Twincam Posted June 29, 2016 Posted June 29, 2016 Well from having a custom made approx 2k instrument to a £130 (I overpaid) bit of a scruffy 1984 aria pro 2 (passive) brings me back down to earth with a bump. Needed a shim in the nut (done). Needs the neck pocket worked on or the neck heal worked on as the angle is just not right looks like its got a huge shim in there and I genuinely thought I would find one in there. Frets are pretty level though one or two might get some work the bass is well played but fret wear is minimal. Neck is ok but untill I get the neck angle right I'm struggle with the higher action. But I think profile is all wrong for me. Of and the E saddle typically someone has got it stuck and head is stripped. I can do all the work easy enough but I have a lack of motivation. Camt even turn up the volume as everything rattles in the house lol. However I do really like its tone. The rear pu is a bit weak. Front pu is nice. Definetly 80s dare I say? Well least I have an instrument again. Quote
Bassassin Posted June 29, 2016 Posted June 29, 2016 Let's see some pics! If it's 80s MIJ & you paid £130 you probably got a bargain. Jon. Quote
Twincam Posted June 29, 2016 Author Posted June 29, 2016 [quote name='Bassassin' timestamp='1467222605' post='3082094'] Let's see some pics! If it's 80s MIJ & you paid £130 you probably got a bargain. Jon. [/quote] Not sure about the bargain bit as said I'm putting in some work to get it right. And even then I'm only going to do a just about good enough job on it, although it will be "right" when done. [URL=http://s330.photobucket.com/user/Twincam2008/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160629_200500_zpsiiwmzelm.jpg.html][IMG]http://i330.photobucket.com/albums/l415/Twincam2008/Mobile%20Uploads/20160629_200500_zpsiiwmzelm.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Quote
zawinul Posted June 29, 2016 Posted June 29, 2016 all basses are just bits of wood with some strings on... if you like it you like it... My favourite ever bass is my Warwick from Indonesia, huge brass frets, buzzy e string but I just LOVE it!! unless i won the lottery i wouldn;t buy one of these expensive pieces of furniture basses...even then i still probably wouldn;t, i'd buy a monstrous Moog modular Quote
3below Posted June 29, 2016 Posted June 29, 2016 A well sorted cheap bass is a thing of pleasure. Great satisfaction of getting good tone and playability for cheap as chips money, sort of an anti-bass Quote
Twincam Posted June 29, 2016 Author Posted June 29, 2016 [quote name='3below' timestamp='1467232934' post='3082218'] A well sorted cheap bass is a thing of pleasure. Great satisfaction of getting good tone and playability for cheap as chips money, sort of an anti-bass [/quote] Oh indeed I agree. In fact that's some of the pleasure I get working on them. I think this one is pretty cool. But sometimes, though not always are a higher end instrument is really nice and you can get something more out of them. Personally I think this bass bass the tone ive been looking for. Its just the feel is a little off. Quote
Bassassin Posted June 29, 2016 Posted June 29, 2016 That's a Laser Electric Heritage, Matsumoku build. Nice bass and easily a bargain. Welcome to the world of Vintage MIJ! Jon. Quote
KingBollock Posted June 30, 2016 Posted June 30, 2016 That looks like the sort of bass you could truly make your own. Quote
cocco Posted June 30, 2016 Posted June 30, 2016 Matsumoku build quality for £130? You won't get a better deal than that. It sounds like you'll get it playing nicely without spending much as well. Well done that man! Quote
LewisK1975 Posted June 30, 2016 Posted June 30, 2016 [quote name='Bassassin' timestamp='1467244185' post='3082284'] That's a Laser Electric Heritage, Matsumoku build. Nice bass and easily a bargain. Welcome to the world of Vintage MIJ! Jon. [/quote] I had one of those back in the 90's. Loved it and it was solid as a rock. Can't remember what took it's place, maybe a Fenix Jazz? Quote
paul h Posted June 30, 2016 Posted June 30, 2016 That is one cool bass. Once you have all the niggles sorted you'll be wondering why you ever spent more than £130 on a bass! Quote
hubrad Posted June 30, 2016 Posted June 30, 2016 [quote name='Twincam' timestamp='1467242539' post='3082273'] Oh indeed I agree. In fact that's some of the pleasure I get working on them. I think this one is pretty cool. But sometimes, though not always are a higher end instrument is really nice and you can get something more out of them. Personally I think this bass bass the tone ive been looking for. Its just the feel is a little off. [/quote] So, a few tweaks and you have it nailed.. fantastic! Personally I really like the fact that I've put some of my own effort into my own instruments, as it makes me feel more of a bond with them. Quote
