geoham

1 hour ago, mcnach said:

 

really?

Yeah, I’m a great believer in constructive feedback. There’s a QC card with four signatures on it. Genuinely, if one of those signatures was mine and the end user wasn’t happy I’d like to know.

Realistically, I know these are factory workers and probably signing 100+ of those every day and may not care what some bloke in Scotland thinks!

55 minutes ago, FDC484950 said:

Tension off the neck and strings slackened for transport I can understand, but no tension on the truss rod and strings at pitch just seems to be inviting issues if shipped and exposed to lots of temperature variations IMHO.

That’s my thinking too. The bass arrived kind of in tune... more or less a semitone flat across the board.

12 minutes ago, Geek99 said:

No excuse for that. Who did you buy it from ?

I bought it from PMT, but I don’t really hold it against them. It was on back order, and going by the packaging they received it and shipped it straight to me. 
 

Overall, I totally agree with the comments that you can’t expect a perfectly set up bass straight from the factory. But a loose truss rod with more than 2mm relief is pretty poor by most folk’s standards - particularly given the inconvenient truss rod access.

I think I’ll drop Fender a wee email with my concerns and a photo of the QC inspection tag!

1 minute ago, White Cloud said:

It all depends on which factory we're talking about.

Regarding Fender QC, there's nothing that would surprise me.

Made in Mexico.

Now that I've set it up I'm quite happy. But it arrived virtually unplayable, unless you fancied some archery!

Just now, hooky_lowdown said:

Do you use high tension strings?

No, these are just the factory fitted strings.

Hi guys,

What's your experience with the factory setup on brand new instruments, particularly the truss rod? 

Since December there's three new instruments came in to my house... a Harley Benton 6 string bass (that my wife got me for xmas, misunderstanding my suggestion of a cheap 6 string guitar!),  a subsequent purchase of a cheap 6 string guitar - a Squier Strat, then a Fender Vintera 60s Jazz that arrived yesterday to replace my old Jazz that was stolen a couple of months ago.

All three of these instruments had something in common - pretty much zero tension in the truss rod! All of them needed significant adjustment. To put it in perspective, Fender state a factory spec of 0.35mm relief between the top of the 8th fret and bottom of the string. I don't have a feeler gauge, but I was able to fit two 1mm picks in the gap on my new Vintera (obviously with the first and last frets depressed). Being a vintage style bass, it's adjusted at the heel and required removal of the neck (or at least loosening), so a proper pain to adjust. Not really what you want to be doing after waiting a couple of weeks for delivery. But, a little time spent means the bass now feels as good as it looks and sounds!

Given the cost of the Fender compared to the HB and Squier,  I suppose my expectations were a little higher. I know everyone has their preferences regarding setup, but surely a rough baseline setup should be done prior to shipping. Or is there some logic in shipping basses without tension in the truss rod?

George

16 minutes ago, dave_bass5 said:

This, and The Young Person's Guide to Becoming a Rock Star was when i first became away of Guy. I still have both albums on my phone.

I LOVED the Young Person's Guide! Being a teenager learning to be a rockstar in Glasgow when it was originally broadcast, it really hit home! I remember using the Brill Building rehearsal rooms, where one of the scenes was filmed, and being told by the staff that the manager character was based on their boss, who also managed a very famous band at the time. 

I had no idea that Guy played on this. Really enjoyed the video and looking forward to whatever else he treats us to!

I'm in the market for one of these - my own was stolen three weeks ago! I'll PM you shortly.

38 minutes ago, Sambrook said:

Meant to post the sky blue one, sorry

Lovely looking bass, may do the job as a stop gap if nothing else, thanks.

39 minutes ago, hooky_lowdown said:

@geoham this may be an alternative to the Squier CV, better quality hardware than the CV and decent alnico pickups...

https://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Vintage-VJ74-Reissued-Bass-MN-Natural-Ash/2EYO

 

Does look great value for money. Pity I can’t see one in my preferred colour.

Reminds me of a support gig I did with the Pat McManus band, the man himself played Vintage guitars and sounded great.

