Have to buy new, having problems.

[EliasMooseblaster]

[quote name='miles'tone' timestamp='1405328755' post='2500708']
Schecter diamond P custom sounds just the ticket.
They have a very good rep in the bang for buck stakes.

[url="http://www.richtonemusic.co.uk/products/schecter_diamond_p-custom_4_white.asp?gclid=CLH8gue4xL8CFVMRtAoddlsAGg"]http://www.richtonem...CFVMRtAoddlsAGg[/url]
[/quote]

I will second the "bang-for-buck" factor of Schecter basses. Gigged my Model T yesterday and realised I'd almost forgotten what a superb instrument it is - and would probably also be within your budget: http://www.nevadamusic.co.uk/p/SCH1858/bass-guitars/schecter/schecter-model-t-bass-butterscotch?utm_source=googlebase&utm_medium=pricecomp&utm_campaign=GoogleShopping&gclid=CNnf0YGVxb8CFcbKtAod6AMAIQ

Only thing I would say is that the neck profile may not be quite your cup of tea: it's quite thin, though it has quite a wide fingerboard. Don't know how this compares to the Diamond P.

[addam360]

[quote name='Romeo2' timestamp='1405352551' post='2501113']
For 500-600 quid you should seriously also consider G&Ls Tributes, L2000 has tons of character and a fine, chunky neck, or get the M series, hi-fi preamp and a slightly thinner neck but still better than jazz/ibanez thinnes - I know, got rid of an ibanez srx700 and a jazz bass once I realised how much more comfort i get out of playing a thicker neck.
[/quote]
Ahh yeah I'd seen those too. The number of options available here is getting kind of overwhelming. Without wanting to sound too stupid, with the sheer number of other basses to look at I avoided the G&Ls for being, in my opinion, pretty ugly. I now that alone isn't a good enough reason but the looks do count for something and with so many options I don't see a reason to get stuck with a bass I don't like the look of. Sorry and thanks.

[Dad3353]

[quote name='addam360' timestamp='1405353417' post='2501127']
Sorry, forgot to reply to that one. It's just a trait of the buyer I guess, everything they buy has to come from a dedicated shop and preferably be brand new. They just don't trust second hand stuff or cheaper brands.
[/quote]

Thanks for the clarification; I was just trying to assuage the unbounded curiosity of our FF. Your benefactor's motives are his own, of course. Good luck with the hunt...

[addam360]

[quote name='EliasMooseblaster' timestamp='1405353471' post='2501128']
I will second the "bang-for-buck" factor of Schecter basses. Gigged my Model T yesterday and realised I'd almost forgotten what a superb instrument it is - and would probably also be within your budget: [url="http://www.nevadamusic.co.uk/p/SCH1858/bass-guitars/schecter/schecter-model-t-bass-butterscotch?utm_source=googlebase&utm_medium=pricecomp&utm_campaign=GoogleShopping&gclid=CNnf0YGVxb8CFcbKtAod6AMAIQ"]http://www.nevadamus...CFcbKtAod6AMAIQ[/url]

Only thing I would say is that the neck profile may not be quite your cup of tea: it's quite thin, though it has quite a wide fingerboard. Don't know how this compares to the Diamond P.
[/quote]
Ahh yeah, just checked the nut widths. The Diamond P is pretty much a P neck as usual but the T, which is the one I really liked, has more of a Jazz neck. Seems like an odd choice on something that looks like an old Tele bass.

Between this and the Jaguar I'm tempted to get something with a thinner neck, put up with it for a while, then swap it out for something chunkier when I can. I know a P neck will fit the Jag, not so sure on the Schecters though.

[EliasMooseblaster]

[quote name='addam360' timestamp='1405353809' post='2501136']
Ahh yeah, just checked the nut widths. The Diamond P is pretty much a P neck as usual but the T, which is the one I really liked, has more of a Jazz neck. Seems like an odd choice on something that looks like an old Tele bass.

Between this and the Jaguar I'm tempted to get something with a thinner neck, put up with it for a while, then swap it out for something chunkier when I can. I know a P neck will fit the Jag, not so sure on the Schecters though.
[/quote]

You may even find you get used to it - I used to be quite set in my preference for chunky P necks, but it stopped bothering me after a while. Unfortunately the Schecters have a 22-fret neck, which will be slightly longer than the standard 20-fret P neck! Though I'm sure there are plenty of manufacturers who could do you a neck to those specs.

