Marky L

Hey there Fender aficionados. I was hoping I might be able to leech some of your vast experience and try and confirm if my Fender Jazz is (or not) a kosher MIA bass. So, I bought it around 5 or 6 years back off ebay (choosing to go for this instead of a Ricky Blackstar .. pfft!) from a guy selling it in Southern Ireland, for a friend if I remember correctly for about £450. Black US Fender Jazz with a white scratchplate and rosewood board. I did speak to him before and after getting the bass and he seemed like a straight up guy. So it arrived in A1 condition and I was reasonably happy except for the horrible Strat style knobs on it. I wanted to get it set up and so took it to the local guitar shop who said words to the effect "Yeah it's a Fender, but they had a period at the end of the 90's where they sent US parts to Mexico for construction.. probably worth £350". So that pissed me off a bit. As is I did nothing about it. Replaced the plate for a black one that did not fit very snugly and I had to drill an extra hole in the bass to fit it. I can't actually recall if it was a genuine Fender plate I put on, I think so. Anyway, I have taken some very poor pics on a crappy camera with no lighting but it may help. Please ask any questions and I'll try to answer. Serial number N901850 Logo decal says - Jazz Bass Made in USA On the right of the headstock is another decal saying - American Traditional The machine heads have no obvious makers marks The underneath of the old plate has a piece of masking tape with a signature and 7 7 99 written on it. Thanking ye all Mark [attachment=14730:jazz_front.jpg][attachment=14731:headstock_front.jpg][attachment=14732:headstock_r ear.jpg][attachment=14733:knobs.jpg]

[quote name='Raggy' post='305370' date='Oct 13 2008, 12:03 PM']A rough camera phone pic of my new bass. Will post some better quality ones soon. [attachment=14716:70__s_P_Bass.JPG][/quote] Just outta interests sake.. about guide approx ballpark .. how much!?!

[quote name='Jase' post='301971' date='Oct 8 2008, 10:37 AM']Just had a cover made for my HA3500 by Silverstone, brilliant quality, perfect fit and ideal for keeping dry when it's belting down with rain at a gig. Very good prices and a quick service! [url="http://www.ampcovers.co.uk/default.asp"]Amp Covers by Silverstone.[/url][/quote] big +1 to that. Very happy with my Ashdown head cover from them. It whiffed a bit to start (the material they use) but that has gone now.

Wow!! How did I miss this thread?!?! I was fretting (ha ha) that Paul Gray was going to be missed out. His era in the Damned was their most innovative and his playing was utterly fantastic. Inventive, melodic and driving. Better than those before or after BUT.. Algy's sound on MGE.. oh man! That and JJ's sounds are just awesome. So hard and aggressive and in your face. I believe Algy used a metal pick or was it a coin to get that evil sound! For me THE JJ tone is also from the Black & White/Raven period. The intro to Toiler needs to played on the old stereo at 11 and get the neighbours complaining! Bauhaus and David J (also check his stuff in Love & Rockets).. wicked fretless sounds with distortion and god knows what else going on at times. A very inventive band with a humour that many miss and with so many influences, funk, dub, glam.. mmmm

Hey Clarky. Yes, I've got the taste for just this sort of bass, but apart from having all my currently available funds going into a new clutch and gearbox I'd have a punt. The other thing is.. I bloody want that White P Bass of yours!! Actually, could let me have a pic of it? (not for anything dirty!!) It's just too damn tempting. What is the neck like, I understand it's a slim version? Any dead spots? Also, any ideas on how I could hide it from the good lady at Gnome Towers?!?!

Almost a Redneck lookalike, but without a bright red 'board. Certainly an unusual one fer sher

And my thanks too. Super fast delivery on a 6m instrument cable. I need to sort through what I need cables wise and also check with the other jokers in my band and get a decent order togther for Dave next. I have no problems recommending Dave to anyone who needs some cabling sorted. Cheers Mark

Oh!! I can just see a large iron shaped burn happening. Not something I'd like to do on a qualidee unit mate.

Difficult situation mate, and one I am in too.. plus a crap rhythm guitarist and drummer! Ok so the lead guitar and I joined this covers band a few years back as summat to do, neither having been in a band for some years. The limitations of the others soon became apparent.. but they have improved, and on Saturday we had the best gig ever. But Or singer is getting worse, off pitch, timing issues. When we try a new song it takes for ever for him to actually get round to listening to the original so he knows what he should do. I sing harmonies and the amount of times he has looked at me, when we are doing a chorus and it sounds crap.. because HE is out, not me. His range is poor and sings like it's kareoke too!! It is difficult, but you have to say something and encourage working together. Play through a song with just the singer and the guitar and say if a bit is bad. I managed to get part of a gig videoed and it was actually one of his worst performances, he knew that, but wont watch the vid! :lol In our band, we have no illusions of grandure, just want to play a few gigs, but there has to be some commitment to our fellow band members by making an effort. Bite the bullet chum, try stripping a rehersal down to the basics so he is exposed and can't blame others, and tell him, but tactfully!

[quote name='Clarky' post='287328' date='Sep 19 2008, 02:34 PM'][url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=130256541466"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=130256541466[/url][/quote] Ohhhh!! But alas two issues. I want a black one. And my clutch and gearbox went down the toilet yesterday. So I am going to be £1000+ out of pocket so my Ric needs will have to wait. Fupping bastich cars grrrrr That does look beautiful though

My dream bass would make me play just like bloody awesome! That'll do

Pfffft... "I've had too many timewasters and am going to relist it".. "the price is as you see and it's no reserve... pay the money and it's yours" Good luck to him then. I'll keep looking.

