dlloyd

[quote name='Hutton' post='864193' date='Jun 11 2010, 11:46 AM']Sorry, can't agree. To say that the Japanese basses were 'literally' better than the MIA is product is quite a claim. If you are referring to the mid-eighties product I especially don't agree. After Fender recovered from the CBS period they started producing a very good American product once again. The prices of the first reissue basses from this period bears it out. They were and are quality instruments. I have an American standard precision from 1983 which is a superb bass. I would not part with it for a JV series bass. I can remember reading somewhere that at this period in their history Fender had to rely on Japan to produce instruments as they couldn't produce enough instruments in America after what had been a bad time for the company. I personally think that a lot of folklore has grown up around the JV series stuff. Yes they can be good basses but I certainly don't think you can claim that they were 'literally' better than the American product.[/quote] They started producing in Japan at the same time that they halted production in the US to modernise the factory. This is a great read... [url="http://www.vintageguitar.com/features/brands/details.asp?AID=1195"]http://www.vintageguitar.com/features/bran...ls.asp?AID=1195[/url]

[quote name='99ster' post='863816' date='Jun 10 2010, 10:53 PM']Oh dear, oh dear...he's not doing himself any favours by BS'ing like that.[/quote] Is he confused by the anodised pickguard on the earlier Precisions?

[quote name='Ou7shined' post='864164' date='Jun 11 2010, 11:09 AM']They were actually available with a choice of J or P width necks as well as maple or rw although the choice was limited by date.[/quote] Stingrays were as well... very difficult to find though, most went for the standard profile (P)... maybe those who'd want a J profile neck would be more likely to go for the additional options of the Sabre. [quote]From what I read this seems to be the most contentious point with Sabres. The prices they command are based more upon desirability, rarity, pedigree and good looks rather than a great tone.[/quote] I'm surprised that they would command a price premium. A few years back, nobody wanted them and they were cheaper than Stingrays (pre-EB, even more so).

[quote name='Ou7shined' post='864145' date='Jun 11 2010, 10:55 AM']Sweet. I prefer the grain on the other one though. I wonder what wood it is? They are obviously very different.[/quote] I'd say they're both ash... just different trees.

[quote name='dlloyd' post='843180' date='May 20 2010, 03:05 PM']I would hold my horses for the moment and wait for some economic recovery.[/quote] Or indeed for the Japanese economy to crash... [url="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/10290933.stm"]http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/10290933.stm[/url]

Use the correct screwdriver (of course). If the screws feel particularly tight on the way out, you might want to put a smidgen of vaseline on them before you put them back... otherwise you might find they get stuck half way in.

[quote name='Ou7shined' post='864123' date='Jun 11 2010, 10:35 AM']That bottom one is gorgeous - just needs some frets and p/g screws. [/quote] Maybe also a clear pickguard like this one:

There were a couple of changes through the Sabre's lifetime. Early ones had exposed pole pieces on the pickups, but later ones were covered and had a 3 way switch instead of the toggles. The later ones also adopted the stingray bridge of the time:

[quote name='Ou7shined' post='863815' date='Jun 10 2010, 10:53 PM']Hi Paul. Sounds like you might be getting the best bit - Sabre necks were notoriously wonky. Nip over to the [url="http://www.ernieball.com/forums/music-man-basses/"]EB forums[/url] and you'll pick up most of what you need to know. They are rare and good ones are very sought after.... and I'm jealous already. [/quote] Not to be argumentative, but Sabre necks are no more or less wonky than Stingray necks of the same period (the only difference is the decal).

[quote name='RussFM' post='863817' date='Jun 10 2010, 10:53 PM']Looks lovely until you see the back, then it looks half-finished! Wasn't this one something like £25,000? [/quote] At that price, you're straying into Zemaitis territory... [url="http://www.maverick-music.com/scripts/vintage-guitars.asp?idproduct=1859"]http://www.maverick-music.com/scripts/vint...?idproduct=1859[/url] That's an investment piece.

[quote name='bubinga5' post='863775' date='Jun 10 2010, 10:08 PM']does that mean it belongs to someone famous, and being sold on behalf[/quote] No, probably a bank manager. It's their custom shop basically... Exotic AAAAA grade woods, posh inlays, etc. People buy them because they're expensive.

[quote name='bubinga5' post='863771' date='Jun 10 2010, 10:03 PM'] & grand!!!!??? [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/prs_gary_grainger_private_stock.htm"]http://www.thomann.de/gb/prs_gary_grainger_private_stock.htm[/url][/quote] It's a Private Stock. Check this one (guitar) out.. [url="http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/86867"]http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/86867[/url]

[quote name='danny-79' post='863622' date='Jun 10 2010, 07:18 PM']Thanks all for replies, makes sense now. (kind of) so with the tap tempo foot switch, would that mean i could change the delay rate/time as an when needed ? , like by remote kind of thing ?[/quote] Yep, and have it perfectly in sync with the music, even if you have an excitable drummer. Just tap your foot on the switch to the beat and repeat when the music tempo changes.

I used to use a Boss DD-5 with an external tap tempo. Loved it. A boss FS-5U would do the trick.

