skej21

[quote name='pete.young' timestamp='1400164561' post='2451371'] I'd go with the neck stamps. I don't think the 75 re-issue was around in '85. There are other examples of people finding these basses hard to date, including this one: [font=georgia,palatino][size=4]"Serial numbers can also be tricky when trying to get an accurate date. I once had a Japanese Fender '75 reissue [url="http://fenderbassplayer.com/117-fender-jazz-bass"]Jazz Bass[/url] that I bought used and according to the serial number I looked up, was made around 1985. I was suspicious because I didn't think they made the '75 reissue that early on, so I popped the neck off and it had a date stamp of 1998. It turned out that this was a case of overlapping serial numbers used by Fender Japan on different models. Lesson here is that until you see the date stamp on either the neck or body, the serial number is only a [b]guess[/b].[/size][/font]" From http://fenderbassplayer.com/152-properly-dating-a-fender-bass [/quote] Cheers Pete. 1999 it is :-)

As some of you may have seen, i have posted my refinished LPB Fender '75 reissue for sale. I purchased the instrument from what I assumed to be a reputable source who assured me they had done all the approriate neck/body/serial number checks and was sold the bass thinking it was a 1985 Made in Japan model. However, after removing the neck to take dating photos for a potential buyer this afternoon, the serial number does not seem to match the date stamps. The date stamps in the body and on the neck heel both indicate an april 1999 date but the serial number on the headstock said 'Made In Japan - S/n: B0025**', which is stated as a 1985 model on Fender's serial dating. Can anyone (looking at the Fender gurus!) help me get to the bottom of this so I can sell at the appropriate price with an accurate description. Thanks in advance!

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1400151164' post='2451192'] I recently changed to 40-100 after many years using 45-105 and experienced an overall improvement in clarity and definition. I thought I'd be looking at a reduction in 'bottom end' or whatever you want to call it, but this wasn't the case. [/quote] Agreed. I use my Aguilar TH to emphasise any frequencies that need it (due to space acoustics etc) but find 40-100 are more responsive to my playing and the clarity and definition is much nicer, particularly when recording.

Ah, disappointed. I thought this was a Game of Thrones thread! :-(

I have a friend who gets frustrated with recording. His problem is that now that we have the ability to do multiple takes and stitch them together, it feeds the perfectionists. He is a perfectionist. He'll play a great single take, listen back and hear every TINY (and I mean TINY!) flaw and then go back and rerecord it until it meets his high expectations. Most of these "flaws" are things I consider to be part of the character of the take. He strives to sound like a perfectly produced dance drum beat whereas I'd prefer he kept those inconsistencies as they are what makes his takes sound more human and live. I suppose, if you are also striving for perfection too you have to either let some of it go or be prepared for the time consuming editing!

[quote name='yondergo' timestamp='1399655121' post='2446419'] Hi guys, just received a fender Japan pb62 from ishibashi (after a load of messing about on behalf of parcelforce), really happy with the bass, plays like a dream after a setup. Only odd thing is the configuration of the serial number, never seen a CIJ with a sans serif font and the number on top, anyone got any thoughts about this one? I've no reason to suspect it's not legit, given ishibashi's reputation and the quality of the instrument, just curious i suppose, Dave [/quote] My non-export CIJ '62 reissue jazz is the same (San serif font below the serial)... However, my export CIJ Geddy Lee Sig. Jazz has 'crafted in Japan' written ABOVE the serial number in a serif font. Maybe specific to the '62 reissue? Or maybe a non-export/export thing?

[quote name='omikin' timestamp='1399649616' post='2446333'] That's sort of what I was thinking. The one in PMT was very nicely set up (unusual for them - they have a Gibson Thunderbird in at the moment where the bridge is levitating about an inch off the body) and played beautifully. Didn't give it the full-on inspection but there was nothing untoward. How much do you think they might knock off for cash on a display model? [/quote] Gear4Music across in York have just moved to a brand new (HUGE!) showroom. From Leeds, it is easy to get to and they now have a set-up/maintenance team that set everything up before it hits the shop floor. The show room is now attached to the warehouse too, so they can get stuff out for you to try in no time if they had it in stock. Give them a call and see what they can do?

