber finish with a telecaster guitar shaped body, maple neck with R/W board and in mint condition.

I've never seen, touched, picked up or played such a bass . . . In fact I'd never even heard of the make Shine until about 15 minutes ago !

He says it appears to be reasonably well put together, says it has good (for budget) components and he reckons its got a nice action.

He's asked me if I think its worth buying as a starter bass ?. . . . .

As I have absolutely no knowledge of this brand at all, so I thought I'd seek the views of any of you who've tried one or own one ?

I never dabbled with starter gear, so don’t know anything about really budget bass gear to be honest . . I got a second hand jap fender Jazz Bass Special as my very first bass . . . However, there must be some starter brands that are believed to be better than others ? . . so if any of you give the Shine a thumbs down, it would be nice to know what you think would be a better starter brand.

I think he’s offered £100 for it . . I think ?



Any thoughts ?

Cheers

[quote name='Telebass' post='1259377' date='Jun 7 2011, 10:01 AM']I can never figure out why anyone finds any Precision neck too wide - it's the same, even at its widest, as a 6-string guitar...[/quote]

I just find the wider string spacing of a Precision less comfortable for playing than the closer string spacing found on a Jazz width neck.

Whilst I agree that a P neck is no wider than many 6 string guitar necks, the strings on a Jazz are closer together (maybe almost as close as the string spacings on a 6 string I guess) and I suppose that may be why some bass players say that Jazz necks are "faster" ? . . .

Ive got smallish hands and not particularly long fingers, so all other things being equal, I find playing fast difficult bass runs much easier on a fine Jazz neck than I would do on a fatter P neck.

Even when it comes to Jazz necks, they are not all the same and I much prefer the small finer shallow C shape ones to the fuller D shape ones. So as you can guess . . . wider P type necks are non starters for me out of choice. I like the fine shallow Jazz necks found on many MIJ models and I've always fancied trying a Geddy Lee as I expect I'd like that but never come across one to try yet ?

Its also true that I started playing Bass using a Jazz . . . it just felt right to me, right from the word go, so maybe now I'm just predisposed to like the feel of the shape that seemed to appeal to me in the first place.

The one argument that you dont hear quite so much about on these pages is the "Tone" argument ? . . In the 6 string guitar world there is a boat load of opinion suggesting, for example, that fat 50's style gibson necks give better "tone" than slim 60's gibson necks ? . . . . I've never been able to hear that difference in tone myself as I think there are so many other factors that have such a vastly bigger effect on tone ? . . but I guess every aspect of a guitar contributes a bit to its sound so maybe its relevant ? And I do know a couple of P players who swear blind that Jazzers lack the tone of a P because of their thinner necks ? . . . well . . . maybe ? . . but I cant hear it ! ! ! . . I would have thought it was mainly due to a different pickup in a different position ?

I think the Jazz Bass Specials look fine without scratch plates . . . . I think the Fretless Squier Jass Modified looks a bit odd without a scratch plate though ? . . . but maybe thats just because its still got the control plate on it ? . . if the control knobs were fitted direct into the body I think that would probably look fine too ?

IM Very HO of course !

Thanks for that . . . .

I don't feel so bad about exposing my ignorance now !

[quote name='mcnach' post='1257542' date='Jun 5 2011, 06:08 PM']For me, the single most important factor deciding whether I like a bass or not is the neck. Yes, I can play pretty much any out there, but some just feel right. It's a combination of width, profile shape, radius...[/quote]


Totally agree . . . . . I've always felt the neck dimensions and profile is by far the most important aspect of a bass (after all its not impossible to change the pickups on common popular makes of bass - but you can't do much in the way of aftermarket neck modifications ! !) . . . and yet, manufactures advertising on the net hardly ever bother to say anything about the neck ?

So, I rarely buy a bass without trying it for this very reason . . . . its probably one of the strongest arguments for supporting Guitar Shops and not just going for the cheapest internet price !

I think I've contributed to a thread on this subject before . . . and I seem to remember someone enlightening me about a fender system of different neck widths and profiles that used to exist to help players understand exactly what the neck would be like (A, B and C necks etc . . . can anyone elaborate on this ?) . . . . but dear old fender don't, as far as I know, do this any more apparently . . . and the others never ever did as far as I know . .

Well . . . . thats progress for yee ! ! ! !

Stratocaster body - really?

Matsumoku factory - I didn't think any Fenders were made there?

Anyone know the low down on these?
[/quote]



Dont know anything factual . . . . have just been looking at a couple of front on pictures of Lyte bodies and comparing them with my Strat sat about 5 feet away from me . . . .

