thebassist

Great experience. Next we need to get Robert Trujillo to let us have a go on Jaco's Bass of Doom.

Actually I did try an Overwater J-style bass and that was brilliant. I'll check out some of those other brands you mentioned too but those newer American Standard Fenders, post-2012, seem to be excellent. I've played three so far and they've all been pretty damn good. The second one I played locally (sunburst/rosewood) is still available and was my favourite so maybe I should just go buy it before somebody else snaffles it up. Thanks a lot for the advice.

The Fodera Emperor I played today was awesome but after playing around with it for about 40 minutes I don't think it's going to work for me. I then played a couple of nice Overwaters that my mate had - they were superb but they're both 5 stringers and I'm after a 4 or a couple of 4s. I also played my friends American Standard Fender Jazz and Precision and loved them both. They were set up beautifully and obviously had those lovely classic vintage passive tones. Despite desperately wanting to jump in and buy some equipment I'm going to continue searching because none of those higher end basses really felt 'right' for me and I'm starting to lean more towards traditional basses right now.

Bravewood?

Yes I saw that video and they do sound pretty good but, like you, I'm not massively convinced they're far better than other Jazz Bass pickups on the market. Hopefully, somebody on here has used them because Jayme, the guy in that video, is an Aguilar endorsee and while I've got no reason not to believe him or anything, it'd be good to get a truly independent opinion if possible.

I'm so glad I asked for your opinions gentlemen - in addition to the great advice shared, an old band mate has just contacted me off the back of this thread saying he's got an Emperor 4-string that he may be interested in selling so I'm off to Brentford and then onto Denmark Street instead this Saturday. And I played brand new 2013 Fender American Standard Jazz/Precision Basses yesterday. While I did quite like the Precision, it didn't really do it for me but I was really impressed with the Jazz - I've always liked J-style basses but I think the revamped post-2012 Fender model is a pretty incredible instrument. So I'm considering one of those with pickup replacements - maybe the Aguilar AG 4J-HC if I can get some opinions on them. I think my budget will pretty much enable me to get either a Fodera or at least two other basses so roll on Saturday.

Has anyone fitted some Aguilar AG 4J-HC to their Jazz Bass/other J-style bass?

Thanks a lot - that's nice of you to say. That's a very old recording - the later material is even more minimal than that and certainly won't be to many peoples taste.

I'm going to Bass Gear on Saturday to try their Monarch and while I'm there I'll try out a load of their other basses. Thanks for the input all.

Great resource. Thanks - I'll definitely use that a lot. "Total import duty & taxes due: £738.70" - scandalous amount isn't it.

Isn't import duty and VAT the same thing? While Jason at Fodera tell me they have these available to ship now, I've since decided that I definitely don't want to take a risk buying a bass like this without playing it first so I'll go down to Bass Gear, test it and if I like it I'll try to work out a deal there.

I've played a four Fodera's before and I've loved all of them but I’ve never actually owned one. Brilliantly bassgear.co.uk have the example I want available in stock so I'll be getting down there to have a test this weekend. It is however priced £4190 whereas the same bass will cost about £2895 directly from Fodera. Even considering import duty, £1295 is a considerable mark up. I suppose I could wait for a used one to crop up but I’ve not found one of these become available second hand yet.

I don't want or intend this thread to get into any kind of debate about whether a Fodera is value for money, etc. but I'd appreciate some opinions from people. My budget will enable me to purchase either: 1. A Fodera Monarch 4 Standard ...or... 2. A combination of these: Fender American Deluxe Precision Fender American Standard Jazz Fender American Standard Precision Music Man Stingray Music Man Sterling Suggestions? I've never bought a bass without playing it first and unfortunately I wouldn't be able to try the Fodera before actually buying it so it's a bit of a gamble if I went that route. That is my biggest concern with the Fodera - A LOT of cash on a bass I can't play before buying.

I checked out a taster lesson there and wasn't really enamoured by Nathan East's overly genteel (in my opinion) approach. Now if John Patitucci had done the electric bass version too I'd have gone for it.

Anybody tried tonygreybassacademy.com, labasslix.com or any other online bass tuition courses?

[quote name='JamesFlashG' timestamp='1385135927' post='2284888'] i have one for sale in the market place for £650 ;] case tools and original documents included [/quote] Got a link to the sale page?

I can't remember a playing a bad USA Precision Bass. I have one next on my list.

That '64 doesn't look right? Had clay markers?

[quote name='EddieG' timestamp='1384457313' post='2277033'] Yeh, I really did and John said a while back that he would strip the epoxy and fret it for me. But when it came down to it I felt that the bass was built to be a fretless, and it should stay that way. The fella who bought it was really impressed too, but because the fretboard followed the shape of the '62 Jazz closely he couldn't get the action down where he wanted, so sold it on but the buyer is over the moon with it, so I think it's found a permanent home. And if I had the money that John's asking [i]now[/i] I think I'd get a fretted one built. His work is unrivalled in my opinion. [/quote] I agree. I'd probably have a 10/10 condition one though. My genuine beat up '64 Jazz did look different to my beat up Bravewood. I don't think you can fake the tobacco filmed body and the thousands of hours playing time put on the neck.

[quote name='EddieG' timestamp='1384388057' post='2276238'] I previously owned a Bravewood "Jaco" fretless, it was the first that John ever built. I've never owned or played a Fender CS relic, but based on pictures I've seen John's work smokes the Custom Shop in my opinion. For instance, the Jaco Pastorius relic was about £3.5k when I ordered my Bravewood, and the wear patterns looked like they'd been masked off with a stencil and sprayed around! They might have improved now, but they looked very amateurish back then, and nowhere near worth that much. My Bravewood was a great sounding bass, the neck was absolutely amazing, the back looked like the neck of an old cello or something, and if it had been a fretted bass I'd still have it. [/quote] I had a Bravewood Jaco fretless too - I wish I'd kept it and had it fretted now. Did you ever consider doing that?