zero9

Thank you They are great speakers, but having acquired a pair of Kefs, the B&W's are surplus to requirements.

Thanks for the interest shown, this is now gone .

Thanks for the interest shown, these have now been moved on.

Might seem a silly question, but how did you put the neck back on? I would take the neck off, then tightly push it into the pocket. Keep the neck tightly clamped into the pocket (use a clamp if you can get hold of one), and put the neckplate and screws back in. Also check the back of the heel of the neck, to ensure there aren't any bits of wood from the screw holes which prevent it seating properly.

It doesn't matter whether you like or dislike Moondance, it's popular and definitely gets people up and dancing. For that reason it's worth doing as a band, because when the punters are enjoying themselves, so will you. I wouldn't slavishly follow the 'original', try and put you're own stamp on it. Just keep tight with the drummer and all will be fine.

Only you can decide if it's worth the money. It looks quite petite and pretty, but the paint job doesn't do it for me. It looks like a fairly recent instrument. Are you sure it's a maple top, as that's unusual (normally spruce).

Don't worry about it, carry on playing.

Looking at the wood specs, Alder appears around 10% lighter on average, although this will depend on where it's sourced. My vote would be for Alder (without the fancy top, if this is painted) as you seem fairly decided on all other aspects.

The challenge will be to control the feedback from the e608 through the trace at high-ish volume. You could use something like a Morley A/B pedal to combine the signals. The other, more expensive option, is to use a two channel (bass) preamp. If you're running through a PA, I'd suggest using the contact mic through the backline, with a DI to the PA, and run the e608 separate to the PA (not via the backline). The signal can then be mixed at the PA. In the past, I've found a mic mounted on the DB prone to feedback from the foldback monitors, which can involve a lot of trial and error to get right.

Listening through £4 headphones I noticed the difference with the Rotosounds, but the weedwackers and guts were indistinguishable. I think he may need a better kitchen to record in.

Sales twaddle, the type of bridge, provides it's properly set up makes no humanly perceptable difference to sustain. Other factors are more influential in sustain, such as build quality, overall stiffness, through neck, laminated construction, and materials (carbon graphite etc).

Welkom en veel plezier.

Quite fancy popping along, provided it's not the first weekend in June. If someone could also bring along a Sire MM V7, to try, that'd be even better

Thanks for all the excellent and helpful feedback. I'm not in a rush to get a five string, thus my next move is to try and get my hands on both the Sire and Squier. The plan is to attend upcoming bass bashes, if possible, and hope someone has one or both to try The F decal is not important, that's why I already have a Warmoth Jazz with graphite neck. I'm currently in the process of collecting bits for a black/maple Allparts Jazz. In the past I've had the opportunity to try a new Squier VM, new 75 USA reissue, custom shop light relic and a real 70's Jazz side by side. The 70's Jazz easily felt the best, but the other three where pretty close. I was surprised by the feel and playability of the squier, although some of the hardware was noticably less premium compared to the others. I simply love the Jazz shape, but am not fussed about the F decal. Given time, I'm sure I can look past the headstock and appreciate the Sire for what it is. They do some great colour combinations.

Your best bet is to keep your eye on the for sale items here. You'll be able to pick up a used Allparts or Warmoth neck for less than half the cost of a new one. I've got a Status Graphite Jazz neck on a Warmoth body, and it is lovely, but be prepared to pay around 360 incl VAT and delivery. I've managed to pick up an unused Allparts J body and used J neck (with blocks and binding), combined for a lot less on here than the price of a graphite neck.

I echo what's been said before. The amp needs to be connected to a speaker to soak up the power. Alternatively, you could get a dedicated power soak (attenuator) intead of using a cab, but that's getting into silly money. If you're looking to get a similar recorded sound, why not get one of the orange plug-ins or similar? The OB1 looks a nice product though, and I'm sorely tempted.

