markorbit

I had an early Shuker JJB. With Roto rounds, nice action and played with a pick it sounded just like the the bass from Black and White. In the end it was too alive and aggressive for what I need today. My 18 year old self would have loved it though. I also had a 2008 Maple/Black P that I thought sounded just as good. Either got me in the ball-park of the JJB tone if I wanted it, with the Shuker just edging it but for a traditional, warmer P tone I would go with the Fender. It's funny, the first 3 Stranglers albums (the ones that defined the JJ tone) were from an alder and rosewood bass.

The general concensus seems to be pre-Peavey, pre-Gibson with perhaps a peak around MKV / Series 6. Ultimately I would take an SMX myself - the one with the fancier graphics but 12 band EQ, dual compressor, valve input and overall tone balance. At least that is my experience with the preamps alone. Sounded superb to me and it was the last Trace I sold from my collection including early Ah250 GP11, MKV, S6 Silver. I tried a new model Trace a month or so ago and I really wanted it to be a Trace for the new era - but it didn't do it for me and there was some distortion related to the second gain arrow as a note decayed and this light faded.

I have found nothing that sounds similar to classic Trace Elliot. It has a certain sound of its own. That said, one option would be to pair a Trace pre with a Bergantino IP rig of whatever cab size you choose. That worked extremely well for me. And they're both green

I'm a long time Precision player who currently has GAS for a Classic Ray! I honestly believe you don't need a herd of Precisions, maybe one with flats and one with rounds. IMO the main choice to make is what nut width do you prefer. I find the latest US Precisions to be a bit narrow. I like a P bass to feel like BASS so vintage 1962 spec for me - wide and shallow. I've had so many Fender Precisions that my next one I'm assembling myself with my own parts and mods - JustaNut, P Retro preamp, original '62 pups, Babicz bridge and Brazilian Rosewood neck and 1 3/4" nut. I'm not going for authenticity here but hopefully a real good 'Precision'. If I could buy an aftermarket MM bridge with mutes that would probably go on instead as I love the warmth that mutes bring to the table. I may then sell the rest of my collection which includes a minty black/maple 79 and a Pino CS. I think I could get down to one Precision. Though I'm looking forward to fingerfunkin on a classic Ray right now for that Chic thing.

[quote name='Ou7shined' post='1248203' date='May 28 2011, 01:17 PM']this bass is the embodiment of mojo and has it's place in the history of music. This bass is quite literally world famous.[/quote] Now if this was the bass that recorded Rhythm Stick then we could be talking real history and real mojo. But as far as I know it isn't. Rhythm Stick is Norman's most famous line and that could indeed have really boosted it's mojo.

[quote name='EddyGlee' post='1247239' date='May 27 2011, 03:45 PM']hard to put a figure on it any guesses .. ballpark figure of how much you think it'll sell for ?[/quote] Probably the going rate for a 62 Jazz, whatever that is. Can't really see it's heritage increasing the price sadly. It's mainly done thousands of pub gigs hasn't it?

If only basses could talk... I think Norman has played that bass constantly for the last 30-odd years. Wonder why he's selling. I think he used another one, maybe a Sunburst Precision A-neck for the late 70s Blockhead hits though. Hope he gets what he wants for it.

If you like swapping strings and trying out different gauges (recently I've been experimenting between TI Flats, Jamerson LaBellas and Roto88s amongst others) an adjustable nut would be very useful. I've broken two 'bone' nuts on the G side over the last year or two so I've just bought a couple of Just a Nuts for a project bass I'm working on. Personally I think this part of the bass SHOULD be adjustable, just like the bridge saddles and intonation, so I'm giving one a try.

I'd keep the SMX if it was me. I've had loads of Traces and for me the SMX is the most fully featured and 'best'.

[quote name='AsterL' post='1201755' date='Apr 16 2011, 12:35 PM']I'm looking to get one of these amps, Does anyone own/have played through one. Anything in comparison to its bigger brother?[/quote] Received my Micro VR stack a few days ago. After being initially a [i]little [/i]underwhelmed with the sound I like it. Not as warm as an all-valve amp but it does sound like Ampeg and whatever Ampeg do to the bass sound is really where it's at for me. It seems a shame that such a low-powered (200w) amp even needs a fan. It's not too loud but it's certainly there. I would imagine it's only ever really needed at loud volume. I think the sealed cab contributes to it's Ampeg character. It's a good match. For the money you pay the Micro VR is a winner. I just use it for noodling around the house and it fits the bill nicely.

I bought one from Mark at Bass Direct on Saturday for a P bass project that I am about to embark upon. Looking forward to having more tonal flexibility onboard.

The earlier Jazz basses would also have had vintage frets which are thinner. The stack knob pre-62/63 Jazzes allow for independent control of tone for each pickup as opposed to a shared pot. Binding and blocks were introduced around 1965/66. [quote name='Linus27' post='1196717' date='Apr 12 2011, 12:46 PM']Was that on all 70's Jazz basses as standard?[/quote] Yes until 1981 or so. The main difference as already has been pointed out is pickup placement for the bridge pickup - the 70s Jazz has more wirey-growl whilst the 60s is slightly rounder and warmer.

I'm considering selling my unmarked IP rig IP112ER + 112ER. Love the size but I also love the vibe of vintage looking Ampeg.

The Jazz width neck probably rules it out for me. Pity, it looks a stunner. It seems Fender are starting to reproduce those vintage sunbursts that I like. Not sure about the benefits of the Badass bridge or the greasebucket. The 'U' neck sounds interesting. If the nut width was wider I'd be seriously looking at it.

[quote name='parker_muse' post='1165409' date='Mar 17 2011, 09:19 AM']If you go in 'images' the second picture is of a very sexy P bass... a new one in teh range coming soon perhaps sir? Have they let the cat out of the bad a bit soon sir?[/quote] That's the Limited Edition 1960 P Bass.

Yeah Trace gear is really good for 'punch' and it is incredible value on the S/H market. Very undervalued these amps IMO.

[quote name='JimBobTTD' post='1160271' date='Mar 13 2011, 10:37 AM']Excellent post - thanks for sharing your photos & doing the legwork so those of us who were not there could have a taste.[/quote] I really enjoyed the photos too, thanks.

I wouldn't mind trying a Precision (maybe even a P/J) with an Ebony fingerboard. Been thinking about building a parts bass for a little while. Maybe with a P-Retro. But then I remember that I love the newer 2008+ Fender maple necks with the rolled edges and lacquer and wonder if I should really gamble on a parts bass when a nice Fender sunburst / maple is already available. But building your own bass could be very rewarding. I do like how most Warwicks seem to have an acoustic 'soft/warm/absorbent' tone to my ears, which I associate with the Wenge/Ovangkol thing they have going on.