Duarte

This looks very similar to the custom switch you made for me - I thought I was crazy for wanting such a thing! 

Aw geez, it's a stunner. I didn't realise they made basses with this configuration of electronics and 70's logo. Plus it's the punk colour scheme.

18 hours ago, BruceBass3901 said:

I have a VVT setup on my Jazz, but also installed a Series/Parallel rotary switch (4 hole plate, with jack on the side on the bass). The Series option is the one that gets used about 90% of the time for me. So the second Volume gets disregarded and the Tone still works.

The final design that I've gone with does have series/parallel capabilities, but on a 3 hole plate with no push pulls. I've got a weird thing against push-pull pots, I don't know why but they don't do it for me. I went with 3 hole plate to appease my preference for minimalism, possibly compromising on functionality. Who knows? 

I'll update you when my Kiogon loom arrives

OK so you've convinced me that I need to take the plunge. It just looks so fun!

Maybe I'll try n find a little Sub Phatty locally. Got another month (at least) of quarantine where I live.

P.s. Haven't been rickrolled in a while hah!

Smoooooooooove!

12 hours ago, drTStingray said:

It's the lava pearl one! 

What a monster. I miss my music mans.

1 hour ago, drTStingray said:

Hi Zak that's an absolute beauty - I can't see you not buying it - I certainly would!! I've still got your ex Bongo btw 👍

The Jazz and Aria look good as well - a lot of people played Aria's in the 80s along with Ibanez Musicians (now there's a thing - you might find one if the rarer ones in Asia - eg in white). Those Arias sound great. 

The Jazz and Aria are wonderful, but that Stingray is another level of splendour.

So great that you still have the Bongo, I'm glad it's in good hands. Which one did you end up with, the Lava Pearl or Egyptian Smoke?

7 minutes ago, AndyTravis said:

Whoa! And that’s what I’d buy!

I'd have it right now if I hadn't bought 2 basses this week. There's always next week...

7 minutes ago, AndyTravis said:

@Duarte the Stingray EX (Japanese MM) are

absolutely bonkers - really nice, I picked one up for @TheGreek about 2 years ago and was so so jealous.

If you can find one, you’ll be chuffed - I can’t believe there’s not more of an import market going on for them.

I've found one, it's gorgeous, natural 3-band EQ with the old style mute bridge. £720 equivalent.

Maybe next paycheck... how many basses is too many for one week? paycheck comes at the start of next week

3 minutes ago, stewblack said:

And damn. £500 for Both! Nice work. Especially like the look of the Aria, but then I am a long time fan. 

I have just realised the perks of living in Asia - basses like this are abundant and priced low here. The Aria is technically hers, which makes me jealous, as it plays soo damn well. The neck on it is sublime! I've never played a neck that doesn't become wider towards the top end - this thing feels the same all the way to the top.

Plus it sounds fat as hell.

Well, 2 in a week...

For one reason or another, I found myself in Bangkok without a bass for a year. The Sterling lives with his grandparents back in England, and my  life has been in a bit of a funk, sans funk. So when I was ordered to work from home, first thing I did was buy an early 90's Japanese Fender Jazz, and she's a beaut! My girlfriend heard me playing and decided she wants to learn, but needs a smaller bass. So we got out hands on a little Aria Pro II, also from Japan. Totalling £500 for the pair.

I now feel as if the floodgates have once again opened, there's a Japanese made Stingray (yes, that is a thing) advertised online that is calling my name.

Customary pic. His and hers:

So I've been in cahoots with our man KiOgon, and he's cooking up something very cool for me.

I'm looking forward to showing it off!

Slammin.

I also prefer the black guard for that 70's thang.

Thanks for the input guys. The Fernandes catalogue is useful, but it's still kind of guesswork, considering there doesn't seem to be any serial number system in place.

These basses are absolutely abundant in Bangkok, so I guess I just have to go and try some out! 