You know its just possible that this story could be true . . . . I would say it may be possible that the body of the lyte could have been crafted from the same blank as a Strat body . . . beyond that they certainly are Not the same finished body shape . . . . . ?

Interesting story . . shall watch this thread with interest ?

[quote name='I am not excane' date='May 28 2011, 12:40 AM' post='1247797']
Now that I have acquired both of these basses (which are incredible) I took some photos of them together in the same light. I'm interested to see if this changes anyone's mind from the last thread I had.

[b]Which bass do you prefer in terms of looks?[/b]
(They are both identical except for the finish)

I prefer the quilt pattern/grain in the timber top on the Red one . . . . . . the quilt looks a little more pronounced ?

But I prefer the colour of the Blue/Green one . . . . .

Option paralysis wins . . . . . !

Where exactly does short scale end and long scale begin ? . . .

I mostly play fender Jazz's . . . but to be honest I expect there are a lot of people on the forum like me who arnt up to speed with "terminology" and wouldn't know if if a fender Jazz is a long scale or a short scale . . . I think it must be long scale but I'm not sure and wouldn't wanna have to bet my guitar collection on it ! ! ! ? . . . I guess this may be because I probably haven’t tried out that many different types of basses over the years ?

I look forward to being technically enlightened and lifted out of my ignorance ! !

[quote name='nottswarwick' post='1257523' date='Jun 5 2011, 05:46 PM']Hi

I've found the above bass used and local to me, but before I buy it, does anyone know how I can tell from the serial number that it is on fact a genuine vintage modified one and not just a boggo squire?[/quote]

Cant help you Im afraid - but a very good question you've posed ? . . . . . . I saw/played one of these in a shop a while ago and looked it over . . . . was struggling to tell what are the components on it that qualify it to be called "vintage modified" . . . . what exactly are the modified bits ? . . . . .

On the Jazz fretless I can sort of understand it . . . . er . . um . . . its got the scratchplate removed ! . . . . not exactly a mind blowing modification but something at least to qualify that model to have "modified" in its name ! . . . on the vintage Modified P Bass I couldn't work out what had been moified at all ?

Am I missing something here ? ?

By the way . . notwithstanding the above, that vintage Modified P Bass played very well . . . . squier certainly are turning out some good value for money basic instruments these days ?

As for your question . . . just try it out . . . and if you like it . . . and if it sounds good ? . . . feels good ? . . plays well ? . . . well maybe thats all that counts ? . . just buy it ?

[quote name='EssentialTension' post='1244947' date='May 25 2011, 11:02 PM']Sorry but, for me, wrong headstock and wrong pickup.[/quote]

Id go for one if it had the big Humbucker pickup . . . like on the early 70's reissues ! . . . . and a Tele headstock of course !

As it is . . . . . well . . . . . a bit underwhelming I think . . . . . not as exciting a project as it could/should have been to celebrate 60 years of a glorious instrument ! !

[quote name='Happy Jack' post='1257284' date='Jun 5 2011, 01:12 PM']Yup, I've used them on a couple of basses and it's not snake oil - they really do offer some serious tonal variety. Try to get the one with the [i]detentes[/i], i.e. the clicks as you move from tone to tone, since it's a lot easier to remember where a particularly good sound lies.

One thing to watch for is allowing ham-fisted friends to use a bass with a ToneStyler. If they twist the tone knob too enthusiastically, they can twist it half off the shaft ... not good.[/quote]

Thanks for the advice . . . . I will keep a look out for one . . . there appear to be several models on the web page . . not to sure which one is the Bass one ?

Also looked on ebaY but again cant deduce if there is anything for a bass guitar on there ?

Thanks again

Just watched an intersting Youtube clip by a guy who's upgraded the tone control on his P Bass Special with a Stellartone unit . . . I'm not at all sure how it works exactly but he's fitted it in alongside (rather than in place of) the stock tone control. About all I know about it is that its a passive tone pot that sits under the scratchplate ?

I just went on the website of the company that makes and sells these but they are currently sold out . . . indicating that demand must be exceeding supply ? . . . . maybe these are good ?

anyone have any experiance of this Stellartone upgrade ?

