JamesBass

ANY Focusrite will do an impeccable job for the money.

As Andy has said, the component parts for this bass, could well be of different years. Late 70s - Early 80s, Fender had an incredible stockpile of parts and began chucking parts together that didn't correspond in terms of years, the earliest the bass could be from would be about 77/78 which is what I'd take it to be, considering the neck serial that is. What is the body serial/date stamps?

I've gone through stages in my bass journey, but first off Steve Harris was THE guy that made me listen and say I NEED a bass. Then I progressed to some modern post-metal hardcore style stuff, and the guy who influenced me most would be Joe Principe. Then came Jazz, and my 4 most prolific influences as I have studied them the most. Pino Palladino, James Jamerson, Jaco Pastorious, and Michael League. All in these 6 guys are equals for me, Joe may stand out as a less than prolific player but his simple and effective punk lines really helped me underpin my development on a rhythmic side initially, the latter 4 then made me jump up SOOOOO many levels of ability it's unreal. I wouldn't be who I am as a musician without these 6, and their respective bands/sessions, and their influences as well. I also wouldn't be the person I am today without them.

There's nowhere of any real note in Hampshire for bass stuff. Nevada Music which was in Portsmouth had a gradual annual decline in bass gear, it's now been taken over by PMT and is still working to get stock levels back up and changed over from the buyout, or at least it was last time I was there about 2 weeks ago! I'd personally be heading to Brighton for GAK, Twyford for BassGear, Leamington Spa for Bass Direct, and then in to London for Denmark Street and Camden for all the others like Wunjo's and The Gallery.

[quote name='woodywyatt' timestamp='1463234524' post='3049803'] I am thinking of selling my Fender USA Geddy Lee Jazz for either a new Fender American Elite or Fender Marcus Miller Jazz I play in a funk/disco band so I need the old vintage 70's tone (Maple fretboard) Anyone have any experience on each bass to let me know if it's a bad idea or not? Thanks for your input [/quote] The 5 string Elite I have(ash and maple) is very good, the back pickup is 60s position but the pre is very powerful and you can get a very good Jaco tone from it, the N4 pickups are good, perhaps a tad polite, but still very good! The Marcus Miller 5 I tried was sublime, a very good preamp and awesome pickups, sadly they've discontinued that bass, and they are virtually impossible to find new. Second hand they pop up but they go instantly. [quote name='Cato' timestamp='1463249466' post='3049984'] Fender have discontinued the Marcus Jazz. It seems to have a bit of a mixed reputation, I loved the one I tried but I've heard a few people who seem not so keen. Apparently the 4 string was made in Japan whilst the 5 string was USA built, the 5 seems to have more fans. I'm hoping to try one of the new Elites myself. It's predecessor, the Deluxe, seems to have had a few problems, particularly that the N3 noiseless pickups weren't that noiseless. It'll be interesting to see if the next generation N4s have solved that problem. [/quote] The N4's have fixed all the N3 problems, but they still aren't perfect yet. I like them combined with the Pre and some EQing you can get some lovely tones from them but straight off the bat they can be a tad polite [quote name='M@23' timestamp='1463257289' post='3050037'] I'm keen to try an Elite 5. Sounds like the N4 pickups are a genuine upgrade over the N3. They look great, hopefully the low B will be a good one. [/quote] The N4's are much better, and mine has a fantastic B string, very good feeling under the fingers and sustains well and isn't a boomy mess!

I own one, an ash bodied natural and maple neck 5 string. The B string is as good as I've heard on any bass, it's punchy, tight, and sustains brilliantly well! The neck feels so good, a nice modern C shape up in the lower register that changes to the Fender 'D' shape, the compound radius makes moving up and down the neck easy as can be! The N4 pickups are good, still not quite my absolute perfect taste, but MUCH smoother and nicer than the N3's to my ears, and the pre-amp is a bit smoother over the Deluxe one as well. Again it's not perfect, but it's certainly usable, I'm considering changing it out eventually but for now I'm happy with the stock pre and pick ups. The heel wheel truss rod adjuster is brilliant and well overdue on Fender's this should be made standard across the range for me! I know people aren't the biggest fans of Fender's but they've really got these basses right, everything is good, there are no issue I can find, the pre and the pickups are the weakest points but still very good and usable!

[quote name='bubinga5' timestamp='1461958867' post='3039210'] Loving this, wonderful effects they got goin on.. , That low b string bass groove.. [/quote] It's wonderful, shows just what can be achieved by using a few simple effects in a very subtle way!

