Marc S

I've recently become a real fan of the P/J pickup arrangement. It really is so flexible Each time I now play a straight P at rehearsal, jam or gig.... I wish I'd brought my P/J instead lol Don't see many of these around. I don't need one, but if I came across one in a shop - I'd have to try it If it played well, I must admit, I'd be tempted. As they get older, the value / price will increase, I'm sure

I've found this problem a few times - not just on Precisions, and not just on my own basses (sometimes a pals bass, or at an open mic, or one in a shop) Others have also said they had this issue, and found it was solved with a good pro-setup, with new strings.... Getting the pickup height right can be an important factor too. If the top of the pickup is fully adjusted to be too far away from the E string, the signal may be weaker. But beware, as if it is too close this can have an adverse effect too. Especially with heavier gauge E string - if it's too close, a powerful magnet may stop the string from vibrating freely. I've heard people refer to this as "choking" I've fitted Entwistle PBXN's and JBXN's to both my P/J Precisions. Try the PBXN and don't let the low price tag fool you. You will need to rout a deep channel in the middle of your pup cavity - but the deep, huge magnets on PBXN's give them a BIG output. Best passive pups I've ever come across..... Start with the simplest of options though - a set up

I'm generally louder with a pick too. Or is it that in certain songs, pick playing means some frequencies cut through better? But I just tend to use my ears to judge, and tweak the volume control on the bass to suit.... Helps if you can sound check both options too

Great stuff! I'm envious that you got to play the bass that was used on such a great record! I'm amazed at just how much P bass necks seem to vary. But is it possible that a pro luthier has slimmed this one down a bit? Would be great to know. I prefer a C shaped P neck too...

Hope you've started learning the songs & rehearsing with the band and hope it's working out for you. As you're a "dep" I don't think you should get bored - particularly as you're quite new to playing... Maybe join another project too - a start-up band, playing more of your favoured genre If I were you, I'd be pleased that experienced musicians have asked you to do this.... And you will learn far more, playing in a tight, established band than you would in a band of newbies, or just playing on your own Let us know how you get on, and best of luck

I've played it live, in several bands - it always seems a fave, wherever I end up playing it, audience sing-alongs and clicking fingers aplenty Haven't listened to Peggy Lee's version for ages (must rectify that) - but I've never played a version that raises by semitones. That would be harder to play! I've always thought its a great tune on DB - almost written for the instrument

This is excellent news - so pleased for you Maybe pop back to where the gear had been stashed and take a photo - just to let the police know for sure.... Who knows, maybe someone saw suspicious behaviour, like some people hanging around, looking for your cabs?

Yes, you can use a two way switch - I've got an ABY switch (which I rarely use lol) Bear in mind, getting the EQ an levels right for 2 instruments on one channel can be tricky! I have a really tiny head with 2 separately controlled inputs. It's a Euphonic Audio (EA) 550W Micro head In truth, it's fine as-is for DB, but can be a bit "flat" and hi-fi like for my ears, when plugging a bass guitar in So I usually end up using a DI / Preamp pedal to beef up the lows and low-mids

That looks quite similar to my first proper DB Mine was a Boosey & Hawkes Artia". Though I believed mine t be from the 1980's Looks nice, and as though it has seen some use, and has character Loved my B&H - wish I had room to have kept (her)

Hi Paul, I'm nowhere near Ilkeston - never been there. Did they film Billy Liar (the 1962 film there?) - Just saying hello from South Wales I played for a few years, as a young man - but gave up for over 20 years! I'm just glad I took up the bass again, and wish I'd never given up However, like yourself, I'm just glad to be doing it now. It's never too late Welcome to BC. Join in with the discussions, but be careful of looking at the marketplace too long (like I do! LOL) Marc

