skej21

A truthful version would be great... "That's Andy on drums. His girlfriend comes to every gig and we all hate watching them neck on in the corner... That's Dave on bass, he's sound enough but his bass faces are awful and he never smiles... That's Mark on guitar. He noodles between every song and never learns the songs for rehearsals and I'm Mick. I think because I'm a singer I don't have to bother with load-in and head straight to the bar at every gig, meaning I end up steaming and forgetting the words that I never got right in the first place. This one is called Superstition! Good night!"

[quote name='Dutchie' timestamp='1459284809' post='3015199'] Hi Basschatters, This may have been discussed on here before, if so sorry to bring up the subject again. Can anyone tell me the real difference between the Fender Classic Series ’60s Jazz Bass and the Fender Jazz Bass American Vintage ’62 Reissue? I know that one is made in Mexico and the other in the US and that American reissue has the stack volume and tone controls, but take those away and it’s virtually the same as the Classic Series isn't it?. So, if you took them both apart bit by bit would you know the difference? Thanks in advance [/quote] The Classic '60s model is a mix of all the recognisable features of a '60s Jazz (reverse tuners, pickup spacing, approx neck profile, colour scheme, standard vintage voiced pickups, Mexican built - so multiple bits of alder in the body etc). The US vintage '62 is built more in line with the old spec of that specific year where possible. Nitro lacquer, less than 3 bits of body wood, side seaming on sunburst models (body is joined front to back, not left half and right half, which means any visual join is lost under the black in the sunburst finish. This makes the body look like a one piece body that it originally would've been but is not longer possible due to costs), hard case, stack knobs and vintage voiced pickups, nicer quality Alder, little details like a vintage style serial number on the neck plate (Classic '60s has the standard serial as a decal on the headstock) etc etc etc In answer to the original question, both models have their merits and there are definitely clear differences in quality and attention to detail between the two that would be obvious and justify a price difference (how much is an eternal basschat debate!). Whether the price difference is justifiable or not is the decision for the bassist with the money in their hand! :-)

I have the SR605 and it's fantastic for the price. Lightweight, looks great, Preamp/Pickups are very versatile and easy to use. My only reservation in recommending it is that I don't play a lot of slap and I've heard that some people think the 16.5mm string spacing on the SR605 is too tight for slap. This might put you off. I actually really like Yamaha stuff too but find them to be a bit on the heavy side and usually have chunkier neck profiles than I like. I bought my SR605 to experiment with a few things on something not too expensive with the intention of commissioning a build if it worked. The SR605 handled my farting about very nicely and led to me commissioning an ACG build. My intention was to move on the SR605 when the ACG is finished but I've been so impressed with the quality, playability and feel of the SR605, I'm actually considering just keeping it and upgrading the electronics with some Aguilar DCB pickups and a OBP-3 pre. That's how much I love it!!

Depends who you ask but the AV range that included the '75 Jazz is no longer in production. It was replaced by a newer range that instead, features a RI '74 Jazz and some believe the newer AV range aren't as good (therefore, would hunt down a '75 RI?). The '75 RI in natural finish with maple neck and black blocks was the holy grail bass in my local shop when I was younger and every other bass player I knew wanted that bass... That combination doesn't exist in the new AV range at all, so people are bound to hunt the older model down and that'll keep the price high! Good news if you have one in good condition :-)

Same issue here too. People put up adverts and then never respond or you put up an advert saying 'looking for working covers/function band' and get responses like 'oh, I'm putting together a jam band for fun. Nothing serious, just a few friends jamming if you're interested?' and then they get an arse on when you tell them you'd pass on that because them that wasn't really what you'd advertised. I've found that most people who are organised and run bands also run other musical events, like open mic nights and buskers nights so networking there is a much better foot in the door. They get an informal look at how well you can play and your adaptability and skills to pick up and play anything with anyone. If you do well there, it's a natural progression that they'll then call you to dep something last minute or if they need a bassist when their band or a mates band loses their bassist.

[quote name='Cato' timestamp='1458166201' post='3005333'] Someone commissioned a gold & precious stone encrusted Ritter a while back that was offered for sale for $250,000 http://www.musicradar.com/news/bass/the-worlds-most-expensive-bass-167426 [/quote] Gibson made a similar thing but an SG... And charged $2m for it!

Sounds like its been a great show so far. I'll be there next year at all costs!! There are rumblings that Martin Sim didn't end up attending due to a serious injury?! I spotted a few people on social media wishing him a fast recovery (which id like to echo!). I hope it wasn't anything to do with the wall collapse mentioned by Dave Swift on Friday!

