redstriper

[quote name='Rick's Fine '52' timestamp='1348428434' post='1813546'] '63 Jazz, there's plenty out there, but you'll need deep pockets. What spec is yours? (Colour/guard etc). [/quote] Mine was 'customised' in 1978 after a hard life and the only original parts are the neck, hardware and electrics. The previous owner used to pour lighter fuel on it and set it on fire as part of his stage act, so the body and finger board were badly charred and had to be replaced. They were replaced with a maple Precision shaped body and maple board with new jumbo frets. It weighs 10.5 pounds and isn't particularly easy to play if you like fast runs, in fact it's a bit of a bitch and ugly with it. But it sounds and feels sublime, especially for old school soul, blues, funk and reggae. I'm sure the sound and feel come from the original parts - the neck and pick ups in particular, although the solid maple body may add to the depth of tone. I have toyed with the idea of having it restored to original condition, but it's risky and I don't want to chance losing the sound and feel of my favourite bass. I'm looking for something lighter weight (under 9 lbs) with the same tone and feel as my old bass and I have bought, sold and tried lots over the past few years, with nothing really doing it for me. I was planning on trying some custom shop and road worn models, but I've a feeling that only an old Fender will satisfy me. I'm not mad fussy about colour, but mine is black and I like the look of the custom colour black one in Bass Direct. One other thing about my old bass - there is never any fret buzz, despite my heavy touch and all new basses seem to buzz, no matter how high the action is. Dingus - you make a good point about the sound comparison in your post, but it's not the recorded sound that makes an old bass special. The same player recording the same bass part on different basses, with the same strings and set up will sound very similar, particularly in a band mix. The difference is how they feel and how that affects and inspires the player and everyone is different in this respect. Having said that, I would be very happy if a new American Standard Jazz felt and sounded like the pre CBS Jazzes I have played and I would buy it immediately.

Thanks Rick - I won't rush out to try some custom shop models, (something I have been seriously considering). I know exactly what you mean about the feel and sound of a nice pre CBS bass - they ruined me for all new basses, which just feel and sound wrong in comparison. There is something about my old Jazz with it's heavy gauge worn flats that is just so 'right' for me. I bought it in 1980 when you could get pre CBS Jazzes easily for £250 - £400 and it's still my favourite bass after buying and selling various modern basses. Now I want the same bass as my old one, but unmodified and completely original - where to find one though?

[quote name='Rick's Fine '52' timestamp='1348424358' post='1813470'] I've never heard so much opinionated crap in all my life. [/quote] You obviously don't read as many BC threads as I do Rick - how do you rate the current custom shop Fenders in comparison to pre CBS models and where do you consider the current American and MIM standards and road worns fit in the analysis? I have a 'customised' '63 Jazz and my friend has 2 lovely original pre CBS Jazzes. I haven't found anything like them tone and feel wise in the current Fender range, but I haven't tried any custom shop models yet. The nearest I've found in tone and feel is a Chinese Farida copy (£150 new) and even the Squier CV Jazz feels more like the old ones to me than any modern standard Fender. Steve.

[quote name='gjones' timestamp='1348177257' post='1810608'] Pssssst why not just fit the speaker in your Ashdown and if it sounds good and doesn't fart or make funny noises at volume..........just leave it there. Don't tell those other guys that I suggested this...........I might get into trouble. [/quote] Good advice, that's exactly what I did and it sounded fine, none of the problems the experts here have mentioned - no chuffing, farting or buzzing, just nice deep, smooth bass. But it was still a heavy cab, so I changed to a smaller and extremely lightweight Flite cab with a small port and it sounds even better. Like these: [url="http://www.darekoles.com/gear.htm"]http://www.darekoles.com/gear.htm[/url]

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1348410158' post='1813251'] Fender basses were the highest quality instruments available in their day, bar none. Until Alembic came along in the late 60s / early seventies ( albeit with a radically different design concept) who could rival Fender basses for sound and playability ? A big part of the genius of Leo Fenders designs was that they were fantastic instruments without the need for the highly skilled and detailed craftmanship needed to produce traditional instruments such as violins or better quality acoustic guitars. I would have to disagree, however, that todays Fenders are neccesarily poor clones. I've played countless pre-CBS Fender basses and whilst some were very good basses ( and very beautiful objects), as a working instrument a well-chosen bass from the current Fender range could easily compete in terms of sound, and will almost certainly be superior in terms of playability and durability. If you want to collect antiques then be my guest, but if you want a bass to play then a new one ( providing you choose the right one ) arguably has more to offer, especially if you look at some of the great work the Fender Custom Shop is doing. I'm not saying this to be provocative or denigrate anybodies vintage collection - I think some of these basses are absolutely exquisite- but the simple fact is that Fender basses are fairly straightforward instruments, when all is said and done. [/quote] Best post so far - nail on the head.

[quote name='skidder652003' timestamp='1347728336' post='1804416'] thanks Bill im not going to find anybody round here with the time or inclination TBH! Ive ordered the kappalite 3015LF and im gonna bung it my old ashdown 115 deep mag cab or my warwick wca 115 and hope for the best! Trial and error on this one im afraid! [/quote] I did exactly this and it worked for me, I love the 3015LF and it sounds great in the Ashdown MAG. It sounds even better in the Flite cab it's now in, which is a smaller box and must be the lightest 15" cab in existence, while sounding very deep, loud and smooth. So good, I got another for big gigs, but the other has the original Eminence ceramic driver, (can't remember the model) and it sounds more middy and less deep. Together, they make a great noise and they are very loud, but I mostly use just the 3015LF loaded cab and prefer it to any other cab I've had. Thing is, I play mostly reggae and don't use any upper mid or treble - it's all about deep smooth bass for me.

