Highfox

Hiya all.

I'm struck down with Covid so it gives me time to update you about one of my new purchases.

Don't really know much about these other than what I have been able to sift through on line. Was wondering if anyone here has any more info they could add to?

I have had a few vintage Fenders before (late 60's early and late 70's) All been nice but moved them all on in bass lust.

I saw this going fairly cheaply locally and always wanted a natural finish P bass and like the vintage vibe, so couldn't resist.

From what I understand this could be a 73/74 model going from the old Greco logo on the headstock. Not sure what the wood is, not any ash that I have seen before, it's sandwiched with a layer of maple.

The good and bad, My Luthier had to cut it a new nut, he rounded and filed the fret edges (it had been re- fretted at some point) The pots he said had been changed as well as the pickups, no idea what they are now. The input jack he also changed and other than that it's good to go now. He said it's well crafted and has a really nice neck.

Haven't tried it in anger yet, but plays nice and has promise. One I don't mind taking to the rougher gigs.

Thanks for reading.

8 hours ago, neepheid said:

I'm still using the stock strings because I'm lazy and they didn't offend me.  When I need to change them I'll probably stick on some D'addario XL nickel rounds, they're my go to these days.  The bass is plenty thumpy enough without compounding that with flats IMO - despite its appearance the JC can really be used in any musical setting UNLESS you pigeonhole it by compromising the top end.

 

But what do I know?  It's your bass, put on it what you like!

Same here, still got the stock strings on it, they seem to suit the bass well and haven't felt the urge to change them yet.

On 10/01/2022 at 20:14, Eldon Tyrell said:

Agree. The Cutlass is a killer bass. I used to have one, sold it but now have another one. Very happy with it. However, it is, of course, not a perfect bass 😉 

 

 

 

The Cutlass is doing it for me as well atm. Got a tort guard on the way for my Coral red, but gotta say the black guard there looks tasty as well.

Thought I paid a little too much buying new, but it's solid craftsmanship, a great neck and a joy to play, feels just right.

Sounds like it's already too late!

You only live once that I know of, so enjoy

Sad, I had an Enfield Lionheart for a while, nicely made and very easy to play.

Liked those pickups at that time.

I had to go through the process of owning older instruments. Now gone full circle and back to mainly modern or new.

I have bought a few oldies unseen before and maybe been lucky that they were all pretty decent versions. Weight and sound varied.

Enjoy.

23 hours ago, wrinkleygit said:

Did a trade on another forum with one of my guitar amps and this was the result.

Congrats, that's nice, what is it? Me likey

2 hours ago, Eldon Tyrell said:

Unfortunately, my Christmas present did not make it in time. Ordered it from a shop in Germany but there were problems with obtaining export forms or something like that. Don't worry, I am not starting a rant about "you know what", but it is still a bummer. Well, will be my first bass of 2022 then 🙂

 

Don't want to rub it in, but this arrived from Germany for me a couple of weeks back. Awesome basses you'll love it. 

1 hour ago, GreeneKing said:

Thank you Matt. I’ve succumbed to a long held longing for a JCB. It’s a new red one and if you know me at all you’ll know I have no qualms modding a new bass getting it how I want it. 
I think I prefer the Babitz over the Hipshot. Babitz confuse the issue by making a hard to get hold of Epiphone version to accommodate the raised collars on the Epi’s inserts. Mine barely has any raised portion. 
Mine is really good quality wise. I’ve lowered the bridge a great deal and fitted Dunlop flats. I needed to put some PTFE tape on the pot spindles to prevent the knobs falling off. 
The tuners are a bit naff and black Hipshot Ultalites are waiting for collecting from the PO. 
The bridge (black) can wait a while but I’m going to move the strap button to the top horn using epoxy forced up into the cavity. 
I’m loving it

 

I have one in the sparkling Burgundy I moved the strap pin and fitted ultra-lite hipshot's, the original tuners did the bass no favours. Balances much nicer now overall. Haven't felt the need to change the bridge yet. Enjoy your bass.

Yes, they are nice  Fingers sore from playing it. Got it setup nicely for me now. I'll Try some other strings once I get tired of these Slinky's that are on it.

Look forward to getting it out with the band.

I'm back in the Music Man camp, this time in a passive way. Haven't used it in anger yet but have high hopes

Had a lot of interest but no-one has put up the readies yet

 On hold!

Never thought I'd be doing this but needs must.

Had this built for me when the waiting time was 2 years. Some extra's matching headstock and drop-D tuner.

Asked Paul to make this as light as possible but still so that it would balance properly.

It's in very good condition, some wear on the back of the body from use, no dings or nicks.

Looking for a European sale only. No trades at this time thanks.

 €7000 ono.

Congrats look's nice.

I have always had a love hate relationship with Stingrays, love the neck's but can never get a sound out of them I'm happy with!

If this has the playability of a Ray, it could be something I should try.

2 hours ago, neepheid said:

It's a pity you're anti wide strap - the wide, grippy strap is your #1 weapon against neck dive, so much easier to implement with no changes to the bass.  Then it's tuner replacement - get some Hipshot Ultralites or some other lightweight tuners on there.  At least that's a mostly a direct replacement, apart from maybe having to add some screw holes which would be covered up by the back plates of the originals if you ever reverted.  Moving the strap pin to my mind looks a lot more naff than a wide strap, and I don't know if it'll do you much good - the top horn isn't much closer to the headstock than the neck heel.  But I've never done it so I can't say for sure what the effect would be.  Also, I don't know that there's a whole heap of wood to screw into there - if it's just the side wood in the horn with no block at the back of it then it might be a bit risky to go screwing things in there that take weight.

FWIW, I use a Neotech Mega strap with my JC.  Have also used the strap which came with my 20th Anniversary JC - a wide leather type and found that to be tolerable (the Neotech is better though).

But it's your bass, so do what you like

Thanks.

Those straps look ok and they have them locally, will check it out before I make any changes.  

Just grabbed myself one of these in the sparkling burgundy!

Loving the sound and the way it plays but think the neck strap button has to move to the horn for me.

Neck drive is a lot more than I thought it would be, even for a semi-acoustic. Not a fan of wide straps, so might have to think about a bridge change or lighter tuners to try get a bit more balance if the button change doesn't cure that a bit as well. Been spoiled by nicely balancing basses.

It's a bass I'd like to try use live so need to find more comfort with it.

Anyone moved the strap pin and did it help?

Thanks.

Will post pics later..

Very nice. Still gasing for one of these... Colour choice is the hardest part

One of these has caught my eye now for a while. Have a question for owners, are the 3 point bridges on these as bad as I have read in someplace's? Could do without having to upgrade.

Yes you have seen them before,

But got mine outside today for a play and a few photo's.

55 minutes ago, police squad said:

mine currently 'For Sale' in the ad section. 

I'm thinning the herd at the moment

Don't think you will need any luck with the sale. Going to make someone pretty happy.

I ended up getting one in the end.

No regrets, nice bass with the road worn feel.

Only time I saw them was at the Rainbow in 79'ish. They were good then.

Just now, machinehead said:

Mine is my favourite gigging Bass. It’s the equal of my two US Jazzes for feel and sounds.

It’s liberating not having to worry about damaging it.

Frank.

Yes, I have had the roadworn P.

The force is strong! These seemed to be a favourite on here a few years back.

The upcoming release of a new roadworn line is interesting but think I prefer the feel of a U shape and 7.25 fingerboard and the colour is to die for

Still using/ enjoying yours?

Welcome, Terve.