miles'tone

I've never had a noisy P bass at all. As long as the earth wire from the bridge to the back of a pot is soldered effectively, that should be all that's required. (I was told this by Sims Customs actually when I was ordering a '64 P body and asked what they recommend for shielding. They said they don't, even on their own builds as it doesn't matter on a passive bass. As long as said bridge to pot wire is connected.. It did surprise me at the time but so far no probs on my last two P's, one of which I put together myself).

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1429522121' post='2752138'] I think so... type of pickups, electronics and pickup placement. And strings. If you really want to change the sound of an existing bass, just fit different strings. I think a lot of perceived problems with 'tone' are down to string choice. [/quote] Yup.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1429219732' post='2749496'] Thank you, sir... [url="http://www.mediafire.com/listen/2etec8s3kxniqi2/Civilisation.mp3"]here[/url] is a recording of our opening number taken from the desk at last night's gig - it's a bit rough all round, but hopefully you can hear the lovely warm bounce it has... I wasn't sure it would be suitable for rock/indie/blues-type music, but it is, in my opinion. Though you can't quite EQ out the very last of Marcus, so it still has a trace of that Jazz growl in it! [/quote] Nicely done! Great to hear it in a true gigging context. Held it's place in the mix with authority there. Very Marcus the bass may be but I can hear the tone you have there would be killer for a Led Zep Heartbreaker kinda vibe also. I'm just going to have to sit this out until later on this year and see how the Sire story unfolds. If the second batch matches up to this first run and the price stays the same then it's looking pretty inevitable that I'll be having one of the fivers. (Just having a career change, looking for work, blah blah blah..)

Stop it, all of you! I really have to stop reading this thread.. 🙈🙉🙊

[quote name='molan' timestamp='1429135610' post='2748504'] I've almost always favoured J's over P's and a few years back acquired my 'dream' bass - a '63J in sea foam green. All original apart from being Refinished in the 70's but my local luthier thinks it was originally sea foam. It now has dings, cigarette burn marks, fading where stickers have been on it etc. Very dark rosewood board and a neck to die for, certain the nicest Fender J neck I've ever played. The day it arrived a certain Paul Turner happened to pop round to drop something off and promptly borrowed it for a week He proclaimed it might just have a better slap tone than his beloved '66 J! I've gigged it a few times, rehearsed it a lot but never recorded it. The sad thing is that a long term neck problem means I'm regularly struggling to play 34" scale basses so it may well have to go at some point. It's increased in value a little each year that I've owned it which kinda justifies keeping it but it just seems a shame that it's not out gigging regularly so maybe it'll finally go this year [/quote] Wow she's a beaut! 👍

Looks like Sonic blue to me. Paler than Daphne.

Used to have Elites flats on my '80s Stingray with mutes. Sounded amazing and the tension was just right for playing over the pickup.

[quote name='HowieBass' timestamp='1428877002' post='2745640'] I think I'm right in saying that the Lakland Skylines are built by Cort who make some very nice instruments for other brands as well as under their own name. Your description of 'modern' to me suggests active preamp (though it's nice to be able to go passive when you want). I'm pretty certain the G&L Tribute series come from the Cort factory and the L-2000 has plenty of tonal options available (active/passive, series/parallel, preamp treble boost). Looks like you're going to have to demo quite a few basses! [/quote] I'm feeling like adding a more modern bass too. The Cort Arona looks like my kind of bag . According to the reviews I've been reading they only weigh between 7.5 - 8lbs, and that's the 5 string! (in the open pore swamp ash that is, not sure what the alder would weigh in at). Designed in collaboration with Sandberg, same story with Delano regarding it's pickups. Looks great, punchy as hell with it's MM/J config, from the vids I've seen. Boom! Active / passive switching too, all for less than 500 quid: http://www.cortguitars.com/en/product/arona4

Andy Summers doesn't even get any royalties for Every Breath You Take.

I enjoyed that very much, thanks! It's pretty amazing what Johnny Marr had achieved by the age of just 21.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1428798531' post='2744696'] Great, now I'm getting Stingray GAS. Goodnight! [/quote] Oh my, me too. I bid you good morning!

