Lw.

Last week not last night, thought I’d posted this but seemingly not. My hard-rock/metal band (Versus Ursus) played The Purple Turtle in Reading again – it really is a great venue; well organised, decent stage area, nice sounding PA with monitors that actually work! The two other bands on the bill played great & as a nice change from the usual multi-band originals nights they were of a similar genre to us so there was some good cross-over for the crowd. Was my first gig with my new bass – the precision tone cut through brilliantly, honestly can’t believe I’ve steered away from P’s all these years! Slightly annoyingly my amp went into power-protection mode twice during sound-check which is weird & did put me off a little but I changed plug socket for the set and it didn’t do it again so hopefully it was just a dodgy socket. We played well & had some nice feedback from the crowd both during the set & after when we were drinking – of which we did a lot as it was a local gig so none of us had to drive!

Nice bass! Interestingly I didn't used to like the feeling of the alu pickguard either when I tried out a few of those MiM 50's ones though everything else on them was great - I've since bought a slightly relic'd version of one thinking I'd replace the guard straight away (potentially with something tort-y) but I don't notice the texture at all so maybe it's only an issue when the alu is new? Perhap a bit of wearing in is required, then you get to keep the smart looking gold...

Ibanez? Their budget range basses are pretty good. Though maybe that's because they're a budget brand that tart things up to be expensive not an expensive brand that make cheaper versions.

I'm sure your feedback is fine, I'm not suggesting anything negative about you - it's just that what you're describing could clearly be used to scam people. Though you seem to have removed the paypal part now which was the dodgy bit - if you're bank transfering then that's obv fine & hopefully someone will be able to help.

[quote name='dood' timestamp='1488555550' post='3250013'] P.s., I totally agree on the P Bass thing. J bass... maybe a Ray too, but I don't own one of those yet. [/quote] I think a Precision, a Jazz & a modern/active bass (could be covered by a 'Ray) are the bare minimum of what a bassist should have - you're holding yourself back if you can't cover these ;-)

Whilst I'm sure it's not as you seem to have posted a fair amount on the forum, that really does read like a scam which is why you might be struggling. For it £600 purchase wouldn't it be safer all round to just get the train to London?

[quote name='radiophonic' timestamp='1488530635' post='3249649'] I have P-bass GAS. I just really want one. Black and maple or White and Maple. [/quote] This sounds like me for the last few months, I crumbled last week! I'm sure there's a fretless 70's one in the classifieds at the moment...

Looking good - you can't beat a nice old P!

I'd ditch the Flea & Geddy of they were mine, I don't think they offer anything over your other two. Different string types is a good excuse for keeping them all though - two with rounds & two with flats, you know - for just in case!

NBD! I've wanted a precision for ages & have been looking for about the last three months, trying everything in sight. I found the one last month & had a nervous wait waiting for my funds to become available - finally received them on Friday so rushed out to buy this bad boy! Fender Custom Shop Journeyman Relic 1957 P bass. The relic'ing is quite light on the body, just a bit of checking really but the neck is why I bought it - beautifully worked in! I don't know much about the Fender neck shapes but this apparently has a "Soft-V" and it's super comfy to play, pretty chunky but very nice! I'm not the best photographer & there's a decisive lack of natural light but here's a quick shot: [url="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/greeb0uk/media/2017_0228_20502000_zpsfrzfph6x.jpg.html"][/url]

If you're going to get a P then a couple of the shops on Denmark street have vintage 60's ones in stock (can't remember the specific years though sorry). I was in Wunjos on Friday buying a slightly more modestly priced but still absolutely killer P myself - they've got some great stuff in at the moment & are good guys to deal with.

For the best headphone experience I'd get the Phil Jones bighead. You can then get a gigging amp later down the line when needed.

I play with my active Warwick in passive mode all the time, I never did a lot of EQing on the bass anyway - I did feel the active circuitry made the tone slightly more defined but that gets completely lost anyway as soon as you start using some overdrive (which I have "always on" in the band I currently use the Warwick with).

I played on one last month - honestly didn't notice the frets at all & I was specifically looking out for them. This was a jazz & it was very similar to my American Standard jazz - nice bass. £1500 is a lot of money though.

Touche Amore & Angel Du$t at the Islington Academy last night - great gig! Angel Du$t were very fun surfy-punk. Touche Amore I've seen loads of times before & they're consistently one of the tightest bands I've ever seen live. Their sound was unbelievably clear last night - you could hear the definition of every note which makes a pleasant change from the general mush most London venues seem to turn heavy music into!

I don't know what a Rocksmith is but otherwise; set-up/action is not generally a brand specific thing, yes the Warwick you've borrowed has a high action for you but that doesn't mean they all will or that changing brands to a different make will get rid of the issue. I think the BB424x's are great basses for the money - I was really impressed by the one I played the other week. Buying used is always a great idea for basses but especially when looking at the cheapy/generic-looking stuff like the bottom end Yamaha's & most Ibanez's - they just come up so frequently used the prices just drop off a cliff. Some Squiers can be decent but some are absolute rubbish and some of the used ones are ridiculously over priced for what they are. The best thing you can do is take your money & spend a load of time in whatever music shops you can get to then have a noodle on everything they'll let you touch. Then buy whichever is the nicest you can afford!

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1487773871' post='3242695'] OK, now we've got that sorted, can we make a decision on the degree of relic'ing he's allowed this year? [/quote] Or he could just get a Squire & spend the rest of the budget on a nice watch?

Every bassist needs a P & a J derived bass - you know what to do! A vintage jazz would be lovely, in addition to the shops mentioned Wunjos & that one over the road on Denmark Street often have vintage Fenders pass through their doors & are often worth a look. You could of course go for a custom jazz-type bass but you do run the risk of having not scratched the Fender Jazz itch & so could end up having to buy one later down the line anyway...

I have one of their little class-D heads - can't really fault it for the money, has a surprisingly premium look & feel considering how cheap they are. I know sound is the most important part for cabs but their cabs do look dog-ugly & more than a little bit like those cheapo Thomann ones - could be a reason why you don't see too many of them around?

Out of those three I'd go for the American Standard - they're great instruments, real quality in feel and sound. Whilst the Ibanez would undoubtedly be a nice bass, as others have said; I'd only ever buy a used one. Their value plummets as soon as you leave the shop as unfortunately they're just not really seen as a premium brand. Depends what you want it for I guess, if it has a sound you like & you're not interested in re-sale value then the Ibanez would be a nice bass to have. But I've never thought of Ibanez basses having a particular sound (unlike the other two) & when I've seen other people using them I've never thought "I need one of those in my life!".

[quote name='Fisheth' timestamp='1487414500' post='3239593'] They're essentially Orange amps aren't they? [/quote] Absolutely not! Yes they've shared some history in the past but it wasn't just a transfer of workers & the current offerings from the two are completely different on the inside.

If I were spending that kind of money on a tube amp it'd go on a matamp GT200. Their prices have just jumped up a bit but I still think they're the best in class.

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1487268504' post='3238541'] Did that. It did nothing for me. "It takes all sorts to make a world..." [/quote] Congratulations? The OP asked why buy a roadworn - I'd say the feel. There's no point explaining feel when it's easily experienced first hand. I've played a few (though never bought one) & think they feel fantastic. You've played at least one & didn't like it. These two points are irrelevant as the OP doesn't have our fingers.

How far away is your nearest GuitarGuitar? Many of these kinds of questions can be answered by simply going to a shop & playing one.

You play a Tokai Hardpuncher but don't like fakes? Hmm... [insertnotsureifseriousfrymemehere]