such

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.

me too. I'd have bought it long ago if I had any sort of spending money right now. This bass, in this particular version, is my numero uno if I was to buy a 4-string now.

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.

I'm not saying it isn't, just wondering why players who have been well known for decades for playing their styles, need to be asked "so do you play slap?". And if they answer with something negative (I'm sure I've seen the word HATE there), why isn't it edited out? Wouldn't it be better to ask them if/how they practice, tips for gigs etc?

I would dislike it just as much, if it was a slapper talking about how much he hates plectrums.

I have no idea why the bassists from Offspring and Europe have been asked whether they play slap. Was it so they could have the opportunity to say how much they hate it and how it's only noise, not music? Or was the interviewer unprepared, so went with the most obvious question for interviewing random bass players: "so... do you play slap?". I guess you wouldn't ask Marcus Miller if he sometimes lowers his bass to knee level and bangs it with a pick... I don't play slap myself, but it's irritating when I have to read several times in a single issue how wrong it is to do so. Why spread the hatred?

Tried one on the last rehearsal - the singer bought it and put it in his little studio where we practice.

I share Stealth's view on it. Haven't tried the TonePrint thingy, but even without it it's a pretty amazing piece of kit for the price. Sounds really nice, is loud and nicely put together, has good EQ and DI. I like.

Haven't tried the Ibanez, but my band's singer (who's also a member here) bought the BG250 recently and I've played last rehearsal through it. Quality piece of kit. Nice overall quality feel, effective EQ, certainly loud enough for most situations, good DI (we've been recording new song ideas). Didn't play with the TonePrint thingy, even without it's worth the price though. As stated above, EBS Session are really good (I've tried the 60W one a couple of years back) and I like the look, sound and general concept even more, but they look a bit expensive compared to the TC in power to price regard.

Funny, just a couple of hours ago I was cleaning the house and I found TWO of those DVDs in one of the boxes that stuff from Thomann.de came in. And after that I saw the video also in my Youtube subscriptions, uploaded by Warwick people

Is the universe trying to tell me something?

wow, beautiful dense grained quartersawn neck <3

Saved it to watched, I'll see tomorrow how the bidding goes.