24 minutes ago, skej21 said:

Just worth mentioning that the Original series is an actual lacquer (nitrocellulose) finish unlike the other two. I see countless posts from people who buy basses from the ranges that use nitro finish (Nate Mendel, road worm, AVRI, American Original etc) who are used to polyurethane finishes and start talking about sanding back the neck or that it’s ‘sticky’ etc.
 

Whilst on paper they look great and the price/spec is above the more standard ranges, the lacquer seems to be the biggest factor that affects playability for most people so if you’re seriously considering it, I’d suggest trying something with a nitro finish and seeing if you get in with it first. It’s a lot of cash to spend if you’re going to then 1) Have to strip back the finish immediately and affect the resale value or 2) simply not be happy with it.

Also, the American Original series has all the vintage quirks like 60 cycle hum on the pickups etc, which seems to be another gripe that pops up a lot (why is it so noisy? Why are the pickups buzzing? etc).

Probably just worth knowing what you’re buying in to!

Some very good points! I like vintage looks and tone on a Jazz - but don’t particularly care about it being truly accurate. Especially not at double the price... 

7 hours ago, hooky_lowdown said:

Any alnico pickups will be smooth, it's ceramic pups which can be harsh.

The US Original will be the best overall bass. The Vintera will be pretty close in sound and feel, but the hardware won't be as good. The CV will be close in sound and feel to the Vintera, but the hardware won't be as good. 

I'd go for the Vintera, lots of cool colours, and an excellent happy medium.

This is basically exactly where my head is, though quite tempted by the Squier as I have enough in my gear fund to get it today!

I try to fund gear purchases with the small amounts of money I earn from gigs, which Corona has killed for the foreseeable. Not always a enforced rule, but I like to tell myself it’s a self funding hobby.

George

4 hours ago, Defo said:

I got the Classic Vibe recently, I reviewed it at the page below 

 

Thanks, this is useful.

How would you describe the pickups? I’m after something smooth, not to harsh. I previously paid not far off the price of this bass for the CS60s pickups that I put in my now stolen Mex Jazz and really liked the tone of them.

Given I’ve got a Helix to replace too, the cheaper option will let me get back to a even position a bit sooner.

George 

1 hour ago, ead said:

This one (nothing to do with me btw)

 

That is rather pretty!

I posted before about my old MIM Jazz Bass being stolen, and I'm in the market to replace it. I've pretty much decided I want something with vintage voiced pickups, preferably in a fairly pale shade of blue and a red tortoiseshell scratchplate (to look reasonably similar to my missing one, which I loved the look of!).

It looks like Fender do three tick could potentially tick all the right boxes.

American Original (About £1600)

Vintera (About £800)

Squier Classic Vibe (About £330)

There are some differences in materials / parts used on these, but I'm interested in what this translates to in the real world? Has anyone tried any of them side by side?

I can afford any of them, I just need to wait a little longer. Right now I feel the Vintera is probably the right one... however , if the US built one was substantially better I'd prefer to just wait an extra couple of months and get that. With the same token, I could be tempted to pull the trigger on Squier straight away with some encouragement!

Regarding usage - it'll be strung with flats and doing 20 or so pub gigs a year with a few weddings/functions. It'll sharing duties with my Lakland 55-01, with the Jazz covering the vintage side of the set and the Lakland the more modern stuff.

I'd love to just try all three myself, but I'd probably struggle to find somewhere with them all, never mind the virus situation!

George

Appreciate the suggestions guys!

16 hours ago, Dan Dare said:

Sorry to hear your news. A nice Jazz is a wonderful thing. Worth finding something modestly priced with a decent neck (a used Squier Jazz the obvious choice) that plays nicely and upgrading the p/us and hardware? 

It is indeed a nice thing. Mine was a 2002 Mex, Agave Blue with a rosewood board. Over the years I changed the pickups to Fender CS60s, the bridge to a Gotoh, fitted straplocks and a tortoiseshell scratchplate. I may pop in Guitar Guitar, or perhaps somewhere in London when I'm down for work in a couple of weeks and try out some. Seems so much choice now and much of it very good value.

