skej21

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 :-)

[quote name='Wolverinebass' timestamp='1398799952' post='2437769'] Not being a Fender expert myself and noting that price of them are going up somewhat, I wondered what would people get if they wanted the best Precision (I'm talking in terms of playability and fit and finish) choosing say from the following: Fender USA Fender MIM Warmoth Squire WD Allparts Mighty Mite I'm very intrigued being that say a Duff McKagan is now £900 for a MIM and the QC has been noted to be lacking (allegedly) and beforehand they were MIJ. I wondered how much discernible difference there actually is? Other than Fender using cheaper labour and putting the price up slightly. Is a Squire really a cheap slab of basswood that should be burned or are they very much value for money and a lot closer to a Fender USA than the price difference would have you believe? Are Fender USA models ridiculously overpriced? Do MIM have dodgy QC? I ask this not to be inflammatory in any way, but just for curiosity as I may grab a precision in the near future. [/quote] I went through this at the end of last year. I decided that the MIM Nate Mendel signature was the best option. Nitrocellulose finish, Badass II bridge, slim profile neck (closer to jazz profile) and Seymour Duncan quarter pounder 3. Stunning bass for just over £700.

[quote name='Higgie' timestamp='1398690033' post='2436562'] With regard to putting the Tone Hammer as the last thing in the chain, it depends! As it is a preamp the argument could be made that if you were playing an Active bass, it would have a preamp inside, therefore the first thing in the chain would be a preamp. I for example run my Sadowsky Preamp/DI first in the chain, as the tone it gives to my bass(es) is what I want to pass through the rest of my effects, otherwise you end up basically EQ'ing the rest of pedals, instead of sending them your EQ'd signal. Personally, I would run it like this: Bass > Tuner > Tone Hammer > Compressor > Octamizer > FZ-5/Big Muff > MXR BEF. [/quote] I might try this! I always go the other way and have Compressor > Tuner > TH as I have a passive bass and want the headroom from the TH going into the amp. So I avoid letting the TH come first as I don't want the headroom to be compressed and then go into the amp, if that makes sense. I never thought of using the preamp as if it were in the bass and then running it that way.

[quote name='theyellowcar' timestamp='1398622653' post='2435896'] Completely the opposite for me. I used to lust after Jazzes until I got my first Precision. To answer your question Fender Japan offer a 'Smart Size' Jazz bass and I'm pretty sure it's available in white with a rosewood board. You would obviously incur the risks associated with importing a bass from anywhere (shipping, taxes, language barrier for any service issues) but it sounds like it could be everything you want. http://www.fenderjapan.co.jp/jb62ss.html here you go [/quote] This. Except mine was technically my third precision. Had a really cheap P bass and didn't like (probably because it was cheap!), then a MIM Classic Series P bass which I liked but didn't prefer to my jazzes. I would often use it at gigs though as it was better in the mix. Sold that too and then eventually (after a while without one) got the Nate Mendel P bass and I've not looked back. In fact, I've spent most of this week thinking about selling two of my jazzes and putting the money into another precision... :-S

Sold some strings to Stevie. Super fast payment, friendly communications and a true asset to the community :-)

[quote name='xilddx' timestamp='1398073549' post='2430040'] You know, I agree with Bass Tractor, and after his comments about your diatribe you then go on to tell him not to make assumptions about you, that he knows nothing about you - which is precisely what you have done in your musicologist's panning of the band and their music. They look like they are having a f***ing blast to me, they are communicating what they enjoy doing, how in god's name do YOU know they have nothing to say, that they have no 'meaningful message'? As to your comments about maturity and musicianship, and what music 'should be' -how patronising, how misguided and how judgmental. A LOT of people love what they do, including me. Now, please tell us WHY musicians have to communicate a 'meaningful message' to an audience. [/quote] I'm sure that everything I've written was explicitly stated as my personal opinion, meaning it's how I feel individually. I though people on this forum would see that and understand that I wasn't trying to speak on behalf of every person in the world but yourself and other members seem to have missed that point in favour of twisting what I've said in order to start an argument (which won't continue as this is the last post I'll be making) or jumping to conclusions. If you don't agree with me, that's fine. The world would be a boring place if we all thought the same thing :-) I hope you (and bass tractor) enjoy your sunny bank holiday weekend listening to whatever you're diggin'!

[quote name='BassTractor' timestamp='1398028370' post='2429743'] I don't think you were simply expressing an opinion. I think you were basically telling the world that you are a very musical person and that those who do enjoy it are not. Your editing your answer again and again seems to confirm this notion. That said, you must function on a considerably higher level than me. Though I did study composition too, I never majored in it. [i]Demn! What to do now? Would it help if I admitted that I actually taught electronic music at the college of music, and was a student of both Penderecki and Xenakis? Nah. Hardly. Better leave it...[/i] BTW, I did not assume anything about you re the Bach thing. I confronted you with how you sound, in the hope that that mirror would give you something of value. Apparently, I struck some nerves way too hard, and I would have apologised for that had you acted a trifle more modest and openminded, and a trifle less condescending. [/quote] Like I said, you're entitled to your opinion and I care little for you think of mine. I also don't think it's condescending to answer your incorrect assumptions by giving contextual detail (not dick measuring) that shows why your assumptions are wrong. If you take that as condescended, that says more about your insecurities than anything, as you felt the need to bat it back with a 'I studied it too/my dad is bigger than your dad' type response. As for the editing, I simply changed what is written to include the things I wanted to say. Nothing more. I think Dirty Loops are technically and theoretically brilliant as I mentioned but IMO (as I mentioned) think they lack musicianship due to their lack of musical maturity. They have a very 'musical student' approach which I imagine we've both experienced throughout our studies, whereby players try to include all the ideas , theories and techniques they're exploring and cram it into a short song and often overdo it. I know the pupils I teach often do this and I often have nostalgic moments and remember when I was in that position. It's not a negative thing. We've all been at a point where we think playing as fast/as technically as possible is the height of musicianship. Some people never get there. Some people get there and decide it's not for them and become groove players. Some people get there and love it and build careers on it. There's no right or wrong. I just don't dig it.