[quote name='skankdelvar' timestamp='1344718199' post='1768438'] Really? Gosh. [/quote] Uh oh I'm in trouble...

I would like to apologise for my previous statement that I wouldn't miss any mods if they died tomorrow. This was insulting and against forum rules. I am also sorry for my multiple rule breaking in previous posts. I fully expect to be banned, if not worse, but at least Gust0o will miss me

[quote name='Gust0o' timestamp='1344707890' post='1768261'] Well, in a word, yes. [/quote] Really! OK, I'll miss you too then (whoever you are) [quote][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Lovely as a PM, maybe not quite so lovely as an open post. [/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] [/font][/color] [/quote] Seems you are right Skank - I've just had a severe reprimand from HQ, threatening me with suspension for insulting the gods. In the interest of clarity and before I go: I was just being honest and I saw no reason to keep it private, but I apologise if my post insulted, upset or hurt anyone. I don't know any mods personally and I've had no interaction with any apart from a couple of times, when I've found them arrogant and sarcastic. I'm sure there are lots of lovely mods too, but I would be lying if I said I'd miss them if they died tomorrow (except my new mod friend of course). There are very few people on this forum (or the entire planet) that I would miss actually and I doubt I'm alone in that. There's maybe a handful of members that I would miss - the ones who make me laugh, the ones I've met in 'real life' and the ones who have helped me in various ways. None of them happen to be mods. This does not mean I wish death on anyone, just that I wouldn't miss them and there is absolutely nothing insulting about that. If honesty gets you banned, then so be it.

[quote name='ped' timestamp='1344706730' post='1768240'] Yeah pretty harsh, you might like to rephrase that, Redstriper. [/quote] Why - would they miss me?

Wayne, you are the people's hero and you don't need a badge to prove it. I wouldn't miss any of the mods if they died tomorrow, but there are plenty of regular members that I would miss and you are one of them. Many's the time you have brightened my day with your humour and I'm aware of your good deeds too. I still miss OldGit, especially at this time of year. Keep smiling Wayne and don't let the bastudz get you down.

Mods come and go, but Basschat is nothing without it's members.

[quote name='Shockwave' timestamp='1344644534' post='1767646'] If you don't like it you don't have to come back! [/quote] Nice.

nope.

[quote name='lowdowner' timestamp='1344370201' post='1763656'] The silence between notes is where the music of the cosmos is given space to breath. [/quote] What are you on and can I have some?

Never heard of him before or any of his music, but he seems a nice chap.

[quote name='skankdelvar' timestamp='1344268467' post='1761987'] Trojan Records 10 track sampler free download on Amazon: [url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B008OWBLFO/ref=amb_link_170710727_3?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=center-4&pf_rd_r=0XMKZ0CHFP62XJA7HMYJ&pf_rd_t=1401&pf_rd_p=318067847&pf_rd_i=1000662243"]http://www.amazon.co...rd_i=1000662243[/url] Full tracks, some oddities, not bad. [/quote] Excellent selection, all killa, no filla........ oddities?

You might want to look at this thread for some more opinions on this rather emotive topic: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/142695-why-do-the-old-ones-sound-better/"]http://basschat.co.uk/topic/142695-why-do-the-old-ones-sound-better/[/url]

If you want some reggae bass lines: [url="http://www.youtube.com/user/ALIONBASS?feature=watch"]http://www.youtube.com/user/ALIONBASS?feature=watch[/url]

They're just samples, not the full songs - as one reviewer put it: [quote][color=#333333][font=Arial,]What an absolute waste of time - not even worth downloading for free. A complete wind up as none of the songs last any length of time. On top of that a VERY annoying American-accented voiceover purporting to "educate" the listener. What was the point of this apart from irritating me?[/font][/color][/quote]

You can spend a lot of money replacing pick ups with no guarantee that you will prefer the sound. String type, EQ and playing style can change the tone as much if not more. Just saying....

Why do you want to replace the stock pick ups?

Yeh - you look so cool, I'm off to get a cheap suit and tie - fame here we come!

[quote name='noelk27' timestamp='1343684571' post='1753782'] That is the bare minimum that is required of a remote seller under Directive 97/7/EC - the primary legislation for which the Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations 2000 (SI 2000 No 2334) is the UK Parliament's implementation. A seller would have to be outperforming the minimum duty placed on it by law before I'd think about complimenting its customer service. [/quote] I thought this legislation allowed 7 days for cancellation not 30 and that return postage costs are not automatically covered. This would mean that Thomman are outperforming their legal minimum duty by a considerable margin.

[quote name='noelk27' timestamp='1343684571' post='1753782'] That is the bare minimum that is required of a remote seller under Directive 97/7/EC - the primary legislation for which the Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations 2000 (SI 2000 No 2334) is the UK Parliament's implementation. A seller would have to be outperforming the minimum duty placed on it by law before I'd think about complimenting its customer service. [/quote] What more would you require?