karlbbb Posted March 31, 2008 Share Posted March 31, 2008 ...can it be done? I'd be willing to buy a "cheap" bass and maybe make a few mods. I'm not particularly planning on doing any gigs, mainly bedroom playing. The only Squier one seems to be the Affinity Jazz V, but it seems that the 'Affinity' series isn't all that good? If I were to make just a couple of mods (pups and bridge) perhaps, could I get decent bass for AROUND £200? Cheers in advance! Karl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGit Posted March 31, 2008 Share Posted March 31, 2008 (edited) Easy peasy An SX from Rondo... [url="http://www.rondomusic.com/sjb6241.html"]http://www.rondomusic.com/sjb6241.html[/url] Probably abut £150 delivered (ie including the shipping, VAT, duty and handling fee). Leaves you enough for a new bridge and strings... just about. Not sure how much decent set of 5 string Jazz Pups are but I doubt you'd be able to get any name pups cheap enough to do the strings, bridge and pups and keep it under £200. But for bedroom playing you probably don't need to replace the pups. In fact you may find it's perfectly adequate as it is.. Or this for about £160 delivered (NB the plate is white and not black as in the pic.. shame looks good like this) [url="http://www.rondomusic.com/product744.html"]http://www.rondomusic.com/product744.html[/url] There's a sunburst and natural with covers too ... [url="http://www.rondomusic.com/bassguitars5.html"]http://www.rondomusic.com/bassguitars5.html[/url] Edited March 31, 2008 by OldGit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karlbbb Posted March 31, 2008 Author Share Posted March 31, 2008 The natural one looks amazing, but I'm really unsure about getting a bass imported. I've never done that before. I'm not looking to purchase [i]just[/i] yet, but hopefully by summer. I just had a quick look through the sticky of "Importing basses" but it didn't really give me a clue about how everything works, just how to calculate costs. Are the Affinity series [b]really[/b] that bad? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGit Posted March 31, 2008 Share Posted March 31, 2008 [quote name='karlbbb' post='167328' date='Mar 31 2008, 10:41 PM']The natural one looks amazing, but I'm really unsure about getting a bass imported. I've never done that before. I'm not looking to purchase [i]just[/i] yet, but hopefully by summer. I just had a quick look through the sticky of "Importing basses" but it didn't really give me a clue about how everything works, just how to calculate costs. Are the Affinity series [b]really[/b] that bad?[/quote] Can't help you with the Affinty Squiers but there are a few of us on here who have imported SXs from Rondo Music in the US. The process works fine. It takes about 6 -10 days for the bass to arrive. You pay with paypal for the bass and postage then when it shows up you either get a letter saying "we've got it, come and pay the duty to free its wooden bottom from the slammer" or the courier delivers it to you and you get a bill a few days later for the duty and VAT ... The calculation is a bit complex but the SXs that cost $110 end up costing around £140 all in depnding on the exchange rate ... Well under £200 though. Have a look through here for inspiration and peope to ask: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=11567&hl=sx+gallery"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=...p;hl=sx+gallery[/url] OG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGit Posted March 31, 2008 Share Posted March 31, 2008 Oh and Crez5150 has a couple of recent Lake Placid Blue SX jazz 5 strings if you want an opinion on the quality, B string, etc ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorks5stringer Posted March 31, 2008 Share Posted March 31, 2008 Or you could go for one of these, all be it it a bit more than £200, you should be able to get one for £215 at SC [url="http://musical-instruments.search.ebay.co.uk/squier-5-string_Bass_W0QQa14ZQ2d24QQa30482ZQ2d24QQa53ZQ2d24QQa6ZQ2d24QQalistZa6Q2ca51Q2ca14Q2ca3801Q2ca53Q2ca30482Q2ca55765QQcatrefZC6QQdfspZ32QQfposZPostcodeQQfromZR2QQfsooZ2QQfsopZ32QQftrtZ1QQftrvZ1QQga10244Z10425QQgcsZ2126QQpf_queryZsquierQ205Q20stringQQpfidZ3128QQpfmodeZ1QQreqtypeZ2QQsabfmtsZ1QQsacatZ4713QQsadisZ200QQsaobfmtsZinsifQQsargnZQ2d1QQsaslcZ3QQsbrftogZ1QQsofocusZbs"]http://musical-instruments.search.ebay.co....gZ1QQsofocusZbs[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGit Posted March 31, 2008 Share Posted March 31, 2008 [quote name='yorks5stringer' post='167354' date='Mar 31 2008, 11:13 PM']Or you could go for one of these, all be it it a bit more than £200, you should be able to get one for £215 at SC [url="http://musical-instruments.search.ebay.co.uk/squier-5-string_Bass_W0QQa14ZQ2d24QQa30482ZQ2d24QQa53ZQ2d24QQa6ZQ2d24QQalistZa6Q2ca51Q2ca14Q2ca3801Q2ca53Q2ca30482Q2ca55765QQcatrefZC6QQdfspZ32QQfposZPostcodeQQfromZR2QQfsooZ2QQfsopZ32QQftrtZ1QQftrvZ1QQga10244Z10425QQgcsZ2126QQpf_queryZsquierQ205Q20stringQQpfidZ3128QQpfmodeZ1QQreqtypeZ2QQsabfmtsZ1QQsacatZ4713QQsadisZ200QQsaobfmtsZinsifQQsargnZQ2d1QQsaslcZ3QQsbrftogZ1QQsofocusZbs"]http://musical-instruments.search.ebay.co....gZ1QQsofocusZbs[/url][/quote] Yeah they are really nice. I've played one a couple of times at a jam session and it feels like a much more expensive bass. The EQ is a tad harsh at the top but nothing you can't temper with a slight knob twist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karlbbb Posted April 1, 2008 Author Share Posted April 1, 2008 (edited) Thanks OldGit. Tempting to go for the SX. Thanks yorks5stringer. I'd looked at the deluxe and was tempted, but I was hoping to just go for a passive bass, and I'd really like it to come with a pickguard etc as I'm none too skilled with a drill. Argh, I also really like the headstock on the Affinity with the 5 in a row tuner layout! I hate this feeling haha. I guess I should explain that I've been quite lazy with my bass playing. I've been playing since about 16. I turn 20 in September. But I've never got further than really playing at home along with songs, and figuring them out. I spend near two years in a band, and also played in the college production of "Summer Holiday" (I have to say, the hustle and stress that came with all the rehearsals for the production were thoroughly enjoyable!). I really need to get into learning how to actually play. I have a long way to go. I play allsorts, and having the B string would be more than ideal as I'm not a fan of detuning. I just want a cheap 5 string to get me going again. I'm gonna put in the time to start teaching myself all the scales and such (I've played piano for 15 years, also self-taught, and as such I'm not as good as I could be). Wow. I'll shush now. [Edit]: Although now that I look, the Squier Deluxe looks really nice in Olympic White...hmm. Edited April 1, 2008 by karlbbb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thedarxide Posted April 1, 2008 Share Posted April 1, 2008 I hate you I hate you I hate you I hate you I hate you I wish I hadn't come into this thread. I must have that natural finish one. Any idea's what $169 would work out as? I'm not sure what the relevant taxes would be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGit Posted April 1, 2008 Share Posted April 1, 2008 [quote name='thedarxide' post='167476' date='Apr 1 2008, 09:27 AM']I hate you I hate you I hate you I hate you I hate you I wish I hadn't come into this thread. I must have that natural finish one. Any idea's what $169 would work out as? I'm not sure what the relevant taxes would be.[/quote] You see what happened to the rest of us SX fans ... There's a complex algorithm for working it all out but the $110 ones work out under £150 when you've paid all the bits so add £30 to that for extra for the bass. Postage is the same but you still need to pay the extra VAT and duty on the £30 so that's around £10 more.. Add it all up and it will probably come in under £200. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGit Posted April 1, 2008 Share Posted April 1, 2008 [quote name='karlbbb' post='167441' date='Apr 1 2008, 08:43 AM']Thanks yorks5stringer. I'd looked at the deluxe and was tempted, but I was hoping to just go for a passive bass, and I'd really like it to come with a pickguard etc as I'm none too skilled with a drill.[/quote] You mean you'd fit a scratch plate to that bass? nooooooooo don't do that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karlbbb Posted April 1, 2008 Author Share Posted April 1, 2008 [quote name='OldGit' post='167675' date='Apr 1 2008, 02:40 PM']You mean you'd fit a scratch plate to that bass? nooooooooo don't do that [/quote] Haha, I wouldn't fit a 'plate to the deluxe, it looks so much nicer without, but it's part of my reason I'm still looking at the Affinity as I love a black Jazz with a white 'plate. I'm also thinking of getting myself a Zoom b2.1u at some point too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGit Posted April 1, 2008 Share Posted April 1, 2008 (edited) [quote name='karlbbb' post='167709' date='Apr 1 2008, 02:33 PM']Haha, I wouldn't fit a 'plate to the deluxe, it looks so much nicer without, but it's part of my reason I'm still looking at the Affinity as I love a black Jazz with a white 'plate. I'm also thinking of getting myself a Zoom b2.1u at some point too.