[quote name='zero9' timestamp='1427647312' post='2732664'] Wow, thanks for the review. I was considering getting a 5-string Squier VM Jazz, but this changes everything. More colour / fretboard options with the Sire as well. Brilliant! [/quote] Commendations to everyone for the informative reviews provided. Without you and this forum, it would be impossible to make an informed choice. I'm still considering either the Squier VM Jazz V option or the Sire MM 5-string. As thing stand, and based on my current 'research', I'm still favouring the Squier offering, for the following reasons. Sound: based on sound samples listened to (mainly Youtube and those posted here), the Sire has a more modern 'zingy' tone to my ears, whilst the Squier nails the 'traditional' Jazz tone. I know this is a very limited assessment, however, if the instrument is aimed at beginners / first time buyers, then without access to trying both side by side, I consider this a valid comparison, as IMO a lot of customers will buy the instrument unseen. Looks: the squier looks more like the proper Fender counterpart. I feel this is important, especially when considering the target market. With media rich content offerings and the popularity of Fender products being used by the majority of infuential players, the Squier has the right 'look'. I personally don't like the sire's headstock, although there may be reasons why they didn't adopt the traditional J headstock. Although sire offer more options on finishes, I do like black blocks on a maple board. Whats in a name? Well, you can have a 'Sire' guitar or 'Squier' guitar. There's a rhyme going on here, and I don't know if that's deliberate (clever marketing perhaps)? For some, logos are important, and a good looking logo is a strong marketing tool. The squier logo looks good, and is more iconic, no surprise with the marketing behind it. The sire logo leaves me cold. I don't see why they couldn't have come up with something more 'groovy'. The cost of a logo is insignificant when added to an instrument, therefore, no excuse to not produce something more eye-catching. Squier have a great website offering, sire's appears at an embryonic stage. Information, especially specifications are thus harder to obtain for the latter. The squier is based on a tried and trusted formula, which has been around for about 60 years, and simply works. I feel that sire have made a few 'schoolboy' errors, which could have been so easily avoided. Don't get me wrong, I really like the sire. It's stunning what they've been able to achieve at this price point and will definitely make other manufacturers sit up and take note. There are some niggles, which to me, show either naivity or lack of market research. I can only base this on the reviews here, for which I'm most thankful, as without such marvellous review postings it would be impossible to reach any conclusion. If the bass is indeed longer than average, this is an important oversight. I can understand that a John Entwistle Buzzard or Explorer won't fit a standard case or bag, but you would exoect a Jazz clone to. This could catch some first time buyers out. Getting the position for the through body stringing wrong on the 4 string is somewhat hilarious and shows to me that they didn't even bother stringing it that way before going into production. The fact that they've responded to say this will be corrected may be commendable, but shows they've made an error. I would've preferred a non-string through design, with the money spent on better tuners instead. The plethora of controls concern me, and would be quite baffling to a beginner. If I was buying this as a back-up, my fear is that at some stage these will get damaged, given the height of some of them, esoecially being out on the 'road'. I'm less keen on the side mounted jack socket and would've much preferred a single plate mounted offering of all controls, including jack socket. For me, mid controls are not necessary on a Jazz, given the options available with two pickups. A simpler Vol Bal Bass/Treble option would've been more elegant IMO. Please note, these are just my opinions, and not designed to knock sire's product. Like probably most of us here, I can afford a more expensive instrument and have spent more than that on just a neck in the past. It doesn't stop me appreciating quality at a lower pricepoint though. If I'm finding it tough to choose between a squier or a sire, I can't imagine how a novice feels. I don't really need another bass (although I don't have a fiver), however I don't want to spend a fortune (like I've done in the past). Given there is nowadays such superb quality around the £300 mark, there is less danger in getting a 'dog'. Perhaps, as sire's presence increases, second hand squier prices will drop as some will off-load theirs to get a sire. Maybe I should sit tight until this happens and pick up a s/h squier 5 string for less. When I've rushed into a purchase before, I've usually regretted it. I'll wait to see how things unfold. I may even change my mind again

Should be fine, Birelli Lagrene did just that.

On looks alone, I would have the Epi JC. Don't dismiss it for lack of versatility, as it can cover any style, even slap. I've seen and heard it being used in a 70's type band and it sounded fantastic. The online reviews are great too. The Fender is...a Fender and everyone's has or had one. The Ibanez looks very dull to me.

When you raise a cab off the floor, you'll lose some of the bass response, as it's de-coupled from the floor. Whichever cab is on top will thus sound 'brighter' compared to the other.

It'll be tough to start with. Perseverance and practice will pay off. It'll take time to build the required strength.

Wow, thanks for the review. I was considering getting a 5-string Squier VM Jazz, but this changes everything. More colour / fretboard options with the Sire as well. Brilliant!

I'm mainly having a dig at the current 'younger' generation of sound engineers, with huge rigs, mixing well known bands. At my (pub) level, I only have praise for the guys doing the mixing / engineering, they've all been great, even when working in challenging circumstances and with crappier gear. No offence intended.

[quote name='JamesBass' timestamp='1427031322' post='2724841'] Think the point of my thread has been missed which is my fault! I'm planning on building/commissioning a Jazz bass soon. I know enough to go buy off the shelf, but I'm interested in building a jazz that is "The ultimate Jazz" basically a jazz like the Fender 50th Anniversary jazz but even better! So far I know I want matching headstock. Bound rosewood neck, undecided on dots or block inlays, I'd like it to be a stack knob but don't know about body pickup positions and their pros and cons, what about neck shape/specs? Or how has the body shape and contours changed and what's the consensus on the best neck shape and dimensions and body shape and contour? I'm looking for it be sound balanced, articulate, and 60s inspired as I play soul, blues, jazz, and funk. [/quote] In that case, if it was me, I'd go to the Bass Gallery and commission a Sei Jazz. I've tried some in the past, especially ones which look just like a 'regular' Fender Jazz, with stack knobs, but with active electronics. They are truly sublime. Oh, and I'd have a bound ebony fretboard, with clay dots, and vintage cream body, matching headstock and torty plate. Thank you very much Fender ditched the stack knobs as there was no real advantage over the VVT arrangement. If you go for stack knobs, make them active.

[quote name='Chrismanbass' timestamp='1427315937' post='2728902'] thats a very sweeping statement. What about the ones who don't go to college and learn from experience (of which i am one) i don't believe you've ever heard me mix so i'd quite like an apology please [/quote] Quite agree, the ones who didn't go to college are usually great