Bassassin Posted June 30, 2016 Posted June 30, 2016 Good opportunity to point out once again that my £60 pawn shop MIJ Jazz copy is the nicest bass I've ever played: [url="http://s1276.photobucket.com/user/LanterneRouge/media/CSL%20Jazz/CSLresize1_zpskufavwxd.jpg.html"][/url] If I was ever in the position to spend silly money on a custom bass, most of it would be a replica of this thing! J. Quote
Bass_Guardian Posted June 30, 2016 Posted June 30, 2016 [quote name='Bassassin' timestamp='1467283532' post='3082472'] Good opportunity to point out once again that my £60 pawn shop MIJ Jazz copy is the nicest bass I've ever played: [url="http://s1276.photobucket.com/user/LanterneRouge/media/CSL%20Jazz/CSLresize1_zpskufavwxd.jpg.html"][/url] If I was ever in the position to spend silly money on a custom bass, most of it would be a replica of this thing! J. [/quote] That is awesome! Very cool. Quote
Twincam Posted June 30, 2016 Author Posted June 30, 2016 Well another thing is at least people now won't assume I'm really good at playing lol. There was always a slight hint of panic upon opening the case In front of others. Quote
Guest MoJo Posted June 30, 2016 Posted June 30, 2016 (edited) [quote name='Twincam' timestamp='1467286978' post='3082509'] Well another thing is at least people now won't assume I'm really good at playing lol. There was always a slight hint of panic upon opening the case In front of others. [/quote] I used to get that feeling when I played a six string bass. I felt as though the audience were expecting me to launch into an improvised solo at any minute, but instead were probably thinking, " Why has he got a six string bass to play Mustang Sally? I've only seen him use two of the strings so far" Edited June 30, 2016 by MoJo Quote
bartelby Posted June 30, 2016 Posted June 30, 2016 [quote name='Bassassin' timestamp='1467283532' post='3082472'] Good opportunity to point out once again that my £60 pawn shop MIJ Jazz copy is the nicest bass I've ever played: [url="http://s1276.photobucket.com/user/LanterneRouge/media/CSL%20Jazz/CSLresize1_zpskufavwxd.jpg.html"][/url] If I was ever in the position to spend silly money on a custom bass, most of it would be a replica of this thing! J. [/quote] Why do the pawn shops around here never have anything like that?!?! Quote
jimbobothy Posted June 30, 2016 Posted June 30, 2016 [quote name='Bassassin' timestamp='1467283532' post='3082472'] Good opportunity to point out once again that my £60 pawn shop MIJ Jazz copy is the nicest bass I've ever played: [url="http://s1276.photobucket.com/user/LanterneRouge/media/CSL%20Jazz/CSLresize1_zpskufavwxd.jpg.html"][/url] If I was ever in the position to spend silly money on a custom bass, most of it would be a replica of this thing! J. [/quote] Luvin it! Quote
Twincam Posted June 30, 2016 Author Posted June 30, 2016 My whole setup isn't the best ive ever had but actually tone wise ive never been happier. Its fairly simple. Warm and well rounded without being to dark or muddy. And the best thing is if something went wrong or it for stolen it wouldn't be a disaster. So I'm worry free! [URL=http://s330.photobucket.com/user/Twincam2008/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160630_150732_zpsvssdngwo.jpg.html][IMG]http://i330.photobucket.com/albums/l415/Twincam2008/Mobile%20Uploads/20160630_150732_zpsvssdngwo.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Quote
Bass_Guardian Posted June 30, 2016 Posted June 30, 2016 [quote name='Twincam' timestamp='1467301025' post='3082678'] My whole setup isn't the best ive ever had but actually tone wise ive never been happier. Its fairly simple. Warm and well rounded without being to dark or muddy. And the best thing is if something went wrong or it for stolen it wouldn't be a disaster. So I'm worry free! [url="http://s330.photobucket.com/user/Twincam2008/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160630_150732_zpsvssdngwo.jpg.html"][/url] [/quote] Looks awesome! Quote
Bassassin Posted June 30, 2016 Posted June 30, 2016 [quote name='bartelby' timestamp='1467289691' post='3082546'] Why do the pawn shops around here never have anything like that?!?! [/quote] To be fair, the ones near me have things that look like this: [url="http://s1276.photobucket.com/user/LanterneRouge/media/CSL%20Jazz/CSLoriginal%20upscale_zpswmli7jh0.jpg.html"][/url] Bought it to give it a wipe, stick a scratchplate & new strings on it & flip it. Couldn't believe how well it played when I got it home. That was about 13 years ago. J. Quote
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