Storky

Thanks for the comments and advice. Budget is not fixed, but hundreds rather than thousands; I would hope to get something suitable for between £200 and £600. I’d spend more if I needed to though as I’ve had mixers in the past that have been cheap and only lasted a few years. Or I start again from scratch and buy a complete system for a couple of grand or so.

My band plays social clubs and a few functions, Rock n roll/50s,60s through to some 80s stuff. It looks like I may need to source a new P.A., or at least a mixer. We put three vocals and keyboards through the P.A. I know very little about the various options so am hoping for some advice and suggestions. thanks in advance Ade

I’ve got the Am Deluxe 5 String. Actually fits in the mix very well; I like both pups split (jazz style) or full neck humbucker. I didn’t think I’d keep it, but it works pretty well. Fender through everything at this new model: asymmetric neck bone nut, 18v preamp. I think they gave it a really good go before conceding inevitable defeat. Still a good bass though.

The bass VI is described as “long scale”?

I had a fender mustang (jap). Really nice, similar sound to a precision, maybe better. Wish I still had it.

My band pretty much plays the social club circuit 90% of the time. We play 40 gigs a year and the rate around here (Surrey/Sussex) is typically £320/£350. Pubs are a bit less, around £200/£250. Hope that helps? 😁

Thanks for the info’, that’s very helpful. It’s good to hear from someone with first hand experience of doing the job.

Did you end up replacing your tuners? How did it go? I’m wanting to do something similar to get rid of some neck dive on my 4003

I have recently brought Steve’s Sandberg VS5 (which is lovely by the way!) Steve could not have been more helpful and included a set of strings with the bass and gig bag. A pleasure to deal with.

Yes, I had one about a year ago. Nice, easy to play. I found the sound a bit generic and nothing special. I didn’t really find much use for the high C although I enjoyed the shorter scale. I also thought it a little on the small side (I’m 6’7). I loved the look and the through neck design and had no issues with the body carve. If I got another I’d consider changing the pickups and/or the preamp.

Very nice tone. Ive got the 5 string fretted, but don’t get as good a tone as that! I like the bass; I find it light and comfortable but the sound is a little nasal. I’ve changed the strings to la Ballas as have others and it is better, but I’m still not totally happy with the sound 😏

I just brought a new one as well! 😉(Fire-glow)

Lovely 😍

Recently brought a lovely Rob Allen Mouse from Owen. Very straight forward purchase and bass arrived very promptly.

Recently traded my Squier P for Ian’s Ibanez SRC6. Unfortunately the P was damaged in transit but Ian was very understanding. For his part the SRC6 was extremely well packaged (double boxed) and arrived promptly in excellent condition. Great comms and a nice guy to deal with throughout.

My old B301 wasn’t so bad for neck dive; it had a slight inclination to head south, but not too bad at all. Like anything, l guess it depends on the weight of the body and if that is weighty enough it won’t dive.

My first bass was a Guild B301, brought as an ex demo from Rockbottoms in Croydon in 1981 for £195 served me very well for about 30 years. It was my only bass and I had no interest in anything else. Then I sold it for £750 and the flood gates opened! it was a very good bass, I think it had a dimarzio pick up, simple tone and volume and I guess it was a bit like a single coil jazz bass. The neck was narrow like a jazz, but deeper, possibly a U shape and it is a set neck. All good quality hardware as you might expect. i believe the bass player in Stiff Little Fingers played one.

I played it in my acoustic band on Friday. I think it works as a double bass substitute, where a venue is too small, or it’s just too much hassle to bring in a DB. Also think it would work in a 60s band for those Beatles, or similar numbers for a violin bass type thump. And any other rock n roll numbers where a double bass was used. Country, why not? Actually there’s plenty of uses, but watch for feedback, it was ok and it was easy enough to control, but it will feedback way before a solid body I think.

Just weighed it: 6.22lbs and no neck dive!

It’s got a medium deep neck, and a modern precision nut width. I’ve played other largish necks and this is the most comfortable; it’s very nice to play. Sound un amped is quite loud, certainly enough to practice at home with. Plugged in it’s the nearest I’ve heard to a double bass; it’s very full sounding, great! I think the strings are really good, tapewound and not too rubbery! Nice touches include aged binding and the whole bass has the feel of a decent quality instrument and it’s clear that some thought has gone into it. It’s not heavy, no neck dive. Obviously it’s quite a large body, so some may find it bulky and could be prone to feedback due to fully hollow body, but no problem so far at home volumes.

Yep, picked one up yesterday. Really good!

Just added a few ?