[quote name='paul_c2' timestamp='1500383770' post='3337341'] I have bought a (non-genuine) tort scratchplate ready to go on. It needs a little bit of a tweak around the neck area, so I'll carefully have to do this, then it will be ready to go on. Of course, I'll keep the white one. I might change it to a black one, or a mirror-finish one, later. Variety is the spice of life, after all. [/quote] A 3 ply (Black, white, black) would look fab on this bass - or a mirror one... either would just add to it aesthetically IMO The white is fine, of course, but either black or mirror is nicer... hmm... or tort of course But as you say, keep the original - just in case

I have one of these, which is fretless. I absolutely love the tone and the feel and playability of my Japan Jazz It could do with a visit to my local (fab) luthier Dave Dearnaley, for a bit of a set-up tweak - but I just don't want it out of the house atm I'm really a fretted bass player, but I like having the fretless around to just play with, and if it goes to Dave's workshop, it'll be there maybe a week till I can get time to collect it again lol It's also fairly light, in comparison to other Jazzes I've played and owned - though I don't have a scale to weigh it properly, it just feels fairly light and comfortable. Mine is also black, with rosewood board (but has a tort plate - which isn't original) I think you had a good buy. As you say, you don't see too many Fender Japan Jazzes knocking around second-hand. Mine does exactly what I want of it, and I can't see me parting with it either Happy NBD!

[quote name='SH73' timestamp='1500307387' post='3336821'] Have you reported it? I would start searching e bay, gumtree, schpock and local pawn shops. [/quote] Really really sorry to hear of this awful incident As others have said, keep an eye on Gumtree, ebay and local Facebook selling groups, and cash converter shops Hope you get your gear back. Best of luck

[quote name='Sean' timestamp='1500334684' post='3337068'] Buy one used on this forum and you will lose very little or nothing. Buy new and you'll be looking at losing 40%. [/quote] This definitely. I'm with you on not wanting to lose too much on re-sales - most of the basses I've ever owned have been second-hand In fact, I think I've only ever bought a new bass once EDIT: There's one for sale here on this very forum. I have dealt with Paul S before, and he's an absolute top BC'er and great guy to deal with..... I'm not on 10% though - I promise! lol http://basschat.co.uk/topic/305975-yamaha-bb425-black-excellent-condition-now-l250/page__p__3330408__hl__yamaha__fromsearch__1#entry3330408

[quote name='AndyBass' timestamp='1500134988' post='3335856'] .......Then when you realise there's nothing left to learn, convince yourself you don't sound good enough and spend ££££s trying to find the perfect set of strings [/quote] Feeling (partly) the same as the OP, as since my last reply, The band I was playing DB in has folded - that's the 3rd one in a year I'm in several bands I play bass guitar in, but I know my DB playing and my slapping will wane if I'm not doing it in a band.... Then I saw AndyBass's reply above and it cheered me up

A lot of people on here will recommend Kiogon, if you decide to change the wiring He does several custom wiring kits, like vintage cloth covered wire etc, and his kits can be made "solder free" - so you use screw connectors, if you don't like doing soldering. These are very easy and quick to fit.... I'd start with the pickup first though - it's a fairly simple upgrade. Only thing with the Entwistle PBXN (forgot to mention before) Is that the magnets are much larger (deeper) than a standard P bass pickup - so you need to rout out a deeper channel at the bottom of the pickup cavity to accommodate this. Also, I'd use the standard pickup cover, rather than the Entwistle one - as they aren't quite the same size.... Using your existing Fender pickup cover means you won't have to adjust your scratchplate.... Of course, there are plenty of other pickups available. I mentioned the Entwistles as they are comparatively inexpensive..... Another approach to beefing up your sound / more EQ options, is to leave your bass well alone, and get yourself a bass Preamp pedal, like the Sansamp. I use the MXR bass preamp, as it also has a separately switched distortion feature. A cheaper alternative is the Behringer Preamp - they're not expensive, in fact, they're great value for money (a tad noisy when cranking up the treble - but still pretty good) Let us know what you decide to do - but make sure you have researched how to do any modifications and get some advice from other BC'ers