[quote name='watton_earth' timestamp='1399576479' post='2445585'] ...actually theres a bass guitar sized box in the hall. I'm trying a new approach. I haven't touched it and my wife hasn't asked what's inside. If this works I'll call this Schrodingers bass theory. [/quote] Did you buy the bass for a Bon Jovi tribute band? http://youtu.be/SRvCvsRp5ho I'll get me coat...

I use ForScore with my iPad. Anything we put into the set, I transcribe and save as PDF into the app and I can set the tempo (drummer uses a click) and it reads through the music for you. It's great. Our singer also has 3G and tethering, so we use his ipad as a personal hotspot and share any chords/dots for requests, so there's never a song we can't play at a moments notice :-) Technology really is great!

The only thing stopping me from moving on half of my 'collection' is the time involved with taking photos, writing/posting adverts etc. at the moment, I only play one of my basses. One I keep for sentimental value and the other two are more for collecting. Those two id happily move on when I get 'round to it...

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1399399749' post='2443882'] Maybe I'm missing something here, but why would anyone refuse a bass player for having a five-string bass? That's the bit I really don't understand! What difference does it make? Surely it's about whether you're any good or not?? [/quote] Yeah, and everyone knows the two rules of bass. 1) The better you are the more strings you have 2) Red basses go faster (or is that cars?) By this logic, I have come to the conclusion that I should have a yellow bass with minus 4 strings!

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1399242143' post='2442456'] Oh God, I've made enquiries about a 1960 stack-knob Jazz relic. I think I need some sort of counselling, or something. I've got GAS for about five different basses at the moment. I'm sure it never used to be like this. [/quote] I made an enquiry today too and when I made it clear that the enquiry was just to help me make up my mind and see how long the build would be so that I could think about moving on one of my other basses first, Mark was very understanding. Not only that, Mark offered to do some research for a part-ex price on my bass. Got every response super-fast (and on a bank holiday!)... People could learn a lot from his excellent level of service.

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1399044858' post='2440434'] Wouldn't '£5nn' be more appropriate for numbers..? Or maybe '£5??'..? [/quote] Agreed... The missus is already suspicious about Basschat thanks to the 'porn' threads and threads that induce GAS. I don't need 'XXX' searches in the mix too!!

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1399035439' post='2440280'] Dear boy, 'yoof' is sooooo [i]passé[/i]. ([i]Yawn[/i]...) [/quote] Im so confused! I'm going to hide myself and my Fenders away under the bed for a decade and hopefully upon my return they'll be cool again...

Can someone please tell us hipsters with Fenders what IS cool and what's not, so I can sell up and be down wit da yoof please?

[quote name='lemmywinks' timestamp='1399028739' post='2440122'] Also important to remember that those spotty youths who just come in to try out gear don't stay young and penniless forever. It's no coincidence that the local shops that offered the best service when I had little money got a lot of my custom when I had lots of disposable income. [/quote] True. I completely agree. But music retail doesn't. They want money in the till ASAP. They don't think about customer loyalty or return business which is crazy because music is probably the best retail area for return business as there is HUGE scope for additional accessories (pedals, strings, gig bags, music etc etc etc!) or upgrades/additional instruments.

