lozbass

[quote name='mattbass6' post='622343' date='Oct 10 2009, 11:28 AM']Thanks for that breakdown and especially because I am super interested in the single cut Sei bass Can you elaborate further for me what was lacking in the sound? I love the fact that it has a wide, flat neck, which is what I wanted to hear but the electronics bother me. I have never owned a bass with Barts in and to be honest, I haven't heard that many great reports about them, but if you could tell me you exact thoughts on the tonal range, I would appreciate that.[/quote] PMd with some (hopefully useful) further details Cheers, Lozbass

Personally, certainly not in the current market (I think £6k would be the outside - I really wouldn't pay that either). Someone with much superior knowledge of Fenders will know - why no paint stick mark in the neck pocket (and is that a shim I see)?

Epifani ul610

I'm a sucker for beautiful, figured timber tops. For solid colours (on Fender shape basses): Sonic blue (with MHS and rosewood board) Shell pink (with MHS and rosewood board) Olympic white I've seen a few late '60s or early '70s Mustangs in orange with competition stripes and that looks really cool. I also love Plexiglass and foolishly turned down the offer of an original for £30 in the '70s (far too heavy though)

Simply a big public thanks to Dunlop for excellent customer service (credit where due etc.) I recently lost one of the retaining circlips from a set of Dunlop straplocks. Davebass5 very kindly helped out by sending me a new one (and wouldn't accept payment - not even postage - a star!) Prior to asking on BC, I'd contacted Dunlop. I received an email response, then yesterday a package from the US containing several circlips, some stickers and a handful of plectrums - all for free. It's fantastic to receive such service, so as it says in the header, thanks to all at Dunlop - a great product and faultless service!

Status basses seem to slap reasonably well (!) and most Fender Jazz style basses slap very neatly. I agree with Outtoplayjazz - proximity of the neck pickup to the board is an issue. I had one 26 fret bass with an elongated board and there was little gap between it and the pickup (that said, the bass wasn't designed fundamentally for a slap style). I've found SGs to be a problem, along with some other traditional (non-Fender) styles

[quote name='retroman' post='615656' date='Oct 3 2009, 12:46 PM']I too am having major issues over a bass I paid four figures for......................[/quote] I'm really sorry to hear this and hope you receive the resolution that you deserve. I'm also very intrigued - I know that there are some 'mass manufacturers' and boutique builders charging four figure sums and would be interested to hear who is the cause of your dismay and irritation. Good luck with the bass and the outcome - do tell if and when you feel you can (i.e., if this will not compromise your position) - it's good to see the names if somebody is letting the bass community down

[quote name='Beedster' post='614060' date='Oct 1 2009, 06:12 PM']I've never played a Masterbuild so I wouldn't know whether there's a huge leap in quality from the mass produced CS models (and of course I might have just been unlucky with my CSs anyway). All the more reason to play before you buy though Si .[/quote] Hi Beedster, I couldn't agree more. I've bought a few basses without playing them and have been really lucky. Those that weren't perfect at first usually managed to shine with a good set-up. If at all possible, I'd always recommend trying a bass before buying - this is one of the luxuries that isn't available with a custom order (and one of the reasons I tend to buy used customs rather than commissioning new)

[quote name='bh2' post='614050' date='Oct 1 2009, 06:03 PM']Got to love that sonic blue Jazz... way out of my league money wise... how much?[/quote] Slightly OT but I love it more than I should. It's used and available at Rumbleseat in the US. I can't remember exactly, but I think they're asking $4750

The MB that I had was certainly not a meccano affair - there must be some machine work, and some parts were standard, of course. However, I suspect strongly that there was a significant level of hand shaping, fitting and finishing involved. I've been playing (Fenders from all periods and across the price range) for well over 30 years (yikes!) and can claim with some confidence that the Masterbuilt was 'different' (and 'better different') when compared to it's less expensive counterparts. That said, as noted earlier, I've encountered some CS Fenders that weren't great. I now play - amongst others but as one of my main basses - an Alleva Coppolo. It's beautifully built from the ground up. The construction of the Fender Masterbuilt was in the same league. The timbers too appeared to be of a very high quality - maybe not in Alleva/Alembic/Fodera territory, but very good indeed Edit: oops - perhaps I should also add that the MB looked absolutely bl**dy gorgeous. When it was in the Gallery for a set-up, opening the case elicited some very approving cooing and oohs and ahhs from the assembled clientele (some of them very well known players)

[quote name='Beedster' post='613935' date='Oct 1 2009, 04:12 PM']I know of at least one BC member who had a shocking time with a FCS Jazz, was mightily f**ked around by them[/quote] The guy that originally spec'd the Masterbuilt that came to me had a very bad experience - the bass didn't arrive as he'd ordered it and when the corrections were effected, Fender conspired to mess up the finish by screwing the ashtrays on too tightly (hence cracking the lacquer)...so the story goes...

[quote name='wateroftyne' post='613913' date='Oct 1 2009, 03:48 PM']If you do go for it, get lollipop tuners. [/quote] Oh yes! and dots, bound and MHS to complete the '66 look (I'm getting a little too excited here...)

