Mrbigstuff

Was a new build, had been told upfront there was no wriggle room and really wanted the plot. Could afford it and it was perfect so no didn’t haggle then either.

In both those scenarios it depends if the initial price is fair/ what the other options are. I don’t haggle for the sake of it.

I also often noodle unplugged and I think the weightier body really helps for a lengthy sustain. In regard to P vs J, I find a P body more comfortable and it irritates me that the J doesn’t sit on a stand properly.

What goes around comes around

It sounds like your time and energy would be better spent elsewhere than involving yourself with this “luthier”. I’ve made much more expensive mistakes than this and sometimes the best thing for yourself is to move on and take the hit.

I have a V5 5 string. pros: excellent sound, feel, hardware is good and sturdy, it was relatively inexpensive. cons: it weighs more than a Fender.

Please don’t search Laurus. Save yours eyes. For saying the Italians are infamous for art, they’re bass guitar designs are shocking.

It’s not a rare enough bass that there are no alternatives available so I don’t know why anyone would spend that. Is this the one that’s been floated around previously where the chap bought it as an investment and left it in a case for 20 years?

How very dare you! Oh hang on…..

If I change stings they are well passed their due date, as it’s the one thing I’m very lazy on. Therefore the bin is the only option.

In general western music it’s relatively simple: learn the 12 keys, chords/ chord tones and scales. Best way to practice this is across 12 keys, ascending and descending in different patterns, speeding up when you’re playing the right notes consistently. Lines are made up of chord tones, passing tones and chromatics, so once you get to grip with the above it’s possible to analyse anything.

I do get that, but my dad loves playing along to the Beatles whereas I don’t like their music. If he had tried to encourage me to learn their songs instead of Nirvana/ RHCP I don’t think would have enjoyed the instrument at all. I find Scott and Ian very engaging in their YT vids but I can see why others would be put off. luckily they have a free trial, so you have zero commitment unless your son wants to continue.

Luckily you can do both simultaneously. Having said that I had bad technique in my plucking hand for about 6 years, but was able to change it fairly quickly.

Just because you didn’t get on with SBL doesn’t mean he wouldn’t? Pros and cons to everything. Find a really good local teacher and it could be inspiring. Or waste money on one not worthwhile, and he loses interest. Some online content could be inspiring and others dull. I like to use books, but I’ve already been through years of lessons over scales, techniques ect.

The neck dive might be a repercussion of the 24 frets because my standard V5 5 string doesn’t have any. I agree about the different body shape compared to a P though. I’d prefer a P body with J pickups and a J neck. I think most Sire basses are heavier than some of their equivalents but I guess that’s how they make them so cheap.

A lad I knew at uni had a broken tuner on his Squier jazz and replaced it with a 50p coin! That’s technically not buying gear, as the coin is a credit 😜

My thought was replacement body

Did the JVs come with an A width nut? If not it looks likely a repro to me.

I thought Sire basses were made in Indonesia?

If it is buzzing when unplugged then you can at least rule out electrical issues. It could still be as simple as fret buzz (either not enough relief in the neck or uneven frets), or as has been pointed out, loose hardware. Also worth checking how well the strings sit in the nut.

One reviewer apparently dropped in store. I don’t know how they did that on the planet Zeb

I changed the standard US pickups in my P bass to Lindy Fralins and it significantly improved the sound. Once you make the change you think why didn’t I do it sooner!