[quote name='PlungerModerno' timestamp='1456442580' post='2989203'] Coolest relic I've seen in . . . well forever! Now a Rory Gallagher version. . . That would be extremely tempting! [/quote] Like this you mean? http://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Fender-Custom-Shop-Rory-Gallagher-Signature-Relic-Strat-Sunburst/1ACM?origin=product-ads&utm_campaign=*PLA+Shop+-+All+Products&utm_medium=vertical_search&network=google&adgroup=**All+Products&merchant_id=1279443&product_id=60070d1&product_country=GB&product_partition_id=41477300408&gclid=CIvCoOXslMsCFRIUGwodSjEDNQ

[quote name='AlpherMako5' timestamp='1455261444' post='2977496'] Ok, I'm gonna take it in to somebody anyway, I was just hoping to get an idea first. Thank you [/quote] Me and band mates have used Dave a couple of times. Based in Doncaster (which I would imagine is close enough to you?) and he's got lots of experience and expertise! http://www.rosewell-amps.co.uk

[quote name='phil.c60' timestamp='1455096126' post='2975742'] Very good of you to reply, Carl, your post does not quite answer the original point although I did shorten it to stop it turning into war and peace. I rang, and specifically asked if you had two 8' cables and an 18' cable in Whirlwind Elite tweed with silver stripe and was told that you did. We had a conversation about them, and I said I'd come in Sunday and asked if I needed to have them kept for me and you said no, they're a stock item, I've got lots. I came in Sunday morning, asked the guy in the shop, he said "all the ones we've got...." etc. I looked on the rack, their were two 18' silver and no others (in silver). I asked again and got "all the ones we have......" I pointed out I had come specifically for them having been told they were a stock item and got "all the ones we have..." at this point I expressed my displeasure and left. I appreciate your apology, but if the guy in the shop had offered to order them, post them, been apologetic, anything really, I would have probably taken the 18' one and had the other two sent. The service was not great, he clearly didn't seem to care much and that was the overall point. It may seem a lot of fuss over small items, but they are not cheap: the three leads come to nearly £100. I do appreciate you're response, as I said it's good of you to take the time but I will be going elsewhere. [/quote] It's great that Carl came on to apologise and it's great that you have given feedback in a neutral and fair way (it's very easy to 'rant' unfairly on a forum!)... However, reading through this I can only help but think that this could all have been avoided if Carl had originally just said 'we've got loads in stock so I don't mind setting them aside for you with your name on for a couple of days. If you've not bought them by Monday morning, I'll pop them back on display'... Then just said to his staff 'X is coming to pick these up on Sunday, keep an eye out' Simple communication breakdown that could've been easily avoided by the looks of it. Shame you were the one on the end of it!

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1454695878' post='2972233'] I've seen Noiseless pickups in a CS... they aren't marked N3 though. At the monent, I can't find a difference apart from a lot of money between CS and AM Deluxe and a few colours..? Must be very very good wood.. [/quote] That may be why they have discontinued the AM Deluxe series and replaced it with the 'elite' models...

[quote name='ambient' timestamp='1453938419' post='2964577'] Anyone else use this in their practice ? I bought my copy years ago for maybe £3. It's a really great little book. The exercises as the name suggests, are designed for piano, but they're brilliant for warming up. They're mostly based around intervals, 3rd, 4th etc. So it's great practice for string skipping and stuff like that. Use a metronome and start slowly, gradually building up the tempo. [/quote] There is a specific bass version of the Hanon exercises too :-)

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1454615478' post='2971418'] Aren't the CS ones the same as the ones on the Am Deluxe? [/quote] The custom shop pickups are in the American standards. The American deluxe models have Noiseless N3 single coul pickups or the Delixe split coil, so slightly different. Personally, I think the custom shop '60s single coil that's in the Am Std Jazz is the nicest pickup in the Fender basses at the moment!

[quote name='sunburstjazz1967' timestamp='1454354851' post='2968938'] Ooh touched a nerve? Gone for the old 'no intention of buying' line which I'm afraid you are wrong about, I already own and or would buy basses featured in my list but I'm man enough to admit that those things are not 'cool'. [/quote] No nerve touched at all. If something as petty as that upset me, an Internet forum wouldn't be the place I'd choose to come ;-) I just put that response because Basschat is text and it's difficult to convey sarcasm at times, so just wanted to make it clear I was just having a laugh. As for you buying basses you think are 'uncool' but like anyway, that's 'cool'. Like I said, live and let live. It's your money, not mine!

