Chiliwailer

[quote name='Opticaleye' timestamp='1421441845' post='2661404'] According to the article he has an employee who went to luthier school and it just states that he assembles each one himself. [/quote] It also states "they're full on repair guys". A good repair guy most often comes from Luthier school Assemble can also mean manufacture, or in the above case, whatever you deem it to mean. I couldn't give two hoots about defending Lull, I care even less if anyone helps him. Benefit of the doubt may be better perhaps and I'll Always defend that when a good mans reputation and honesty is at stake, and he really was a cool guy when I met him last year. From the Lull website... Hands-On To this day, Mike continues to hand build and test each and every bass and guitar that leaves his shop. He works with each customer creating a custom instrument to fit their individual needs and desires.

I was lucky enough to spend 3 years working there, they do get some very good stock in that shop. It's amazing how many excellent condition Fenders are actually out there. They were high ticket price instruments back in the day, I reckon a lot of people had more cash than talent and wouldn't have needed to sell the instrument when it stopped being used. I'm not even amazed or excited anymore at seeing mint old Fenders, i guess the novelty has worn off somewhat over time, especially when you just keep seeing them pop up. But of course as far as musical instrument history goes, if you got the cash to tie up in one, knock yourself out and have some fun with it. I have a Maritn guitar from circa 1870, complete with original hard case, it gives me hours of pleasure playing it and an immeasurable buzz out of owning it. As for the price, that's the down side of a business that is 90% commission sale and the owners demands are the basis for the price. Many a time I've seen stuff advertised there high but then sell at the current 'vintage seller' going rate.

[quote name='Jazzjames' timestamp='1421411805' post='2660861'] Yeah fair enough, I take your point. I am in no way calling Mike Lull a liar, I have the upmost faith in his work and the instruments that he produces- hence I own one. I read the 300 instruments a year thing here: [url="http://www.notreble.com/buzz/2011/12/15/custom-shop-an-interview-with-mike-lull/"]http://www.notreble....with-mike-lull/[/url] And have since reread it and indeed he does do the work himself. I guess I assumed that he must have help at 1 bass a day! [/quote] I was as shocked as you mate!

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1421408456' post='2660808'] That almost 1 bass every day. When you look at it like that I think you'll agree that it isn't a feasible number for a single custom builder working on his own. Simon Farmer who makes Gus basses says that a standard instrument build (with no custom features) takes him 100 working hours to complete. At 10 hours a day, 6 days a week that's only about 30 instruments a year. While I imagine that a Lull bass won't take quite so long to build I doubt they are 10 times as quick to make! [/quote] But these are Fender style instruments, simply designs that machines can easily knock out for simple finishing. Plus PLEK machines do time consuming work on the frets. I see you point of course, and it's easy to say he's a liar and has help. Personally, having been there, met him, seen the set up and read alot of web content, I'd prefer to believe him than make accusations. EDIT - but it's not a bass a day - if i wanted to make 6 x P4's I wouldn't do one, then another, then another etc. I'd do the bodies, then the necks, then the hardware, soldering etc etc. 6 done by the end of the week. Hard work? Yes. Impossible? Perhaps not if you;re experienced and skilled.

[quote name='Jazzjames' timestamp='1421404716' post='2660752'] I think you'll find that Mike Lull puts out about 300 instruments a year. Good luck doing that on your own. He does work on every bass but not on his own. [/quote] I'm genuinely interesetd to know how you know that as a fact? I'm aware he makes that number per year. I've been to his workshop, it's just him on the basses as far as I could see, and he stated that to me too. He has two guys that work on the repair side of his business. If you make bodies and necks etc in sets and with machine help then of course it's possible. Plus he said he often works 6-7 day weeks and long hours. Lest say he works 48 weeks a year, that's just over 6 basses a week.

A bit of everything mate, I worked in the industry for a long long time and have taken apart more Fenders than I've had hot dinners! This website is good, I think the link is a proxy as the original link has disappeared. It's used by all the top UK vintage dealers http://guitarhq.com Looking at the pics clearer ( not on phone!), and your description now, I think yours is a 1982 57 or 62 reissue pickup, the wires are a give away as Fender used plastic through the 70's and I think they were no longer using the brass plate by then. Then again. Strat pickups were going black by 79 so if Fender were using up old stock they may have had some spare cloth wire too? You just never know with Fender, in 68 the cloth wire was green and orange as they were using up old amp stock! Edit - I'm not always right though!

[quote name='Mykesbass' timestamp='1421346063' post='2660240'] [size=5][b]Uses[/b] [color=#000000]. [b]The astringent bark is used to treat diarrhoea[/b].[/color][/size] [/quote] [quote name='skej21' timestamp='1421348119' post='2660270'] It's so 'side seaming' looks like a luxury feature on the more expensive models like American Vintage and custom shop lol [/quote] I've worked it out, it's a detachable feature in case you've got the runs during your gig.

Oh yeah, just saw the 82! Must be old stock then if so. Nice one.

[quote name='ikay' timestamp='1421343177' post='2660197'] These look to be 1982 Fender pups (middle two digits refer to week, last two digits to year) [/quote] They should be black bottom by 82, unless they are old stock? Could you see the 82 clearly Ian? I can't tell! Any picks of the pole pieces or wire?

^ shocking choice of finish too, "wow, now I can see where the woods join on the body!".

I'd personally avoid jazz bass or single coil pickups in a cheaper bass when you're looking to play rock as they can sound too thin for that style IMO. I know many rock pro's use them, but they have kick ass amps and expensive basses. Go for humbuckers I reckon as they sound fuller, it'll be hard to go wrong with Ibanez for that stuff.

