gjones

Image is a powerful thing. I love the look of those slab sided 51 reissues but I bet they sound like pants with that little single coil pickup.When bassists go on Jools show they know it just wouldn't look cool with a blue metallic 5 string Ibanez around their neck (even though they may have recorded the album with it). So they get the old Fender from under the bed to satisfy their stylist.

I agree totally! MIJ is where it's at! I've got a 93, a 2000 and a 2006 and they are all fabulous. But it's a pity they can't make Fenders at Japanese prices and quality in the States. Because when you get down to it buying a MIJ Fender is like buying a Cadillac made in Tokyo.......it's just not right somehow. Even if it is better than the real thing.

The cheapest and the best sounding bass I have is my old Jap Squire Jazz. I'm playing a pub with no windows soon (yes one of those) and I'm afraid to take even that to the gig. By the way I love the way Ricks look...........hate the woolly sound. There must be replacement pickups that give you a better sound than the stock pickups.

Here you go this should help you make your mind up [url="http://www.bassemporium.com/newsletters/0609newsletter.html"]http://www.bassemporium.com/newsletters/0609newsletter.html[/url] I like hi beams as they are low tension strings and feel quite supple. I used to be a fan of rotos but I feel DRs are 100% better, giving more punch and clarity, they vastly improved the sound of my basses anyway. Well worth the price they charge.

Might be a good idea to shop around. I'm no expert but have read a few reviews and on some basses the B string can lack tension and flap around so you don't get a very tight sound when you play lower down Fenders seem to be one of the culprits.......apparently.

Collectors of these JV basses like them to be original. So I you want to do it up and sell it you won't get the kind of price collectors would pay for an all original JV. But if, after only paying £6, you replaced the missing parts with decent quality originals you'd certainly make a profit. By the way any Fender made in Japan at any time in the last 30 years is a tip top instrument. I should know, I have 3 of them - including a Squire.

At a pub gig in Aberdeen, the drummer, in my brother-in-law's band (my B in law is the singer and guitarist) hit the bass player over the head with his vintage 1975 Stratocaster and destroyed it beyond recognition (it didn't do much for the bass player either who ended up in hospital for the next six days). Now he plays a Squier when he plays dodgy venues or with psychopathic musicians.

After buying MattM's MM SUB last weekend I'm pretty GAS free as far as basses are concerned. I still would like a lightweight amp and cab so I don't need to lug around my great sounding but heavy Fender Bassman but I wouldn't classify that as GAS just common sense (and I don't lust after amps like I do basses they're just a necessary evil). I do fancy a J-retro for one of my Jazzes though, as I 've got quite a liking for active basses since the arrival of the Musicman. Edit - Oooops, I lied! I really fancy a double bass and am seriously thinking of selling my Fender Jazzes to finance one.

[quote name='mr.gritstoner' post='1237325' date='May 19 2011, 07:49 PM']hi guys, thanks to all your advice i have landed a bargain: ashdown mag 250 head. mag 4x 10 cab (250 w) mag 1x15 cab. (250w) cabs are the ones with the blue cones (apparently the best) 8 years old,decent condition, £300. what do you all reckon?[/quote] You can't go wrong with an old Ashdown. If it's lasted this long it's probably a goodun. Also probably made in the UK (the newer ones are made in China and not as reliable I've heard). I have one and I've abused it terribly and it's still going strong.

They forgot to plug him in.

Well I got my one here on Basschat 3 mths ago for £380 which is a very good price. I think £600 is too much. Around £450/£500 would be a good deal in my opinion. Oh, and they do still make them.

Well I got my one here on Basschat 3 mths ago for £380 which is a very good price. I think £600 is too much. Around £450/£500 would be a good deal in my opinion. Oh, and they do still make them.

Bought MattM's S.U.B. at the weekend and WHAT A SOUND!!!!! Why didn't I buy one sooner. It has an amazing attacking thump I've only heard before when I damped my basses with a chunk of sponge at the bridge. It also has that toppy growl as well. Gigged it at the weekend at a sitdown quiet gig but can't wait to TURN IT UP!!!!

I've recently played both. The Classic Vibe Jazz is the real deal if you like a 60's Jazz tone and is really well made. The VMJ 70's Jazz with the block inlays is the funkiest looking/sounding thing since James Brown (the pickups are great). It has a satiny varnish on the neck if you like that kind of thing. Personally I'd go for the VMJ because it is full of character and will give you a different sound from your present G&L. It's also a bit cheaper and there's some nice looking ones on basschat at the moment at decent prices.

[quote name='MattM' post='1231644' date='May 15 2011, 09:06 AM']Gareth's a top bloke, picked up and paid for bass spot on. I get the feeling this may not be his last 'Ray however...... [/quote] You may be right................

Musicman SUB at great price. Nice guy, buy with confidence. He likes his Stingrays does Matt.

Falkirk to Oban is a long, long way to go for one gig (there's a song in there somewhere?).

You've got just got to get a pearl scratchplate for your new honey.

[quote name='Prime_BASS' post='1229704' date='May 13 2011, 10:03 AM']So it's early 90s, a MIJ and seafoam green/surf green. My guess would be a 62reissue. The strip towards the bridge and bridge pickup along with the screw hole above the neck pickup gives it away plus the pickups definatly look 60s spacing.[/quote] Yup!

I'm a big fan of changing necks on basses. For example, I know from experience that a maple neck gives you a much brighter sound than a rosewood neck.

When you're grown up, you find that the bass that sounds the best, and plays the best...........actually is the the best bass you own, irrespective of price. Which means you may as well get rid of all the rest. I'm not quite grown up yet............but I'm getting there.

And by the way if you want to have a rant about the SNP and devolution here's the link. I already have but please be gentle with them................they're English. [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=134850&hl="]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=134850&hl=[/url]

Hi Rob, big jam happening at The Voodoo room on 25/5/11 at 8.30. Mostly blues but all sorts of stuff. Come along there's some great guitarists playing and bassists (and me possiby).