Chiliwailer

[quote name='Telebass' timestamp='1371149959' post='2110620']

The comment about the Ozark being horrible and middy is true, but times have moved on, and that's far from the norm these days.
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You're absolutely right, piezo pickups have moved on a lot. However I have never heard one that I actually like, either on a bass or guitar. The reason for this is more a matter of physics as the pickup lies under the string where it is at it's tightest, so they are always creating a style of tone that drives me up the wall!!!

Going on Monday night in London, I'm sooooo excited, Neil is my all time favorite singer songwriter but I love it when he jams and does it 'his way'. And with the Horse too, dreams are made of this!

[quote name='Stag' timestamp='1371231682' post='2111566']
Cant see that Cliff Burton has been mentioned? Dear lord....

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Right on, good call brother.
edit: Cliff Burton is the sole reason I picked up bass as a 14 year old. Pulling Teeth made bass so exciting for me.

Compensating for something Sir.....?

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1371149307' post='2110608']
AV = not bad, absolutely nothing special. Seemed a step down from the older AV range which i quite liked. Who buys all the nice resonant timber or are we just running out?
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Might just be a case of good ones /bad ones? I've played a few not so good pre CBS guitars and basses, wood will always be unique so there will always a bad example out there.

Plus, it amazes me just how many guitar shops have basses on the wall that seem awful as they need a set up or simple truss rod adjustment. So many guys in guitar shops (and bands) these days can't even adjust a neck, it's not exactly rocket science!!!!

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1371145526' post='2110531']
talking of which did you ever score yourself an old jazz bass?
I think you maybe prove that NKR guitars are good at selling, if nothing else!
But I do think it's daft that the new RI basses are over £1700 new - I don't understand why anyone would buy them, I tried the new 70's jazz (74ri??) and... it was... well it wasn't very good at all.
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lol, I know, crazy prices eh?!!!!!

Seriously though, the 1960 Jazz Bass was insanely good, (best bass I ever played, period), the wood Fender used between 59 and 61 was something special for me, but 18k special? Only for the rich i think. That Jazz Bass inspired me to get my 1964 Jazz Bass, which was a refinish. I got it in 2004/5 for £2200 but sold it 2 years ago for £3500 to buy a flat. I wish I still had it, especially at that price! Thing is, I now have a 63 Custom Shop which I got second hand a few months ago for £1000. The CS and my old 64 are very different basses indeed, but they are equal in their magic and quality, just in very different ways.

When you can buy a Custom Shop Fender Jazz new for £1859 (Coda) why would you pay a little less for an American Vintage? I'm not saying that the AV is a bad bass, I just don't get the price!

NKR Guitars all the way for me, they have some stunning stock at times and are the last real old school rock n roll shop left that i know of.

I'm really interested to know who peoples fave's are, though this may not particularity be who they think the best is.

To get the ball rolling:

1) Flea
2) Aston Barrett
3) Robert DeLeo
4) Billy Talbot
5) Paul McCartney
6) Robbie Shakespear
7) Jah Wobble
8) Duff McKagen
9) James Jamerson
10) Joe Lally

I might just bid £5000 on this one, to stop the poor souls who know nothing of Fender from getting in a pickle when this arrives on their door step.

Anyone else with me here?!!!

edit: On second thoughts, if you're stupid enough to buy a bass with a split fingerboard when you can't even identify a real Fender.....

I'm watching this one with anticipation.

Very cool piece of history there, nice job!

[quote name='Gust0o' timestamp='1371047584' post='2109073']
I think you can still make your money. It just depends on when you want to make your money, and how much, that decides what course of investment you could pursue.
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[quote name='Rick's Fine '52' timestamp='1371026697' post='2108684']
Disagree.

Even 5 years ago, 70's fenders were available for just over a grand for an original finish one in reasonable nick, its not unusual to see a nice '73 sunburst Jazz available now for £2500+. There's one available now for £3200!!