[quote name='bubinga5' timestamp='1421261044' post='2659133'] Martin Peterson of Sei on the other hand, has total control over what he makes. just an extreme example. [/quote] +1 What I love best about my Lull is that Mike Lull made it himself, no other luthiers were involved so he assured the quality right through to the end result. It has his name on it, only himself to blame if it's sh*te, not a paid employee who does the same bit day in day out. No offence meant, to the employee or Fender, that's just how it is. Mike Lull is in his early 60's now, when he retires that's it. I like the old school in that and must resist the forces of GAS requesting that I special order an ash body maple neck P4 in trans black, lol!

Damn, that is super stunning. Envious, yes.

[quote name='Clarky' timestamp='1421140276' post='2657449'] I've gone off marmite [/quote] Marmite hasn't been the same since 1987; and vintage Marmite is now going to collectors at silly prices. Nutella is too sweet for me, but peanut butter is consistent and can handle any toast. I prefer jsm(ing) mostly these days, suits my taste. Marmite should concentrate more on the taste than the non food branded products.

Screw holes are different on an 83, they did funny plates back then and the bridges were different too, and don't even get me started on the jack sockets and Jazz Bass plates! Jokes aside, cool guitar though. Icastle is spot on, get it traced and replicated.

Assuming it's not your lead, which of course you checked, it'd be worth cleaning out the socket, a quick and easy way is to roll up some wet and dry, or sandpaper, and poke it in out of the Jack socket. Then spray it with some switch cleaner / lubricant. You can also use air spray cleaners. It's amazing what a bit of dirt or dust can do to a jack socket, and amazing again how easy it is to clean. It could be that little movements in the lead hit the dust or dirt after some time and cause the issues. Though it may be something else related to the circuit board ( dry joint?) at least it's one thing off the list when tried.

The facts as I see them:[list] [*]There will always be a Fender company [*]There will always be high quality copies / interpretations [*]There will always be QC issues in any big company - Fender, Bentley, Apple etc. [*]There will also be QC issues in smaller companies, at times [*]People will chose what is right for them based on need, past experiences and taste [*]People will often defend or slag off ANY company, more so larger ones that have impact [*]People may also only see their side of the coin due to their experience and opinion [*]It's only a discussion, no one is right or wrong! [/list]

That looks stunning mate

[quote name='walbassist' timestamp='1420967717' post='2655464'] I have owned dozens of basses over the years, including some high end brands like Wal and Ken Smith. My main squeeze at the moment is a Fender American Special, it was less than £500, looks and sounds the business, is beautifully put together, and is one of the most resonant basses I have ever played. It's also really nice and light and has a wonderful shallow C neck. It's perfect in every way. There's something about the Fender P that, for me at least, is just "right". There are some amazing Fenders out there, just as there are amazing basses from most manufacturers. The trick is to find them! [/quote] I wish that were the case for me mate, though I agree there are tons of very good ones out there to be found and loved. My Lull weighs 7.5 lbs and balances and sounds awesome. It has a chambered alder body and wide B width neck. To get a bass that light and spec from Fender would be very rare indeed, and would almost certainly mean a Basswood body, which doesn't do it for me tone wise. If my nerve damage could handle 8.5lbs, there would be some lovely Fenders out there for me.

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1420966729' post='2655455'] Traitors, one and all!!!! I`m 100% loyal to Fender as I just haven`t played any other bass that comes close for me. [/quote] Haha, don't hang us, please!!! Seriously, I wish I could be 100% loyal too, I value loyalty. Such a shame that Fender don't, or have never, made the spec'd P Bass I need.

Those Squires really do look the biz. Classic look, enjoy!

I'm half way with you there, and kind of reversed too in model issues. I have two Custom Shops, a 63 Jazz and a 55 ( old style) Precision. I love them both, the 63 has the best tone I've heard on a CS Jazz ( relative to my taste that is) and the 55 is an absolute powerhouse of a bass. But.... I've had 8 Precisions in the past 2 years whilst I've been looking to experiment and find the right one for me since I sold my fave pre CBS one. 7 were Fenders, a 1969, 2 from 1966, a Custom Shop 64 and 3 JV Squires, 2 of which were from the great Fender logo series. In the past I've also owned 3 pre CBS and some USA std's and dlx's. All great basses, but none that clicked in every department. I've ended up with a Mike Lull P4, it is incredible, the perfect P Bass for me. IT'S THE BEST BASS THAT FENDER WOULD NEVER MAKE. It's modern, but with an old school width neck that feels updated. The weight is incredibly light and perfectly balanced with no neck dive, which is super important and essential for me, and the tone is superb. The build quality is right up there, it's a proper custom bass. As a P Bass is always my go to bass, it's been worth experimenting to get to the Lull. If I was mostly using a Jazz, I'd probably have a Lulll or Lakland as well as my Custom Shop one, but as its just for fun I'm happy with my Fender. As for the Custom Shop 55, it's perfectly Fender and I doubt it could be bettered. It'd be a shame if there are lots of posts here slagging off Fender, they have their place, as do all makes.

Edit April 2021 - now got the bass back!! We've all done it, sold a bass that should have been a keeper and then regretted it later. There Is one I'd buy back in a heartbeat for purely sentimental reasons. A Stingray I had from 1996-2009 would be my absolute choice for this list. I was selling gear to save for a flat and stupidly let this one go, was making bad decisions due to rough stuff going on. The Stingray is natural and maple, has an added MM neck pickup and a Precision pickup in the middle. Was my first proper bass and I cut my teeth on that one. Anyone seen her? What would you hope to get back if the current owner was reading this?