simon1964

I need some advice on the value of a 1964 Precision (to be clear, I'm potentially buying, not selling!). What do you Fender experts reckon is the vaule of a pre-CBS 1964 Precision, original pots, original tort scratchplate, pickups and ashtrays but with the body stripped to natural. Although stripped, it seems to have been done a while ago, and looks tidy enough. There's a lot of wear on the back of the neck, which I take as a good sign as someone has been playing it over the last 45 years! Any advice gratefully received!

[quote name='BigRedX' post='648334' date='Nov 7 2009, 08:05 PM']Lined or unlined it makes no difference. The lines are a suggestion only not an absolute.[/quote] +1. I actually find unlined easier to play as lined boards can be misleading. I find myself relying on the lines and playing out of tune (mind you, my intonation's out with an unlined board as well...)

Rich's post is a great summary of what's out there. Another point to think about is resale. I love Sandbergs and Warwicks, and you would be able to pick up both secondhand well within your budget (i'd add the Warwick Thumb BO to the lists above BTW. Very versatile). But if you want to sell on in the future, you'll probably be able to shift a Fender or Musicman much quicker.

[quote name='NJE' post='648850' date='Nov 8 2009, 03:34 PM']Went today, what a complete waste of time energy and money. The only very small saving grace was getting to chat with Martin Simms and play a Endfield 5 which was a very tasty bass, and also accidentally coming across Janek Gwidala at the TC electronics stand. He was amazing and his Fodera is the most stunning bass I have ever seen. That was quite cool but not worth £18, the whole thing was a shambles, hardly any gear by any major brands, I will never go near that show or LIMS come to mention it, ever again.[/quote] I was planning to go today - glad I couldn't make it in light of this!

[quote name='gary mac' post='648688' date='Nov 8 2009, 12:15 PM']I was about to ask the same question[/quote] And me! and that Streamer is fantastic.

Those are stunning. I really like the Thumb - yet more GAS!

I use the Jeff Berlin with a 2x10 extension cab. Very nice sound and half the weight of my old Ashdown stuff. I tend to leave everything flat and just use the two filter knobs. Excellent tone, and loud too.

[quote name='budget bassist' post='647703' date='Nov 6 2009, 09:51 PM']I think i'd rather have the 'wick anyway! [/quote] I thought you might say that

[quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='647671' date='Nov 6 2009, 09:17 PM']I like your Shuker. I seem to remember you posting pics of it when you first got it. Lovely looking bass. But the one that stands out for me is the eye catching black/chrome Rickenbacker. I'm not usually a Ric fan, but that looks stunning! Rich [/quote] Cheers Rich. The Ric is certainly a looker - its even had a few outings with the covers band since we've added a couple of Jam numbers to the set! Sam - I miss the $$, but I'm afraid you're not trading it for the Shuker

Its a while since I posted a group pic of my stuff - in fact there's only one survivor from the last time! So here's my current crop: [attachment=35897:group_1_.jpg] Rickenbacker 4003 - bought from ebay after a heads up by Clarky in the ebay section on here. Awesome sound, but I still haven't quite worked out how to play it fingerstyle! Warwick Tumb BO - I'm the fourth Basschatter to have owned this to my knowledge! I'm surprised its been moved on so often as the neck is sublime and the tone to die for. Stingray - originally a 2 band 'ray, but I've fitted a John East 3 band EQ with sweepable mids. Lovely bass to play, and currently my main gigging bass. Cheapo no-name acoustic - not a lot to say about that one! Fender Precision CIJ 70s reissue - fitted with a Badass and EMGs. Sounds like a Precision and does what it says on the tin. Shuker Singlecut - African Walnut Body, Asian striped ebony top, Birdseye maple board, and Delano pickups and EQ. Looks great and sounds great. And the nicest neck I've played. Fretless Jazz/Precision hybrid. The body is from a Squier Classic vibe, with ashtrays added. The neck is actually a Mighty Mite fretless Precision neck which was fitted to a Mex Precision for several years (hence the Precision logo). The Hohner Steinberger copy is currently living in France so missed the group shot!

Nice photos Sam! Have to say I regret selling this one - let me know when you want to move it on

As others have said, small hands doesn't always mean you'll find a skinny neck more comfortable. If you do like a skinny neck, the Ibanez SR500 has a very thin neck, and is an excellent bass for the money. But for me the neck is simply too thin. I much prefer Stingray / Precision / Warwick necks. Its really a question of trying a few and seeing what you find comfortable.

Nice collection. I can't believe I'm saying this, but the pink Mark Hoppus signature looks awesome!

On a related point, I read an interview a while back with Mark Hoppus (no, I'm not a fan!) about his Fender signature. That only has a volume knob as he never uses a tone control. He also said that, as he always has the volume on full, his personal preference would have been no volume knob either. Simply an "on / off" switch. Personally I like having actives as I find it gives a more control when I'm gigging, but I can certainly see your point. When I do give the Precision a run out its quite refreshing to simply plug in and play.

[quote name='fatback' post='645042' date='Nov 4 2009, 10:26 AM']How about Golden Brown, by way of subversion. Those lil ol' 4/4s will wake them up. fatback[/quote] Got to be Waltzin' Black if you're doing a Stranglers number!

The John East Stingray pre-amp is very good. I played a 2 band Stingraray at the Nottingham bass bash fitted with Nordstrands and the East pre-amp, and it sounded virtually identical to my stock 2 band Stingray. I've actually got the John East 3 band fitted to mine now, and again, its a very nice bit of kit. Essentially sounds like a two band ray with the mids set flat, but with the option of boosting mids if needed. I think Stingrays can be a bit lacking in the low mids, and the East pre-amp is the ideal solution.

Lovely stuff. I'm not usually a fan of pearl scratchplates, but that goes great with the pearl blocks. Sunburst / tort / maple is the perfect combination for a Jazz though - that one's gorgeous!

[quote name='silddx' post='644395' date='Nov 3 2009, 02:09 PM']Nice to see so many more basses being reviewed though. That maybe demonstrates the manufacturers might be taking BGM more seriously.[/quote] Agreed - and a much better variety of basses as well

[quote name='stingrayfan' post='642418' date='Nov 1 2009, 11:35 AM']BGM's got a lot better looking recently but it's still an un-inspiring read and lacking a bit, editorially. They need to get away from doing long drawn out Q+As with players people have never heard of/care about and work up some better editorial features. It needs a bit of attitude in the writing too; a sense of humour, a sense of fun. It still feels a bit cut and paste - esp the news section. The reviews also need a bit of edge to them, it's boring to read 10 paragraphs listing the features on a bass, when I can see what it does by looking at the picture. Tell me if it's any good, if you took it to a gig and got laughed at or got compliments on it, show me how it fits in the back of a hatchback (or doesn't) etc etc. Take a look at What Car - it's a good example of how to make something samey (new car reviews) sound interesting every month.[/quote] Very good post. I like BGM, and it has certainly got better over recent issues, but it still lacks a certain something.

Nice collection - particularly like that Thunderbird!

90% of the time I use a clean sound. But we do a couple of covers where some distortion sounds good. The best I've come across is the Ashdown Lomenzo Hyperdrive which seems to give a nice grindy distortion without losing bottom end. For a more subtle tube like overdrive, you can't beat the Microsbass II. I tend to have one in front of the amp most of the time.