Prosebass

Thanks for the input everyone, quality as usual means cost. Come to think of it I have an old Technics class AA hi-fi amp in the attic. Maybe I'll give it a try and see how it does , volume isn't an issue and it ain't being used for gigs so could be interesting. I remember in the 70's converting all my friends record players into guitar amps.....simpler days...

I am suprised nobody has put a shout in for Glen Matlock and he is still playing either with the Pistols on their "silly" tours...( I am a huge Pistols Fan but come on guys give it a rest) or Slinky Vagabond. Sid Vicious ruined the Pistols and I remember hating the guy in my teens. And then theres always Bruce Foxton one of my earliest influences. Punk is alive and well in Sunny Chorley and my "local" The Railway has its summer music festival on Saturday the 5th July with a mix of cover, rock and punk bands ,I can recommend it for anyone in the area as a good afternoon / night out. My mates lad is a bassist / vocalist with (don't quote me on this) Three Blind Dwarfs I think ???? and his main influence is Paul Simonon.

EBS gear would indeed be nice as would a few other top end suppliers. Unfortunately all my cash has been put into my new venture so the solution needs to be a little bit cheaper than EBS There must be some good less expensive heads / combos about that will do what I need it to do. As its staying at home it doesn't even need to look good or be robust. Somebody must have some ideas for a clean ,neutral / transparent amp ?

Over the last few years I did a lot of "dance music" with a friend and my basses always went straight through my mixer into the PC. I have had no need for an amp head since I sold my Orange and HH100 and stopped playing live many moons ago. I recently bought the Deltabass 160 to use when testing and setting up the basses I am making. At first it seemed ok as most things do if they are different to what you have been used to, but now after a few months it just seems very muddy ! As I am using it to assess my bass builds its nigh on useless because I cannot get a true tone from the basses, which sound wonderful when DI'd into my computer .I'm sure the amp will be fine for small gigs at high volume as it is very loud. Has anyone any experience with this amp ? any suggestions as to a replacement ? It needs to be transparent to the bass , power output is immaterial as its never gonna move out of my conservatory. My cab is a Hartke Transporter 2 x 10" 160 watt jobbie. Maybe a swap for an HH100 would be nice. cheers Paul

It looks like a Generic Chinese made bass as I imported a few very similar to check on the quality. There is nothing wrong with the bodies and necks as these need to be made to a minimum standard so the thing is playable. What you will probably find is a bad set-up, cheap and nasty pots with no shielding,crappy wiring, low output pups and probably not much variation in tones. You will also find the bridge and tuners won't be brilliant.I even came across some that looked as though they had a substantial bridge only for it to be a plastic cover over a bent piece of tin. They are almost as well made as a shall we say "more recognizable" brand.....but as a bass to get started they are fine and with a few pounds spent on better tone controls , a better bridge and decent tuners you will have the basis of a good bass. You will get what you pay for , its just these days its a hell of a lot more than it was say 10 years ago. £75-£80 is hardly a fortune to pay for a new usable bass so give it a go.....

[quote name='NJE' post='230862' date='Jul 1 2008, 08:22 PM']I am sure I cant be the first person to post this up so please excuse me if someone has already posted (i did do a search before hand), but i just saw this new Squier and I have to say it looks tasty and I may just get one. I was going to sell my Musicman and get a jazz but why bother, this looks great, imagine badass, pickup cover and maybe a new preamp from the states on the cheap, and you got a snazzy looking jazz and a hell of a lot of fun. [attachment=10297:0303075505_xl.jpg][/quote] Be wary....be very wary and play one first. I have yet to find a recent Squier Jazz that sounds like a Fender Jazz and I have just sold one I had for 2 years with a J-Retro East pre-amp on it and a good bridge. It wasn't a bad bass but it wasn't a Jazz.

Hello Doug good to have a Yes fan on board ,I was in Steve Howe's house a couple of years ago as my niece was friends with his daughter but he wasn't home although I met his lovely wife Jan, pity about the moonshine I am partial to the Irish version

[quote name='waynepunkdude' post='226476' date='Jun 25 2008, 09:39 AM']Just ordered an old (80's) US P-Bass body and it's the start of my project. The plan is to strip the black paint off then respray it bright yellow, then put a Bad Ass bridge on the mofo then put a checkerboard scratchplate on (like my Jazz in my sig) finish it off with a Fender Maple neck with block inlays. Haven't decided on electrics yet. This is my first project so i expect it to end up on eBay in 2 weeks for £20 in a total mess. Pics to follow.[/quote] I'll keep my eye on ebay as I am on the lookout for an old p-bass body £20 sounds very reasonable does that include postage....

