theyellowcar

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1398621692' post='2435862'] Two Ampeg 810 stacks gets my votes - silver cloth of course. [/quote] This. Or a massive silver cloth Fender Bassman stack.

Completely the opposite for me. I used to lust after Jazzes until I got my first Precision. To answer your question Fender Japan offer a 'Smart Size' Jazz bass and I'm pretty sure it's available in white with a rosewood board. You would obviously incur the risks associated with importing a bass from anywhere (shipping, taxes, language barrier for any service issues) but it sounds like it could be everything you want. http://www.fenderjapan.co.jp/jb62ss.html here you go

[quote name='Weststarx' timestamp='1398547092' post='2435217'] I was interested in the Fender FSR 'PJ Precision bass' in Seafoam Green but again was worried about the Jazz pickup being in the way. Shame because I absolutely love the colour. [/quote] I have to say I'm still tempted by that one, purely for the finish. The Jazz pickup has never been a problem for me, but that's more likely to be because I learnt on a P/J to start with, and then my Active P had been my only bass up until last summer when I bought a 'proper' passive P.

Very cool. Any idea whether it will actually sound as good as they make out?

Congrats on the new bass! I've come to a similar conclusion that a precision is all I need! Granted, one of my Precisions has a 3 band EQ and a Jazz pickup in the bridge but the sentiment still holds true

[quote name='paul_5' timestamp='1398018639' post='2429625'] http://usa.yamaha.com/products/musical-instruments/guitars-basses/el-basses/trbx/trbx304/?mode=model should be within your price range, available in white and get good reviews too... only thing it's got a maple/mahogany laminate neck and rosewood board. [/quote] Tried one of these today, genuinely great range of tones from the 5-way switch, and then good fine tuning with the EQ. The example I played felt solid, and the small touches such as thumb indents in the pickup made it a pleasure to play. For £250-260 new it's a bit of a bargain.

I tend to just carry a spare battery to anywhere that a failure would be problematic.

[quote name='howdenspur' timestamp='1398441796' post='2434190'] Think you might need a new name [/quote] This. It sounds like you've already sold it to yourself.

[quote name='Reversebird' timestamp='1398372022' post='2433556'] Thomann have dropped the price on these to £650 brand new free delivery. Only Pelham Blue but that's amazingly cheap for new Gibson. [/quote] That is truly ridiculous.

I've been a fan for a while, Peggy sang the blues really does stand out as one of the best basslines for me.

That is lush!!

I love that. It certainly put a smile on my face.

The rule of thumb in the used market seems to be around 50-60% of the ticket price, so £200 is spot on in my mind.

[quote name='tbonepete' timestamp='1398156774' post='2430908'] I don't know if this has changed, but my Blacktop precision (in pearl white) was definately made in Mexico, and very fine it was too. Only moved it on to concentrate exclusivley on 5ers! Cheers Pete [/quote] I stand corrected!

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1398012360' post='2429528'] I think that from 2011 onwards the MIMs seem to have a better reputation, fairly sure I read somewhere that they were upgraded or changed in some way. [/quote] They became about £200 more expensive In all seriousness though my 2011 Standard P feels more solid than my brother's MIM Standard Jazz from around 2004/2005. But then to completely debunk my theory, my Deluxe P (2004) feels better than both!

+1 on the Squier Jag. Cool finishes, nice neck, P/J pickups so potential to upgrade (as long as the string spacing lined up) I played a bunch of SS basses a couple of weeks ago because Ms Yellow was thinking about learning and my Precision would just be huge. The Jag was the one that stood out.

The bottom end of Fender's range is a bit jumbled up. The Blacktop and Modern Player basses are made in China, and based on feedback on here score highly on finish and build quality, but less on tone. The 'Standard' series is made in Mexico, and are solid across the board. I have 2 MIM basses - a Standard Precision (2011) and a Deluxe Precision (2004) and both are well built and sound great. I actually prefer the stock Fender pickups to the Seymour Duncans that I tested for a little while. The Mexican basses were renowned for poor quality control which I believe has improved, but make sure you try before you buy because there are 'bad' examples out there. Generally there's about £100 in it between a Modern Player and a Standard series bass - I would say purely from a budget perspective that if you found a MP that agrees with you then you're onto a winner. However you can pick up a used MIM Standard in the for sale section on here for £250-£300, which is £100+ less again than a new MP.

[quote name='HowieBass' timestamp='1397547372' post='2424921'] What was your string tension issue with the MM SUB? Going from roundwounds to flats of the same gauge usually increases tension and reduces compliance. If the rounds on the SUB had too much tension but you liked the sounds then try lighter gauge rounds; if the rounds had too little tension then go for heavier strings? PS: You say "trying out strings is a costly business. Vaguely considering a new amp" but surely a new amp is going to cost ten to twenty times more than a set of new strings?! [/quote] I suppose the only difference being you can't try out strings in a shop before you plonk your £20, it could get very expensive very quickly if you don't find your brand! I do agree with Howard though - rounds to flats is an extreme change and probably won't help with your tension problem. Need 'em tighter, buy a heavier gauge, need 'em floppier, buy a lighter gauge.

Prematurely hit post. See below.

[quote name='tom1946' timestamp='1397453314' post='2423959'] I'm REALLY glad they don't have maple boards I'd have to buy one if they did [/quote] Especially the white one.

Don't these look lovely! If my Jazz is anything to go by these will be decent basses. Just a shame they don't have maple fretboards! http://www.dv247.com/guitars/jandd-pb-vintage-1963-4-string-bass-guitar-fiesta-red--208552 http://www.dv247.com/guitars/jandd-pb-vintage-1963-4-string-bass-guitar-vintage-white--208551 http://www.dv247.com/guitars/jandd-pb-vintage-1963-4-string-bass-guitar-black--208553