machinehead

I agree that the MIM classic series is a bargain. I have a MIM classic 70s jazz that I bought off Ou7shined and I'm still agonising over whether it's the equal of my US 75 RI. It's certainly a close run. I think the US has better looking body wood and the US neck binding has a nicer yellow colour but how much extra cost is involved in this? They both play and sound brilliant. Perhaps the US 75RI is a bit more ballsy sounding but it's close. If I was on a budget I'd be perfectly happy with the MIM and I feel a bit guilty owning both so maybe one will be sold eventually. It could be either. Frank. PS. I'm not convinced at all by talk of " made in US and shipped to Mexico for assembly". I put that sort of thing down to marketing keek. I worked in San Diego. I would say 95% of the workforce was Mexican where I worked - but the products were punted as US built. I lean towards thinking it makes little or no difference except in the buyers perception.

Senditnow.com I've used them quite a bit. They have always been reliable and not too expensive. Frank.

[quote name='Ou7shined' post='1275056' date='Jun 19 2011, 06:21 PM']Fralins, Bill Lawrence, Ultra Js, EMG JV set .... not necessarily in that order.[/quote] I'm no expert on pickups but I have the Dimarzio Ultra Jazz set in one of my basses and they are all-round a great sound. I also have SDs in a P bass and a Jazz. Also great. It's a minefield really. There's lots of great stuff out there. Good luck in your search. Ultra jazz are highly reccommended by me for what it's worth. Frank.

[quote name='RandomBass' post='1270810' date='Jun 15 2011, 11:04 PM']Right well that was a fun practice. This band is a 5 piece covers setup (me, 2 guitarists, male vocalist and a drummerist) - and the others joked when I turned up with my Compact in one hand - and it's Mini-Me brother in the other lol. I have to say the Compact + Midget stack is rather a delight to behold and even more so to hear. Even the little Micro-VR head (rated at 200W into 4Ohms) sounded loud and tuneful - and would probably do for a lot of the gigs we do. It definitely needs 2 cabs (or whatever 4Ohm combination you have) to make it sing. I then tried the MAG600. I've had this head nearly 2 years I think - it was a 'special' via Soundslive: UK made Mk1 version without the built-in compressor. I've always really liked the sounds I can get with it, and so far its proven 100% reliable and rugged. And loud throught the Compact alone. Adding the Midget to the stack was beautiful. Tuneful, punchy and plenty of bottom when I want it. The Midget really brings out the mids, and being on top of the Compact is so easy and clear to hear. Putting a bit of drive via my Zoom B2 came across just how I want it to. This was with my Highway 1 Jazz. I think this setup is gonna be it for a while. Although, the idea of changing the Compact for another Midget does appeal - but I will revisit that idea after a few gigs with this lot. Some think the Barefaced cabs are pricey - but not when you compare them against what they can replace, rather than another typical single 15 or 12 incher. And ironically, the Compact now feels large and heavy compared to the Midget lol. Anyway, I'm a happy bunny. Cheers Geoff[/quote] I totally agree Geoff. I've had my Compact for a few years and my Midget for almost a year. I love the Compact for it's rich deep sounds and the Midget for it's snarly sound and bass if you boost the lower frequencies. I prefer the Compact as a single cab but the Midget is excellent too in that role. Together they are a joy to use. The only cab which I would want to replace these cabs with would be a BF super twelve but really, I'd want to keep them all. Frank.

I bought a Fender bridge from Will. Arrived safely, well packaged and exactly as described. Excellent chap to deal with. Thanks Will. Frank.

This is getting a little off-topic but.... A Compact is deep, loud, fat and creamy sounding (it's hard to use words to describe sound). A Midget is loud and is a very useful cab if you like small and loud. It's a bit more "angry" sounding. I love the tone. I prefer the Compact over the Midget if I was pushed to choose one cab, but they are both better than everything else I've heard or tried in 25 years of playing bass. For bigger rooms, I use both together and the combination is deep, fat and very loud. Alex offers a refund if you don't like his cabs. I don't know of any other cab manufacturer who offers this service. I haven't tried a Supertwelve but it's got to be the ultimate one-cab solution. I intend to buy one soon. Frank.

Stick some duct tape over the limiters microphone. Works for me. Frank.

I really enjoyed reading your first post Gareth. It's just brilliant to find a gig that you enjoy. Long may it continue for you. Frank. PS. I highly recommend the Barefaced Midget if you're thinking about a 1 x12 cab. It's loud, deep and sweet sounding and without doubt in my mind, the best small cab I've owned in 25 years of playing bass. The Compact is better if you want an even deeper sound. Both are VERY loud.

I recently bought a fretlass jazz bass of Eric. Due to two bank holidays and a royal wedding things were a bit delayed. Eric was easy to deal with, even though things were slow at my end, and the bass was exactly as described. Well packaged too. Eric is a decent and honest guy. Deal in perfect confidence. Thanks for a lovely bass Eric. It has shown up my lack of fretless skills admiribly. Frank.

[quote name='LawrenceH' post='1206653' date='Apr 21 2011, 01:34 AM']Pickup position, neck wear. That's about it (officially) although I suspect they pick the bodies for the RW series and the QC is higher. Having said that, the 70s classics are niiiiice if you like that funky funky sound![/quote] Thanks LawrenceH. I think the QC must be higher on the 70s ones as the RW bodies could be anything really. My 70s has a beautiful grain. [quote name='Prime_BASS' post='1206722' date='Apr 21 2011, 08:37 AM']However the special-ness of the American build has meant you've added this into your sig, yet the classic 70's doesn't have "Mexican" before it. I'm not trying to make a dig at you just an observation, that I see fairly often. Also the difference between the RW and the classic 70s jazz is the Nitrocellulose lacquer.[/quote] Haha. That was just to differentiate with the Japanese ones which have a 60s bridge pickup position. I'd have been happy to buy a Japanese 70s jazz but wanted the correct bridge pickup position. I think the MIM 70s pickups are the same as those on the RW so I'm trying to undestand why the RW are so loved. I'm getting the picture now. Thanks for all replies Frank. EDIT for clarity.