Cheers

Just found the following via a google search which looks like a fender spec sheet cut and paste for this model:-

Model Name: U.S. Prodigy Bass (Active Preamp)
Model Number: 014-4200 [color="red"]*see below[/color]
Series: U.S. Prodigy Series
Body: Poplar
Neck: Maple
Fingerboard: Rosewood
No. of Frets: 20
Scale Length: 34” (864 mm)
Width @ Nut: 1.625” (41 mm) [color="red"]*see below[/color]
Hardware: Chrome
Machine Heads: Standard
Bridge: Standard
Pickguard: 3-Ply Black
Pickups: 1 Standard Precision Bass Pickup (Mid), 1 Standard Jazz Bass Pickup (Bridge)
Pickup Switching: Pan Pot
Controls: Master Volume/Pan Pot, Treble Boost/Cut Bass Boost/Cut
Colors: (702) Lake Placid Blue,
(706) Black,
(725) Crimson Red Metallic,
(780) Arctic White (Polyurethane Finish)
Strings: Dynamaxx 1200L
Unique Features: Active Preamp
Source: U.S. [color="red"]*see below[/color]
Accessories: Case, Strap, Cable
U.S. MSRP: $599.99 in 1991, $649.99 in 1993
Specs: Prices and Specifications Subject to Change Without Notice
INTRODUCED: 1991
DISCONTINUED: 1993

[color="red"]*[/color] Couple of things to note . . . . This spec sheet says the nut width is 1.625" (41mm) . . . well my example definitely has a 1.5" (38mm) nut which is clearly original the neck hasnt had any work done on it at all.

014 in the model code ? . . . I know 013 designates USA manufactured instruments, but am not sure about 014 ? . . has anyone posted up a data sheet on basschat identifying which code numbers relate to which country of origin/manufacture for fenders ?

Interesting to note that the spec data says "Source: US" . . doesn’t say made in the US. So I think that backs up the rumour and Flat Eric's comment that they were assembled and finished in the USA from components, some of which (ie the body for sure I've read) were manufactured in Mexico. I think fender did that with several models in the 90's, maybe thats what the 014 in the model code is telling us ?

Well . . . that’s the latest info I've found . . . any more pearls of wisdom on these very much appreciated.

Would be particularly nice to know if they were used by any notable players and any such pics would be interesting ?

Have to say it’s a really comfortable and playable bass. Very easy to play and most Jazz bass players would find the neck ok I think. . . . a bit Geddy Lee I would describe it as, ie slim and fast . . . as for Styling ! . . well I guess it is what it is from a styling point of view, I quite like it but I can see why it wouldn't have caught on with traditionalists when it came out in the 90's cus it does look a bit like a bass version of a super strat so to speak ! !

Tone wise I've just been playing it (quietly to only moderately loud) through my SWR500/Demeter 2x12 rig (so no really loud playing analysis here) and first impression is that its slightly brighter than ether my Power Jazz Bass Special or my Mex Fender Active P Bass Special, which are the two guitars I’ve A/B'd it against. I think there is a lot of mid range in the pre amp balance . . . the bottom end is there ok but you’ve got to experiment and dial it in as its quite bright if you set all the controls to their mid/neutral position, and, if as many of us do we start with all the knobs cranked to ten, then yea it is a very bright sound you start with, but it stays nice as you roll the top/mid off to expose a bit more of the bottom end which is there ok.

Nice bass . . . dont see many of them about . . . so for me this one's a keeper for thre time being !

[quote name='gjones' post='1256425' date='Jun 4 2011, 01:10 PM']All I can find in my Fender book is an active Precision Bass Plus which looks similiar to yours has the same font on the headstock and was manufactured in the early 90's along with a Jazz Bass Plus. Sorry I can't help you more.[/quote]

Thanks for that gjones, I remember the Precision Bass Plus being mentioned in one of the few bits of info I have been able to trawl up from Google relating to the Prodigy Bass. I've spotted a Prodigy Bass for sale on USA ebaY but its got a pick guard and three control knobs so Im not even sure that it's the same model as mine ?

Anyway hope its worth bumping this up just the once in the hope that it catches the eye of someone who may be knowledgable on these ?

Cheers,

[quote name='Sibob' post='1256532' date='Jun 4 2011, 03:07 PM']I had a Precision with a Jazz neck a while ago.....didn't get on with it.....something just wasn't quite right.
I love my Jazz's neck, I love my Precision's neck.....but mix them and it doesn't gel with me for some reason...odd

Si[/quote]

Its all down to personal preference isnt it ?

I love my J/P mongrel as listed below . . . .

what exactly is the model of this Precision with a slim C neck . . . at the moment I wouldn't know what to look out for . . . is it a specific model ?

[quote name='jonthebass' post='1256542' date='Jun 4 2011, 03:21 PM']Did you actually measure it with a ruler in the shop or are you basing it just on feel?