[/quote] Perfectly valid reason I've got a Zoom B2.1u too .. I'm moving away from it to seperates as there are some problems for me with using the zoom on stage but in the bedroom it's great - headphone out and USB connecton to the recording s/w it comes with and all for 70 quid ... I'll be hanging on to mine for all the stuff it can do that I don't use on stage .. Edited April 1, 2008 by OldGit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karlbbb Posted April 1, 2008 Author Share Posted April 1, 2008 (edited) [quote name='OldGit' post='167717' date='Apr 1 2008, 03:37 PM']Perfectly valid reason I've got a Zoom B2.1u too .. I'm moving away from it to seperates as there are some problems for me with using the zoom on stage but in the bedroom it's great - headphone out and USB connecton to the recording s/w it comes with and all for 70 quid ... I'll be hanging on to mine for all the stuff it can do that I don't use on stage ..[/quote] Both on here and on TB (am I allowed to say that?) people speak very highly of it, especially for the price tag. The USB will come in very handy, allowing me to record and play with songs through headphones. One feature I didn't find in the manual was one that I miss from an old Zoom 505II (guitar) pedal I had a few years ago. You could use the pedals to move up through the patches, but instead of switching straight away, you could get the patch ready, then just tap both switches and the new patch is used. I really wish this was a feature on the b2, but I doubt I'd use it much other than having my one "tone" and maybe a couple of slightly different ones. Edited April 1, 2008 by karlbbb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGit Posted April 1, 2008 Share Posted April 1, 2008 (edited) [quote name='karlbbb' post='167724' date='Apr 1 2008, 02:46 PM']One feature I didn't find in the manual was one that I miss from an old Zoom 505II (guitar) pedal I had a few years ago. You could use the pedals to move up through the patches, but instead of switching straight away, you could get the patch ready, then just tap both switches and the new patch is used. I really wish this was a feature on the b2, but I doubt I'd use it much other than having my one "tone" and maybe a couple of slightly different ones.[/quote] TB? Sure no problem. Lots of good stuff on there. That's the big problem for stage stuff for me. You may be able to do something with a separate foot switch.. I don't know .. Live I use 9 patches in a normal show and some changes are several patch positions apart from each other and you have to bash the foot switch loads of times to move between the two, with each patch being audible. Compared with just switching one effect off an another on it's a serious drag. I would not be surprised to see the Zoom B3.1u (or whatever) having this feature as many people have commented on it ... Do a search for B2.1u, there's a bunch of threads and knowledgeable users on here. There's a ikkle drummer in there too Edited April 1, 2008 by OldGit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karlbbb Posted April 2, 2008 Author Share Posted April 2, 2008 With regards to modding the bridge, would much drilling be required, or would it be a simple case of dropping a new one in? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGit Posted April 2, 2008 Share Posted April 2, 2008 [quote name='karlbbb' post='168256' date='Apr 2 2008, 10:18 AM']With regards to modding the bridge, would much drilling be required, or would it be a simple case of dropping a new one in?[/quote] Some drop straight in (Gotoh 201 or 203) maybe with couple of extra screws. Some of the Badass ones drop straight in too. Just look for "fender replacement" in teh description. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutToPlayJazz Posted April 2, 2008 Share Posted April 2, 2008 If you shop around, you can get the Deluxe Squier jazz active V for only a little over £200. Like [url="http://www.soundslive.co.uk/product.asp?id=6021"]this[/url] one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGit Posted April 2, 2008 Share Posted April 2, 2008 [quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='168566' date='Apr 2 2008, 04:05 PM']If you shop around, you can get the Deluxe Squier jazz active V for only a little over £200. Like [url="http://www.soundslive.co.uk/product.asp?id=6021"]this[/url] one![/quote] Yeah that came up in post #6 Nice bass and that's an even better price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
budget bassist Posted April 3, 2008 Share Posted April 3, 2008 [quote name='OldGit' post='167346' date='Apr 1 2008, 12:04 AM']The calculation is a bit complex but the SXs that cost $110 end up costing around £140 all in depnding on the exchange rate ... Well under £200 though.[/quote] And this is including postage, VAT, import tax or whatever and customs and all that crap? Because if so i'm fairly interested... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGit Posted April 5, 2008 Share Posted April 5, 2008 [quote name='budget bassist' post='169363' date='Apr 3 2008, 07:31 PM']And this is including postage, VAT, import tax or whatever and customs and all that crap? Because if so i'm fairly interested...[/quote] Yup Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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