Grand Wazoo

[quote name='cameltoe' post='780023' date='Mar 19 2010, 05:15 PM']I almost bought the '51 reissue last year, can't think why I didn't in the end, as I love the telebass look. Between the '51 and the '60's I'd be very torn- the '51 does have the maple neck!

I'm trying to establish whether these are actually better pieces of kit than the Mexican's full stop. I know better is subjective! My mexican does everything I need it to do, but it doesn't look as cool as either of the squiers. If they're better, than it's a no-brainer for me![/quote]

I am sure you would have seen this video already, if not, check it out, it's a shootout between the 3 Classic Vibe basses and their Fender counterparts, by none other than the great Ed Friedland

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6Cd98DH__U"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6Cd98DH__U[/url]

[quote name='cameltoe' post='780023' date='Mar 19 2010, 05:15 PM']I almost bought the '51 reissue last year, can't think why I didn't in the end, as I love the telebass look. Between the '51 and the '60's I'd be very torn- the '51 does have the maple neck!

I'm trying to establish whether these are actually better pieces of kit than the Mexican's full stop. I know better is subjective! My mexican does everything I need it to do, but it doesn't look as cool as either of the squiers. If they're better, than it's a no-brainer for me![/quote]

Where money was (a Pink Floyd song) and no object to me I tried both the Jap 51 reissue and the Sting version (I am sure the Sting one is also not made in USA) and believe it or not I liked the Squier better!

[quote name='Mog' post='779918' date='Mar 19 2010, 03:46 PM']Is that a badass bridge bass5? Been tempted by 51 recently. Stunning model.[/quote]

It's not a BADASS but its a High Mass bridge as used in the new American Standard and its' quite a good piece of kit

Speaking from personal experience, I have liked them so much I've bought all 3 of them and I must say each of them are spot on in recreating the bass that they are aiming to mimick.

The Jazz in particular strikes me as the most accurate in terms of sounding like the Fender 60's model. But as I keep saying the one that has definately won me over and that I just can't put down is the '51 Precision in Lake Placid as per my avatar. Whatever you buy will be ok but take my word and try the '51 before so you don't miss the chance to hear and feel how cool it is to play.

I am very very happy with the way the bass plays, let alone how I have made it to look, that was just to create a tease on a non expensive bass, but I can honestly tell you guys, I am in heaven with these Squier Classic Vibe's they really are good and can stand up to the more expensive basses in my collection (listed below)

I absolutely love the softness and deep clarity and touch of the '51 Precision, [b]that is definately [/b]my favourite, while at the same time, I love in equal ways this Jazz and the 60's Precision in Fiesta Red.

I am now counting 8 lovely basses in my collection and one on the way in a few months (EB MusicMan Big Al 5 SSS)

1. PRS Bass 4 1988 - Seafoam Green
2. PRS Bass 5 1998 - Royal Blue Quilted Maple
3. Ernie Ball MusicMan Stingray 5 2000 - Translucent Red
4. Ernie Ball MusicMan Bongo 5 2003 - Sapphire Black
5. Ernie Ball MusicMan 25th Anniversary 5 2009 - Venetian Red Burst
6. Squier Classic Vibe '51 Precision Lake Placid Blue
7. Squier Classic Vibe '60 Jazz - Olympic White / Moo Moo
8. Squier Classic Vibe '60 Precision Fiesta Red but Salmon Pink, me think
and soon
9. Ernie Ball MusicMan Big Al 5 - SSS Candy Apple Red

[quote name='EssentialTension' post='779218' date='Mar 18 2010, 10:14 PM']What happened to the udder pickups?[/quote]

The spray paint was crap, didn't stick well and kept rubbing off when playing, I need to find a stronger paint that has to be brushed in properly without bubbling... we'll see

[size=5][b]THE FINISHED PRODUCT[/b][/size]

I have decided not to use the pink pickup cover until I find the correct colour and one that will match the knobs as the two paints are not matching, I couldn't use spray paint on the knobs as it dripped off them for some reason. But I am happy with this, sorry it's a lot of pics

if its in good condish you can get £750-£800, sad but true. Value reflects demand and doesn't seem to be much demand for them. I had one and took me ages to shift it. Nice bass though, only someone who appreciates it would want to buy, say..... a Jazz or John Patitucci afficionado.

....... and FINALLY the pickguard arrived today!





When I get home tonight I'l post the pics of the finished product, I haven't sprayed the knobs yet as they need a different paint which needs to be brushed in with a little brush, the spray can stuff didn't stick well and just dripped off the specimen pot I had.

Excellent news. I am glad we've got to the bottom of this.

[quote name='bh2' post='777938' date='Mar 17 2010, 08:21 PM']I would certainly swap out the machines for some vintage ones, they fit... these on a CV 60s P...



Aren't they luvly![/quote]

they are but did you have to re-drill holes and how much for a set and where from?

Thanks for your reply

[quote name='EssentialTension' post='777909' date='Mar 17 2010, 07:58 PM']It's looking good (but I even liked the tort guard).

Interesting to see how the colour of the red changes with the different guards.