These guys have it going on! Great grooves and some exceptional playing! https://youtu.be/8kLLxfWxz-M

A lack of progression. I learn songs quick and want to progress just as quick so gigging ASAP is a necessity for me! As already stated, people not learning the songs, poor timing for a drummer, guitarist, or singer has also made me leave!

If you're that interested in one make the trip down there, Alex and crew are most welcoming! They literally bend over backwards to let you try what you want! Invariably you'll get a chance to chat to the man himself, and he's a true gent! I was down there last week and I felt very welcome and very looked after! I lucked out as they had a Big Baby II in the final stages of build that was un-designated so I've managed to get that one, it'll be ready for collection this week!

Have you tried adding a compressor? An always on comp with very light settings will help to control and tighten your sound up. Alternatively try a different bass with similar settings, and try to isolate the issue. The TH's are FANTASTIC amps, but they require some learning/playing with to understand just how to get the tone you want.

[quote name='goonerjoe' timestamp='1461181970' post='3032299'] Very temped by this to pair with my CTM100... shame i've just bought an Ampeg 410hlf. [/quote] I had the privilege of being down in Barefaced HQ this afternoon discussing this very cab with Alex, along with a LOT of other bass related stuff! Alex himself said he's hoping that more valve head users will be drawn to the Barefaced range with this 410 release and that for now is a CRAZY price! Those guys and gals at barefaced are extremely welcoming, and friendly, and they know their stuff! As things happen, I may have a Big Baby coming my way ASAP! Just a shame my living and car arrangements won't allow for a Big Twin!

[quote name='Tee' timestamp='1461001171' post='3030548'] Are you saying the LM3 has a more pleasing tone/body/feel to your ears? I like the idea of the multi band (spectra)comp on the TC though, built in tuner etc. But i would probably take better tone over features at the end of the day. I'd say the DI out tone/quality is pretty important to me due to its use live/recording. But i guess the DI quality is directly related to the quality of the preamp (pre-EQ). [/quote] Without doubt, for me anyway, MarkBass LM3 sounds MUCH better than the TC. The TC has lots of features but really those features aren't all that, especially when you can go and buy pedals that do more than the comp, tuner pedals etc. The MarkBass sounds modern, while still sounding vintage-y. It's very hard to describe, but it's something just more pleasing and recognisable.

[quote name='EmmettC' timestamp='1460906017' post='3029665'] I really like the J-retro deluxe, the passive tone works even in active mode. I set the sound I like and then use the passive tone to change it a little for different songs. All the benefits of passive and active. [/quote] That to me sounds similar to what I want, same as the non-deluxe j retro, something that is transparent but something that offers flexibility and tone shaping very quickly.

So I'm needing a 5 string pretty badly right now, lots of the stuff I'm doing would benefit from having a lower octave to play in, but I'm in two minds with what I should get. Currently I only own passive basses, a P and a 4003 Ric, I know I'm missing something a bit more 'modern' sounding in my tonal Arsenal, but would a passive bass in to an EQ/preamp be better than an active? I had an active Traben and I found myself messing with the EQ FAR too much and swore that I'd never go back to an active bass, yet here I am thinking of getting an active bass! If I did get an active I'd want the ability to switch back to passive on the bass too, but would a passive bass in to a preamp/EQ pedal do the job?

[quote name='Old Man Riva' timestamp='1460892043' post='3029531'] Ta. Really fallen into the Tell Your Friends album (not watched the DVD yet). The music's right up my street, and the band are fabulous, but wow, Michael League is such a tasty player - groove and melody in abundance, and the way he plays with/leaves so much space is just great.. [/quote] You're most welcome! The DVD offers such a new perspective on the songs, seeing the songs played alongside hearing them is something just magical, you almost get a whole new appreciation for them! At least I did anyway. I came to Snarky Puppy after a lecturer at college showed me the song 'Thing of Gold' I didn't get it to begin with and thought it just a showy piece of self-indulgent Muso playing, but at 16 I was firmly in the "emo" clique and had my head far and away up my arse! But after really listening to 'Thing of Gold' several months later I began to hear just why my lecturer was so excited about it, then I watched the video again and my God did it blow me away! The level of interaction from the band members, just gave me a whole new appreciation of music and being a musician. I cannot recommend Snarky Puppy more highly to people, watching and listening to this band creates so many new appreciations for the way music is played live and in the studio!