This is because 50's stuff has gone through the roof, 60's stuff is now going for £5k+, and double that on early J's, therefore those wanting a vintage Fender, will go to the best within their budget, this pushes up the price of 70's instruments accordingly. The reputation alone shouldnt be a big consideration anyway, sure, there are some heavy examples out there, but there are also some really nice examples, so i would always advise buying on inspection, having played it, and not buying blind.
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The original post talked about an investment and I quote 'The idea is buy it for as close to 1k as possible then sell it in 15 years for 10k ;-)

In 1999 I worked in Rose Morris in Denmark Street and sold a 58 P Bass for £3200.; I sold one for £7000 10 years later in another shop.
In 2000 I worked in Two-5 in Denmark Street and sold a 57 Strat for £5,000 which I though was super expensive then. In 2008 NKR guitars sold one for £25,000 when I was working there.
In 2006 when I worked in Regent Sounds in Denmark Street I sold a 1960 Jazz Bass for £10,000. In 2008 the exact same bass was sold in NKR guitars for £18000.

Now those are what I call investments, but those margins are most likely to never be repeated again, guitars and huge margins have had their day.

Saying that 70's stuff will go up accordingly is bizarre, did 70's stuff increase that much too, answer is no. The build quality is poorer, there are way more out there and they are not as desirable to collectors, and unfortunately collectors push up prices. You can still buy one for a grand if you look hard enough, you can still find a joker selling one at £3200. The market is so false now due to people misunderstanding why the right stuff goes up in value.

Everything goes up though, so has late 70's gear. Petrol goes up, cans of beans etc. I cant believe a 60'sRI Jazz Bass is over £1700 these days, wtf?!!!

People price vintage gear at silly prices, not always prices to sell. They hit and hope, because people have bought into a myth that may earn a few quid more than a crappy 2.5% ISA, but won't be what the original poster requested.

[quote name='yorks5stringer' timestamp='1370989593' post='2108474']

My money's on those Flea Basses then...!
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I like where you're coming from, problem is its a specialist bass that's really for fans only. Limited edition and signature stuff has to have a huge customer base to go up rapidly in value, very very rare indeed in that particular market.

And I'm not just saying that because I'd like to buy a Flea Bass, cash waiting but no decent ones are for sale right now!

[quote name='clashcityrocker' timestamp='1370768951' post='2105201']
No no,this isn't an excuse to my misses to buy more basses,no really! I went to my local music shop for a perve yesterday,and was surprised to see a 77 jazz bass in sunburst,on a private sale. Firstly Iv always loved the idea of owning an old fender and as my username suggests,I think that was a great year for music (unfortunately 10 Years before I was born). It got me thinking,is it wise to buy it as an investment,keep it for years,hopefully knowing that it is only increasing in money. I guess it's down to condition etc,it's up for 1395 but I reckon there is room for haggling. The idea is buy it for as close to 1k as possible then sell it in 15 years for 10k ;-)
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It's game over for making money on old basses now. The market went beserk and only the real old high quality, rare and all original stuff still holds value. But that's not to say that prices will continue to rise at the old rate even for those special ones. Late 70's Fenders carry a terrible reputation so can't go up too much, plus there are so many around. That said, there were some cool players basses from that era and if you like the bass, go for it all. You can always get your money back and perhaps a couple quid on top too if you're lucky.

[quote name='Buzzy' timestamp='1370780465' post='2105385']
Any one got any opinions/advice on Electro/Acoustic bases. I've been offered the gig in an acoustic band, so if I go for it I need to get something that will sound ok fed through the P.A rather than have to buy another amp. Not sure how much I need to pay for something half decent as I don't want to break the bank in case the band doesn't get beyond the rehearsal stage.
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[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1370859458' post='2106300']
As others have pointed out, acoustic basses are pretty much a complete waste of time.
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Some of my favorite gigs I played was with an acoustic bass. Keep in mind that my gigging bass was an original 1964 Precision. I have a cheap Ozark I've had since I was 16, so that's 19 years. I strung it with flats and used a Rare Earth sound hole pickup because under the saddle ones always have too many pokey mids and a harsh sound for my liking.

I often went into the PA and used an active DI (Sans Amp, not that I'm particularly fond of them so I kept the 'wet' signal low) and the bass sound always fitted nicely into the mix, sounding very acoustic.

That's my two cents and very enjoyable experience story!

