FinnDave

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1422654506' post='2675371'] Summit that keeps one in check (or so I'm told; I've not got one...). [/quote] When i moved to Finland in 1996 and opened a bank account I asked for a chequebook and was met by bemused smiles. They were history there even then. I remember explaining them to a group of incredulous students one day, I think at least half of them thought it was an elaborate joke.

What's a chequebook?

I didn't notice the nick dive or pitching forwards when playing with the band, only when testing it in a strap at home. Bought a longer strap yesterday, will try it later today.

Not my first bass, but the first I have pictures of. Framus Jazz bass, 1979 [attachment=182293:1979.jpg]

Yeah man, can you dig it?

Someone's phone pic from last night I came across on Facebook, confirms my feeling that I need a longer strap. PMT Oxford tomorrow! [attachment=182281:1-10676198_1491849437728522_2252129419226632841_n.jpg]

To be fair, I only noticed the neck dive at home, forgot about that and the potentially more disturbing tendency to tip forward once playing it with the band. I still need a longer strap, though.

Most of our songs go through a stage of experimenting with different keys until the wonderful Ms Haan is happy. I always get funny looks from the rest of the band when we play one in A, then she decides it's a little high so we try again in G, and it's still a tad too high ('half a semitone', says Jen ).

Ask anyone I play with and they will tell you I have a preference for F#

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1422406053' post='2672391'] Seriously though, well done, and thanks for your impressions. ([i]Now then, where's my piggy bank..? Here, piggy piggy[/i]... ) [/quote] I'm sorry, I'm just a bass player. I'm afraid I don't do impressions

[quote name='Cosmo Valdemar' timestamp='1422392035' post='2672175'] There sits a happy man. [/quote] But not as happy as he is tonight! Just back from a packed open mic/jam night where we played several songs as a band to get the evening underway. I took the JCB and was very surprised by the level of attention it received, and secondly how powerful and rocky it sounded. We played again at the end and the general sound level had increased so I switched to the 500 setting and wound the tone control back, amazingly powerful and clear, it really snarls. Definitely a keeper.

Sorted out the intonation, neck relief and nut slots this morning, feels quite a bit better to play now. I am very taken with the fairly thick neck, less likely to give me fretting hand cramp than the Precision (and much better than the slender twig used as a neck on the Jazz). Slight neck dive on a strap, but not enough to be a problem, the tendency for it to tip forwards (due to the strap button being on the back of the neck pocket) will take longer to get used to. I don't own a strap long enough for this one, so I'll have to do some more shopping soon. It definitely feels better a good bit lower than my Fenders. I've got a case on order; meanwhile, it fits snuggly in the box my jazz bass case was delivered in! Taking it out for a test run with the band tonight.

Interesting pics. I will definitely have to find my dental mirror now! Meanwhile, here is proof of my new purchase, complete with happy owner

There seems to be fresh air under the pickup (squinting through the F holes). I have a dental mirror somewhere and will take a better look if/when I find it. I'll sort out a pic or two as well

I was wondering about that, am often very close to my amp on small stages. Sounds great at home through the little Ashdown combo I use for smaller gigs.

Just been over to Bristol and returned with GazWills now ex Jack Casady bass. Very nice bass in first class condition, tried it through my own amp and it sounds terrific. Needs a few tweaks to get suit my playing style and I can see me using this one a lot this year.

My current set up is the best I have had, US P into Ashdown ABM 500 and Barefaced super twin. I did play through an SVT and 810 (not mine) once a few years ago and the sound was immense, though. I would have one like a shot if I didn't have to pay for it and move it myself.

[quote name='hairychris' timestamp='1422015381' post='2667741'] Welcome to the 21st century. *sigh* [/quote] Sod that, I'm staying put here in the 1970s.

Be interesting to see these in the flesh. They make a big deal of the compression and sub octave features, but does anyone actually use them? I have two AMB500s and an EB combo and never use either of these 'features'.

If it had a rosewood fingerboard I'd be tempted, despite the bullshit. I have a MiM 60s Jazz which is a lovely bass, but I can't get on with the string spacing. The maple fingerboard on this one rules it out for me, though, the mere sight of them makes me feel physically sick.

We always try to find time to chat to people between sets, and afterwards if there is time, though usually the venue wants us to break the gear down and move out sharpish. We usually get one or two Babe Ruth fans coming along who are usually a bit star struck and ask me if it we would mind if they spoke to Jenny, but she loves to chat with her fans, sign their albums, etc. I draw the line at buying food and drinks for the fans, though there are some exceptions, a lovely couple of 20 something girls who often come to see us. I buy them drinks and they say 'thanks, dad.'

My VM Precision was fine the way it came, new set of strings and that's all it needed. I've used it for a couple of gigs and a lot of rehearsal in the summer when I could leave it at our rehearsal room and go there by bike instead of car.

If you set the strings too low, the magnetic field of the pickup(s) can have a damping effect on them.

My idea of a 'high end bass' is a Fender US standard. My Precision was unmarked when I acquired it (in exchange for a Jazz in the same condition) but 40 or 50 gigs later and it has a couple of dings on it. I was not too happy the first time it was knocked into the drumkit, but now now I just worry less about it.