Interesting thread. Apart from the finish, does anyone know what differences there are between the MIM roadworn series and the MIM classic 70s range? I'm asking because, as much as the roadworns have a certain appeal, I much prefer the classic 70s on looks alone. I have a classic 70s jazz, standard pickups, and I find it gives my US 75 reissue jazz a good run for the money. The US bass isn't 3 times better but it's nearly 3 times the price. Anyone know? Frank.

Why not try the Seymour Duncan SPB3? Of course, I haven't heard the Fralin as a comparison, but I can tell you that the SPB3 sounds nice and fat but grindy. And the price is very reasonable. Frank.

[quote name='arsenic' post='1203916' date='Apr 18 2011, 06:35 PM']If the Lindy lives up to the reputation, that is going to sound immense. Personally, the only other change I would change is the pickguard - maybe a black tortoise shell p just to add a a little interest to the expanse of black. Have fun [/quote] I have a black tortoise pickguard on my butterscotch Japanese Fender 51 RI. I like it, but I know that most people would prefer to keep to the original plain black. I've also got two Seymour Duncan SPB3 pickups (Additional pickup in the bridge position) and a badass III bridge. I'm about to fit a switch to allow the options of using either or both pickups. It's a very unique and interesting bass. Plays and sounds wonderfully. These style of bassses are lovely things. Full of character. Yours is very pretty Grand Wazoo. Frank.

I've been playing guitar since 1969, bass since 1985. I much prefer bass and haven't gigged on guitar since taking it up. I'm a better acoustic player than electric although I have a nice strat, a jazz box and several acoustics the nicest one being an Avalon. I think it's useful but not essential for a bass player to also play guitar. It means you have an advantage when jamming or on "just turn up" gigs because you can read the guitarists fingers. Frank.

The Streamer stage 2 is a good compromise between the Streamer and Thumb. Or maybe is the best of both worlds? As much as I love the sound of a Thumb bass the Streamer stage 2 is my favourite all-round Warwick. Frank.

I highly recommend the Seymour Duncan SCPB-3 for these basses. I have two in my CIJ 51 reissue and the sound is big and beefy. Frank.

[quote name='TRBboy' post='1185336' date='Apr 1 2011, 10:03 PM'][b]Me:[/b] "Hi there, just wondered if you could tell me which of these two pickups is the most powerful and punchy?" [b]Dimarzio:[/b] "The Ultra Jazz has an output of 250 compared with the Model J’s 150. Output is a direct measurement of loudness. You’ll find this and other specs on our website in the Specifications section on each pickup page." That'll do me, the Ultra's are loudest. I'm hoping they'll be just right. I'm really impressed with the Model P/J I've got in my RBX so I'm expecting good things![/quote] Thanks for getting back to me. The Ultra Jazz are great pickups and I love the sound they give but surprisingly, there is more output from the standard pickups on my MIM classic 70s jazz. And the MIM are the more aggresive and ballsy sounding of the two. Not necessarily better, but different, and both superb pickups. Frank.

[quote name='tommorichards' post='1189994' date='Apr 6 2011, 02:17 AM']Well, on a stingray, the pickup is in the "sweet spot" to get the best tone when playing whatever note. Its referred to by the pickup, not the sweet spot of the note.[/quote] I think you're missing my point. The relative position of the pickup changes as the string is fretted. See LaurenceH's post above, which I found very interesting. Thanks Laurence.. Frank.

Bairds are the only ones I know who hire bass amps. What's the problem Danny? Is your amp fooked? Sent you a PM. Frank.

That's the strange thing about the L2000. I think they have a very wide neck at 44.5mm but they never feel wide. I can play mine equally as easily as a jazz neck. And the sounds are very satisfying to my ears anyway. I think you'll love it. Frank.

[quote name='tommorichards' post='1189041' date='Apr 5 2011, 02:28 PM']Id assume the sweet spot refers to how good the pickup sounds in its position on all strings in all positions.[/quote] Ah, but then the sweet spot is always moving so then it's sweet [font="Arial Black"]spots[/font], lots of different sweet spots. Frank.

I've often wondered about pickup positions. Especially when people talk about the "sweet spot" for a Stingray or similar. Surely all this changes as soon as a fretted note is played? The higher up the neck you play the more the effect is. Am I missing something? Frank.

[quote name='TRBboy' post='1185272' date='Apr 1 2011, 09:13 PM']The NE-1 looks interesting, I may well keep my eyes peeled for a bargain! I had a response back from Dimarzio very swiftly regarding the output of the pickups, and I've gone ahead and ordered the Ultra Jazz set. Ordered them from The Guitar Workshop Online as they were one of the cheapest sites, and was very impressed with the service. I called them to check that they had stock at about 15:20 this afternoon, which they did. They said that if I ordered them straight away, they would despatch them this afternoon and I should recieve them tomorrow! AND the delivery charge was only £1!!! Sure enough, I had an email within about 15mins to say that the pickups had been despatched! Thanks for everyone's input, I've got some good ideas for further mods now if the Dimarzios don't hit the spot![/quote] I'd be interested to hear what you asked Dimarzio and their reply. I have the Ultra Jazz in my 75 RI jazz. I like them but I'm also very impressed with the standard Fender pickups in my MIM 70s Classic jazz. I think you'll be pleased with your choice. Frank.