Quarantine bass shopping is taking hold...

I live in Bangkok. Here there is an absolute abundance of Asian instruments (as you'd expect), and I'm seeing Fernandes a lot.

THIS one, in particular, looks wonderful. 9000 Thai Baht is equal to £225. What's the deal with these basses? I need the vintage japanese expert!

Any knowledge you can share would be greatly appreciated

I think I've come up with a good way of having simplified controls, great versatility and being totally unique. Have you ever seen a bass with this layout...

3 way switch: Neck, both, bridge + 3 way switch: Bass off, bass on with bright tone, bass on with dark tone

OR

3 way switch Neck off, neck on, neck on with dark tone + 3 way switch bridge off, bridge on, bridge on with dark tone.

I like the idea of having just 2 switches and no knobs. I think both of these configurations have their advantages. And truth is, that's more tonal options than I'd need anyway.

Spam away, brother!

1 hour ago, Hellzero said:

Check this : https://dragonfireguitars.com/Custom-Designed-Jazz-Bass-Control-Plate-Build-Your-Own-Plate-10408.htm

But they seem to deliver almost everywhere near their door. 🤣

Very interesting. They don't mention that they don't ship to Thailand, however that might be because it's never come up.

New possibilities of control plate bring new ideas... one knob. Rotary switch: off/neck/both/bridge/off

Maybe I'm overthinking the "simplicity" aspect to the point where it's actually becoming quite complicated!

16 hours ago, Hellzero said:

@Duarte : Did you download the wiring bible I talked about a bit earlier ?

The Fodera Anthony Jackson has only an output jack (XLR on the new version), nothing else between it and the pickup.

I had an excellent Langowski copy and always loved this simplicity.

Should you be worried about problems linked to this straight signal, put a volume pedal in your path...

This is looking very attractive. Certainly within my limited capabilities...

Anyone know of anywhere to get a Jazz control plate with just 1 hole in it?? haha!

2 hours ago, Hellzero said:

@Duarte : Did you download the wiring bible I talked about a bit earlier ?

The Fodera Anthony Jackson has only an output jack (XLR on the new version), nothing else between it and the pickup.

I had an excellent Langowski copy and always loved this simplicity.

Should you be worried about problems linked to this straight signal, put a volume pedal in your path...

Yeah that's quite an incredible resource! Had a little flick through but I'll delve deeper tonight

The Caprice and Cutlass have been discontinued, perhaps unsurprisingly. I'd still love to get my hands on one, but I suspect I'll never see one in the flesh.

28 minutes ago, linear said:

I've never seen as bass with only switches and no pots.  There's probably a very good reason for this but I think it would look cool.

It certainly would look cool. There probably IS a reason for not having only switches, I can't think of one however. If there's an on/off switch, that would make up for not having a volume knob, right!?

Good idea, I have a 4 hole plate, so that would work! (with no woodwork)

36 minutes ago, Reggaebass said:

It’s not really wacky but Have you thought about concentric stacked knobs, I’ve got them on 2 of my jazzes, you can control both pickups individually and they look really cool 

That is something I've considered. It would certainly look really cool on this particular bass. 

28 minutes ago, Trueno said:

Have you thought about turning it into an active bass? If you want to do something different, how about ditching bass and treble and having a semi-parametric mid? I think I might go for that one myself.

Or a boost switch?

I'd have a look at some fancy expensive basses that have loads of knobs and switches and see what they all do. Eg... series/parallel switches.

Not sure I want to go down the active route - I have an EB Sterling which covers active duties. However, some kind of switching has also crossed my mind - a rotary neck/series/parallel/bridge/kill switch could be cool. Would just need to figure out how to wire the damn thing!

I've been threatening to buy a Sub Phatty to keep me occupied through lockdown - it would be my first keyed instrument. Nice to join somebody else's journey since you've done exactly what I'm gonna do.

You simply must learn this.