[quote name='Clarky' timestamp='1366703597' post='2056052']
Isn't this a wrongly labelled Jazz from NKRG as well? Says its a 1960 reissue but looks like a regular AV62RI to me???? [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FENDER-JAZZ-BASS-STACK-KNOB-SLAB-REISSUE-1960-VINTAGE-PRE-CBS-REISSUE-/390578611816?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item5af04ca668#ht_640wt_1111"]http://www.ebay.co.u...8#ht_640wt_1111[/url]
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Right you are.
Just for fun.... the irony is that it may just be Fender who got that one wrong. Not many Jazz Basses in 62 had concentric knobs!

[quote name='Platypus' timestamp='1366581674' post='2054555']
New Kings Road Guitars have the ex Noah and the Whale precision bass on their eBay store

They claim its an 1963 pre CBS bass and the neck plate looks ok to me,
However, the headstock decal is from '68, as far as I can see (looking closely at the sanded down bits)

[url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FENDER-PRECISION-1963-EX-NOAH-AND-WHALE-PRE-CBS-FENDER-BASS-/390492336919"]http://www.ebay.co.u...S-/390492336919[/url]

I'm no expert on these matters, though that just looks wrong
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[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1366636660' post='2055202']
That is what remains of a Type-C 'TV' decal that was used from 1969-1976 and it is indeed wrong for 1963.
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I know this bass, I owned it before NATW guy had it. I actually took the original pickguard, bridge cover and one original pot before I sold it on.

It's had a refinished headstock that's all!!!!!!! Not uncommon when the body is done and they go for a matching head. The logo decal is a later one yes, you can buy these for a few quid these days. The neck has 63 stamp, the dots are clay and the fingerboard sure is Brazillian.

Funnily enough, I also owned the 66 P bass the NATW guy owns, it has the worst routing you've ever seen going from the pots all the way to the lower horn, it looks like someone did it with a flat head screwdriver and hammer! Cool bass, has a wide open sound and I always wondered if the routing did that to it?

[quote name='redstriper' timestamp='1370377206' post='2100079']
So..... a risk well worth taking I'm glad they suit you so well.

I love them in theory and I keep stringing basses with them and then taking them off after a couple of weeks because they lack oomph and they rattle too much on the frets.
Maybe they suit players with a lighter touch than mine, I just can't get a deep dub sound with them and I wish I could because I like the feel and playability.
The only bass I've kept them on is a fretless Precision and they sound good on that, but not for dub reggae - I prefer GHS precision flats on a Jazz for that.
My friend uses them exclusively and you can hear him here with them on both his Jazz and Precision, proving it can work:

[url="http://amarumusic.net/#releases2"]http://amarumusic.net/#releases2[/url]

PS:
I don't like new strings, they all sound better after at least a year to me.
[/quote]

So nice to hear some decent modern Dub, great link

I know what you mean about the rattle, my bass needed a tweak or two, though of course that's not to say that'd work for all players and basses. It can be playing style indeed.

Old flats sure do vibe well, looks like I better keep playing these bad boy strings in!

I'm quite aware that my post made it sound like I was 'dissing' the strings due to the E A balance thing.

Just to clarify, not at all. I think it's a personal thing whereby I attack the E string harder, hence why I keep the compressor on perhaps?!

20 years of playing and I only just found an affinity with the TI's, here's to the next 20 with them. And from what some of you are saying, they'll sound better then too....could be a market for vintage strings out there....

[quote name='bluejay' timestamp='1370365648' post='2099810']
Strange that you would say that. I have a set of long scale TIs on my Corvette 4 and a set of short scale TIs on the Hofner, and on both the E string looks huge but sounds perfectly balanced (after height adjustment etc.) without the need of any additional trickery.
Have you checked your pickups' height at the E string vs the G string?

Edit: With the above I mean I hear no "jump" in tone from the big E to the thin A string.
[/quote]

Yeah, that's a great point. I've had no previous issues around the pickup height and balance, I checked again and it doesn't seem to be that. Perhaps it's the way I play or am in need of getting used to the new set, the feel is quite different but I'm really liking that aspect too. What I heard was a difference in the bass undertone whereby the E string had more of that than I am used to (excuse the wording, but sound into words is just never going to be universal!).

Still, with the comp I don't feel it at all so I'm not too concerned now.

