addam360

Okay strictly speaking I got this a couple of days ago but this is the first chance I've had to do a quick write up on it. First off, the bits that aren't the bass. The padded gig bag was surprisingly high quality with really thick padding. I won't hesitate to use it for gigs, however it does look cheap. The pocket on it is pretty big, easily enough for leads etc. The usual set of allen keys and a pole for tweaking the truss rod wheel wrap up the accessories. Luckily I know a guy with a real Stingray so I had something to compare to. This is my main thing to compare with. Honestly, before you plug it in at least, I can't see the difference between the Stingray and the Ray34. I've heard that Sterling is to MM what MIM basses are to Fender, but I can't agree with this. The Sterling quality is in a whole new league. There's not much to say on hardware specifics, the bridge, tuners etc all look and feel like the MM. Construction matches too, the neck is finished slightly differently but no worse and otherwise is shaped the exact same way. Even the fretwork is flawless. Action was set nice and low but Sterling can't really take the credit for this as much as where it was set-up again here in the UK. The strings have to go though. The paint job is of lower quality though. I got the natural model and can point out two spots already where the was something floating in the lacquer that shouldn't be. Things get a little different once you plug it in. From what I remember of the MM the Sterling has a slightly more restrained EQ. The bass isn't quite as booming and the highs are a little less piercing. The mid knob is nice to have, I usually run it just slightly boosted. All this being said, I am desperately in need of a new amp. None of this is negative, I wouldn't say this sounds any worse than the MM. In fact 90% of the time you wouldn't tell them apart, but the real Stingray just seems like it can get a bit more aggressive. That being said, I've heard the same thing about real 3EQ Stingrays, so maybe that's the reason. Overall, after all the hassle involved in choosing this new bass, I'm relieved to know I picked the right one. This bass is far more impressive than I's expected from a half price Stingray. It's virtually indistinguishable from the real thing. Pics to come soon.

[quote name='karlfer' timestamp='1407562490' post='2521778'] Link from the maestro who made it happen, and yup, I'm grateful [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/182246-la-cabronita-porazzo-custom-precision-build/"]La Cabronita 'Porazzo' Custom Precision Build[/url] [/quote] Very nice. Personally I prefer the white pickguard but everything else there looks great. I especially love the reverse headstock.

[quote name='karlfer' timestamp='1407524475' post='2521532'] Rather fond of mine as well [url="http://s1354.photobucket.com/user/Karl_Altdorfer/media/DSCF0575_zps91b798d2.jpg.html"][/url] [/quote] That's nice. What is it exactly? Looks a lot like the Cabronita P but the reverse neck, black guard and most of all the two saddle bridge have my intrigued.

Depends on a lot of things: - Matte black is always cool. - White pickguard on black is fine, black on black is usually too much (and keep the tort away from it). - Fully blacked out basses can be cool (MM Stealth Black Stingray, Fender Aerodyne etc). I also think certain combinations work for different genres of music. I know lots of people disagree but each genre does have a "look". All of the above is of course just my opinion.

The order has been placed, I will do some kind of mini review with pics in another thread when I've got it. Thanks for the advice everyone.

[quote name='mike_b' timestamp='1407166067' post='2517964'] You won't be dissapointed with one of these, I have one as my main bass and it sounds incredible, personally think its streets ahead of my modern player jazz bass in terms of tone [/quote] [quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1407166216' post='2517965'] Happily agree on that, they are amazing quality basses, I had one and a "real" Stingray at the time. Aside from the worn neck of the `98 Stingray, playability, sound, and construction quality I couldn`t tell them apart. [/quote] [quote name='Bolo' timestamp='1407170723' post='2518027'] +1 [/quote] Sounds like a good choice then. Pushed the price beyond what I was happy to pay but should be worth it. At least the cheaper one I found is the right colour and fretboard too.

Found the extra money, will be ordering a SBMM Ray34 this week unless told this would be a bad idea. Thank you, especially to everyone who said Stingray type bass.

Super long shot here, I don't suppose anyone knows of a pre-owned SBMM Ray34 or EBMM SUB sitting in a shop right now that could be in budget. £620 new on the Ray is the best I've found so far. Unfortunately it's a bit too much.

Looking to order this weekend. Currently favoring the Ibanez ATK800. Just looks like an epic bass for the money and I've heard nothing but good stuff about any ATK.

Thanks for dispelling the myths on Fender QC. I had suspected that the internet was exaggerating. Still think I prefer the idea of the others more than the Fender though. Having just the P pick-up kind of bothers me.

I'm not even entirely sure. Most posts against them stop at words like "unplayable" which is pretty hard to believe. A couple have mentioned twisted necks but usually they don't say what was so bad about them beyond the usual sharp frets or uneven paint (not exactly serious problems). I think it was more to do with some just sounding or feeling noticeably better or worse than others.

