Sean

By a used bass. That way you get a load more for your money and you don't end up paying 20% of the purchase price as VAT. The fact that you liked all three tells me that you'll easily find something you'll like as well as these. Why the rush?

[quote name='4 Strings' timestamp='1349454317' post='1826605'] tbh, this is really an impression rather than fact. They're all fine. [/quote] So, I ask all of you that have or have had shoddy Fenders, do you think was, in fact, your impression of their quality rather than their quality that was at fault? Are they in fact, all fine and if so why are there so many threads whining about the quality differences? And why don't we see similar threads about MusicMan?

[quote name='gareth' timestamp='1349457239' post='1826650'] i take it you don't drive peugeots, citroens, fiats and fords then [/quote] Correct.

Make sure you know the difference between sea foam green and surf green if you go down that route; they are quite different.

[quote name='The Dark Lord' timestamp='1349379183' post='1825601'] I agree with Lozz. The MIA P is THE bass. With it, you get a no-questions asked seat at the top table of bass playing. Strap on. Rock. [/quote] :-D I've wasted all that time learning to read, learning theory and technique and what I should have done was buy a US Fender Precision instead.

So, what I'm reading here is that if you want a Fender, you need to try lots of them to find a good one unless you go for a Japanese one. There are a few good Mexican ones if you can find one and US ones are generally better but there are some dogs amongst them. I wouldn't accept this from a car manufacturer, it would be ludicrous. I would just go to a company that makes great products that don't disappoint. We need to get over Fender, it's a joke.

[quote name='jaydentaku' timestamp='1349038381' post='1821052'] This. Plus they seem to have a very quiet e string on the 4 and require safe breaker dexterity to get an even volume and tone [/quote] I played an Aero with flats in a Blues Bros tribute and it was a nightmare.you're either lost in the mix or cutting through to the extent that it pisses people off. Might be my inabities showing through but just beware.

Btw, there's a facebook page for vintage BBs!

Never bored with BBs, I'm still looking for a BB2000. Missed one on eBay a few months back but I've got the BB1300 to console me as far as vintage awesomeness goes :-)

The fingerboard is treated with creosote and the bound body cuts into the right underside of the forearm. Play before you buy, folks.

I've had Fender Precisions, MIJ, MIM, US and now, well, look at my sig. Yamaha BBs lay them to waste but I'll admit they are a bit Marmite.

I still don't understand the difference between a P and a J and searching brought up no threads on them.

[quote name='steve-bbb' timestamp='1348167949' post='1810397'] may i recommend [b][url="http://sealionisland.com/gallery/index.php"]here[/url][/b] [/quote] Looks fab but none of those sea lions look like they know the difference between a P and a J, infact they look like they couldn't give a F-ender about basses at all. < definitely the right look!

P or J? What exactly is the difference between them? Which one is best for a desert island? Where is the desert island and would this affect my choice? Is the J best for Jamaican reggae and the P best for Puerto Rican soca and bomba grooves?

I checked the cap in my BB2025x to get that info but it's worth saying that I replaced the cap in my BB2024x with a vintage paper in oil one, not much difference to be honest.

[quote name='Ruck' timestamp='1347719655' post='1804327'] Many thanks Sean your efforts are much appreciated! faster than Yamaha too [/quote] A pleasure. I have a battery operated screwdriver, Yamaha probably only have a manual one, so that's why they're a bit slow

The cap is 473J so that's 0.047uF with 5% tolerance.

They are 250 ohm.

I don't think it's a DiMarzio, more likely the lookalike design was around in Japan at the time. Maybe Noel will be along to advise soon.

I reckon it's the date it was signed, Mel. There could be aconnection with the Samba Bandits in Northampton. Anyone know them?

Wow! "Bass is Ace" That's pretty cool. It's like a window into the past. Wouldn't it be fantastic if through the magic of BC the original owner was reunited with it.

How much are the pickups?