such

Me too, with a slight difference: definitely the chorus, possibly the fuzz and/or overdrive, definitely the BlowTorch.

Demeter Compulator - 2 knobs (plus a trim pot on the side to adjust the treshold to match the level of your instrument) and very bass-friendly. I've got one and love it, does the job brilliantly, also in drop tunings and a 5-string. I want to swap it for the MXR M87, just because I plug different basses (and guitars) into it, with VERY different signal levels, and that trim pot is a bit difficult to adjust every time. When I was shopping for the compressor and trying different ones, the Compulator was my favourite sound-wise though (I admit I didn't have a chance to try a Diamond or Rothwell), sort of tidies the signal up and makes it more focused without changing the general tone of the bass.

I used to live in Cardiff years ago, there was a jumbo-shaped SX acoustic bass guitar hanging at Gamlins (iirc) for £200, I've tried it a few times and quite liked it, more than any other inexpensive ABG. They make good instruments, especially for the money.

I'd prefer chrome if it had the classic pickups in chrome cans. That's what I liked in the looks of the old Thunderbirds. It still is a sexy bass though.

I guess they just moved production from Japan to Mexico and didn't bother announcing this fact, or the upgrades.

TRBboy, I've never had a 414 or 424, but did compare them at stores a lot (even A/B a couple of times) - they sound very much the same, but feel a bit different, 424 is stiffer, you can certainly feel what that laminated neck and 45 degree string-thru-body are doing. I'm not entirely sure, but I also think that the neck is a bit thicker on 424 as well, but maybe it felt that way because of its greater stiffness. I want to get a Candy Apple Red BB424x, looks very rock with that black pg, and they don't offer that colour in more expensive models

the OLP (OIP ) looks like the real thing, they made two pickup versions towards the end of production. If it's one of those and it's really unused, the price is good. Still, I wouldn't do business with that shop.

the pickups did hum a bit on mine when soloed, but nothing worse that average jazz-style single coils. Actually, probably much quieter than average. Dead quiet with both on. To make it clear on the electronics (there's a lot of misleading info on the net): there's a typical 2-band EQ plus a sweepable contour knob (mid cut, bass & treble boost) with an on-off switch. The knob controls the frequencies on the cut and boost (the frequencies change for the whole range, not just for the mid cut but also for the lo and hi boost), the amount of boost/cut is fixed. I'm sure you'll find your favourite positions of this knob, quite possible to get convincing stingrayish tones! And many more. Basically, two very different sounds at a flick of the switch.

good choice! had one before (see my avatar), sold stupidly, regret ever since! Now I have a BB415 that I bought for 80 quid from a former Jethro Tull bassist, keeps me happy, sounds just as good (if very very different) as 605.

perhaps marketing simulations told them that buying this bass wouldn't increase sales enough.

no, the post above says that the bass was reassembled and refinished by Jaco's techs.

I'm not a Metallica fan, I'm a Jaco fan. And I think it's ok that Trujillo played a couple of songs on this bass after paying million dollars for it to buy it off bad people and return it to the Pastorius family.

I like! Right after the Electra VS4 was announced, I asked them if there will be a Jazz-type model in this cheaper line, but they said no. Glad they've come to their senses

Guy Pratt's masterclass was announced to take place on Saturday. Cool

I actually do like the tuners, I just wish they were a tiny bit lighter, as the headstock is long, and there's five of them on it. As for the bridge, some aftermarket ones are even longer than that extended bit, which should help. What really bothers me (I haven't mentioned before) is having to pull the entire length of strings through those holes, I much prefer the "quick release" bridges. Basically, it only really bothers me when I'm changing strings (like every 2 months or so), not in everyday use. One upgrade that will be made for sure is the Hipshot string retainers. Oh, the pickup selector switch has been swapped for Switchcraft (iirc) a couple of months ago as the stock one was crap.

MIM Classic '50s P was the best Fender-made Precision bass that I've tried, and I've tried many of them - consistently very good instruments, as has (so far) always been the case with the MIM Classic series. So I personally don't get comments with suggestion to sell it and get a "better quality" American bass. Don't know what that better quality means, I admit I did like some finishes and hardware better on MIA Fenders, but sound- and playability-wise the MIM Classics were better every time. To the OP - you said you want more bottom and midrange - is your bass' tone treble-heavy then?

I don't think I care for this particular player, or that I'm interested in hearing his band - but this bass looks sexy, Steve Harris meets Marcus Miller, would just swap that single pot for a Stellartone Tonestyler [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3ynhcgxgzo[/media] I'm pretty sure I see a BadAss there, while Fender's website mentions the typical Classic Vibe bridge. I wish they would come up with a Classic Vibe standard Jazz with a maple fingerboard, those block and bindings wouldn't hurt either...

Depends on what you want. I will eventually replace the tuners with some ultralites (by Hipshot probably) to reduce the neckdive. It's not an issue really, and especially since getting a wide padded strap it's almost non existant, but I really like this bass and want to make it as close to perfect as possible. Otherwise the tuners are really good quality, if you find the ergonomics comfortable, no reason to swap them. The bridge will be swapped in order to improve the B string, but only if I find one with the anchor point of the string moved further back to the edge of the body, and preferably also lower (closer to the surface of the body), to increase the angle on the saddle, an the tension of the string. Again, you may find the stock bridge perfectly fine, I've had my BB415 since January and haven't got round to making those changes, which probably means I'm quite happy with it It is a very good bass, probably can get even better and I will make it so when I'm sure that I have good ideas how to do it

I've got a BB415 and I'm happy with it. Will do some upgrades to improve the B string (Hipshot string retainers, bridge maybe), but it's not bad as it is. You could also look into the newer BB425, with what I believe to be real upgrades, like laminated neck and that 45 degree string-thru bridge. Or BB1025 if your budget lets you. There's also few other BB models, like all those from the '90s - BB G5, 405, 605 (which I've had and want one again, won't be so stupid to sell it this time, promise!). All very good basses, especially for the prices they go for.

looking at a lower shelf, how do the ATK200 compare to the earlier ATK300?

Even I like it. Seems to have that thick CV-like neck finish. Jazz pickup can help with overt muddiness without the misalignment issues of the Modern Player Tele. And the 32" scale should be a good compromise too, tried a MIJ 32" Jazz once and loved it! Normally I'm into 34 or 35" more modern basses, but wouldn't mind adding this one for a different flavour. And least Fender are trying to come up with something different lately.

I used to use EHX lpb2ube for this when I was using a very clean Kustom amp.