[quote name='KiOgon' timestamp='1370185553' post='2097303']
I had to check a packet - you're right JF344's .070 A - & yes they're balanced lovely. I love the soft & smooth feel on a Jazz bass, fretted & fretless. They don't suit me on a Precision though. I prefer a heavier gauge for the definitive P bass tone, personal favourites GHS Precision flats, 55 G, 70 D, 90 A & 105G.
The 43/56/70/100 TI's feel right to me on a Jazz neck, they balance the thinner neck better IMO & the GHS suit Precisions, both 1 5/8" & 1 3/4" varieties
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[quote name='redstriper' timestamp='1370217705' post='2097796']
Let us know how you like the
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[size=5][u][b]Ok, the set arrived today![/b][/u][/size]

I put them on with HUGE anticipation. Once the truss rod and saddles were adjusted (especially the A string) off I went for a wonder on the Jazz Bass.

The feel was an instant hit and couldn't believe the quality of the tone, quite unlike the other Flats I had been using and all for the better. The A string being so thin was a big concern for me, initially the balance wasn't quite suited to my style but I switched on the compressor (which is always on the go anyway) and hey, problem solved! Perhaps it was a placibo, but the bass responses of the E and A balanced better after. I'm guessing the lighter A string is to match it better to the D and G because I was really impressed with that.

I'm super pleased with the strings.Big thanks to KiOgon, you're post was on my wavelength and I agree too about our P Bass needs. The other posts were great too, nice to hear what other players are up to and thinking.

I'd speak to or send it to Kent Armstrong. It could be the pole pieces are broken/damaged, I've never heard of a pickup that's wired or wound in two halves but you never know!

Good luck.

[quote name='redstriper' timestamp='1370257544' post='2098098']


Sorry if I offended you mate, you started with the mother jokes not me so I mistakenly presumed you had a SOH.
You asked for advice but you didn't say you only wanted positive comments.
I find TIs too thin and middy for the styles you mentioned, hence the warning - wish I hadn't bothered now.
[/quote]

You didn't offend me, I put smiles after the comment. I sure did leave the door open for that one...

Yeah, negative advice is good, but I didn't ask for life coaching on taking risks, lol!

No hard feelings at all, I'lll let you know how I get on with then. You may just be right.

[quote name='redstriper' timestamp='1370217705' post='2097796']
Hey pal, if you think £42 is relatively low risk, good luck to you
Let us know how you like them.
PS
Give my love to your mother
[/quote]

Mate, I can't see why your negative about someone taking a risk to try these well regarding strings?

It seems to me like everyone here cares about their bass tone, how do you know if you don't try? I like Flats and been using them for a few years, now I want to get a top shelf set for my top shelf Fender Custom Shop bass. I'm sold on the idea!

[b][size=4]"It seems to be a law of nature, inflexible and inexorable, that those who will not risk cannot win" – John Paul Jones[/size][/b]

And really, mother jokes like that?

[quote name='redstriper' timestamp='1370203033' post='2097596']
Exactly and from what you've said you are taking a risk.
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True, but it's £42 so is relatively low risk. More importantly, these strings are well recommended and I was concerned about the balance, KiOgan seems like he's on my wavelength and the curiosity is building for sure. The pro's like them, I wonder why?

You're not hanging out with my mother are you?!!

Cheers pal.

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1370199493' post='2097538']
Cheap is cheap , and South Korea is a long way away . I will have prevented these basses falling into the hands of an evil dictatorship , and got myself a bargain at the same time . Win - win , as far as I can see ! The guy who sold me the bass will be able to use the money to buy some extra gruel to keep his family alive and will probably be thanking me for the rest of his days . Besides which , South Korea decided a long time ago to ally itself to the West and subscribe to a capitalist market economy despite having hostile and unstable neighbours and unsecured borders , so don't blame me when it all goes tits up .
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I wonder if you'll get 'invaded from the rear' when the UPS guy turns up to collect the bass only to find out the shop is closed and the owners are now writing you that thank you letter.

I'm long gone from this conversation now.

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1370196586' post='2097484']
The shop these basses are in is actually in South Korea , and it has got loads of truly high - end bass gear in it . I keep one eye on the international news nowadays , and if it looks like they are going to get overrun by an invading force from the North at any time , I will be ready to quickly make them a cheeky offer on a couple of basses they have in stock .
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.......I'm now imagining the big smile on your face as you open the box containing your new cheap as chips high end bass from Korea, whilst the poor guys who sold it to you live and breath in that unimaginably horrific scenario - how ironic that smile will be......