[quote name='warwickhunt' post='284372' date='Sep 15 2008, 05:04 PM']The fact that there wasn't a single bit of interest when it was on ebay @ £1000 gives you some fair indication that if the seller was prepared to let it go for £1000 minus any eBay seller or Paypal fees (which would be clocking on toward £80) indicates that they expected/hoped to net about £920 absolute top whack. I'd agree that a no hassle sale of £800 shouldn't be too wide of the mark so I'd be silly and offer £750... though don't try that with me Good luck[/quote] I'll just quote you though

[quote name='Clarky' post='284301' date='Sep 15 2008, 03:27 PM']check the Completed listings for 4003s on eBay - I am guessing that around £850-900 will be about right[/quote] Yeah I've watched a few, plus I could do him cash in hand, no ebay or paypal costs. I have £800 in mind, but not feelin' confident!

Well it didn't sell on the evilbay, so I'll try privately, but what would a fair price be? If it is in very good condition that is. Ta Mark

[quote name='Clarky' post='283103' date='Sep 13 2008, 11:10 AM']The age is the give-away - Rick started phasing out 4001's for teh new 4003 in 1979 Case looks legit Price a bit toppy though[/quote] Yeah, starting bids at £1000 doesn't really encourage bidding. Well if it doesn't go, I'll make him a private offer of £750 and negotiate from there!! I'd go to £850 I think dependant on it's wear etc.

This fella has caught my eye, but I think it's a bit high on price. Emailed the guy and he is confused as to if it is a 4001 or 4003. A serial number check makes it a 4003. Got a few more pics from him too - [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110286348094&ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:GB:1123"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...E:X:RTQ:GB:1123[/url] Is that an original case too? I have seen some that seem to more "fitted". [attachment=13287:247_ric1.jpg][attachment=13288:247_ric2.jpg][attachment=13289:247_ric3.jpg]

[quote name='Bassassin' post='282279' date='Sep 12 2008, 01:09 AM']Well, the pics aren't giving much away, but at first glance I'd say that's genuine. Most copies have normal, dark rosewood boards, not the light, orangey wood used here. The inlays look genuine, Rick inlays are poured pearly resin, not the cut-out pearloid material used on copies. The pickup positioning & type also looks genuine - copies usually have the smaller 1/2" gap between the end of the fretboard & the neck pup, and the bridge pup looks like it has a rounded bobbin, not the more squared-off type on copies. Broadly speaking copies are pretty easy to spot, even the best ones - because they were never meant to be counterfeits, many of the details weren't copied too closely. That postage is odd, though - maybe just a mistake? J.[/quote] Ah yeah.. too good to be true indeed. I emailed the seller asking a few questions and got a reply - "No this seller broke into my account! Ebay removed the listing so please be careful!! Thank you!! So strike that one from the list. Bum

I guess this HAS to be a wrong 'un, but.. yeah I know, too good to be true .. how can I tell? What should I ask? [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Rickenbacker-JetGlo-4003-Bass-2005_W0QQitemZ170260581850QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item170260581850&_trkparms=72%3A1090%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Rickenbacker-JetGlo-...id=p3286.c0.m14[/url]

Thanks guys. Yeah on digging around I found comments about the 4001 neck not being designed for roundwounds, which is what I use, but that loads of necks have no issue with the extra tension. What is the neck profile like? I played a 4003 a few years ago (briefly) and found the neck, what I would call chunky.. more of a D section, like my Thunderbird. I must admit I prefer a nice thin neck, like a Jazz. But it's the sound I love! And the looks, that's what's driving me. I'm guessing this guy has got his description wrong - [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Rickenbacker-4001-bass-guitar_W0QQitemZ110286348094QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item110286348094&_trkparms=72%3A984%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Rickenbacker-4001-ba...id=p3286.c0.m14[/url] In the text he gives a serial number that does check out as made in 1990 so surely that can't be a 4001?

Hey Adee, that is very sweet looking and it's a bass like that which is tempting me to go for a "normal" Ric.. so Knowing not a lot about Rics, can I ask for a bit of advice on the 4001 and 4003 basses. What is the major difference between them? Is the 4003 a better beast for the money? I have heard horror stories of the 4001 neck doing a pretty good banana impersonation as the years go on, but did they they put twin truss rods into the 4001? Do they sound comparable? Any info to help me would be cool. I think if I can get a reasonably priced used bass that I can modify to a stealth style, then whoopie!!! I have snooped on evilbay and seen some interesting 4001s. Thanks Mark

[quote name='bumnote' post='279677' date='Sep 8 2008, 01:30 PM']Hi I have always had a precision and a few months ago, i bought a second one, a cij 62 re issue, which is standard, except i replaced the pick up with a usa vintage style one There appears to be a sort of unpleasant overtone? to the notes, the primary note is there, but there is an underlying sound to the note. It sounds like a cross between a hiss and fret buzz Its not the amp because it happens on other amps, and doesnt happen on the same amp with different guitars. its not overloading the preamp Its not fret noise, and it happens on open and fretted notes the pick up is not too close to the strings according to the fender spec. If anything it could be closer I cant see anything wrong with the wiring The logical next step is to swap out the pick up/pots and caps but i will have to do that from my other bass which is a bit of a fag. Before I do thaty, anyone got any bright ideas?[/quote] Not that I know an answer, but a question that I'm sure will help is did you get that noise problem BEFORE you changed the PUP??

[quote name='mrhectic' post='277902' date='Sep 5 2008, 03:13 PM'][b]what does the VU meter on the ashdown amps do? im i right in saying if it goes into the red, it means to turn it down a bit or the speaker will blow?[/b][/quote] I think the primary objective is to look a bit retro and cool. I usually like to have my input stage just tipping into the red when I play hard, but I think to be honest if your needle isn't jammed up hard against the red all the time then you'll be fine. M