[quote name='7string' post='860539' date='Jun 7 2010, 11:32 PM']Put the bass on it's side and run a file horizontally up the side of the neck. Alternatively, with the bass laying on a table use a narrow file and go down from the fret towards the floor. It sounds a bit daunting but with a bit of care it can be done.[/quote] Yep, that's the approach I think I need to take. My original assessment was maybe partially correct, but examining the neck more closely, it's clear the frets just haven't been finished as well as they could have been. The edges of the fret crowns are sharp and need dressed slightly. I was going to go and buy a cheap file from B&Q, but I'm tempted by this: [url="http://www.stewmac.com/shopby/product/1175"]http://www.stewmac.com/shopby/product/1175[/url] But then, I'm also tempted to go the whole hog and get one of these sets: [url="http://www.stewmac.com/shopby/product/5345"]http://www.stewmac.com/shopby/product/5345[/url] ...maybe also get some fretwire to do up a couple of old (cheap) guitars. I've been doing my own setups for the last 10 years or so... might as well take the next step.

[quote name='Dubs' post='862148' date='Jun 9 2010, 02:50 PM']Because, IMHO, you cannot beat the real thing. If you have the chance to use a Fender Twin with a couple of nice 414s, why would you model it? With bass it's a bit different, but with guitar I'd always try and use the real thing.[/quote] I ditched my Twin because it was heavy and unreliable, and went for one of the Fender/Boss modelling pedals... you couldn't tell the difference on tape.

[quote name='Faithless' post='862134' date='Jun 9 2010, 02:40 PM']Ideas can be original, but, so should it be with the sound of musician, shouldn't it? [/quote] Do horn players search for a unique sound to avoid sounding like Charlie Parker? Even jazz guitarists tend to stick to a limited number of sounds... archtop, neck pup, flats, tone down, clean amp. They don't attract a great deal of criticism for going for the Wes Montgomery, etc. sound. Why should electric bassists be different?

[quote name='benthos' post='859742' date='Jun 7 2010, 12:27 PM']Glad someone said what I was thinking, Bilbo. I have no doubt that the playing is technically competent and is probably intellectually stimulating for those who have a much deeper understanding of theory than I do, but I'm failing to make any sort of emotional connection beyond an urge to turn it off.[/quote] The Youtube video posted above, or the album Bilbo mentioned? I don't think it takes a deep understanding of theory (or indeed any understanding) to enjoy it... but it probably would take ears that are used to listening to this sort of music. The notion that a listener needs to be intellectually/educationally equipped to find "sophisticated" music intellectually stimulating is unfortunate... but then the music often attracts people who find this view appealling. It makes them feel intellectually superior over those who don't "understand" it. I haven't a damned clue what Lindley Marthe is doing in the clip above, but I enjoyed it... sure it sounds a lot like Jaco's playing in Weather Report, but I wonder how much of that is due to Zawinul's direction.

[quote name='dub_junkie' post='861130' date='Jun 8 2010, 03:50 PM']I still want one and would go for a Tribute if they did it in sunburst/rosewood,a bit like the USA below. The only options on the Tributes are natural/rosewood and sunburst/maple[/quote] You could buy one of each and swap the necks...

[quote name='BigRedX' post='860953' date='Jun 8 2010, 01:20 PM']The bass in the OP has a whole host of fantastic photos to show off that it's in close to pristine condition, and [b]apart from my concerns about the apparent height of the action [/b]and the fact that from a collectors PoV it should really have the original Ovation case rather than the Hiscox case that's supplied the price isn't too far removed what a fairly rare and desirable bass in the is condition is worth.[/quote] That's one thing you wouldn't have to worry about buying from Jimmy Moon. Here's a clip about his shop:

[quote name='BigRedX' post='860953' date='Jun 8 2010, 01:20 PM']Moon guitars on the other hand obviously aren't trying to sell as hard. They're probably for the most part happy with the trade they get actually coming into the shop and their on-line presence is very much an after-thought.[/quote] I think the shop as a whole is an afterthought, providing the premises from where he builds his guitars.

Just looking at the ebay auction again... what do people think about the action on that bass?

[quote name='waynepunkdude' post='853080' date='May 31 2010, 10:44 PM']Right masking tape is off there has been a little bleed but nothing that can't be cut in, also in this pic it looks like the paint has bubbled it hasn't it's just a trick of the light but I could only take one picture as the battery ran out. [/quote] A trick that might prevent the bleed through is to spray with the base colour again after you've taped it... that should seal the edge and any bleed through will be the right colour... or am I missing something?

Hey, I was just throwing it out there as a favour. They're an excellent shop, even if you find their html programming wanting... [quote]last update -17/05/10[/quote]

[quote name='The inglourious bass turd' post='857002' date='Jun 4 2010, 11:15 AM']Cheers Eric - fancy the look and sound of it but really don't want to pay the cost of 2 Fender Jazz for a 30 year old bass with impossible to source parts! Might go a grand for the 'unusual' factor though.....[/quote] Here's one for £550... [url="http://www.moonguitars.co.uk/moonhome.html"]http://www.moonguitars.co.uk/moonhome.html[/url]