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The Great Pretender - The Platters

Here's a few pictures of my Fender Player ii Modified Active Precision in Metallic Forest Green. Despite it not really being the sort of bass I would gravitate towards, its actually a really fun bass to play and I'm super happy with it ...... for now (More on that later). I'm typically a fretless player, a Japanese Fender fanboy and a passive only snob. However I was asked to play bass with a new artist and this included doing four shows at Glastonbury this year. I already had my gorgeous Fender Japan 60's Classic Precision which sounds and plays beautifully but because of the big occasion, I thought I better pick up a backup bass. I went back and forth from buying a Japanese Fender 62RI or 75RI Jazz, an American Vintage ii 54 Precision, a Japanese Stingray SR4 EX, a Fender Vintera ii Telecaster bass, a Squire 40th Anniversary Precision to sticking a fretted neck on one of my fretless basses. I had a week to go before heading to Glastonbury and the Fender Vintera ii Modified Active Precision in Metallic Forest Green was on my radar, not because I liked the look of the bass, I didn't because it wasn't a Japanese Fender but simply because I like the idea of a PJ configuration but more so that green is my favourite colour and a green bass would be my dream bass. I decided to head to Andertons to try a few basses out, probably with the intention of coming home with a Fender Vintera ii Telecaster bass as I liked the one I played when they first came out, I adore the look of them and it would make a fun and interesting back up. So I first tried one and mmm, yeah, I liked it again, but I didn't remember the neck to be this chunky or the bass to be this heavy so I had a slight doubt now. I then tried the American Vintage ii 54 Precision and what a bass. The tone, the playability, the build quality, it was simply on another level. I couldn't afford it but needed to make a decision so it was on the list and man maths was in full flow. I then tried the Fender Vintera ii Modified Active Precision, expecting it to be a bit nasty and I was massively surprised at how good it was. The neck was wonderful and the tone out of the box was really strong and punchy. I had no idea what half of the controls did and if I was in active or passive (I was in active) but it just sounded and played so good. My head was still doing man maths on convincing myself to buy the American Vintage ii 54 Precision and telling myself it's not a Japanese Fender but it was such a great bass that I couldn't fault. As a reference, I tried a Fender Player ii Jazz and it lasted less than a minute, it was horrible. Thankfully my wife was with me and she has amazing logic and reasoning and basically decided for me. If the artist I'm playing with at Glastonbury goes on and does a lot more afterwards then that's justification to trade up or buy the American Vintage ii 54 Precision but for now, it's not the time. Not the answer I wanted but I knew it was the smart decision. Don't buy a Stingray, you always sell them and never happy with them. Harsh but fair. The Telecaster bass is ugly (her opinion, not mine) but is heavy, chunky, I'll probably never play it when I have my Japanese Fender Precision which is fabulous and I'll get fed up lugging it about and never playing it. She's right .... again. That left the Fender Vintera ii Modified Active Precision which she said sounded really good but it would make a great bass for what I need right now, could be good enough as a fun alternative but could also easily be sold if things go no further or traded in for the American Vintage ii 54 Precision. So that was that, a decision was made. So here it is and isn't she a beauty. The funny thing is, after all of this, it was decided not to take two basses to Glastonbury as space was premium and I just took my Japanese Fender Precision in the end which performed magnificently. Either way I have no doubts and I'm super happy I still bought it. I did struggle a little to get a tone I was happy with but changing to a set of light gauge LaBella Deep Talkin flats pretty much fixed that. However, it looks like the artist I played Glastonbury with is going to go further so the American Vintage ii 54 Precision is still on the cards. However, I have plans for the Fender Vintera ii Modified Active Precision but we will save that for another post when the time comes. For now, here's some pictures along with my Japanese Fender 60's Classic Precision.

I use one of the MB58R heads (basically the same thing) with a MB58R 102 Energy cab (8ohm) for most of my gigs. Always sounds great with electric or upright bass. Loads of volume and sounds fantastic. Have used it with big bands and barely turned it up halfway. I do have a second cab (a 104 Energy) in case I need a bigger setup but I’ve never actually needed it so far. It’s a really good combination and ridiculously lightweight…

Non serious rattle = barrel of jack plug in pickup is loose. Medium rattle = tuners, end pin. Slightly serious rattle = seam needs glueing and clamping Serious rattle = something loose inside and the front needs to come off. Value ... maybe £800 at a dealer, with no rattles and decent strings; significantly less as a private sale ...but £275 is not a bad price....if you like it.

Thanks everyone for meeting up. I think it can be classed as a success 👍 Well done @neepheid

Tim bought a Jazz loom from me, got it fitted and had a bit of trouble - so messaged me - and I was pleased to offer advice which soon had things sorted 👍 Great guy to deal with, great communicationand instant payment, perfect transaction, will happily deal with Tim again. Cheerz, John

Will do 👍

I have a challenging start to the day - woke up late having been unwell in the night. Then 'ForScore' refused to sync the music for this mornings' service so I had to print out the new tunes. For bonus fun, our MD had a new tune which I got to see only with five minutes before the service started. But it all went well and once the service started everything dropped into place. The hymns were: As the Deer Pants for Water When I Needed a Neighbour Behold the Lamb How Can I Keep From Singing All have decent bass parts, but I'm particularly fond of How Can I Keep From Singing

Absolutely. I would certainly assist if the OP is in my part of the world. I think @Beedster asked where they were for this reason.

The USA Fenders did improve from 2012. Japan’s reputation has been consistently high since it started with the JV series.

Following. That's a great looking, tasteful instrument and no doubt it sounds and plays as well as it looks. An excellent tribute.

Great private party gig last night celebrating a 40th and an 80th so wide age range watching. Outdoors in the garden of one of the local farmhouses and all up for a good time. Only the 5th gig of the new band but they liked us so much that they paid us more than the agreed going rate. Same happened last at last gig so we must be doing something right. First outing of my s-s Sandberg Cali since new Aguilar pickup set fitted. Much more heft that OE pups. Didn't realise just how much in fact. No need to engage the 'deep' button on my Mesa D800+ from now on methinks. So nice to see all the old folks having such a good time. That includes me btw 🙂

One of our own - haven't recorded it yet but it's essentially a 12 bar blues with a couple odd turn arounds added for interest. We also do a walking bassline on the chorus of the old classic "You are mighty".

Steven - Alice Cooper