Marc S

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

Good morning jeanmarienoe, What sort of upgrades are you thinking of? Most people start with upgrading the pickups, and possibly the electrics. Some then fit a more chunky, high mass bridge, perhaps some better tuners.... Or are you thinking of changing the bass for another model? If the latter, then I'd say just go out & try as many as you can, and draw up a shortlist of the features you want.... and see what fits the bill and is comfortable to play, and gives you the sound you want..... The Fender Precision bass is pretty much the stable of bass guitars and a must have for most players - everyone should own at least one If you want / need another bass - why not have two? Keep the P bass and buy something a bit different from a P.... that way, you'll have a choice and a bit of flexibility in your sound. PS. This is also a slippery slope BTW.. it can turn into "why not have three?" lol If you're looking to upgrade the bass you own, there are a myriad of choices on all aspects of hardware upgrades, and everyone will have their own recommendations. My Mex built Roadworn P was great, but I "improved" it by having a luthier add a Jazz pickup, to make it a P/J, then upgraded the P pickup to an Entwistle PBXN. Entwistle PBXN's and JBXN's are awesome pickups, despite their relatively low cost. I also improved the wiring with a very nice wiring kit from Kiogon on this forum.... I don;t think I'd be tempted to have an extra pickup installed in an anniversary model though, as it may be deemed as de-valuing a future collectible bass? Of course, there are some who wouldn't have P/J'ed their Roadworn P like I did either... each to their own lol

[quote name='gjones' timestamp='1500034913' post='3335264'] My old band got offered a gig at the HMRC fraud team's Christmas party. I kid you not. We made our excuses and wriggled out of it. I wonder if they would have paid us in cash? [/quote] Like flies steering clear of the web eh? lol I wonder whether they got a band for that function?

I'd go for the option of at least just trying the marker pen first. You never know - it might just work... Failing that, Beedsters suggestion of wood dye is the next step.... Always try the cheaper option first, especially if it does the least "damage" Beedsters point above, re a new board not "singing" right or sounding and even feeling the same is also a valid point. A pal of mine used to have an old Precision, which had been de-fretted. The board had been treated rather poorly in the past, the fret slots hadn't been filled very tidily at all - looked a bit of a mess. However, he had a new board put on it, at considerable cost, and it never quite felt or sounded the same again. So much so, that he sold the bass, and bought... you guessed it - another old Precision (with worn frets) and de-fretted it..... My fretless (Jazz) is lined, and I know I much prefer it. Oddly enough, I don't mind the dots on the side of the neck being in the "wrong" place either - it seems to work for me anyway

[quote name='bornagainbass65' timestamp='1499719114' post='3333171'] I saw Eric Bibb at Cheltenham Jazz - very good bluesman. [/quote] I saw Eric Bibb a few years back - what an amazing player, and such a great singer... but a really nice guy too! Re Folk By The Oak - I'd love to go one year. Time & money don't allow it atm though..... one year, I'll definitely try it though

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1499696521' post='3332980'] I'm sure it is subjective, but you did say " ..returned to playing bass...". Maybe that makes a difference? I've not ridden a bike in years, but I know I can still do it. If I started now, would I be as quick to get on there for the first time?... [/quote] I started playing bass when I was around 19 or 20 years old. Played a few years, then the band split up and life got in the way.... I took it up again after an absence of of over 20 years. I think it was about 25 years actually! For me, I could recollect a few things; some simple bass-lines, which string was which, what some of the notes on the fretboard were - but it really was like starting again. In fact, of the few bass-lines / songs I could remember or partly remember - I couldn't play any more.... my fretting and plucking was all over the place, timing-wise and accuracy of positioning It might be different for some, but it's not quite like riding a bike. Once you've got that sense of balance and how the movement etc keeps you from falling off a bike, I don't think you lose that. But playing an instrument and the precise movements involved in fretting and plucking - well they do get very rusty. Also, when I started again, I was back to square one re getting sore finger tips.... EDIT: It's never too late - just enjoy playing music

As has already been said - we all lose a bit of motivation from time to time.... it's just natural I had a painful condition with my foot, a short while back - that really did for me. I just couldn't stand while playing and my "mojo" just seemed to ebb away very quickly. However, it did come back... then the band I was playing slap DB in folded - well, we got a new "lead" member, but the new style doesn't involve so much slapping... however, the bass is still there, still being played, and I do a bit of slap from time to time If I were you, just play some rockabilly or Rock & Roll tracks on CD / MP3 or whatever - listen to the music when in your car, or out & about... that should make you want to get home & play your DB Good luck with it

[quote name='Jacqueslemac' timestamp='1485544145' post='3224872'] Welcome. You've certainly come to the right place to end up spending lots of money on basses! [/quote] Yes indeed! We all seem to spend too much money on basses on this forum Your English seems pretty good to me Kalwynn.... Welcome to BC - bonjour! From Wales Je suis un Galois - did I get that right? See, your English is better than my French lol

Also, recently, these have come to my attention (think Jack was selling one a short while back?) http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/EKO-ITALY-BRANDONI-CUSTOM-TRAVEL-ELECTRIC-BASS-GUITAR-/391737069926?hash=item5b35595166:g:9igAAOSwol5Y1QiY They're more expensive, but these do look good, and I was quite tempted - but I bought Jack's KK Baby bass instead! Not quite so portable but portable for a Double Bass....

[quote name='goingdownslow' timestamp='1499275344' post='3330485'] I have never been a dancer. Although I like some music it does not really make me want to move other than tap my foot or nod my head in time....... .....I know it is just me. [/quote] Yet another one who is no natural dancer here! And another who knows only too well, it isn't "just you" - there are plenty of us around, re all your other points in your reply too However, in my "non-natural" dance way and mannerisms, I kind of feel as though my bass is something between me & the audience. It's a sort of "comfort blanket" so to speak, or a buffer if you like. Maybe because I have a bass around my neck, and I mic nearby (sometimes) perhaps the audience sort of "expects" some movement from me? I do think because I've always tapped my feet when learning to play, it has at least helped improve my sense of rhythm, and helped me make some body movements that are in time with the music. I know it's easy to look a bit of a fool, or at least a bit awkward - but does playing an instrument give you something of a licence to move around at least a bit? lol