Muzz

[quote name='Alfie' timestamp='1323166764' post='1459905'] When I was a teenager beginning to play I really wanted a Rickenbacker, but I couldn't afford one, I still can't. But that was my dream bass. [/quote] Funny things, dreams - my first 'proper' bass was a 4001 I got for my 18th. Loved it at the time, but with hindsight it wasn't a great bass, and I can't be doing with them now... Still, if you're young, get what makes you feel good if you can afford it. Sensible is for later in life... To the OP, I'd say - what do you want to see yourself holding when you look in the mirror? Get that one - with your budget, you'll be pushed to buy a 'bad' bass. Secondhand will save you money, though...

+1 for Wizards, I use the Big pair (Thumper and 84) in two completely seperately basses and they're great in both. Very reasonably priced, too. P/Js sound like P/Js, rather than Jazzes - I like to think of it as a classic P with the option of adding another pickup into the mix (however you find it sounds, it's certainly different). The 84 is one of the few J pickups I can use soloed - it's got so much presence. For another slightly odd option, I've got a pull-pot wired to put them in series, too - not the most subtle tone, but useful in a live situation for a mid-boost.

I used a Korean one as the basis of my Fenderbird, and it was pretty good, and they're the best of the Epis - I'm still using the pickups, although in the longer run I'll be replacing them with Nordies. Side by side with a Gibson, it's immediately apparent (apart from the obvious bolt-on neck) which is the better quality bass, but then it should be. The Gibson still uses that three-point bridge, though.

[quote name='visog' timestamp='1323112662' post='1459493'] [color=#2A2A2A][font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=3][size=5][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Another view to sling on the pile... points about how well you play independent of bass value duly noted.[/font][/size][/size][/font][/color] [color=#2A2A2A][font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=3]Written from experience of buying new and used in each price range except last. My view of playability which is correctly intonated, low action and low to medium tension. (I know strings affect this a great deal.) Excludes vagaries of fashion (Wal anyone?), unfortunate exchange rates (how much for that Ibanez!?), E-bay chancers with yet another Rick, etc.[/size][/font][/color] [color=#2A2A2A][font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=3]Up to £100 – Rudimentary instrument/toy/wreck (sorry ‘project’), pure luck, occasional bargain, difficult to tune, stay in tune, play in tune[/size][/font][/color] [color=#2A2A2A][font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=3]£100 to £250 – Basic entry level instrument, things have improved in this band over the years but still highly inconsistent, perhaps one usuable tone if you’re lucky, could have decent playability but may still have serious production flaws limiting a good set-up. Should intonate up to the 12th fret at least.[/size][/font][/color] [color=#2A2A2A][font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=3]£250 to £500 – Student/amateur level. Gains in playability and tone, finish and woods improving too. Can find the odd great instrument in this band. And complete dogs too.[/size][/font][/color] [color=#2A2A2A][font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=3]£500 to £1,000 – Should have a good range of usable tones, good playability. Semi-professional grade. Should be highly adjustable to most playing styles. Good standard of fit and finish. consistency (still check – some Fenders in this range come with almost unusable set-ups out of the box, badly cut nut slots, etc)[/size][/font][/color] [color=#2A2A2A][font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=3]£1,000 to £2,000 – Professional. Gains in tone, range and exotic finishes/woods, etc. Playability no longer an issue for most people & situations. In tune and intonated all over the neck. Studio quality tone and signal. High standard of fit and finish.[/size][/font][/color] [color=#2A2A2A][font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=3]£2,000 - £5,000 – UK/EU custom band or top of the range US factory-mades – whatever you want to a very high standard – either yours or someone else’s name on it[/size][/font][/color] [color=#2A2A2A][font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][size=3]£5,000 plus – US custom/hand-made band/fashion market quirks/collectables – fit, finish, tone and playability improvements purely subjective. Note some quirky designs and vintage instruments in this bracket can be back in the lower bands in terms of finish, playability and signal quality but hopefully they’ll make up for it with some sort of mojo.(Note: Opinion only – no experience of buying or playing instruments from this range!...)[/size][/font][/color] [/quote] Don't agree, especially with the lower end comments and 'one usable tone if you're lucky'. What? Sounds well out of date to me, given the improvements Far Eastern standards of the last few years.

Now, I don't like Jazzes, I don't like Cherryburst, and I'm not even keen on blocks, but I LOVE that. Wow. Tell me it weighs a ton (my old 78 weighed 11lb 12oz) and I can relax and stop GASing...

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1322848145' post='1456697'] I like my warwick. want to put new pickups in it I think. What will as streamer stage 1 sound like with nordies? [/quote] If my experience is anything to go by, it'll sound very much like whichever Nordies you put in it. The Fortress couldn't be a more different bass* than the P/J I've got but now you'd be hard pushed to tell them apart through an amp. * With due deference to BigRedX, who's our resident expert on Really Different Basses

I love my Fortress now it's got the Wizard Big P/J set in. Sounds just like a Fender.