PS: Yes, couldn't agree more - the T is quite a strange hybrid of old and new!
PPS: Will you get a chance to test-drive before buying? Westside, on Denmark Street, has a big stock of Schecter basses in the basement if you're passing through London in the near future.

Edited July 14, 2014 by EliasMooseblaster

[addam360]

[quote name='EliasMooseblaster' timestamp='1405354226' post='2501141']
You may even find you get used to it - I used to be quite set in my preference for chunky P necks, but it stopped bothering me after a while. Unfortunately the Schecters have a 22-fret neck, which will be slightly longer than the standard 20-fret P neck! Though I'm sure there are plenty of manufacturers who could do you a neck to those specs.

PS: Yes, couldn't agree more - the T is quite a strange hybrid of old and new!
PPS: Will you get a chance to test-drive before buying? Westside, on Denmark Street, has a big stock of Schecter basses in the basement if you're passing through London in the near future.
[/quote]
If possible I will be trying before buying, but I couldn't be much further from London. I'll be swapping between Glasgow and Newcastle though, with two big cities like that I'm bound to find one somewhere.

Shame about the 22 fret thing. Can't say I wouldn't have been looking forward to getting rid of that headstock shape.

[flyfisher]

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1405353750' post='2501134']
Thanks for the clarification; I was just trying to assuage the unbounded curiosity of our FF. Your benefactor's motives are his own, of course. Good luck with the hunt...
[/quote]

Indeed, just curious really and no criticism intended (which would be grossly unfair anyway under such generous circumstances!).

[cocco]

Actually I'd buy the schecter. Either of them

[addam360]

[quote name='flyfisher' timestamp='1405355190' post='2501153']
Indeed, just curious really and no criticism intended (which would be grossly unfair anyway under such generous circumstances!).
[/quote]
No offense taken at all, it's completely understandable. The circumstances are a bit weird.

[quote name='cocco' timestamp='1405355206' post='2501154']
Actually I'd buy the schecter. Either of them
[/quote]
They do seem pretty good. I just don't know much about Schecter other than complaints about electrical issues. Time for some research. It's a shame but I'm not gonna lie, if either of them said Fender, G&L, Sandberg etc on top I wouldn't hesitate.

[JamesBass]

[quote name='addam360' timestamp='1405351145' post='2501093']

Shops which specialise in second hand are actually perfect. The restriction is more that it has to come from a shop then necessarily be brand new. Actually getting to Manchester would be an issue so I'd have to just trust that the bass is right. Could do with finding a similar shop around Newcastle or Glasgow. That Deluxe P looks great.



Both Schecters look great, especially the T. I've heard bad things about the electronics in Schecters so I shied away from them but if you both recommend it I can't see them being all that bad. If their putting Seymour Duncans in then at least I know the pickups are good. Prices are very close to Mex Std P, how does the build quality compare?


Not going to have a chance to save up my own money unfortunately. I will only be in the area for about a month and a half and during that time won't have access to to another bass so would like to get one at the start.


A P of one type or another does to be where things are leaning. If there are any PJ Mexs in my price range I can't find them unfortunately!

Thanks again!
[/quote]
No worries, if you're based North, then look at GuitarGuitar, one shop in Glasgow and Newcastle each. They often get second hand instruments in and are EXTREMELY helpful as a company and if you want brand new then they'll order it in for you. Can't stress how great they actually are as a shop! As for other places up North, I'd suggest seeking out either BassDoc or WaterOfTyne on here and PM them with some questions, both top blokes and based up near where you're based!

Happy searching, let us know what you get in the end

[addam360]

[quote name='JamesBass' timestamp='1405356501' post='2501175']
No worries, if you're based North, then look at GuitarGuitar, one shop in Glasgow and Newcastle each. They often get second hand instruments in and are EXTREMELY helpful as a company and if you want brand new then they'll order it in for you. Can't stress how great they actually are as a shop! As for other places up North, I'd suggest seeking out either BassDoc or WaterOfTyne on here and PM them with some questions, both top blokes and based up near where you're based!

