thebassist

I run a vinyl only/digital label myself - the digital side of things, as has been said already, is easy enough to do. Get a Bandcamp, iTunes, Amazon account, etc. Physical distribution is a much trickier proposition in my opinion. I started out distributing directly to stores, some of the ones mentioned, but because I was a new label, they would generally only deal with me on a sale or return basis which was a pain in the arse but to be expected quite frankly. A few of the shops never paid up and the ones that did pay were generally a nightmare when coughing up the cash. Barring one store, I ALWAYS had to chase five or six times before they got tired I guess and finally paid. Frustrated by this, I then approached and did a deal with a known distributor. Another major pain in the arse awaited. When everything was said and done and I'd paid for shipping, they'd taken their 25%, etc., etc. it really wasn't worth my while. Plus, the distributor was like the shops. I always had to send constant chaser emails and call them to pay up what they owed me. It really sucked the fun out of it. Now all the vinyl released via my label is sold via the web site, the Bandcamp page, etc. Overall I much prefer it this way and don't intend to ever work with shops/distributors again. You're dealing with the end consumer yourself and minimise the amount of outsiders you have to deal with which is a lot easier in my opinion. Like you, the label isn't my main source of income thankfully - it's a hobby and I'd much prefer to spend my spare time dealing with artists, customers, design, playing bass than chasing shops for money they owe me. Artist payment structure - I don't deal with contracts at all. It's all done with a handshake, a virtual handshake too generally seeing as the artists can be anywhere around the world. The artist receives 10% of the physical stock and then get 50% of all digital sales - they're also 100% free to release their music via their website, Bandcamp, etc. themselves whereby I get nothing at all. I'm not sure how many other small labels operate this way but I've found this to be a good approach. In fact, I've never needed to tweak this method.

[quote name='Chiliwailer' timestamp='1421447549' post='2661509'] What I'd love to see Fender CS doing for 2015, and not because I want one, but for a nice change, would be a regular P and J, not reliced, not vintage based, but a regular modern style with CS features like quarter sawn neck, hand selected light woods etc. Nowt against Relics, just saying. [/quote] Yes.

[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1421444539' post='2661460'] I'd have no problem with these if they were in addition to stuff people have been asking for for years. A better selection of colours, more PJs, P's with blocks.. But they just keep coming out with nowt-nor-summink doggerel that no-one is going to buy. [/quote] Yes.

I'll be sticking with US Standards...

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1421312620' post='2659602'] A solid state amp and fifteen inch speaker is still my favourite combination too, the science and my ears disagree sometimes I think the USA standard fenders are better than some people realise, I'm very happy with mine and the others in two different shops had no issues either. Enjoy and I've got white bass gas again now, thanks! [/quote] I bought some Aguilar hum cancelling pickups and installed them in my 2013 4-string US Standard Fender Jazz . They were very good pickups but the custom shop Fender pickups are actually superb themselves and I underestimated them so I took the Aguilar's out again and stored them. That's the one potential drawback, depending on your personal opinion, with your 5-string US Standard Fender Jazz dude. The pickups are great but they're not the CS model versions. A bit naughty from Fender in my opinion. And I think I'm going to buy the same model Fender Jazz you've got now, but I might get it in olympic white

Drive.

Congratulations. Beautiful bass in a beautiful colour.

[quote name='No lust in Jazz' timestamp='1421152912' post='2657664'] The Fender label or 'other' label isn't the issue for me. If I factor in a host of other variables such as, pick up choice, strings, pick or fingers, valves or SS, EQ settings, speaker cabs there is a very real chance that I'll disappear up my own 'starfish' and forget that this is all about playing music. [/quote] Spot on.

[quote name='The Badderer' timestamp='1421017372' post='2656351'] With fender it seems to all be about the dreaded quality control. If you knew that when you bought a new fender it would always be a "good" one then i doubt there would ever be any brand bashing. You know just what you're going to get as a Fender will just do what a Fender does, no more, no less. I guess where it falls down for some people is when people fork out money for a mid-high end Fender to end up disappointed due to getting a "bad" one. If they could mostly eliminate this situation then i think there would be much less Fender bashing. If they got the QC right then the only people moaning about Fenders would be idiots who buy a Fender expecting it to do things a Fender will never do because Fender stay in the niche that they occupy. The issue is the "bad" ones. I get both sides of the argument as I have a nice USA fender that I love, but i have 4 other gorgeous basses that are totally different to a Fender and do things a Fender will never do. [/quote] I agree with this. I reckon if you want a Fender, you should be sure to play it before parting with your cash.

I LOVE Fender

[quote name='bubinga5' timestamp='1420936215' post='2655367'] Hmm ive played one at Guitar Guitar, and to be honest it was just as floppy as any other Fender 5 string. not sure if its got to do with the way the saw there necks.? it just didn't feel tight and focused like an SR5's B string. [/quote] Yes, on reflection I think my statement that they've solved the B is actually wrong. I think I should have said they've solved it on some of the US Standard model Jazz Bass 5s. I've played maybe 5 of them and owned 2. The 2 I owned were great which is why I bought them but the other 3 were lacking. Not necessarily just on the B either. I love Fenders myself, but you definitely need to play before you buy in my opinion!

[quote name='jassbass' timestamp='1420882126' post='2654438'] Ive had a usa fender 5 didnt like the b string.i liked the spector sound but the body felt too small. I like yamahas and sandberg but gas got the better of me once again. I love my carvin xb75p so thats one im keeping. Yes im crazy but ive got to try a few [/quote] Have you tried the latest model US Standard Fender Jazz Bass V? They've solved the B issue.

I sold my all original '64 Jazz and then got the chance to buy it back a year later. My girlfriend at the time, and now wife, sold her car so I could get it back.

Oh that's quite tasty that.

I love pre Ernie Balls but only do rosewood fingerboards. Do they exist?!?

What a wonderful bass. Massive congratulations!

Sold a pedal to Martin. Great communication and instant payment. Superb to deal with.

Why does it have to be a heavy relic?