Ahh sorry I don't mean to come off as too fussy. To be honest I won't notice the majority of QC issues as long as it all works I don't care about most of it. I've just heard a lot about the problems with MIM basses and assumed they were particularly bad with consistency. Also, I've heard the exact opposite from the other two, especially the Schechter. Odds are that I'd be perfectly happy with the first Standard Fender I picked up.

[quote name='JamesBass' timestamp='1406479376' post='2511794'] Mexican Fenders are very good in my experience, you just need to find the correct one for you, sometimes that means sitting in a shop for hours and hours trying all the Mex ones they have, I wouldn't dis-regard them personally. If you're looking to mod and change things easily in the future then you can't go wrong with a Fender. [/quote] Yeah that's why I'm trying to avoid MIM. It looks like I'm not gonna get the chance to go try them all out this time and I really don't want to have to mod anything. Thanks.

That's a great price and all but it's not even remotely the type of thing I'm looking for. If it wasn't fretless I'd have more of a look but it's really not what I'm after. Thanks.

Just an update, had to cancel the trip over to Newcastle and now buying online is looking quite probable so I'll be after a bass with more reliable QC. From what I've heard this means I should steer clear of MIM Fenders. The current top contenders are the Schecter Model T and Ibanez ATK800 Premium I think. Also, still interested in hearing about that Jaguar neck pup in series. I've heard only great things about MIJ Fenders. Any more opinions on the basses mentioned above or any other ideas? I'm thinking I can be more flexible on the thin neck thing. I've not really had any major problems with the Jazz. I'll keep you up to date and post pics once I've got whatever I go for.

[quote name='throwoff' timestamp='1405498791' post='2502352'] Also the Hoppus is a monster of a bass. If I wasn't a lefty it would be the bass I would own without question. My USA P has a Duncan 1/4 Pounder in it which is the same pickup and I swear by it. [/quote] Seems like a love it or hate it bass. I love the look and the whole concept of it. Seems a bit pricey though. [quote name='wingnutkj' timestamp='1405512827' post='2502551'] Yeah, Guitar Guitar in Newcastle's got a good selection of stuff. Also in the centre of Newcastle, there's Windows (Central Arcade) and Sounds Live (Dean Street). Glasgow, the big ones are Guitar Guitar, Merchant City Music, Kenny's Music and CC Music. [/quote] Thanks. I'll probably end up buying from Newcastle now (used to live there so I was at least aware of Windows), but it's good to know some Glasgow shops just in case. [quote name='Cosmo Valdemar' timestamp='1405514891' post='2502579'] This. My 424X very quickly became my main bass. Very versatile, and a very powerful sound. [/quote] Thanks but I'm not sold on the BB. No offense, I love Yamaha's in general - my SBV500 was great, but the BB series is seriously ugly.

[quote name='HowieBass' timestamp='1405498017' post='2502340'] Fender often put intermediate sized necks on their customised basses; a traditional Jazz nut width is 38mm, a traditional Precision nut width is 43mm so the Deluxe P you mention is somewhat inbetween. I've got two Squier models, a Deluxe Jazz Active that sports a 38mm nut and a Vintage Modified Precision that's a 41mm nut (one presumes it's the neck profile and nut width and the Duncan Designed pickup that warrant the VM designation). So, if a Jazz neck feels a little too skinny for you then that Deluxe P might be just right. [/quote] That's really quite interesting. They've gone to some serious lengths to make that a real PJ hybrid. £683 being the only price I can find on it is well out of reach. Shame, it seems perfect. Maybe I can swing it on the day if there's one in the shop.

[quote name='rOB' timestamp='1405492729' post='2502291'] To my unrefined ears I find most basses with a split pickup in that position to sound similar to a Fender P (happy to hear other opinions). I'm afraid I can't comment on the models with P pickups as mine has twin humbuckers but I really enjoy my Schecter. I think it cost abour £450 new in 2006 ish. All the best with the search. [/quote] Thanks for the info. I'm sure the quality is reflected across the range. As for P pickups, oddly I've never owned a bass with one, excluding my first bass, an old Tanglewood which I don't even vaguely remember the sound of, so I'm glad to get some info on whether it really makes much difference to go for the genuine Fender.

[quote name='rOB' timestamp='1405489967' post='2502284'] If it helps at all, I have played a Schecter (diamond series) for 6-7 years, never had any problems with electronics or anything else. [/quote] Yeah it helps. The more I here the better they seem. Hopefully I can find somewhere with at least one of the 2 that interest me in stock. They don't seem too common though. The more modern designs seem easier to get hold of but don't really interest me. As for the Model T and P, I would assume they sound like P basses with the split neck pickups soloed. Can't see how you could copy something so closely and not sound pretty much the same. That's the hope anyway.

