Bassman Steve

How heavy is heavier than average? I remember playing one of these when they first appeared and it played way better than the 66 Jazz I had at the time.

Must ..................................... resist ..........................................

Further bump but mainly to ask after the 66 slab. I did actually own an original one of those and the recorded sound of it was immense, wonderful tone. I had heard that the pick-ups were different on those (whether that's true or not I don't know). Either way, I took the original out of mine when I passed it on and put it into my #1 bass (which has been my number 1 bass for about 27 years now).

Interesting in that it had a separate maple fingerboard and no skunk stripe.

+4 do the gigs and worship the ground your other half walks on!!

Mr Murphy's right, there's an EC Directive - I'm certain of it.

Tony Levin, of course, apologies for missing you off Tone. I'll ditch Colin Hodgkinson for you - you've got a better moustache too.

Ok, in no particular order (and probably more bassists I like to listen to rather than viruosos);

James Jamerson
John Deacon
Bruce Foxton
Norman Watt-Roy
Stephen Amazing (check out either UPP album)
Bernard Edwards
Mark King
Me - somehow I have the knack of playing exactly the bass line I like to hear :-)
Andy Frazer
Colin Hodgkinson

Just actually looked at all this. Bought Jon's Bass 400+ a little while ago and echo all the positives about him. Thoroughly decent guy and even let me leave with it despite the money not having turned up in his account (he had seen me do the transfer).

John Deacon of Queen.

+1 for Fender Japan. I would have no hesitation (and have done on 5 occasions now).

I'll mention it to my nephew tomorrow evening (Blues Club in Portsmouth) and see if I can tempt him. If it were my kind of amp I'd have had that myself.

Spot on, possibly the most underrated bass player in the history of underrated bass players (fortunately not by bass players themselves).

Don't know about marketing ploy but I've always wondered why you'd feed both cabs with the same eq. Each cab has different characteristics so why not use separate eq to exploit those differences rather than a single one.

It's not something I've ever done (and am perfectly happy with 15's) but it just seems too much of a compromise.

Good heavens, you must the only other guy with a Bass 400!!!!

You could put them into PJ's and let them sell them for you if you've no sale by the time you go.

Shame as the wood is so nice. I'd buy a sunburst one and install the J in that and keep that as is (change to white scratchplate though).

Check out Far East Guitars on the web. The guy imports s/h Japanese Fender instruments and has a good few Strats for sale. I've bought a couple of basses from him and he's a straight up guy. The site has a number of pictures of the guitars so you get a good look at it and he also gives a good description of the instrument. He only buys non-export guitars so you get the Alder/Ash bodies with US pick-ups.

I have one the very same and can thoroughly recommend them as superb basses. Even prettier in the flesh and stunning Japanese build quality.

Fairly mild and probably only I noticed, a fair few years ago when I was touring as a pro I was playing an auditorium in Germany. The singer had been complaining during the soundcheck that the band were too loud on stage so as the soundcheck finished I hit the standby switch and asked if that was ok now?

First three numbers were odd as I could hear the bass in the hall but it seemed inaudible to me on stage (I hadn't requested bass in my monitor mix) and just couldn't figure out what was wrong but sensed I was the only one suffering - everyone in the band had their own mix and so didn't need my backline.

Eventually the penny dropped and I shuffled back to the amp and pushed the standby switch - problem solved!!

Graham's contact number is - 01903 893029

Not too sure of contact details - I'll check it out - but Graham Wheeler at Worthing is excellent. He used to work for Giffen in the UK. He built me a stunning bass eons ago and is a real craftsman.

Perhaps someone can explain this mixing 4x10's and 1x15 cabs? I have never understood why you would feed two different cabs with the same input. Surely you'd want to have a different EQ for each cab to tune into the individual properties of each. OK, I'll shut up now .....

No problems with the 'Precision-ness' of the P-bass pick-up on its own in my experience. Mine are strung with Rotosound Nickel Swing Bass (45 - 105) and sound great.

I have two and really like them. The pick-ups are Fender Japan and slightly weaker than US ones and so I have changed mine but I think later ones have different pick-ups. The body styling and matching headstock look great and they're nice and light.

As with all Japanese Fenders, build quality is outstanding.

My Bass 400 has been in a standard rack case for over 20 years without any problem. I run the fan on fast just to be on the safe side. The rack was custom made at 300mm depth so the back of the amp is near the back of the case.

I have always moved it myself (and wired it up) even when travelling with a crew so it's treatment is down to me (I remember walking behind a guy carrying the guitarists valve head (on his shoulder) when he tripped and fell!!!