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I think US standard just had normal frets (not rounded) that was approx a 95 model. I have them on my Sire v7 and they're nice to play. It looks like the player ones are just normal flat frets.

I've just got a player today. The comparison to the old usa standard is spot on. I had a 1995ish usa standard and this feels pretty much the same in build quality, finish and looks. The standard (if I remember correctly) was slightly heavier and thicker neck, but the quality and attention to detail is at first look the same. Personally i couldnt justify the extra £1000 for the new US but I can understand why some people would. I had a fsr Japanese black and gold precision which was lovely, but I'd say the finish and build is better on the player. Just feels more substantial. Whereas the Japanese fsr was a high quality machine, but lighter to hold. Glad to hear fender have upped their game all round.

Thanks. The shop was HW Audio in Bolton.

This came today. I needed a specific bass for a new tribute band and these looked a good option. By chance I saw one in the local shop last week, was so impressed I asked for a test play and was sold there and then. Now, we hear a lot about music shops dying out, but i really have to stick up for my local one here. They didnt have the model i wanted in stock, but went out of the way to order it for me from Europe. The timescale was exact (a week). They gave me a ring this afternoon to say it had arrived and when i got there they kindly asked if i just wanted to take it and whether i would like to open it and check everything was ok. They hooked it up to an amp in the shop then gave it a check over, tested it for buzzes and defects, then adjusted the truss rod to the perfect tension. All for free. All part of the service. If it had just come in the post from a mail order company he said it would have been poor to play as there was no tension in the neck at all. So, a big plus for buying from a physical shop. Anywho, on to the bass.... The build quality is perfect. Ideal weight, solid but not heavy, great finish and plays beautifully. Very resonant acoustically. The Pau Ferro fretboard is nice. Andertons described it as feeling a bit springy, and although it's perfectly solid, the analogy kind of works. It's very nice to play though, and sound nice. There is plenty and I mean plenty of difference between the tone off and on. From dubby 60s vibe to full on clarity. As part of the tribute look I needed a tort plate. I ordered one form mail order shop for £15. I had seen you need a 13 hole for a Mexican fender, and this proved right. It's a near perfect fit and only took 10 minutes to swap. Cant wait to fire it up tomorrow.

Thanks.

Brilliant, thanks. Sounds like I'll give it a go. Just to double check, as it doesnt show in the photos, do they come with the pots as well etc?

Hi all, I've just purchased a snazzy looking bass, but it's a cheapo and I'd like to do it up. Does anyone know how easy to fit the emg geezer pickups are? In particularly it says they come with the correct pots as well and it's all solder less connection. Is this true? And is it genuinely that easy - no soldering etc?

I know, it's a disgrace. Weve had 3 months relative calm and its gonna go straight back to fighting in pubs, clubs and on the street, and all the anti social disgraceful things that go with it. Shame people never learn.

Anywho....... thinking laterally - why does live music have to be stuck in with drink and pubs? Remove those 2 obstacles and there will be plenty of options where to play.

Tells it's own story that statistic.

I suppose I understand the governments theory. As well as reopening everything they are also trying to work out the things that cause the spread too at the same time. So, let the pubs go back - seated and distanced. If that works well, let people stand. If that works well allow live music. Kind of keep just pushing the boundaries and see what works. If they all work then great. If one item causes a spike you know to isolate that. It's a much more sensible approach to letting everything go straight back to normal. If they did that and there was a spike, theyve no real way of knowing what caused the issue and how to deal with it. Small steps, but we'll get there.

Gees.... well, looks like social distancing is over then. I can kind of get how they can manage the restaurant side, as the culture is to sit down, but pubs? I'll be giving it at least a month to let everyone bump into each other, grab each other, fight each other and generally give any virus to each other, before I even think of going back.

Not sure where this notion that pubs are opening in a couple of weeks has come from? I think theres been a bit of interpretation or misinterpretation trying to force the issue? Theres no way on earth you can get a pub full of people full of alcohol to adhere to any rules unfortunately. Perhaps small corner locals or labour clubs etc with less punters and more responsible older clientelle, but not busy town centre pubs full of 20 year olds. If they are opening, and do open, then theres no reason at all that bands cant play as far as I can see. Hopefully, it may get stubborn venues to use their brains more and let bands use the fire exits / side doors next to the staging area to load in and out, rather than carry all the gear through the full length of the pub. It may even force them to rethink the performance areas and that there is sufficient easy access in and out to it. Like youd get at a theatre. I lost count of the amount of venues with the perfect performance are right next to a side door or fire exit (not blocking) which would have made live perfect for setting up and down, and better viewing area for the punters, yet the landlord decides the playing are is right at the other side of the pub, through all the punters and squashed into a corner. Let's hope, on a positive note, a good rethink helps us bands out.

When I had my lb100 I used it slightly differently after watching a video from the bass whisperer. He used to recommend different tones by backing off the volume control as well. Ie 3/4 gives you a more vintage tone etc.

Yeh, I think (if I can remember the speil) is it makes the bridge one solid acoustic unit, rather than 4 individual ones. I didnt think it would make a difference, but it really did. I do love the g&l lb100s (or l100) whichever model it is. Total bargain for beautifully made bass.

Nice! Remember to tighten the bridge (theres a side screw) when adds a new dimension to the sound.

I emailed them last week, as I was about to buy a bass from them too. Good job I didnt buy it. No response at all. I dont know if they're even working or not.

Looks fantastic!

Hi all I was browsing the bass centre website the other today looking at the power basses when I saw you can have your bass customised completely. From colour, pickups, electronics etc. Could be a good idea on a budget, considering the basses are hardly regarded at £300-400. So they can be that much more customised. Aguilar pick ups, sims electronics, nixmce colours - worth a look?

UPS distribute for Thomann amongst others. Pretty much every bass I've had from Thomann and Andertons contain a cardboard guitar box with a larger rectangular box. Albeit that's not packaging everyone has available. You could argue thats what they use if they then demand a hard case. It might sound daft, but I think cardboard is also used as if its dented or damaged upon arrival you have visible proof it's been mishandled, rather than just for its protective qualities.

UPS is the way to go. Same price as other companies, but the bass is insured, and I've found them excellent service too.

I've never got into the supposed metal style basses. The Jacksons, Charvel, type.

I've just ordered one of these. Been to the local music shop today for a browse and they had one in a different colour to the one I wanted, but I had a good look and a play with the one there, and flippin' eck they are very very very good. They look superb, are put together and finished very well, and the sound is absolute classic fender p bass. The necks are also nice and slim and fast. The tone pots also have a nice range. They were much better than I thought they would be. So much so, I ordered one in sunburst there and then, should take a week to arrive. It brought that fender smile back, that tone is awesome. £650, serious bargain, especially compared to the £1600 usa fender hanging next to it.