[quote name='Sibob' timestamp='1460564432' post='3026877'] Naaaa, I'm voting for black. But then that's what I went for on my Shoreline Gold Maruszczyk, so i'm biased Si [/quote] +1 for black!

[quote name='Funky Dunky' timestamp='1460395295' post='3025370'] Two years? How does that work? I've never used flats, so I don't know the ins and outs. That is incredible, and in fairness that does make sense economically when you put it like that. [/quote] Where flats are flat textured, i.e. no windings, they don't accumulate dirt and sweat as much as rounds do, and are easier to clean/maintain meaning you can get MUCH more life out of them. I've gigged and played for at least 1 hour EVERY day for the whole time I've had these strings on my bass, and the life of them is awesome, initially they were bright, like a new round wound string, though not quite as bright, but within a month they deadened off and have VERY slowly become more settled tone wise, now they are perfect for me, they're still bright and articulate enough, but they do thud well too! Where are you based, if you're near Portsmouth we can arrange a meet up and I can show you exactly what I mean! In the meantime listen to/watch this video of Ed Friedland discussing P Basses. His 1973 P has 17 year old LaBella's on it!!! https://youtu.be/TMNTN-9SAUQ

I wouldn't do it. The TC heads are clinical and have a very modern tone. MB's tone is much better in my opinion, it's deeper, richer, yet still very clear and articulate. Lightweight to me instantly screams Barefaced. Pair a Barefaced with a LM3 and you'll have a lovely tone, that's plenty loud!

[quote name='Old Man Riva' timestamp='1460322515' post='3024711'] Cheers! Purchased from Amazon (and it's a CD/DVD to boot..) [/quote] Their last strict studio album was 8 years ago, so everything since 2008 is a CD/DVD combo! The DVD's are GREAT watching lots of good angles to see how each player plays, what gear they use etc.

[quote name='Funky Dunky' timestamp='1460372403' post='3025002'] James: where did you purchase your TIs? I do think £32 is expensive for a set of strings. Depends on how wealthy/poor/tight you are I guess. I'm definitely in the latter bracket! [/quote] Thomann, they were more than £20 cheaper than most places! For me the £32 I paid was a bargain. I've so far had the strings on for just shy of 2 years, and they are getting better with age. Had I stuck with rounds I'd have spent over £100 in the same time on strings, I was paying £15 of D'Addario EXL rounds. So though it's a larger initially outlay, it's worked out much cheaper in the long run!

[quote name='Old Man Riva' timestamp='1460302122' post='3024466'] Thanks for Fela Kuti/Afro Beat/Snarky Puppy recommendations - lots to check out. I found a Snarky Puppy Dunlop Sessions gig on YouTube that I love but can't find anything similar on record - anyone point me in the right direction? [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IE9I6NrE2S0&ebc=ANyPxKpHvsRbfGJs3Z4CHl6nhYFSNYJVKiXSQR1Rj0kT0N-c8TInF4qZlfBQ_MUeDGBIeeq9z92qPRbF-MMYFeAHYSJSBfQSug&nohtml5=False"]https://www.youtube....g&nohtml5=False[/url] (Back to the original clip) With reference to Jonathon Maron, does anyone know what the line is he's playing at 6:35 on this Aguilar demo (his playing throughout is excellent, IMO).. [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1exrD10v4mg"]https://www.youtube....h?v=1exrD10v4mg[/url] [/quote] That Snarky song is called 'Flood' it's from the album Tell Your Friends

[quote name='TheGreek' timestamp='1460299098' post='3024439'] Isn't calling him "Dear" a bit familiar?? [/quote] Nonsense! We're all friends here On a more serious vain, don't you just love autocorrect!

[quote name='Funky Dunky' timestamp='1460290975' post='3024359'] I use a merchant on eBay by the name of bassspecialties. I get DR Sunbeams delivered to my door for £20. Can't beat that anywhere. I want to try Elixirs next but they're still a bit pricey. TI flats are just ridiculously dear - you can buy a decent pedal for the price of those strings. I don't care how good they are - that's plain extortion. [/quote] I paid £32 for my TI's, hardly dear!

Thomann was the place I got my TI Flats from and they were about £15 cheaper than elsewhere, though I got free postage as the strings were part of a larger order that got me free postage. But definitely worth looking at Thomann. Other than Thomann it's always been stringbusters for me!