Lovely looking Precision, hope you find it again. Is the problem that you can't remember who you sold it too? If so, as obvious as it sounds, can't you check your PM history on here? PayPal/bank account records from the time you sold it? Best of luck with it mate. I sold a Stingray in 2001 that I'm still sore about so I know how you feel.

You'll get more for your mim if you sell it yourself. You won't get much for it trading it in at a shop. So if money's tight, be patient I say (hard as that can be ).

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1428432871' post='2741262'] I can't help but agree. But all-white is good too. Even tort would be acceptable in this situation (gasp). [/quote] I was just going to say that this bass would even meet the discreet 'Tort Police' criteria!

[quote name='White Cloud' timestamp='1428437771' post='2741318'] Just ordered that...many thanks for the heads up! [/quote] Hey my pleasure! I'm sure you'll find something in there to help you. Everyone would - it covers a lot of ground. 😃

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1428426713' post='2741183'] Glad to hear that you have your GAS sorted, but what about your back? Sounds to me like you would benefit from doing something about your back problem rather than simply buying a lighter bass. Just saying ... [/quote] Quite. This book has really helped me get things moving again along with my physio and rehab (no, not THAT kind of rehab ). It shows you what's happening with your back and some excellent exercises. Forward by Prince Charles no less. Doing 5mins of these exercises morning and night along with trying to keep the weight off has changed my world. The lightweight bass is just the cherry on top. I can now stand up and play again! Whoop Whoop! http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sarah-Keys-Back-Sufferers-Bible/dp/0091814944

Classic combo that mate, congrats! 😎

Sub-zero. That is brilliant, nice one!

A friend of mine had a late 60's fretless jazz with block inlays, converted to P/J. He gigged it for over 15 years with no epoxy and no problems. He played it through a vintage Fender Bassman valve head and 2x15 cab. It is still THE most sexiest sounding bass I have ever heard. He's a really tasty player too though. Go for it.

[quote name='Bigwan' timestamp='1428143692' post='2738409'] I'd it narrowed down to those 2 colours too... Now thinking Sherwood Green instead! [/quote] I don't think you could go wrong with both those three

Been here myself too. 1st question is what's your budget? If you can afford a Mike Lull P, go for it. Also, Shuker basses here in the UK do the JJ Burnel P bass in a lightweight option now. If you don't have dream bass money, how about just selling the one bass and keep your MIM P bass and mod that.. Hear me out! My lower back is screwed too so I did the following to my Squier VM P5: Licensed by Hipshot Ultralite tuners - £60 Hipshot A Style aluminium bridge - £60 Aluminium knobs - £15 Body routed out under pickguard + setup - £50. So, my 9 1/2 pound 5er now weighs a titch under 8 1/2, sounds much more resonant and really does have a premium feel. If you go this way, you could also go for a premium pickup too because of all that cash you've saved not getting a new bass!

There's a few really strange headstocks on some of the premium Fender copies out there, ones that just make me scratch my head, but I do like the Sire headstock shape. It's fresh, classy and just works in my book (practically too - a bit more mass will help shift deadspots off the fingerboard - have you seen how thick Fender's are now anyone?). The logo's cool too, nicely understated in that font. If they did make a 5 string P bass with a similar pre with sweepable mids... I'd sell my bloody clothes to get one!!

Schweet!

[quote name='ben4343' timestamp='1427986598' post='2736725'] It's awesome! Probably going to start a new thread to make some comments as I don't want to take over yours, but just wanted to follow up. I'm loving it! Hope you're still having fun with yours! [/quote] Yes still loving it! So far it's surviving the punishment my two lads are dishing out on it I'm really liking the steel string thing too, so much so that I'm going to get some steels for my 5er after using nickels for ages. Great little bass and I'm glad you're pleased with yours too! Have fun! \m/

CME Custom Relic'ing: Add Years of Abuse To Your Brand New Guitar!: http://youtu.be/lcZH6lTx470