29 minutes ago, acidbass said:

I think the general consensus is that it's a great bass, a modern sounding Jazz with a bridge that needs upgrading.

Thanks, that's basically what I've found too.

As pretty a bass as it is, I don't think it's for me. My missing Jazz has a high-mass bridge (Gotoh) and vintage voiced pickups (Fender CS 60s) and is strung with flats. I'd like to get something fairly close without having to do any additional upgrades... and ideally without splashing out on a Fender US Professional! My 'modern' needs are covered by my Lakland 5501.

Happy to listen to any recommendations, it's a crowded market!

After my beloved Fender Jazz was stolen last week, I'm currently without a 4 string fretted bass. I've not entirely given up hope of getting it back, but I am not full of optimism....

I do quite like the look of the new Guy Pratt signature model and a huge fan of Guy's - I remember watching the Floyd Venice show recorded from BBC when I was a kid, even before I knew who Roger Waters was! Has anybody tried one yet? How does it stack up against something like a Mexican Fender or Lakland Skyline?

http://www.basscentre.com/british-bass-masters/bbm-betsy.html

Cheers,

George

1 hour ago, xgsjx said:

I’ll share it on some Scottish FB music pages (Perth, Tayside & Stirling) if it hasn’t been already. 

That’d be great, thanks. It’s well shared in Glasgow area, but not in these areas.

1 hour ago, dmccombe7 said:

Was it in plain sight or hidden in the boot. If hidden i'd be asking how they knew it was even there.

 

In the boot, below a parcel shelf and dark windows. Not visible from the outside at all. I don’t think the gear was specifically targeted.

My two theories...

Someone randomly trying car doors to find an unlocked one, and taking anything of value. I’m in a terraced house and the the car is just a few steps from the street. 

One of the workmen I’ve had in in the past couple of weeks managed to clone my car key (if that’s even possible), planned on taking the car and couldn’t because it was blocked in, so settled for the contents instead.
 

The bass means a lot to me, been through a ton of gigs, recordings and even a TV appearance. I bought it by saving up my tips when I was a barman 18 years ago. Genuinely irreplaceable to me, but to the used market it just an old Mexican jazz with a few upgrades. 

The Helix is probably worth more money, but of zero sentimental value at all, a replacement will be identical.

George

3 hours ago, dmccombe7 said:

Sorry to hear that George. Might be worth putting on the Central belt music gear FB page if they allow it to be posted.

Hope you get it back. I'll share with friends on FB who play regularly in that area.

Was it at a venue or home.

All the best 

Dave

I've shared this on a few Facebook groups, as have my contacts - so hopefully makes enough prospective buyers aware of it.

It was at home, parked on my driveway with the boot facing away from the street. I've either been stupid left it unlocked after unloading shopping, or my key has been cloned somehow. I've had several workmen in recently, and my wife's car had blocked the driveway, so they couldn't have taken that if they did manage to clone the key. 

Thanks for sharing. 

George

I stupidly left some gear in my car and it looks like it’s been stolen. Please keep your eyes open and share on social media.

Any information, please contact me or the police. A reward can be provided for the safe return.

Fender Jazz Bass. Blue with red tortoise shell scratchplate and a Gotoh bridge. In a Fender gig bag. Serial number MZ2177370.
Line 6 Helix LT. Still has screen protector on. In a Gator gig bag. Serial number 21HLT2V6845000222.
Behringer P1 IEM amp
KZ IEMs (blue)
2 x instrument cables
1 x power cable (kettle lead)

I'm playing the bass in this picture, though it now has normal black plastic knobs.

Facebook post (please share)

58 minutes ago, Ricky 4000 said:

Anything and everything is fair game IMHO.

Including playing the bass on Oasis songs all night... easy money!

 

That's rather interesting!

13 hours ago, Old Man Riva said:

In my younger days this used to be a ‘three-pint problem’ - the point at which the discussion would descend into chaos and acrimony!

That said, general consensus was that Bob Marley was the only artist we could agree on whose songs should never be covered.

It should be pointed out that the topic would normally have been inspired by collective thoughts on Paul Young’s cover of Love Will Tear Us Apart...

I'd tend to agree, but this is pretty good!