[quote name='ahpook' post='224659' date='Jun 23 2008, 12:41 AM']developing control, feel and volume control with a plectrum is just a matter of practise, as much as acquiring the same skills with fingers is.[/quote] is it ? I thought it was just "clank clank clank clank" with a plectrum ? I jest ......mind you I've never seen Jaco play with a plectrum, that would of been interesting.

[quote name='The Legoheads' post='224504' date='Jun 22 2008, 09:59 PM']I have an embarrassing confession... Probably due to me playing 6 string for 20 years, when I took up bass around 5 years ago I carried on using a pick. There are occassions when I need to be more flexible in which case I use a thumb and forefinger to pluck the strings at a faster rate or to produce a softer sound. All my muting is done with my fretting hand. Obviously, I see the traditional fingers style used predominantly when I'm watching other bands and bass players and would really like to know what it is I'm missing out on. I have tried a few simple tunes using finger style but it doesn't seem to suit.... What am I missing and should I make an effort to learn to play proper...? [/quote] I play both and as other people have said it depends on what music you like to play, what sound you like , and what you are comfortable with, however if you do not play "fingerstyle" you will be missing out on control, feel, the ability to slap and pop, easy volume control with your fingers alone, right hand damping, double harmonics, finger tapping.....and on and on.... When I play with a pick I never feel really connected with my bass, but a pick has its uses and I like a lot of pick wielding bassists but I would advise you learn to use your right fingers as it will open up so many new ways of approaching your music.

[quote name='Bassassin' post='223763' date='Jun 21 2008, 07:04 PM']Anything like this? Best pic I could find - it's from here: [url="http://www.sixties-ibanez.com/"]http://www.sixties-ibanez.com/[/url] You could try asking on the 60s board at [url="http://www.ibanezcollectors.com/forum"]http://www.ibanezcollectors.com/forum[/url] - quite likely someone will recognise it from your pic - it's pretty distinctive. Jon.[/quote] Nice one ...a 5902 from 1964 ! I did not realize it was so old, it was 12 when I got it in 1976. I can honestly say it was an excellent bass, I used to get a very convincing Rickenbacker sound from those lovely chrome humbuckers, pity the neck snapped (twice) and my attentions were averted to my Hofner S7B, I have no idea what happened to it ? would love to find one...... thanks again...Paul

[quote name='Musky' date='Jun 21 2008, 05:41 PM' post='223704'] My first thoughts were that it looks a bit like the Aria A-200 - same pickups, similar sort of shape (what I can see of it ). [url="http://matsumoku.org/models/aria/bass/a-100_200.html"]http://matsumoku.org/models/aria/bass/a-100_200.html[/url] It also looks like the Ibanez Goldentone guitar, which probably fits in more with the Ibanez brand on your bass. [url="http://www.grouseguitars.com.au/sold/ibanezgoldentone.htm"]http://www.grouseguitars.com.au/sold/ibanezgoldentone.htm[/url] Given that nobody seems entirely sure where a lot of Japanese brands were sourcing their instruments in the 60's, it's possible both models originated from the same factory. [/quote Thanks Musky it is the bass equivalent of the Goldentone at least in shape, the Aria must of come from the same stable as it has the same neck and pickups , just a little less pronounced in the horn department. As you will see the actual model a 5902 from 1964 has been tracked down..by bassassin cheers Paul

[quote name='Dave_MuadDib' post='223335' date='Jun 20 2008, 11:39 PM']I've always wanted a nice Jazz bass, and while I continue to rue the day that I passed up on that £200 Geddy Lee (IDIOT! IDIOT! IDIOT!) I'm back on the prowl for something about as affordable, even if it will be less perfect. I've heard lots of great things about the Squier Vintage Modified Jazz Bass. I haven't had the chance to try one out just yet, but I should be able to soon. But what would you guys recommend? Are the vintage modifieds as good/better/worse than the standard or affinity series (I have no idea what the difference is!) or is there some other cheap Fender Jazz-style gem out there? Any help would be appreciated![/quote] I have owned 2 Squier Jazzes having just sold one last week. They are ok to play but neither of mine sounded much like a Jazz should. The one I just sold I modded with a J-Retro John East on it and a high mass bridge. It made the bass come alive and sounded superb but still didn't sound like a Jazz should.....save your pennies for a proper one if its the sound you are after.

[quote name='waynepunkdude' post='223629' date='Jun 21 2008, 03:28 PM']Do you still have it or that rather lovely jumper? [/quote] If I still had the jumper there is no way I would fit in it now !! No idea what happened to the bass after its second headstock break as I bought my Hofner S7B which I still have geez it was 30 years ago ...

