Sean

A lot of nomenclature systems get messy over time. We don’t really know what LX stands for. Despite my speculation at Length Xtension, it’s more likely a reference to the layering of the wings as it came after the solid wing Euros. LT = No idea??? RST = Roasted (must be). CST = Custom Shop Top? XL (as in NS5-XL) must refer to the 35” scale. I had a ’01 and that was 35”.

Due to arrive tomorrow and continuing a trend for Japan Exclusives (my third), here it is. I've had an eye on it for months. It's one of 5 made in that spec. EX = Exotic, LTD = Limited, NAM (Spector Colour Code) = Natural Maple. Nothing to do with NAMM but one of the 5 of these was at NAMM last year to show dealers what is possible with special orders. It's a 3-piece roasted maple neck with a 4A North American flame maple top, walnut sandwich layer, empresswood wing-backs and the headstock matches the top but seems to be gloss vs the matt finish of the body. The wood build is as per the standard RST but in a limited edition finish. It has EMG P (reverse) + J pickups with ivory coloured covers and the DG Legacy Tone Capsule where the standard RSTs have Aguilar humbuckers and an Aguilar preamp. There's an LHZ-04 preamp on standby ready but after playing Gary's CST the other day, I think I'm going to leave the DG in there for a while.

What does NS-4 mean? They've got 2 humbuckers usually. 4 coils? NS-5 must be 5 strings.

I think the subtly of the humour there probably warranted an emoji 😉

Jack Bruce's NS-2 https://www.digimart.net/cat03/shop5033/DS09888998/ Jack owned this. PJ Rubal has given it the thumbs up. The switches are killswitch and phase switch. I'd love a factory fitted killswitch. Walnut wings, Badass bridge. Sadly, JB moved on to Warwick after this. To save you doing the conversion, it's £35k.

Mike Mills is always a reference for me. Learning Kenneth and then using those ideas in other songs is valuable. Not just that song but as a concept. I like to play with concepts to help composition like, trying to come up with what Mike Mills might play on Sweet Child of Mine as a simple example. It makes you think about applying what he does over something that exists that you only have certain scope with. And in the band I've just left, I did a sort of "What Would Duff McKagan Do" over Summer of '69. Well, if you want me to play certain songs in a non-tribute, low-pay setting, I need to get some fun or benefit out of it!

I've always wanted to play What's the Frequency, Kenneth? It's never happened and isn't likely to. I love that bass line.

Whatever. It's just descended into what most Basschat threads become, it's us lot talking absolute nonsense. I sometimes visit Bajistas.org, a Spanish language bass forum, they'd never have threads like this. They're still trying to decide whether a P or a J is best or whether a PJ is a happy balance or a complete abominación of el Diablo.

I don't know about a Zon but in 2009 I despatched an attacker at a wedding gig with an NS5-XL. Neck through, solid maple wings, Haz pre-amp. Proper weapon. I missed the Middle 8 but the keys guy covered me with some tasty left hand work.

Sorted. No conversation required. Just smile and nod.

I've had quite a few Japanese Yamaha BBs and I’ve had that exact experience a few times. So much so that one of my friends, who’s a drummer who has been there and seen it happen, asks me every time he sees me, “Bought a Fender yet, mate?”. It never gets old.

A couple of months ago I went with the guitarist and singer to chat with the landlady and get our money. We were standing together in a kind of circle and the landlady looked at me apologetically and told me me that if I wanted a drink before last orders that Jason the barman would serve me and that she was busy dealing with the guys from the band as she pointed to the other two. That kind of thing happens all the time. We played one venue where the landlord and his missus wanted a photo taken with the band. As we were forming the huddle, he told me he'd take one with me in it after they'd taken the one with just "me, the missus and the band". I went back to packing up.

Something that annoys some but for me is a huge bonus; no one is interested in your gear. There always seems to be so much interest in the guitarists' gear, they have Fender and Marshall and huge pedal boards and loads of brands that the bedroom brigade are familiar with. Only twice this year did anyone ask me anything about my gear and that was, "Is that a Warwick?". To which I replied, "Um, no" and the other was recently where some chap was pointing at my rig and calling to his mates, "Look! It's an old Mesa Boogie!".

When you factor these statements in, which I more than agree with, they are relatively good value. I had no real feel for Musicman prices but having just looked, I think a Euro is very competitive.

🍿🤔

When is it landing?

I got a set of XT 45-100 "Used like New" yesterday for £19. The code worked and they're like new. £27 is the usual price.

I'd love to get hold of that BB2024MX

I've got maple, ebony and rosewood board Euros, all with EMGs and the same HAZ-clones and they're all different in sound. The ebony is really snappy and tight. The maple is brighter than the rosewood. At the SW Bash opinion was split between the ebony and maple but with strong preferences either way. Then there's my CRFM with rosewood board and brass bridge and that's in a world of its own even with the EMGs and Haz-clone. It's much nastier but it has got different strings to the others.

Nooooo. Don't! We'd have to do a 50 page thread on recutting brass nuts!

I’m sure Gary will chime in soon but, yes. The Desert Island is what I think is "Ian HIll", my Peacock is the more standard “meaty” carve. The CRFM I’ve got is skinnier than the IH (but not Doug-like, more like the Tobacco Kramer) and I’ve got a 2018 LX EX (Zebra) that is like a baseball bat. Fortunately, I get on with most profiles unless they're super skinny or ridiculously big. I don’t think I’d get on with a DW.

Another thing... The black hardware with that purple… Uffff! 🤠

Yesterday at the bash we @cetera had a fascinating geek-out comparing a pair of recent 2024-25 Euros, Gary’s "Desert Island” with the maple board vs my “Peacock” with the ebony board. Both Japan Exclusives. Very different carve necks, slightly different nut widths, EMG vs EMGx, Spector tuners vs Gotoh Resolite on the "Desert Island”. Both shipped with the DG. Agreed on the Euros. The small batch or special run Euros can be awesome. Not that the “catalogue” ones aren’t amazing 😉

There's so much to say about yesterday's bash. Sorry, my phone died so I've got no photos of my own. A big thanks to @Mike Brooksfor hosting the talks with Matt from Monty's and also with Chris Childs. Really insightful and lots learned. FYI, the Monty's basses/pickups were played through a GK Legacy 800 with a more or less flat setting going into an LFSys Monaco. The first P bass (the Retro Wind) and the 4th (the green J) were absolutely stunning for me. One of the big insights for me from yesterday was the subtle differences between basses that are "the same". Andy's Hamer Chapparal B12L has some subtle differences to mine and feels a bit different on the strap. The big eye-openers came from comparing Spectors. Even Euro LX models from the same year have differences in neck carve, tuners, pickups and nut width, let alone all the cosmetic and wood choice differences. Phil's speaker comparison was insightful again. The acoustics of the venue made it a different experience to what it was in Taunton four weeks ago. It certainly made a mockery of a comment I heard recently where a chap who was looking at my LFSys Monaco said, "I wouldn't get on with that, I only like 10s".

I got home 40m ago. What a fabulous day out. I'll post some proper comments tomorrow but for now, a huge thanks to Paul, Paul and Gary for pulling it together and also to everyone who went and made it such a great experience.