[quote name='colgraff' timestamp='1454314564' post='2968401'] I'm always intrigued by terms such as 'Joe Public' and 'Hoi Polloi', etc. It implies that the speaker is somehow superior to the general population and I tend to think that if one needs to makes such an assertion, then it probably isn't true. [/quote] Just in case my post was misconstrued, I was using 'Joe Public' sarcastically in reposnse to its original use, for the sake of playing devils advocate. Personally, I think people should worry more about buying a bass they DO like than wasting their time arguing and getting hung up making lists about stuff that is featured on a bass that they dislike and therefore have no intention of ever buying as a result. Life's too short :-) Buy what you like and then live and let live!

[quote name='sunburstjazz1967' timestamp='1454262496' post='2967991'] Firm uncool things that are not subject to debate :-) Gold hardware. Loads of control knobs like that Brubaker. Any kind of fancy top, spalted or other dead rotten wood. more than 5 strings and 5s are pushing it. Anything with a 'signature' on it. Headless. Short strap to raise bass up as a chin strap. LEDs. Fretless. Single cuts with the top horn near the 12th fret. Fanned frets. Jazz basses with a chrome plate but no guard, rear route should be law there. Feel free to add to my list. People will take offense to any of those that applies to them but I'm affraid joe public would not class anyone sporting those basses as cool, Ricky on a medium length strap played with a pick is always going to be cooler than a spalted apple tree topped, gold hardwared, multi knobbed single cut worn just below the chin. You can tell me I'm wrong and thats fine but deep down you know its true! [/quote] Millions of Joe Public's made Justin Bieber famous and stinking rich. Joe Public wouldnt know 'cool' if it smashed them around the face with a Rickenbacker on a medium length strap before ramming the pick between their front teeth. Maybe 'cool' is buying a multi-controlled apple tree on a short strap and not being told what to do by the Joe Public consensus?* *Or not...

[quote name='EliasMooseblaster' timestamp='1453815382' post='2962987'] How difficult (and/or expensive) have you found it to get hold of replacement strings for E-C tuning? This thread has got me considering whether to convert a cheap fiver and give this configuration a punt, but I presume I'd have to chop and change with string sets. [/quote] Never found it that difficult. When I wanted to try it, I bought an Ibanez SR605 and simply restrung it E-C. Nut didn't need any work which was a bonus. I loved the range so much (I never used a low B when I had a 6er) that I commissioned an ACG so that I could have a really nice E-C 5er as my main bass. There's not a huge difference in price between 5 and 6 string sets, so I just buy 6 string sets and don't use the low B :-)

Main bass is a 5 but tuned E-C (not sure if that fully counts in the '5' for the vote, as you may have meant the usual B-G 5). I currently own 3 basses and I have 2 four strings and 1 five string. I have ordered an ACG which will be a 5 string E-C which will replace my current 'main' bass.

[quote name='Stealth' timestamp='1453768787' post='2962668'] Can anyone recommend a 5 string with a narrow neck and close string spacing. I have a Lakland Joe Osborne but its a bit of a strech for complex stuff budget is around £1k less if poss [/quote] Depends how tight you want the string spacing :-) As Cameron said, Ibanez SR models come with 16.5mm spacing which is fairly narrow but if you want to go closer, the Ibanez AGB205 (http://www.ibanez.com/products/eb_page15.php?year=2015&area_id=3&cat_id=2&series_id=57&data_id=102&color=CL01) has 15mm string spacing, so it's really compact. It is 30.3" scale length though which isn't to everyone's taste. I've actually had my hands on one of these and I found the 15mm a bit too close for me but it might be an option for you :-) If you were thinking even narrower than 15mm, the Ibanez GVB36 (http://www.ibanez.com/products/u_eb_page15.php?year=2015&cat_id=2&series_id=65&data_id=149&color=CL01) goes down to 14mm string spacing. Again, I've played this and I actually found it more comfortable than the AGB205, which was surprising! It is a 6 string rather than 5 you were looking for but it very much feels like a standard 5 string neck but with 6 strings. Again, might be another option :-)

[quote name='Sibob' timestamp='1453655728' post='2961463'] Really loving the relic'd Ibanez hollowbodies & SR Singlecut. The Orange O bass was the single biggest 'wtf' moment for me.....like.....really? You waited for winter NAMM to announce this thing?! Blurgh The TC Ditto X4 looks very impressive too! Si [/quote] Im also loving the Ibanez stuff this year. As for the O bass, I think the orange coloured Orange O Bass is bloody awful but I think this is actually pretty cool for less than £300! http://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Orange-O-Bass-Guitar-Sunburst/1GGD