So this FSR Deluxe P, likely out of range anyway but I'm confused by it. Descriptions all seem to say it has a Jazz neck which I'm pretty sure is usually 38mm, but specs on all the same sites say it has a 41mm nut. Is this just a common recurring mistake or am I getting something wrong?

[quote name='miles'tone' timestamp='1405449150' post='2502018'] The Fender deluxe P special has a thin Jazz neck BTW. [/quote] That seems like an odd decision from Fender. Thanks for the info. [quote name='hamfist' timestamp='1405449678' post='2502026'] Guitarguitar stock Schecter and seem to have a Newcastle shop [/quote] Unfortunately they don't seem to have the Model T or Diamond P on their website. Might have one or the other in store to try out though. I'll keep you posted. Thanks.

[quote name='SubsonicSimpleton' timestamp='1405409073' post='2501583'] Have you ever played an instrument that has been properly fettled by a decent luthier? IME attention to detail on the fretwork, nut etc really makes a big difference - If you bought a brand new MIM P, and then spent an equivalent amount on a secondhand example, making up the price difference with a realy nice PUP and pro fret dress & setup, I don't think many players would pick the shiny new one after getting the chance to try them back to back. The Hoppus signature P won the recent P bass blind test by a country mile, and would just about fit your budget (P neck, J body) [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/238458-herts-bash-2-the-precision-test/"]http://basschat.co.u...precision-test/[/url] Personally I would try the Hoppus sig, and if I liked the reverse P PUP orientation, or the body/neck combo, then I'd be looking to mod the jazz bass you already own with a quality P neck, and some decent PUPs (I couldn't live without the tone control, so I would have to mod the Hoppus anyway ruining it's unspoilt newness) - often small details like the value of the tone capacitor can make quite a difference, and quite a few basschatters rate their bitsa's as much better instruments than the more expensive "real deal", so no need to be scared of the modding option IMHO - when you go that route you get to actually choose what you want as opposed to what the manufacturers want to give you. [/quote] Sorry I may have phrased that wrong, I do love the idea of having something custom built or at least well set up by a good luthier, it's just not practical for me to get that done in this situation. One day perhaps. As for the Hoppus, yeah I like it a lot. Tone knob being gone is a bit odd though and the cheapest price I can find on it (from Thomann) hits max budget in the wrong colour and exceeds in the right one. Not sure I'd want to spend that much on a bass with no tone knob but I'll try that one out since it's in most shops and seems highly rated. [quote name='6v6' timestamp='1405410344' post='2501590'] [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/fender_deluxe_pbass_special_rw_bk.htm"]Fender deluxe P Bass special[/url], job done! [/quote] I agree but the price is just slightly out of reach. £600 really is top end, especially since I would have no option but to replace that ridiculous gold pickguard (no offense). Just made some arrangements to go to Newcastle in a couple of weeks with an old guitarist friend who will be looking for a new telecaster, so that seems to be how this is gonna happen. Anyone know a Schecter bass stockist in the Newcastle/Sunderland/Gateshead area? Thanks again, I've had nothing but great suggestions here.

[quote name='hamfist' timestamp='1405370750' post='2501376'] The Lakland 44-01 and G&L tributes are both superb suggestions IMO. The 44-01 I used to own had a magnificent P-like neck pickup, and all the other tones too. ONe I definitely regret selling on. I would own a G&L L2000 or M2000 if they didn't have such stoopid large, chunky necks .... but then that's what you're looking for. Or, of course you could buy a Precision neck to stick on your Jazz, and get a luthier to rout out the neck pickup slot for a Precision pickup (really is quite simple and shouldn't cost too much at all. Bass Doc will do it (and I guess you still live somewhere near him) for an extremely reasonable fee. Then you would have a great and already well loved PJ Jazz with the Precision neck you crave. [/quote] Thanks. Yeah the Lakland and G&L are both pretty nice, well I don't really like the appearance of either but that's not the point here, but I think I'm more impressed by some of the other suggestions (namely the Fender P, Schecter Diamond P and Model T, and Ibanez ATK - since a Ray is just not gonna be in range). I'm too overwhelmed for choice. Haven't lived near the Bass Doc for a while, just visiting the area for a few days, won't be too static for the next couple of months. I'd rather buy something right than try to get it built anyway i think. There's a lot I would want changed on the Jazz. Cheers for the suggestions.

For the time being I've got time to keep hunting for something I'll be happy with from the start. The idea of modding my bass like that worries me, especially since I don't know a tech. I think I'm making some headway, there's just so much choice!

Yeah, you and everyone else who just said to buy a P-Bass are probably right. I definitely wouldn't be able to just install the bridge pup later though, seriously not handy. It really bothers me that there doesn't seem to be a mid-range type of PJ Fender Precision.