The current topic on "First Bass" got me thinking about mine back in 1976 It was an Ibanez , originally a purple/black color, 4 scratch plates , 2 chrome humbuckers and a Fender style headstock. The distinctive body was a bit "Burns Bison" I think it was a late 60's early 70's model. It was a very good bass. I have drawn a blank with the web , can anyone help ? This is the only picture I have of it.....come on it was 1976 !!!! [attachment=9880:IMG_0581.JPG]

[quote name='waynepunkdude' post='223485' date='Jun 21 2008, 11:20 AM']Do you still have your first ever bass? What was it ? How much did it cost? How old were you?[/quote] Mine was a late 60's early 70's Ibanez with about 4 scratch plates a la Burns on it.It was given to me by my brothers friend. I wanted a Gibson Grabber but was only 14 (1976) so I stripped the paint put a Grabber style plate on it and french polished it. It played and sounded wonderful with 2 chrome humbuckers on it. I snapped the neck at the headstock but repaired it, then it broke again and I honestly have no idea what happened to it. No idea what model it was as I cannot find it on the interweb. [attachment=9879:IMG_0581.JPG]

[quote name='ahpook' post='223483' date='Jun 21 2008, 11:18 AM']looks like i'll be cleaning the pole pieces on my cowpoke tonight ! thanks for the advice peeps [/quote] Rather than a sheet of wet and dry I use disposable (not metal) nail files for intricate work. They are solid , cheap, come in various grades (including non abrasive buffers) I drive my beloved mad by using hers if I run out !!!

Just bought a Schaller 3D bridge from Jase on Wednesday afternoon and received it today (Thursday) Fast postage or what......cheers Jase

[quote name='JPJ' post='221853' date='Jun 19 2008, 12:32 AM']Well imho, I am not convinced that it adds a great deal to the sustain. I have two basses with through bridge stringing and one without. My MIA Jazz V DLX (with J-Retro) has a stock fender bridge and is strung through the body and has the shortest sustain of all three.[/quote] Hi I I am not suprised that the standard Jazz bridge gives the bass the least sustain irrespective of the through stringing I just don,t think they are that rigid, but have noticed that it gives better control as note decay is faster so lends itself to fast finger playing. My Squier Jazz (also fitted with a J-Retro) was still "dead" until I put a high mass Fender style (Chinese of course)bridge on. The bass came alive especially with harmonics, brightness and sustain but didn't sound like a Jazz anymore. I had to consciously damp strings more than I would normally when playing. I think bridge choice is very important and can completely change a bass sound and the way you have to play it. I have knife edge saddles on my Hofner S7B and the sustain is amazing. Aren't basses ace.......I learn more every day...

[quote name='Frusty' post='220415' date='Jun 17 2008, 10:32 AM']This is perhaps a silly question, but I have never tried anything like this so bear with me! I am considering defretting an old Jazz bass copy that I have. The neck has block inlays. Are there any problems with using a neck with block inlays as a fretless neck? Will there be a change in tone as you slide from note to note over one of the inlays? Again, sorry if this is a silly question![/quote] You won't know if its a problem until you do it ! Certainly it will affect the sound as you will be sliding over different materials and depending on the quality of the neck there could be voids under the inlays and at worst they may become loose. Also the wear rate will be different and will be noticeable most at the edge of the inlay. You may be able to negate these problems by using a quality epoxy coating. In general most necks are stable enough to have this treatment, one of my basses had it done in 1984 and has suffered no ill effects, indeed it has never had the neck adjusted ever. Unless you must do this or really want to I would still advise against it. To do it you need to know if the frets are a push fit or if they are glued also. If they are a push fit you should be able to drift them out sideways with a small hammer and a punch. If you try to lift them the tangs will rip chunks out of the fingerboard. If they are glued you will need to heat them first with a large powerful soldering iron. Once you have removed them the easy fix is a good quality flexible wood filler , the more time consuming way is to inlay the fret slots with strips of veneer and refinish the board. Have you considered another neck ? Cost wise they are approx £50.00 from various suppliers and if you decide you don't like fretless you can put the original neck back on. Alternatively buy a cheap fretless.

[quote name='bassaussie' post='220387' date='Jun 17 2008, 09:48 AM']As said above, this is definitely not a Fender - it's early 70s Japanese, made in the same factory as Cimar. The pickup shape is what makes the source obvious, because of the rounded corners, and the tuning pegs are from the source as well (both pointed out by SJA above). There's other obvious signs - the headstock shap isn' quite the same as a Fender, nor the body shape..[/quote] You are bob on there as soon as I saw it Cimar came straight out of my mouth which makes it worth what £80.00 ? I had one many moons ago. Lets hope the bidders see sense and remove their bids.