Conan

I have one at the moment. I say "at the moment" because it is about to move on again! However, it is only moving on because it is surplus to requirements and it's a choice between that one and my Geddy Lee - which I really love! It is a beautifully made bass, with excellent quality materials and hardware. It sounds very good and is tonally very versatile due to effectively having three pickups as well as a three-band EQ. The neck is lovely and wide, which is what I like - although getting strings to fit the 35.25" scale and through-body stringing is a bit awkward! If it wasn't for an ultimatum from Mrs C, I would happily keep it, gig it and record with it. I do wonder though, if their lack of commercial success over here is also due to the fact that there seems to be no "stock" bass as such. As each is effectively made to order for each customer, they are all slightly different. There is no "off the peg" option, as it were.

[quote name='Darkstrike' timestamp='1344509301' post='1765574'] Total WTF machine. [/quote] Endorsed by the World Taekwondo Federation?

[quote name='Telebass' timestamp='1344540639' post='1766285'] Both the Geddy Lee and Marcus Miller IV are now Mexican (014xxxx numbers). [/quote] So what do the other numbers indicate? 013...., 019... etc? Why are Fender so cagey about stating clearly where their instruments are made?

[quote name='baseline9' timestamp='1344426426' post='1764230'] I have a 2006 US standard Jazz and it feels and sounds miles better than my mates GL Jap jazz, matter of opinion I guess and getting a "good" one or not. [/quote] It also depends on whether you get on with the ultra-slim neck on the GLs. Not sure why they should sound much different though...

Anyone know any reason behind this decision? Purely cost-based? If the Mex Fenders are renowned for being cheaper and made to a lesser standard, how can they possibly keep the RRP of these two basses the same as when they were "cratfed" in Japan? Streamlining of the range?

Funny looking thing isn't it? It kind of "almost" works.... but doesn't. Nice wood - but the pickup in that position just looks wrong. And the knobs are horrible... But yes - that bridge is just stupid!

[quote name='Delberthot' timestamp='1344133975' post='1760320'] [/quote] What on earth does it have written around the knobs?!

PMed...

Interesting. I wonder what the reasons behind that decision were?

Re the thread title.... don't you mean your "Bream" tone?

According to the Thomann website, the Fender GL jazz bass is now made in Mexico. Is this true? When did production switch from Japan?

[quote name='project_c' timestamp='1338167966' post='1670399'] i love black and maple, i love dots, i love blocks, couldn't care less either way as long as it sounds good..... get your sick bags ready, here's a pic of my jazz bass [/quote] That is stunning!! What is the extra knob for? Is it a J-Retro?

OK, I'm no Fender expert, but does anyone know anything about these basses? Seems a good price if it is genuine... [url="http://www.ebay.com/itm/1992-Fender-Jazz-Plus-Electric-Bass-Guitar-Made-USA-/271028011587?_trksid=p4340.m1982&_trkparms=aid%3D555001%26algo%3DPW.CURRENT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D7%26meid%3D1089850496303151175%26pid%3D100009%26prg%3D1004%26rk%3D2%26#ht_18195wt_1271"]http://www.ebay.com/itm/1992-Fender-Jazz-Plus-Electric-Bass-Guitar-Made-USA-/271028011587?_trksid=p4340.m1982&_trkparms=aid%3D555001%26algo%3DPW.CURRENT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D7%26meid%3D1089850496303151175%26pid%3D100009%26prg%3D1004%26rk%3D2%26#ht_18195wt_1271[/url]

Good marketing strategy. Raise your prices at a time when everyone is skint

The Emperor does changes his clothes rather frequently on this forum...

[quote name='mcnach' timestamp='1343998643' post='1758445'] Yes, if you are of a curious and inquisitive nature and like to know how things work etc. We'd still live in caves if there weren't a few people in every generation like that [/quote] Fair point. I'm just a bit intimidated by things like that. I'm good at taking things apart.... less good at putting them back together again!

Surely it's the sound that matters most? If you like the tone you get, is it important how the pickups are constructed?

I know the Bart MK1 pickups are made in the Far east and are far cheaper than the US made ones. I presume that the circuitry is too...

[quote name='Neurosis' timestamp='1343858137' post='1756584'] Where can we buy a black pickguard (3ply) suitable for Geddy Lee and cheap? [/quote] Try here.... or PM Howard the Bass Doc on here and ask him to make you one.

[quote name='EBS_freak' timestamp='1343815240' post='1755529'] I've read some daft things on basschat. [/quote] Agreed! Which bit in particular do you find daft?

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1343814870' post='1755515']Do some people have an innate talent? [/quote] Something like "talent" is far more likely to be polygenic in character, so it's not really a case of "having it" or "not having it". However, I think it is clear that some people have more than others...

[quote name='AndyBob09' timestamp='1343811914' post='1755461']Please! Not one of us has a gift. Gift indeed! [/quote] Don't agree with this! Even allowing for all the practice in the world, some people have more innate talent than others. Practice will improve this, of course, but if the "gift" is not there in the first place then the results will be different.

[quote name='Chris2112' timestamp='1343602241' post='1752688'] Well, this week I sold my Warwick Streamer (it's sitting in it's case now, packed up and ready to be posted), which leaves me with just my Fender Jaco Pastorius fretless jazz bass...[/quote] What happened to your ACG?!?!