OliverBlackman

When I was a beginner I only bought basses depending on what my idols at the time played. This lead me to buy an Epiphone Thunderbird, Warwick Rockbass Fortress and an old Jackson bass. However, the only bass I had tried in a shop was a Mex Fender Precision and I really liked it. I almost bought a Dean spikey thing, but instead I bought the Fender. Anyway after a ridiculous amount of basses, mostly Jazzes, a stingray and a Warwick (All high end and very expensive), I'm back to my £350 Mex Fender Precision as an only bass. Its the bass I would always recommend to beginners because a nice passive one is simple to use and you really learn how your technique adapts tone and feel, rather than electronics on an active bass or a jazz bass. The VM range you're looking at are ideal, I'm thinking of a 5 string version myself. And hand size doesn't make a difference, good technique should sort that out.

[quote name='Chrismanbass' timestamp='1390011712' post='2340605'] Bit of a thread revival anyone been yet? i'm around for both shows tomorrow night and i'll have a basschat lanyard on if anyones coming in [/quote] were you there thursday? Sound was excellent. Lettuce were phenomenal.

Terminal is wicked if you can afford it!

They used to and they re-introduced it in some of the early phases of this years. From what I've been told it's very well paid. Phil mulford does all the pre recorded bass parts.

[quote name='JamesFlashG' timestamp='1386513598' post='2300871'] Ok so i am really unsure what i want mainly because i have not had the option to play many only to read about them, I have around £1000 budget so i can get something pretty nice second hand for that price i think, i would prefer a 5 string bass i have been looking at: Fender jazz deluxe 4 & 5 Fender Precision deluxe (P/J config) Fender Marcus miller sig (v) Mayones Jabba 5 Sandberg TM5 Overwater classic Jazz (probably will struggle for one of these with my budget) G & L JB Lakland any other suggestions for me to check out? I'm basically going to make a list and contact somewhere in london that has a huge stock of basses ( the bass gallery is the only place I know of?) and just spend a day playing them and comparing because i really don't want to buy something without playing it first! so please give me your thoughts on the above basses and any others you can think of like i said mainly interested in jazz style basses but also quite interested in a P/J config as well! [/quote] If you're going to be London way I have an Overwater Jazz 5 for sale that you can try out.

Its not just 6 strings though. My Overwater which I am also selling has had a few owners, and its mostly been sold for one of two reasons: 1) They had money when they bought it but desperately needed it down the line or 2) They decided not to do the 5 string thing anymore. I'm selling it for the first reason, if I could keep it I would! Ps. Steve Lawson uses Modulus Quantum 6's and he can make them sound REALLY good.

Is this the USA one? Pre amp was crap and the B was a bit quiet but the rest felt pretty good for the money I paid, £560 off ebay. The new ones are leagues above though! As are Overwaters

Looks like poo on a stick. Probably plays and sounds that way to.

[quote name='ambient' timestamp='1383346592' post='2263572'] Maybe you just need to give the new playing style time, use a metronome and build up your speed gradually. Just check all your notes are consistent and smooth. [/quote] +1, build up the speed so it moves from conscious playing into sub conscious playing. Then it will be less effort. Also try playing with a lighter touch.

Disagree, VM's I've played have been good and well set up. It's mass produced though, some are always going to be crap and it's always been that way. If you didnt try any basses because they had one negative comment, you wouldn't have much choice.