Does the serial number start 'CGRI' - which would mean it was made in the same factory as the earlier ones - or so I believe[/quote]

No the serial number is CGS0918859
whereas my lake placid blue 50's precison has CGRH08000517 and the Jazz one has CGS0913566

I don't see any difference in quality or loss of quality between the 3 they are all perfect except the crappy wiring and pickups which I have changed to all 3. They could be further improved with some original machineheads but it will prove a difficult task in finding somethat fit because if you compare them to a real Fender ones these are smaller and and the holes don't match and I am not about to butcher it by tapping holes and drilling other, they keep in tune but they are only a bit rough when you turn them, you don't feel that quality feel of the original tuning pegs. But... I can certainly live with that as it doesn't affect the sound nor the look. It's a cheap bass after all and changing too many bits would defeat the object.

[quote name='Alfie' post='777842' date='Mar 17 2010, 07:19 PM']Looks really good. Where did you find such a well fitting pickguard from?[/quote]

on eBay here: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170455342783&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...e=STRK:MEWNX:IT[/url]

Right... as I had mentioned before I was looking for a nice white or pearl white pickguard to replace that very ghastly mock tortoise that the bass came with and here below are the before / after pics.

What do you reckon?

Well yes and no: in british pound the Big Al costed me £142 more but if you read below you'll see why

The price for the 25th here was a lot more expensive so, I didn't buy it in UK but directly in the US, had it delivered to one of my offices in New York, then got a "collegue" who travels frequently between New York and London to smuggle it over as hs own bass... hush hush.

The retaill price here in UK for the 25th was far out of my reach, something around £2750, but buying it in the states I saved just under £1300 hence the 25th costed me £1450
Paid in USD $2,310.00
££ Equivalent £1,456.76
R.O.E. $/£ 0.63
UK Price was £2,750.00
Saving total £1,293.24

For the Big Al I had to buy it here as I couldn't possibly ask "my friend in US" for a similar favour, that was a once in a lifetime favour, so I have shopped around the major Bass stores here in UK and The Bass Gallery in Camdem won by offering me the best quote = £1599.

[quote name='EdwardHimself' post='777472' date='Mar 17 2010, 02:49 PM']dunno if i've seen a 5 string big al bass before.[/quote]


You couldn't have seen one in 5 strings as yet, because they have just been launched at Winter Namm 2010 and the UK distributors Strings & Things confirmed that mine is officially the first order they have received since they were launched, hence the long waiting list.

Oh here is a pic of it:

[quote name='throwoff' post='776923' date='Mar 17 2010, 07:30 AM']

+1 on the purchase buddy, personally I think the Big Al is bonkers. Im still struggleing to get over the fact it's name is that same as that Allasaurus from Walking with Dinosaurs!

Not at all my cup of tea but I find myself gradually GASing for one![/quote]

When I first tried one at LIMS last year it took me sometime to recover from the shock, believe me, this is like no bass you've ever heard or played, the only way I can descrive this, it is very much like a Jazz bass on steroids, and may I dare say kinda like a cross between a bass and a Stratocaster guitar - switching wise!! I don't mean that it sounds like a twangy geetar, however the switching possibilities it offer are huge you have an 18 volts preamp, with bass / low mids / high mids and treble, 3 pickups all with on-off switches and all switchable between passive and active, that should give you a mere total of.... 18 combinations, 8 active, 8 passive, 2 in series! Hey that's a lot of sounds to experience with.

[quote name='Johnston' post='776653' date='Mar 16 2010, 08:18 PM']Only the ones I have GAS envy of

I console myself knowing that none of my local places will ever have such an item therefore I know I will hate the neck if I ever did get to try one [size=2]Who am I kidding[/size]

p.s. on the off chance you receive delivery of your new bass but need to hide it from the taxman I have a spare room where it would find company and a safe haven .[/quote]

Sod the taxman, at sea he'll never find me, it's the gf I should be worrying about.

To me just looking at the shape of it cracks me up, reminds me of what the Jetson would play

[quote name='Johnston' post='776590' date='Mar 16 2010, 06:59 PM']YOU SWINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

thats the one bass I would break the 1k mark for at the minute !!!!!![/quote]

You charmer, I bet you tell that to all the guys.

I have just ordered my next bass, an Ernie Ball Music Man BIG AL 5 SSS (3 single coils) in Candy Apple Red, maple fingerboard, non matching headstock and white scratch plate.

Looks something like this but in 5 strings:



Here's the receipt for the deposit paid... the bad news is the waiting time: 20 weeks!! TWENTY FLIPPING WEEKS!! zzzzZZZzzz.... it'll be worth it though.



[size=5][b]Check it out [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88JxJTz7pr0"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88JxJTz7pr0[/url][/b][/size]

Sunday should be ok as long as I am not at sea delayed by heavy storm, adverse wind & currents etc.

Please can someone confirm what are we to carry, just basses or gear too (amp/fx's etc) ?

Thanks

Interesting review here:

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzal2VXmpQ4"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzal2VXmpQ4[/url]

[quote name='Linus27' post='774919' date='Mar 15 2010, 08:19 AM']No way, that is so bad :(:( I also put Barts in mine. Really gutted for you. Also, never knew they did matching headstocks. Where did you buy you're one from?[/quote]

I bought it 2nd hand from Chandler Guitars in Richmond it was a customer's sale or return, not something Chandler would have in stock normally