redstriper

Excellent news, everything has it's time, and this is your time It sounds like my band and I thank my lucky stars to have found such a perfect scene after all these years.

I emailed Andy to ask which Jazz pick ups he recommended for reggae and he said none of his were suitable because they are too articulate. I bought a Wizard 84 neck pick up anyway and was quite disappointed. Some people rave about them, so it must be subjective, but I wasn't impressed. Changing pick ups is risky and potentially expensive - good luck Edit: I like the Duncan designed pups in my Squier VM and I love the Farida ones in their basic Jazz bass.

Sorry if this has already been suggested, but I would love you to do the following: Get a selection of Jazz basses in for review - high and low end Fenders, along with both cheap and expensive copies, like Squiers, Faridas, Laklands and Sadowskys. Then let reviewers compare them blindfold........ and no cheating! Then you could do the same with Precisions

I remember when all basses came with flatwounds as standard and roundwounds were only available on special order - the opposite of today's situation. I tried rounds because they were the 'new thing' used by Jaco and the Ox, but I never liked them. I posted a poll some time ago and it seems I'm in the minority: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/124992-i-want-to-complain/page__hl__poll+flat+wound+strings__fromsearch__1"]http://basschat.co.uk/topic/124992-i-want-to-complain/page__hl__poll+flat+wound+strings__fromsearch__1[/url]

Thanks for the heads up

[quote name='The Burpster' timestamp='1341346459' post='1717564'] I only use Chromes - tried most of them on the PRSs and Chromes sound awesome. I have changed from 45-100s to 50-105s as they seem to have more depth of tone (and hold drop D better).... The big secret (if there is one) with flats is dont change them too often - flats seems to get better when they are no longer stretching. If you play everyday you can get at least a year out of them. Rounds (if your after a zingy sound which is the main reason for using them) go 'dead' very quickly. Im my opine of course, its hardly a definative thing tone. [/quote] I change strings about every 10 years and It takes at least a year for a new set to settle in .

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PE5R3rUoU58"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PE5R3rUoU58[/url]

[quote name='jackers' timestamp='1341336556' post='1717324'] Hey all I've just got my new P-bass and I have to say I'm tempted by flats. I like the sound I get out of my DR Sunbeams, but I hate how quickly they go dead with my sweating. The main thing I'm unsure about is whether the flats will do the aggressive/gritty edge I want for my sound, and if they do, how consistent that will be. From what I've heard flats don't die in the same way that rounds do. Some advice would be much appreciated [/quote] Flats are not renowned for aggressive/gritty edge, but I would recommend Rotsound as the grittiest and most 'roundwound sounding' I have tried, TIs also have some bite as used by Pino on his Precision, but they are light gauge and very low tension. Chromes and EBs manage to be both bright and mellow at the same time. Flats don't lose their zing like rounds do, because they don't have it in the first place and you may not take to them - only one way to find out Half grounds or whatever they're called may suit you more, as a half way house between rounds and flats - I've never tried them, so can't comment.

[quote name='Beer of the Bass' timestamp='1341251738' post='1715823'] How do the Laklands compare to others flats like Chromes, EBs etc? I'm using and enjoying Ernie Balls at the moment, I've also tried Picato which were too dark and thumpy for me, TI Jazz flats which were nice but a little too soft feeling for my playing style, and D'addario Chromes which seem very close to the EBs. [/quote] Laklands are made by GHS and I believe are very similar if not identical to the GHS Precision flats, in which case they will sound darker and less bright than Chromes or EBs, which are very similar to each other. GHS Precisions are my favourites and I have some hardly used EBs and Chromes that I will swap for your TI or Picatos if you like.

nuff niceness here

Have you considered a Spirit? [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/steinberger_guitars_spirit_xt2_standard_bass_bk.htm"]http://www.thomann.de/gb/steinberger_guitars_spirit_xt2_standard_bass_bk.htm[/url]

Some footage of my band from a recent festival: [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8LTqP-7l-0&list=PLC14516717E45E09C&feature=plpp_play_all[/media]

How about a Pasadena? Never tried one, but might be worth a punt at this price: [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Neuheit-schwarzer-Pasadena-Headless-Bass-WB1-/200719652176?_trksid=m7&_trkparms=algo%3DLVI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D3%26po%3DLVI%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D21931370534864062&_qi=RTM1084480"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Neuheit-schwarzer-Pasadena-Headless-Bass-WB1-/200719652176?_trksid=m7&_trkparms=algo%3DLVI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D3%26po%3DLVI%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D21931370534864062&_qi=RTM1084480[/url]

Best topic title ever?

I would be interested in this bass if you decide to move it on. The low weight appeals to my poor old back and I'm not bothered about a flat sound for my dull thud style - just a deep smooth neck pick up is all I need.

I would be interested in a group buy of one of these - I am on the verge of buying a HB 500, but I'll wait to see if this plan transpires first. Somebody will have to organise payments and shipping etc. and there would have to be a considerable saving to make it worthwhile. Anyone?

This is our local festival in a fantastic location if you want a break from the jubilee and you like world music: [url="http://kayafestival.co.uk/"]http://kayafestival.co.uk/[/url]

I have a fretted CV and a fretless VM, both are great basses. The build quality is very good on both instruments and the CV neck feels more like a pre CBS Fender than any other Jazz bass I've played. The VM is also very nice and I'd like to try a fretted version. The stock pick ups are good on both basses, they sound different but it's hard to explain in words - the CV sounds deeper and more 'hollow' is how I'd put it. Preference is subjective - do you like thin or fat frets, satin or gloss necks, skunk stripe or not etc. The CV is only available in white or blue with a rosewood board, where there is more choice with the VMs. You really need to try both before deciding which one suits you best, but I prefer both mine to the Fender MIM Jazz I had and don't see much difference in the American Standards I've played. But.... better than both and great value is the Farida FJB6 I recently bought from Dawsons for £150 new! This is a seriously top class bass in it's own right, not a copy and an amazing bargain. It was made in the same Chinese factory as the Squire CV, but the quality is even better. The pick ups are clearer and more powerful than the Squiers and it feels great, with thin frets and a satin neck. They have gone up in price now, but still well worth it, there's a good review here: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/169759-farida-fjb-6-bass-review/page__hl__farida"]http://basschat.co.uk/topic/169759-farida-fjb-6-bass-review/page__hl__farida [/url] If I could only keep one, it would be the Farida and if I was buying another (highly likely) it will be one of the fretted VMs. Hope some of this helps (all just my opinion obviously) and good luck. Steve.

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1334963040' post='1624269'] I expect we may be in a minority. [/quote]

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1334962429' post='1624261'] They should have the mutes too. [/quote] That's right, course they should - someone should tell them.

Stacked you say..... Forget that 5 year rubbish - I want it NOW !

Hi John, I think you're right and the law of diminishing returns comes strongly into play with Fenders. The AVs and custom shops are obviously better, but not by enough to justify the price difference. Still want one though! I sold the MIM and bought a Farida Jazz for £150 new and it's a corker - closest to my '63 that I've played. I don't get why Fender go to the trouble of getting all the details right on the AVs and then fit them with strings that weren't even invented when the original basses were in production. Anyway, enjoy the Jazz and I'll take it off your hands when I hit 60 in 5 years

How do the AVs compare to US standards and MIM Fenders? I'm really intrigued by them because they are so much more expensive and I wonder what extra you get for the money. I don't like TIs on anything but fretless basses (where I love them) - they just don't have enough oomph for me on a fretted bass. GHS precision flats are my ideal choice for fretted Jazzes.

yip - working now and it looks very nice indeed, where did you get it from?