[quote name='uncle psychosis' timestamp='1399023752' post='2440034'] I see where you're coming from...but frankly I don't agree. Bits of my job are really hard. That doesn't mean I don't bother my arse when it comes to working. Sometimes I have to do things that aren't fun, aren't easy, and aren't very rewarding---but thats why I get paid to do it instead of being a volunteer. [/quote] It's hard to get the picture with music retail sometimes as it's such a different retail environment in some ways but similar in others. At the end of the day, music retailers have numerous reps who constantly require the purchase of new products (through buy-ins or minimum dealership requirements) which often hinder the customers experience without them realising. Firstly, having a company dictate which models and stock you have to keep in store in order to continue being a dealer, you often don't have more obscure models in stock which often annoys some customers as they then often can't find it in ANY stores to try before they buy (and are expected to buy blind!). Secondly, head offices of music retailers are sales driven. In order to have funds to constantly buy new stock, you have to sell stuff. This means sales targets and staff who are employed to SELL. As a manager who is responsible for a SALES team who have to hit certain figures, do you honestly think they'll encourage their sales staff to spend 2 hours with a group of 15 year olds wanting to try (thrash) a £3k Les Paul and ignore customers who actually want to make a purchase?! Of course not. And whilst those 15 year olds are the future buyers, board members and senior management want money in the tills TODAY, not in 10 years time. It's sad that these pressures create an often frustrating environment but the attitude of the sales staff is often born from the pressures to sell that they get from above. Having worked in music retail, there's nothing more annoying than talking to a customer who asks for something really specific and cool and you don't have it in stock because it wasn't part of the stocking plan and then you HAVE to say (whilst hating yourself for being THAT guy), 'Im sorry we don't have it in stock but we can order it for you'....

[quote name='Kev' timestamp='1398900223' post='2438962'] I wonder how some of you do not have better things to do than this! Notice that the participation of Rob or any of the other members affected by this situation is minimal? The situation is not ideal to say the least and it looks like through his personal problems he has made a bit of a hash of the business, but from everything that has been said things are on the up. How about a discussion such as this be considered in another 6 months time? If they are in the 'next step' as they say, then by this time everyone could have their completed bass. If they don't, then another discussion (prompted by an orderer or [i]genuine[/i] prospective orderer) may be warranted. Until then, perhaps worry about other things? [/quote] Im with Beedster. What happens in 6 months when more BC members have put money into buying a Letts because when doing their research, they haven't had the full picture of how the level of service might affect them because the thread was closed? Or, is it fair to leave the thread in a position where it is only members of the business that have had anything encouraging or positive to say? What if members who were happy and wanted to share their experiences now can't because it's been locked? Personally, I think Robs involvement has been very important. By relaying facts objectively about the level of service, he has given a fair review of the company and it's product by which the rest of us can make a decision as to whether that is something we would want to put our money into and can use to balance out the largely positive promises of a 'next level' service promised by the company. If Letts basses have indeed improved and are indeed in the process of finishing all the orders, the existing customers have no way to balance the argument and share their views or take back their previous comments IF they receive this 'new level' of service either. Once again, a few OTT comments have prompted an OTT reaction. Surely moderation/deletion of individual unhelpful or petty comments is a better solution for the BC community.

[quote name='KingBollock' timestamp='1398895524' post='2438893'] Then maybe the best place for it would be the feedback forum where customers can leave their feedback? Rather than a general forum where anyone that feels like it will but the boot in. [/quote] Yeah, that'd be ideal.

As a user of this forum and a potential customer of any brand/company (having recently been alerted to great companies such as Limelight guitars and fuzzrocious pedals via this forum) I feel that it is only right and proper that we can discuss the pros and cons of these smaller companies to protect potential/existing customers and encourage interest in these businesses. If someone has had a bad experience with a company, I don't feel it is fair for the site to stop the negative comments from being expressed as these will be as important (if not, more important) when members are deciding where to spend their money. I appreciate that getting into petty name calling and other bits can often spoil it but surely those specific comments can be removed and the genuinely objective and helpful (negative and/or positive) comments should stay. To find out that some members have been quoted 20 weeks but waiting 17 months is simply stating a fact and would be valuable information if members are researching. If the company isn't happy with these facts being posted, they can respond by improving services and asking customers to respond with feedback that balances it out.

[quote name='martthebass' timestamp='1398880108' post='2438643'] Well mine is now ready other than the set up so I'll be getting to grips with her next week. In the end it's on the heavy side of medium-relic as I took one that was nearly finished. The body is heavy relic, the neck medium and the metal work is tarnished but not rusty or gunky in line with my original spec. Anyway this is worthless without pics, so here we go: [/quote] Wow. I really like the OP precision but your jazz is just stunning! I know where my next bass will be coming from :-)