[quote name='BassTractor' timestamp='1398026930' post='2429729'] Hm. You sound like those people who criticise J.S. Bach's compositions for the exact same reasons. I for one, though never claiming that this is the last word in music, and especially not claiming that it has any brilliance theoretically, enjoyed it thoroughly because of how it communicated a meaningful, musical message to me. It rocked me more than anything else had rocked me for months. [/quote] And that's what is brilliant about opinions. I was simply expressing mine which required no response or meant no offence. Enjoy yours :-) Also, Im actually a big fan of Bachs compositions (after my academic studies majoring in composition and studying his works in depth and living with my wife whose PhD research looks at vocal performance styles in baroque music including lots of Bach, who wouldn't be?!). I simply made a constructive observation based on personal opinion and personal experience. As for your assumptions about me, maybe you can keep those to yourself as you clearly know nothing about me :-)

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1398021599' post='2429662'] Exactly, that's what jazz is for. [/quote] Someone should send them a copy of Wooten's Groove Workshop... They'd learn a lot more from it than all the theory books they clearly love!

Technically and theoretically brilliant but lacks so much maturity of musicianship in my opinion. The lack of feel, emotion, dynamic range, groove and most importantly, space is just astounding to me. Also, IMO music should be enjoyed by an audience not create a platform to exhibit sterile technical exercises best kept for the practice room. What's the point in learning the depths of music theory and becoming so technically adept if you have nothing to say and can't communicate a meaningful message to an audience?

[quote name='molan' timestamp='1398018764' post='2429627'] You're 30 next June? I thought you looked younger [/quote] No, I'm not! I thought the wait would be longer... I've set my sights on an Emperor 5 for my 30th (the missus promised to pay ;-)) so I'll be calling you!

[quote name='molan' timestamp='1398018396' post='2429618'] I agree and I'm sure this has been happening in the UK for the last 3-4 years. From a personal perspective I think it's interesting that the three main custom build brands we represent have all seen demand for their products rise in the past year and each one has had to increase their lead times because demand has been outstripping supply [/quote] That's good news for me too! I could put my Fodera in now for my 30th birthday present and they'll probably have it ready just in time :-) (and give me time to pay for it lol!)

Faults can occur regardless of QC. Things break sometimes without blame. Simple. We had the guys from Blackstar in my local store last week and they are great. Fab knowledge, will demo anything and are hugely passionate about their products and playing/gear in general. They are always really good/fast at sorting issues for customers on the (rare) occasions that they appear. Great news that the OP had that to fall back on when they were the unlucky one. Some companies aren't and it can really mess you about if you're a working musician!

[quote name='mentalextra' timestamp='1397994478' post='2429272'] Yes, and there seems to be a general, local shop attitude of "you've done the research and you've just turned up to take away the box" [/quote] Ironically, the reason for this is the Internet again. The more people buying online pushes prices down and means that retailers save money on staffing by hiring cheaper staff who have less knowledge and get less training. This results in a shift towards a 'the more people who come in to pick up a product after hours of researching online, the better' attitude because it means they can still make money without spending lots on staff! It's the retailers way of trying to exploit the Internet researchers but in such a naive way that it's doing more damage to them.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1397839987' post='2427878'] I was looking at one of these - but this isn't the first thread I've seen where someone wants to augment or change the core sound of this bass - yet Fender would have you believe it's a tone monster what with the two humbuckers and all... so what's going on? [/quote] The same issue that all the modern player stuff has. It's trying too hard to be something it's not and on a budget, that was always going to fall short somewhere. It's the same with the HSH strat. Great neck, nice translucent crimson finish but pickups are awful.

[quote name='stef030' timestamp='1397853519' post='2428061'] so for a while my practice regime has been pretty poor, but since the beginning of the year I have been putting 30 minutes minimum at day but more often than not a hour plus,playing been coming on a storm, been relearning old school as well as new have really been getting lots more fired up about playing so here is the dilema,the old kitchen viper and I are away on holiday for a couple of weeks, dont think there are a lot off bass shops in sharm,and I am really going to miss this oh well we will see how I get on, mr grumpy on the way [size=4] [/size] [/quote] I practise a minimum of 45 minutes a day and would like to reassure you that a break will actually do you the world of good. You'll be eager to get to it and you'll find that the mental (and psychical) escape will make your playing better when you return. It's like having a rest out of a gym routine. It feels like a cop-out but actually does more good if used properly. Enjoy your holidays (and it's benefits!)

Awesome bass and the rosewood on that fingerboard is pretty too! Looks like you got a winner at an awesome price :-)