I had a LMIII for a good while, but found I was using a Sansamp permanently to get the tubey sound I was after, so in the search for simplicity I tried the Tube 500 and the Rocker, neither of which I got on with (Tube too subtle, Rocker too fizzy), so then I went through the others like the Shuttle (again, too harsh/fizzy for me), the PF500 and Bass Terror, and ended up with a TC Classic, then the RH450. I use a Schroeder cab, and it works for my sound really well - lots of low mids and some nice tube saturation. Plus all the bells and whistles are good to have - I have the simplest stage setup: amp, cab, bass. Tuner's built-in, compressor's built-in, three presets built-in - I'm not a fan of pedals. I'd like to try a Streamliner, but that's just inquisitiveness - I've no real desire to change what's a winning formula for me. I should add that every amp on the list above was more than loud enough (with decent cabs) for my rock band.

I said it nine months ago and I'll say it again ( ) - this is why I couldn't stand a custom build...I'm too old...

[quote name='Grand Wazoo' timestamp='1322634704' post='1453704'] These? [IMG]http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r200/xt660/Tbird.jpg[/IMG] [/quote] Oh my Lord - this might be just what I've been looking for for a long time now. A four string version of the top one in a nice wood with two pups. Blimey.

Yup, I'd agree with Bob - I've had an Ampeg fridge, and while it looks very manly, it's the most impractical cab in the world (with the possible exception of the Peavey 18" I had once which was the size, shape and weight of a washing machine). Elderly wimp I am, I've only got one Schroeder 1515L, but it's plenty, plenty loud enough for my drummer, and let's be honest, it's only him you need to keep up with on the volume front. Everything else is about monitoring. On the other hand, if you're GASing for a fridge and it's a bargain, go for it and get it out of your system. I'm guessing about halfway down the first flight of stairs will be when it starts to lose its thrill. Unless, of course, you have roadies, in which case buy four...

[quote name='Panamonte' timestamp='1322400232' post='1450310'] In the words of Rod, you wear it well [/quote] Why thank you. I cured the neck dive on mine completely with Hipshot Ultralites, a Hipshot Supertone, and shifting the strap button. Not an option on that gorgeous 76, obviously, but it works elsewhere. Now all I need are some chrome pickup covers and rings, and I'm done.

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1322505913' post='1451789'] I'm hoping for a return of the "Original" design. [/quote] Oh Gawd yeah...

I enjoy my best bass more than the others, too. My best bass is the second cheapest I've had in twenty years. The Shukers, Rick, Overwater and Goodfellow came and went, as did the Ray, the US Ps and Js, the 70s J, and the NT $$. All well made, some very very well made, but my two faves are frankenbuilds which really really suit me. I'm glad I owned the higher end stuff ( and the standard stuff), it taught me what I like and what I don't, and the fact that, for me, it ain't all about pound signs.

<--------- Thunderbird? Live? Ok, it's Fenderbird, but it's still great.

[quote) [sub][font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][size=5]Hanging Around.Stranglers.JJ Burnel.Nuff said.[/size][/font][/sub] [/quote] This.

No Jean Jacques Burnel? Tsk tsk...

I love my modern rig every time I move it, which is every rehearsal and every gig. Loved the old SVT and 8x10, but wouldn't go back to it now. My modern rig cost less than my old one did back then, too, tho none of it was ever bought new. If I had to go back to a bigger rig, I'd get a 2nd hand Roland D-Bass combo and maybe the extension cab. Maximum bang per buck, with some modern refinement, too.

Yeah, I'd love to know what those Artec pups are like, and how big they are (they certainly look right), though chrome surrounds would finsh them off properly. Give Steve at PMT a ring - he's very good, and very reasonable. 0161 877 4962 Be aware though, that the control cavity isn't exactly deep if you're thinking of fitting a preamp.

If you check out my pic left, I've just built one. It's fantastic. The neck pocket needs opening out (I got a stunning job done on mine by Steve at PMT Mcr), and it'll still neck-dive with the Fender(sic) neck on, but I completely cured mine with Hipshot Ultralights (£50) and shifting the strap button. I also put a Hipshot Supertone bridge on (£60), but I didn't mind spending a bit on it. The bridge mounts via three huge sockets, so if you use a more generic bridge you'll still have those holes, plus the bridge is pretty high, so bear that in mind when you're doing the neck rout, or you may end up with your Gotoh (or whatever) on a block... I didn't think the stock bridge was too bad (apart from the pain in the arse of the saddle falling out when you change strings), but the hipshot is a definite improvement. The pickups are the major sticking point (don't fancy lashing out for the Mike Lull set just yet), although Seymour Duncan SSBs will fit, I believe. I'm considering Nordstrand Big Splits at the mo, but those will have to wait until after Xmas. The standard pups aren't too bad for now, tbh. The only down for mine is I started with a really cheap multi-dinged Korean Epi body, and now I wish I'd spent a bit more (I even had a look at that body of yours on EBay) and had a nicer one. I guess it's 'reliced', though... Edit: more pics of mine (before new bridge) here: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/155523-nbd-fenderbird-in-da-house/page__fromsearch__1"]http://basschat.co.uk/topic/155523-nbd-fenderbird-in-da-house/page__fromsearch__1[/url]

For me, it all depends on the bass: I went through allsorts of strings for my Fortress, and the Hartke's I got for £15 for three sets just suit it down to the ground. At the other extreme, the DRs on my FrankenPJ are the very best I've had. Didn't have enough cash for DRs for the Fenderbird, so that's got D'Addarios, and they're really good on that. Horses/courses.