Happy searching, let us know what you get in the end
[/quote]

Just googled BassDoc Newcastle, wasn't expecting it to be the guy that used to run Howard's Bass Place! That's where I bought my old Yamaha SBV500 way back before the place closed down. Got a great deal from him and then sold the bass for a profit after a couple of years of abuse around my old school.

[great harry]

The new Fender Modern Player Short Scale Jazz Bass has a P/ J pick up configuration.

[addam360]

[quote name='great harry' timestamp='1405358507' post='2501200']
The new Fender Modern Player Short Scale Jazz Bass has a P/ J pick up configuration.
[/quote]

Thanks for the suggestion but I'm not a short scale kind of guy. I'm sort of lanky and they just look and feel a bit odd on me. Medium scale I can work with e.g. Pawn Shop Reverse Jag I've had a look at.

[addam360]

[quote name='JamesBass' timestamp='1405356501' post='2501175']
Happy searching, let us know what you get in the end
[/quote]
No worries I definitely will! This could be anywhere between a week to 6 weeks from now though so sorry for the delay.

[miles'tone]

The other alternative is to just buy a Fender Precision that you really get on with and see how that goes (insist the shop gives it a proper set up as part of the sale.)
If you really find you can't live without a bridge pup, get one installed later on. At least you'll have a bass you'll love everything about.
Cheaper than fannying about buying new necks etc. here and there too.

Been there. It gets expensive.

[addam360]

Yeah, you and everyone else who just said to buy a P-Bass are probably right. I definitely wouldn't be able to just install the bridge pup later though, seriously not handy. It really bothers me that there doesn't seem to be a mid-range type of PJ Fender Precision.

[miles'tone]

[quote name='addam360' timestamp='1405365648' post='2501308']
Yeah, you and everyone else who just said to buy a P-Bass are probably right. I definitely wouldn't be able to just install the bridge pup later though, seriously not handy. It really bothers me that there doesn't seem to be a mid-range type of PJ Fender Precision.
[/quote]

Sorry, I didn't mean to do it yourself
A good tech could carry out the work for you. All in, it should only cost you about £120. I say only, in relation to how much we all start throwing at basses we're not quite happy with. Can be hundreds.

Good luck mate, hope you find something nice that suits you.

[addam360]

For the time being I've got time to keep hunting for something I'll be happy with from the start. The idea of modding my bass like that worries me, especially since I don't know a tech. I think I'm making some headway, there's just so much choice!

[hamfist]

The Lakland 44-01 and G&L tributes are both superb suggestions IMO.

The 44-01 I used to own had a magnificent P-like neck pickup, and all the other tones too. ONe I definitely regret selling on.

I would own a G&L L2000 or M2000 if they didn't have such stoopid large, chunky necks .... but then that's what you're looking for.


Or, of course you could buy a Precision neck to stick on your Jazz, and get a luthier to rout out the neck pickup slot for a Precision pickup (really is quite simple and shouldn't cost too much at all. Bass Doc will do it (and I guess you still live somewhere near him) for an extremely reasonable fee.
Then you would have a great and already well loved PJ Jazz with the Precision neck you crave.

Edited July 14, 2014 by hamfist

[addam360]

[quote name='hamfist' timestamp='1405370750' post='2501376']
The Lakland 44-01 and G&L tributes are both superb suggestions IMO.

The 44-01 I used to own had a magnificent P-like neck pickup, and all the other tones too. ONe I definitely regret selling on.

I would own a G&L L2000 or M2000 if they didn't have such stoopid large, chunky necks .... but then that's what you're looking for.


Or, of course you could buy a Precision neck to stick on your Jazz, and get a luthier to rout out the neck pickup slot for a Precision pickup (really is quite simple and shouldn't cost too much at all. Bass Doc will do it (and I guess you still live somewhere near him) for an extremely reasonable fee.
Then you would have a great and already well loved PJ Jazz with the Precision neck you crave.
[/quote]

Thanks. Yeah the Lakland and G&L are both pretty nice, well I don't really like the appearance of either but that's not the point here, but I think I'm more impressed by some of the other suggestions (namely the Fender P, Schecter Diamond P and Model T, and Ibanez ATK - since a Ray is just not gonna be in range). I'm too overwhelmed for choice.

Haven't lived near the Bass Doc for a while, just visiting the area for a few days, won't be too static for the next couple of months. I'd rather buy something right than try to get it built anyway i think. There's a lot I would want changed on the Jazz.

