jimmy_lazers

Just received the DOD envelope filter I bought off Tom, great comms before the purchase and it even arrived the next working day. Muchas gracias!

[quote name='rogerstodge' timestamp='1341350573' post='1717669'] Ive never owned or even tried a squire, only cos it dont say fender on the headstock... Think i may well give one a go after reading this thread, Anyone got a lefty for sale?? [/quote] I was of a similar opinion not all that long ago until I tried a Gibson 335 and an Epiphone Dot Studio side by side - the experience completely changed my view of brand-name instruments vs their 'budget' counterparts. I checked them out because I was after something a bit out of the ordinary and couldn't justify springing serious money on an original or 'proper' reissue, hence the 50's CV. You might play a few and hate them, but I honestly couldn't fault mine. As a side-note it also opened my mind to alternative tonewoods (don't worry, I'm not going to go there) and I actually get a slightly weird kick out of the fact that my bass is made out of the same thing as my kitchen table...

[quote name='rushbo' timestamp='1341318488' post='1716859'] I have a lot of love for Squiers. Recently, I picked up a lovely Mike Dirnt secondhand, which is turning out to be an absolute gem...they need a tweak (screws all need tightening...) but they are much more than a beginners Bass. I've also got an Indonesian Squier Jazz which I've defretted. That too sounds great. I still regret selling a gorgeous sunburst P Bass special which looked and sounded fantastic. The moral is, don't let snobbery put you off. I've had nothing but positive experiences and with a little bit of time (and the odd upgrade, if you're that way inclined...) You can get a great instrument for not much money...and DON'T put Fender logos on 'em! Be proud of your Squier! [/quote] Big +1 there...

I remember someone in a shop telling me that Fender had basically set up a US-spec production line in their factory in China - I think that rather than cutting costs during the manufacturing process like some do, they're opting for cheaper woods and whatnot. I know my CV P-bass is pine lacquered to look like blonde ash and the metallic blue version is basswood, plus I'm sure they use other 'cheaper' woods depending on the model. For jazz-type basses check out Farida - they're made by the same factory in China but they're a step up in quality even from the Squires.

I have to say that from personal experience Squire have been a bit of a strange animal when it comes to their guitars and basses over the years. We all know about the various 'legendary' Japanese models from the 80's, but what about the current crop of offerings? I feel I have to throw my two penneth in on this one having owned one of their recent models for about a year - the Classic Vibe 50's P-Bass. Frankly, I bought it because it looked cool, it wasn't all that expensive and it was essentially a replica of the somewhat unseen 'transition' P-Bass, with the newer contoured body but retaining the single coil pickup, the frankly bizarre early-shape pickguard and baseball-bat profiled neck. Now, I can't speak for the rest of the range, but this particular bass is an absolute peach! The finish is ultra-thin and flawless (tbh easily as good as my US jazz), the single coil pickup is virtually hum-free and implausibly versatile and despite a bit of obligatory screw tightening needed very little in the way of adjustment (although the strings had been swapped out for D'addario's by the dealer). At one point I was going to replace the pickup with a Seymour Duncan QP, but to be honest I scrapped the idea as I couldn't imagine it making £40 worth of difference over the stock one. So, in a very long-winded way, what do people reckon to Squire's current range of basses and are there any others they would recommend? JL out.

If you're at all interested in Carol Kaye (which let's face it, as a self respecting bassist you should be) then there's quite an interesting foreword with/about her in Paul Balmer's Haynes Fender Bass Manual. In fact, it's quite a useful book all round. As far as famous bass parts go, I never realised that was her on Good Vibrations by the Beach Boys - good to put a face to a bassline...

True, but as we both know in Bolton you just get battered full stop...

Blackpool sunnier than Bolton? I'm not having that...

[quote name='paul_5' timestamp='1340984781' post='1712476'] 'ow do to a fellow Northener. [/quote] 'ey up...