[quote name='NancyJohnson' timestamp='1453551156' post='2960448'] Yep. Didn't you get my message about coming with me? In reality, no, I'm sitting in my little study room at home in leafy Berkshire, catching up on NAMM via various feeds. To concur, the Tech21 stuff looks good, but then it always does. I spoke to Dug's tech and a guy from Tech21 in New York last May and saw the Dug head up close. It was a pant-wettingly beautiful thing: OK, Question time. What is this bass: That's right! It's a Fender Postmodern Journeyman Relic [i]Jazz [/i]bass. Yep, a Jazz bass. More reasons why the Fender team are probably on crack and trying to sell stuff that it isn't what it purports to be. P [/quote] In Fender's defence, they have never named or referred to this bass as a 'jazz bass'... They have fitted a 'jazz' neck (with the 'jazz' profile, nut width and decal etc) but the model is simply referred to as a 'journeyman relic'. I'm assuming they left the 'jazz' decal on the neck to make it obvious that the neck has 'jazz' bass specs and that it's not just a precision bass spec'd custom shop model in a different finish. This is the listing for it. Not a mention of it being 'a jazz bass'... http://www.wildwoodguitars.com/products/xn0753.php?CategoryID=229&n=4#

The highlight for me so far has been the Orange O bass. Looks really cool!

[quote name='spiltmilk_2000' timestamp='1453285931' post='2958025'] Hi guys, Im interesting in fitting a bass ramp onto one of my jazz basses to see how I get on. Im told they are good for developing a lighter touch and for having easier access to a range of playing positions and therefore tones. Ive had a scout about on here and it seems they divide opinion... So I guess my questions are as follows: 1. Anyone fitted one themselves? Is it an easy fix? Is it easily reversible? 2. Have you seen any tangible benefit in your playing? 3. Where did you get it? Other than very expensive hand built wooden ramps I can't see any companies selling affordable, off the peg, ramps online and if i make one myself I'm bound to c@ck it up! 4. How important is getting the same radius as the neck? 5. Assuming the ramp does work for developing that lighter touch am I going to find that when I play my other five J basses they feel uncomfortable? Don't really want the expense of putting ramps on them all! Thanks for sharing your experiences! Russ [/quote] I made my own ramp for my Ibanez SR605. It was really straight forward to be honest. Ordered a block of ebony. Used a really cheap bit of scrap wood that I had lying around (for a practice run!). Cut out a rectangle with a bandsaw and then used the radius templates (free in the Jerzy Drozd bass set up guide - free online PDF, just google it!). I used one of the 20" (that was the radius of my bass) radius templates and glued it to the rectangle and cut a rough line close. Then hand-sanded the radius in properly, using the second radius guide to check that it was correct. Just kept sliding it back in to place to check the radius was right and that it wasn't too close to the strings etc. When I finished the radius on the top, I then sanded the flat edge (the bit that will stick to the bass) down a little to account for the additional height added in by the double-sided sticky tape to hold it in place. I then used gradually finer sandpaper and oil finish to get a nice finish to the ramp. Then stuck it in place and it's been on ever since. Will be fairly easy to remove when I don't want it there any more too. The block of ebony cost about £30 and I could've got about 15 ramps out of it! The sandpaper and finish cost about £15 (I donated what I didn't use to my father-in-law for his woodturning projects in exchange for the use of his bandsaw and other tools to do the cutting!). If you use ebony, make sure you use a mask as its apparently REALLY not very nice if you inhale it (luckily, the bandsaw I was using has a vacuum attached to remove the dust as we were cutting). I fitted the ramp to mine as I've been working on developing my right hand technique in a which really benefits from using a ramp to stop fingers 'digging in' too far. It was great fun making it and a worthwhile experience!

[quote name='bubinga5' timestamp='1453509036' post='2960287'] Talk about a guy who's a builder and a player. !! Awsome playing from Adrian. keep watching. [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTJcVIyhvtM[/media] [/quote] Yes! Great demo, although I nearly spat my tea out when he described what the second control knob (after the volume, active/passive switching control knob) did!

Great stuff. It's really refreshing to see a bass player like Janek (I'm a big fan!). His positivity, outlook on life, his views on where the music industry is going and his view that you don't HAVE to spend months away touring to be a hardworking musician are a really positive example to set to any other aspiring musician. Such a genuinely nice guy, a great player and a massive breath of fresh air!