Cheers for the suggestions.

[SubsonicSimpleton]

[quote name='addam360' timestamp='1405371613' post='2501392']
I'd rather buy something right than try to get it built anyway i think.
[/quote]
Have you ever played an instrument that has been properly fettled by a decent luthier?

IME attention to detail on the fretwork, nut etc really makes a big difference - If you bought a brand new MIM P, and then spent an equivalent amount on a secondhand example, making up the price difference with a realy nice PUP and pro fret dress & setup, I don't think many players would pick the shiny new one after getting the chance to try them back to back.

The Hoppus signature P won the recent P bass blind test by a country mile, and would just about fit your budget (P neck, J body)
http://basschat.co.uk/topic/238458-herts-bash-2-the-precision-test/

Personally I would try the Hoppus sig, and if I liked the reverse P PUP orientation, or the body/neck combo, then I'd be looking to mod the jazz bass you already own with a quality P neck, and some decent PUPs (I couldn't live without the tone control, so I would have to mod the Hoppus anyway ruining it's unspoilt newness) - often small details like the value of the tone capacitor can make quite a difference, and quite a few basschatters rate their bitsa's as much better instruments than the more expensive "real deal", so no need to be scared of the modding option IMHO - when you go that route you get to actually choose what you want as opposed to what the manufacturers want to give you.

[6v6]

[url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/fender_deluxe_pbass_special_rw_bk.htm"]Fender deluxe P Bass special[/url], job done!

[addam360]

[quote name='SubsonicSimpleton' timestamp='1405409073' post='2501583']
Have you ever played an instrument that has been properly fettled by a decent luthier?

IME attention to detail on the fretwork, nut etc really makes a big difference - If you bought a brand new MIM P, and then spent an equivalent amount on a secondhand example, making up the price difference with a realy nice PUP and pro fret dress & setup, I don't think many players would pick the shiny new one after getting the chance to try them back to back.

The Hoppus signature P won the recent P bass blind test by a country mile, and would just about fit your budget (P neck, J body)
[url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/238458-herts-bash-2-the-precision-test/"]http://basschat.co.u...precision-test/[/url]

Personally I would try the Hoppus sig, and if I liked the reverse P PUP orientation, or the body/neck combo, then I'd be looking to mod the jazz bass you already own with a quality P neck, and some decent PUPs (I couldn't live without the tone control, so I would have to mod the Hoppus anyway ruining it's unspoilt newness) - often small details like the value of the tone capacitor can make quite a difference, and quite a few basschatters rate their bitsa's as much better instruments than the more expensive "real deal", so no need to be scared of the modding option IMHO - when you go that route you get to actually choose what you want as opposed to what the manufacturers want to give you.
[/quote]

Sorry I may have phrased that wrong, I do love the idea of having something custom built or at least well set up by a good luthier, it's just not practical for me to get that done in this situation. One day perhaps.

As for the Hoppus, yeah I like it a lot. Tone knob being gone is a bit odd though and the cheapest price I can find on it (from Thomann) hits max budget in the wrong colour and exceeds in the right one. Not sure I'd want to spend that much on a bass with no tone knob but I'll try that one out since it's in most shops and seems highly rated.

[quote name='6v6' timestamp='1405410344' post='2501590']
[url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/fender_deluxe_pbass_special_rw_bk.htm"]Fender deluxe P Bass special[/url], job done!
[/quote]

I agree but the price is just slightly out of reach. £600 really is top end, especially since I would have no option but to replace that ridiculous gold pickguard (no offense).

Just made some arrangements to go to Newcastle in a couple of weeks with an old guitarist friend who will be looking for a new telecaster, so that seems to be how this is gonna happen. Anyone know a Schecter bass stockist in the Newcastle/Sunderland/Gateshead area?

Thanks again, I've had nothing but great suggestions here.

[miles'tone]

The Fender deluxe P special has a thin Jazz neck BTW.

Edited July 15, 2014 by miles'tone

[hamfist]

[quote name='addam360' timestamp='1405437875' post='2501903']
Anyone know a Schecter bass stockist in the Newcastle/Sunderland/Gateshead area?
[/quote]

Guitarguitar stock Schecter and seem to have a Newcastle shop