I don't know exactly what you'd need to pay for the bass as spec'd but I think that you'd be looking at a decent resale value if the bass didn't live up to expectations. I think too that you could expect a step-up from standard in all the dimensions listed (though there's always a risk). Whatever the outcome, the bass should look as cool as..... One thing you might want to bear in mind is currency fluctuations - no guarantees but the £ is looking weak (and could get more so) - maybe order soon at a fixed price? If you're feeling seriously flush, there's an Alleva in sonic blue on Talkbass - it's a very high spec model with some extremely desirable features (from a currently much in demand builder). I had a couple of pops but gave up. Just over £3k could get it into the UK (and I think you'd be guaranteed a very spectacular instrument).

The Masterbuilt Jazz (sonic blue) in the photograph is just gorgeous - I thought long and hard about coughing up to Rumbleseat for it. In the end, I don't think the price is justified given the history. If you can bring something similar in for less than the price of a Metro, I'd be really tempted. Bear in mind, it could be crap - not all the CS basses I've seen or played have been great (some have been very ordinary indeed - I should have mentioned this in my last post). I don't think there are many basses that look more cool than a sonic blue Fender Jazz (with MHS and early '60s tuners) - for the money though, I'd want something guaranteed to play extremely well

I buy strings and other bits from the US fairly frequently and have been fortunate insofar as I've not been hit with duty. Some larger sellers there appear to understand the system and have been extremely accommodating (without solicitation)

I honestly never knowingly played a gig straight or sober in the 15 years I was gigging (apart from the very earliest couple of my career when nerves dictated that consumption of either food or fluids was impossible)

Given what you say about developments (flaking etc.) I'd send the bass back. To be honest, you do sound picky (but probably not as picky as me!) and you're not likely to ever be fully happy with bass you have. That said, two things occur: first, minor initial blemishes are often forgotten following a few months/years of playing; second, nearly every new bass will have some flaw if you look sufficiently carefully. I've had a good number of 'expensive' basses (Status, Fodera, Overwater, Fender Masterbuilt, Pangborn, Sei etc.) and only a couple arrived without any blemishes. Hand-builts are a real issue - nearly all of the boutique, hand crafted basses I've had have some 'quirk' (quirks that some might call imperfections). Oh, and my Status, ordered new and delivered in '86, didn't arrive without some (very minor) quirks/blemishes! Perfection is a highly subjective and fluid term - I simply don't expect it any longer - that way I don't experience so much disappointment

I've only owned a Masterbuilt - they're hand-built by one 'Masterbuilder' in the Custom Shop rather than 'team-built', but I can offer an opinion based on that. It was a Jazz fretless, based on a '64 NOS (but 2TS and an ebony, unlined board). It was absolutely beautifully constructed with superb attention to detail, excellent timbers and a fabulous nitro finish. It was the equal in terms of craft work and finishing to some very high-end boutique instruments (I've had a couple of Sei Jazzes and have played countless other super Js). Playability was excellent and the tone was what you'd expect. The neck was super-slender and general build and feel was lovely: I wouldn't have sold the bass if I thought I'd any chance of ever being able to play it without embarrassment. There are photographs in the marketplace section here - the bass was sold around 2-3 months ago - it's worth a look, though my photography can't do the instrument justice. Based on my experience, I wouldn't have any problem with a CS - I do, however, think they're over-priced given the alternatives.

With that kind of budget, a lot of options open up (but remember, you don't have to spend all the money!) I'd certainly be thinking of a high-end used bass and looking carefully through the ads in the marketplace here on Basschat. If you like the (Fender-type) Jazz look, feel, tone etc., it might be worth looking at some of the Super Js that are around - these come up on Basshchat very frequently. My own preference in the price band is Sei - it's not unlikely that you'd pick-up a Sei Jazz 4 or 5 string for between £900 and £1200. Alternatives could be Sandberg, Nordy, Sadowsky Metro, Low-End and many others. With the circuits and pick-ups in some of the Super Js, you should get a fairly versatile bass. It's not really easy to define 'woody' (or to interpret) but I suspect you're looking for a highly resonant instrument with a reasonably mellow, warm, traditional tone - any of the brands listed above should be able to provide this (and a much more modern tone if required). Good luck - you're in the right place and I'm sure you'll be offered plenty of advice. One last thing, I suspect you're a reasonably experienced player (given the budget), however, I'd save a bit of cash for some decent strings and a really good set-up - I've seen very average basses brought to life by a good luthier

Hi Clarky, I normally buy the twin packs (available at the link below) in 40-95. These are the EXL 220 in long scale. The price is pretty good and the tension is fine for me on long-scale basses. I have a bit of an issue with wrist rotation so prefer a slightly lighter E on long-scales - the 95 is just about right. The strings are fairly bright and reasonably long-lasting in my experience. I don't tend to use a pick so it may be worth asking opinions from those that do. From what I read, D'addario nickel rounds are one of the most popular strings on the market (they seem to be of high and uniform quality without the price tag of some of the more boutique names - I trust them enough to have them on an Alleva and a Sei Jazz). [url="http://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/products/1405-d_addario_exl_nickel_wound_bass_twin_pack"]http://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/products/14..._bass_twin_pack[/url]

It all depends on what you're looking for - if it's a modern super J tone, then I'd stick with Sei (though within and beyond your list, there are some superb alternatives). If it's a more traditional super J, then Allevas are worth checking out. The alternatives are fewer in the second case - it may be worth checking out some old Fenders. My experience is that - beyond all the disputation and some possibly ill-informed prejudice - there are some very good Fender Js from both the '60s and '70s. A lot of careful research is required though (fun in its own right!)