humapuma

Oh. I might be wrong to have suggested heavier strings judging from some of the other comments. Well, I likes em.

Lovely restoration. How fortunate to find under all that nasty black paint it was white all along!

There will be some change in timbre if you play the same notes on different strings, as you would expect, but I'm guessing it's quite a strong difference? If there is a large difference it shouldn't just be 'just the way things are', but there are a few variables! You certainly can get 5s to sound even and balanced across the whole range. Maybe try a new, perhaps heavier set of strings and check the set up including pick up balance (low to high, neck to bridge), as others have suggested. Don't have any experience with Yamahas so can't offer more specific advice as I don't know what they're like. In the long run if you play 5 a lot you may end up looking at different cabs (can't remember what you've tried apart from a 4x10, and I can't read the OP now I'm typing!).

BetaFunk: He also has a Jazz Bass with a Precision neck which he practiced on a lot. Didn't know that. BetaFunk: I try not to think of Jaco when playing fretless as he was a total one-off. Now that really is good advice! (I can't seem to make the quotey thing work, sorry).

IMO: Try to get a lined fretless with a neck profile that's as close as possible to your main fretted bass, and definitely the same scale length. Then your fingers will already have a good idea where to go and you can check your intonation against the lines. (Obviously checking you intonation with your ears is best, but it depends how good your ears are). Fun fact: Jaco owned a fretted jazz with a very similar neck to the Bass Of Doom, which he practiced on a lot. Can't remember where I saw that quoted though. Good luck with it and have fun!

The Genz Streamliner's preamp section is strongly inspired by the SVT - might be the most apt substitute for your main head. There's loads of discussion on this over on Talkbass. They are still around SH.

Thanks for the replies As far as I can tell neither the DiMarzios or the Wizards would fit the existing routing, unfortunately. Either sound like good options otherwise. The overall dimensions of the existing pups are: Neck, 18mm wide, 99mm long; Bridge, 18mm wide, 102mm long. Obviously a bit of an air gap around the edge of the pups wouldn't be a big issue, but I think the screw lugs are positioned a bit awkwardly as well (the outermost edge of each lug is about 20mm from the end of the pup). I know it should be possible to get better guts put inside the existing cases, but there probably won't be anything like that 2nd hand.

Hi All, I've been considering upgrading the pickups on my recently acquired 2013 Squier VM Jazz V - mainly because it has a great Audere JZ3 preamp on it and I want to see what it can really do. Also, the stock ones hum like French cheese even in a quiet environment when you start to isolate them. The trouble is the stock pickups seem to be an unusual size, and I've not yet found any third party pickups that would be a straight fit. Would prefer a reasonably vintage, passive, hum-cancelling design (or at least something well-shielded). Has anyone done this mod, what pickups did you use, and what was the end result? This is more of a feeler (in theory) at the moment, though if I know what to look for there's always 2nd hand kit out there. Alternatively, has anyone just added copper shielding to the pup and control cavities and noticed a big improvement? Also, pickguards - does anyone stock something that's an exact fit off the shelf? Apologies if all this has been discussed before: I couldn't find a thread. Also, further apologies if you really like French cheese!

Really nice. I like all the details, and the way the fingerboards looks well worn in as well.

Just to disturb you even further, when you think about it don't you think it's a bit odd that there's a block in fret one anyway? (runs away, laughing manically) (I suffer as well from this general issue as I got me a VM Jazz)

Don't be shy to give Squire's and other 'entry level' stuff like Vintage's and Tanglewood's (to name just two) a go. It if plays good and sounds good then it is good - doesn't matter too much what the headstock logo says. Especially when you're looking for a back up for your main bass. If you shop around a bit and get an idea of what you can get for your money then you won't overpay and you'll know what you could move it on for later. I picked up a Squier VM Jazz V from another BC'er very recently, and it's a perfectly playable, decent sounding bit of kit. It's not perfect, and it's not as good as a premium bass (whatever you take that to be), but you could definitely gig with it. And I'm really fussy about gear.

I think he's an excellent and often overlooked player. Inventive and supportive. He's essentially retired completely from the biz, which is why you never see him interviewed anywhere. I'd like to imagine he turns up at some muso bars now and then for a jam, but who knows....

Mr OP, I think I can understand your reasons to some degree and in the end it's a personal decision that only you can make (and that you will have to live with). I'll say this though: please don't sell all your gear. Keep a favourite bass, an amp you could gig with and whatever other bits and pieces you would need. I've taken a complete break from playing myself a couple of times - though not for such profound reasons - but I've always come back to it, and there's been a bass there waiting for me. What about Gospel BTW? Are there any places you could go to join or start a band playing praise music? Best wishes.

Maybe, but you're such a good builder that still leaves plenty of room for awesomeness!

Thank you gentlemen.

Just bought a Squire VM Jazz V from Mark. A pleasure to deal with throughout - quick, easy comms with the deal, payment and expected delivery all sorted the same day. He kept me informed of the delivery details and all was good. I've never seen a bass come via courier that was so well wrapped - took me ages to get into it! Once I finally got there it was immaculate and exactly as described. Many thanks.

That, sir, is absolutely lovely! You must be a pretty advanced player to use a 7 and I can only imagine the satisfaction you must get in playing something of such high quality you've designed and built yourself. Something very few of us probably will experience.

Ay up to a fellow Yorkshireman! (Or at least a man who currently resides in Yorkshire). Nowt wrong with trying a different string gauge to see if it works for you, but if you want to save your fingers try turning up the pre and maybe power amps and play with a lighter touch, as BassBus suggested. I started doing this over the last year and it makes a huge difference. Should enable you to have a lower action as well. I used to believe playing with a bit of welly gives better tone, but it really doesn't. Not IMO anyway.