Cheers,
Jon[/quote]

What I did do was get a piece of paper and mark the nut width on that . . . then, when I got home, I compaired those markings with the nuts on my Jazz Bass Special's . . . the nut was wider almost 1/4" wider.

As I say . . . I was very surprised . . . . . I wonder if Duffs originals were mongrels with precision necks ? . . . . . If they were, then that would make this model dimensionally correct as a Duff Signature bass ? ?

I’m seriously keen on MIJ Jazz Bass Specials. As you can see from my signature list below I have both a Jazz Bass Special and a Power Jazz Bass Special – they are great instruments - and I have been led to understand that these were the very models that Duff McKagan always favoured ? . . . . but I could be wrong ?

So it was with some interest that I found a Duff McKagan Signature P Bass in my local Guitar shop and I asked to try it out ! . . . . .

Was I surprised or what ! ! ! . . . . I would say that the defining feature of an 80's Jazz Bass Special or Power Jazz Bass Special is the coupling of a precision style body & pickup with a super slim Jazz profile neck . . . so I was really expecting the Duff McKagan Signature model to feel similar to my MIJ originals ? . . . . Couldn’t have been further from the reality of the experience . . . . the current Duff McKagan Signature Model has got a PRECISION style neck on it ! ! ! ! ! . . . definitely not 1.5” at the nut – I would say the neck felt almost Identical to the neck on my Highway One Precision.

I looked on the spec sheet on the Fender Website when I got home and it clearly states Jazz Neck 1.5” at the nut. I also phoned Fender UK and they swore blind the model is fitted with a Jazz neck . . . . . .

Well folks it aint . . . . its got a precision neck and neck profile - and to handle it feels absolutely nothing like an original 80’s Jazz Bass Special.

What an unexpected surprise ! . . . .

I love mine . . . . a real "looker" . . and it sounds every bit as good as it looks.

most of all I love the neck shape and profile . . . . I guess they only really appeal to the Jazz Bass fraternaty . . . . the neck probably wouldn't be first choice for a precision player ?

Anyone know for a good website that clearly details the various models and evolution of Ricky bass guitars ?

I'd love to own a Rickenbacker Bass and recently tried out a brand new mapleglo Rickenbacker 4001 C64 ? ? ? I thimk it was . . . . I liked it but decided to do a bit more research and maybe look out for something second hand and hopefully a bit cheaper ?

Troiuble was - I got completely confused by the different model numbers ie "C63's" . . "C64's" . . then I think there were some that were "V's" something or other ? . . . and all in all I didnt have a clue which were which, and what, if any, were the differences between these various models ? . . . .

So now I've sort of given up looking out for one mainly due to my confusion as to what is what ?

Hi,

Ive just picked up a Fender Prodigy Bass . . . from the serial number it looks like it was made in 1991, so about 20 years old.

Id say its in almost Mint condition, no fret wear whatsoever, and no marks or dings other than an almost invisible hairline crack in the finish under the E string and a tiny, less than a pea sized, 1mm depresion in the back of the headstock, which again is almost un-noticable.

Ive looked on the internet and there's lots of info on the 6 string Prodigy, which was a sort of 90's "super Strat" guitar. But hardly any info on this Prodigy Bass model, which, in a similar vein I would describe as a sort of "super Jazz" . . if you get what I mean ?

The bass has a slab style slightly cut down Jazz Shape body with just a simple front contour, super slim fast Jazz style neck (which I love and is why I bought it). It has a slightly narrow looking Jazz style headstock. The logo on the headstock says "Made in USA". It has active electronics with dual concentric controls. See picture attached.

Anyway, I cant seem to find anything out about this model at all, so if any of you fender bass guru's out there could enlighten me about this bass or offer any info about the background to this model and how its now considered in terms of value and collectability then I'd be very interested to hear ? ? ?

Also would be interesting to know what the original fender model code was for this bass . . . that might help me google more info on it ? ?

[attachment=81727:Prodigy.jpg]

Hi there,

I just got tangled up in a discussion trying to decide what make/model of bass John Taylor was playing on the Duran Duran gig on TV last night ?

Would be really grateful if anyone out there who saw the TV gig could confirm what exact bass he was using ?

thanks

[quote name='The Bass Doc' post='1162965' date='Mar 15 2011, 12:30 PM']I may remind you of this at regular intervals during the coming months/years.

Posting the packet off today....knobs to you.[/quote]

Knobs safely arrived.

V M T's . . .

Cheers,