theyellowcar

So it looks like the BadAss II bridge has finally ceased production, for real this time. Looking at Fender's website all of the artist series basses that previously featured BA II bridges now have Fender Hi-mass bridges instead. Couple of examples: http://www.fender.com/en-GB/basses/precision-bass/nate-mendel-p-bass-rosewood-fingerboard-candy-apple-red/ http://www.fender.com/en-GB/basses/precision-bass/mike-dirnt-road-worn-precision-bass-rosewood-fingerboard-3-color-sunburst/

All of the above. I have sent a bass by Parcel Force and the service was quick and efficient. My one tip to add those above - slacken the strings before you ship the bass! They place a lot of tension on the neck and the wrong bump or drop in transit could end badly.

[quote name='HowieBass' timestamp='1400437418' post='2453870'] The Mike Dirnt has a thick "C" shape profile but it's reasonably narrow at the nut (42mm). [/quote] 42mm narrow? I believe the changes from the old model to the current one were purely cosmetic. The star from the body moved to the neck plate and the pickguards were updated. I noticed earlier that Thomann have a stonking deal on the new white/tort model at about £220 which is only £30 more than an Affinty P! Bargain!

Just to echo everyone else's sentiments here. A Squier VM Precision through an Ampeg BA or a Fender Rumble would be spot on for the type of music you're playing. You should be able to come in just under your budget if you were buying new.

Sort of related, but I would just like to say how impressed I've been with my BDI21. I found it can scoop out some of the mids in my tone but rolling back the blend control to about 12 o'clock gives me the best of both worlds. I get all of the nice midrange from my amp to cut through the mix, and all of the huge tube sound from the pedal. For such a cheap little box the range of applications is incredible. Every player should have one!

Wow! Another Precision to add to the stable!

[quote name='skej21' timestamp='1400264364' post='2452483'] You'll have to wait and see!... Ah go on then. Lightly relic'd '60s precision bass, jazz-width neck with rosewood 'board (clay dot inlays & hand rolled fingerboard edges), Olympic White with 4 ply nitro tortoise shell 'plate and all the vintage style hardware/pickup wiring etc. Can't wait!! [/quote] That sounds incredible.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1400142870' post='2451065'] Thanks for the link, but the blurb says because of the cover dimensions they are not direct replacements for a Fender Jazz V... of course the Squier V is technically not a Fender V, so I'm not sure where that leaves me... Edit: And they cost half what the bass is costing me! They had better be good! [/quote] Gah bleary early morning bus eyes. I just assumed they would be like for like! Still less work than routing for Soapbars though!

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1400095576' post='2450769'] OK Dave, I've pulled the trigger on a white VM Jazz 5. Now... where can I get those 5-string Jazz humbuckers?? [/quote] http://www.dimarzio.com/pickups/bass/5-string-bass/ultra-jazz-5-pair These might be of interest. No hacking required.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1400102962' post='2450909'] I surely will. If I don't like it you can have first refusal on it. [/quote] I'd go for a 4. And you know you'll need it to keep your guitarist happy

Survey complete, because I admire your audacity.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1400095576' post='2450769'] OK Dave, I've pulled the trigger on a white VM Jazz 5. Now... where can I get those 5-string Jazz humbuckers?? [/quote] Let me know how you get on. I've had my head turned by these this week!

[quote name='Middleofnowhere' timestamp='1399925734' post='2449102'] Hey guys, Thanks for all the advice, seems like a great community. Any way I managed to get a Overwater by Tanglewood classic J on ebay for £122. Not my first choice but I think it was a good deal for my first bass. It should arrive by friday (don't know why I put the pirate, but he looks cool). Cheers [/quote] Congrats! That's a proper bargain!

I have stopped buying anything other than Rotosounds now. I've tried Ernie Ball, Elites, D'Addario and didn't get on with any of them. I'm using the RB40's which are the cheap as chips nickel wound ones. Yet to let me down.

It comes down to price for me. All of the things you listed in your first post define a price which will ultimately skew our perception of whether a bass is high end or not. The few basses that tick all of the 'quality' boxes without a hefty price tag (Squier CV and Yamaha spring to mind) are still labelled 'budget' or 'mid range'.

Lovely! Congrats on the new bass!

Pictures!

Looks a lovely bass! How was the import/delivery process?

[quote name='Middleofnowhere' timestamp='1399638848' post='2446143'] Ok so seen a few you tube vids on that sterling and love the sound and style is pretty cool especially in the walnut, pushing the limits of my budget but is def a maybe. Bass player i like, Matt Wong (ex Reel big fish) Matt freeman ( Operation ivy, Rancid) would like to play similar style. I have a separate budget for amp ext. will be hunting the second hand market here, also any online music shops that are likely to give discounts? I am not in a rush, so still have time to make a desissions and also get paid... [/quote] You have excellent taste in music Matt Wong played a 5 string MusicMan Stingray with Reel Big Fish so the SUB would be bang on. Matt Freeman actually plays Precision basses exclusively - he has his own Squier signature Precision but it would be a stretch on your budget (£370 new). The other thing to consider with Precisions is they have slightly wider neck profiles so if that is a concern you should probably steer clear.