Musicman20

I wouldn't pay that for the Select Jazz. Nice, but its a Fender pre so probably not that great.

Perhaps in this case you have too much headroom? I really want to try the 800...what a bargain!

[quote name='kerley' timestamp='1357811864' post='1928644'] There are a number of reasons. - The price is lower so people assume the product is inferior. - They are not made in the US so casual racism (especially from US buyers) assumes they will be inferior - Interestingly people who think Mexcans cannot build a guitar think the Japanese can. It is largely based on ignorance and the differences between basses from different countries are down to the budget the bass it set to along with any processes used in that country to keep within that budget. If you put tighter control processes in place, used better hardware, allocated more time to build and finish and QC in a Chinese factory and sold the bass for the same price as a US made bass with poorer processes, less time etc,. the Chinese bass would clearly be superior. [/quote] Agreed. Didn't the MIJ Fender's take a while to 'take off' in the US market? Eg, they though, 'bleurgh, a foreign Fender!!!'. As with everything mass produced, it takes a while to find a decent one IMO.

[quote name='AndyTravis' timestamp='1357782297' post='1928484'] Are we talking Skyline? The Skyline's i've played have never really lived up to any of the adulation i've read about; And i've played plenty as at one point I worked for a dealership. But that's simply it - The ones I played didn't do it for me, the customers who bought them really liked them. The fact is, if you've paid over Fender money for a Fender inspired bass, you really feel the need to reassure yourself with your decision to do so - you've made the right choice for you, and that's good enough, surely? Not to pick at your post at all, but I'm just wondering where the entire 'X Country/X Company makes a 'Better' Fender than Fender' thinking has come from. I owned a MIJ Marcus Miller for many years and sold it on owing to a few frustrations I had with it. Recently started taking delivery of MIM Marcus Miller models, and it felt just as well put together, similar weight f not a bit lighter than my 'minds eye' recollection of the more recent models we'd had from Japan - But for the same price more or less it has a much improved preamp, true active/passive and a more steady supply from the factory. I've owned early 80's Japanese Squiers, Mexican Classic series, CIJ/MIJ, American Standard, American Vintage, Custom Shop and in recent times a late 70's US Fender (Eww I know, late 70's - they're all utter garbage, heavy and useless - Right?) All of them were purchased because I liked/wanted them - If eventually Fender started using a factory on the moon, would there be the debate that MIM or MOM Fenders were better? If in doubt, play a bass you fancy, and if it doesn't work out - At least you tried it, although in my experience, three basses of the same model, all delivered on the same day can be very different. I have played great Japanese Fenders, and some I wouldn't have paid half the price for personally, same goes with US/Mexican/Korean/Chinese Fenders, I've played a hell of a lot more i'd be happy with. I have had similar experiences with Celinders (One I would have killed for, one I wasn't struck with at all) Sadowsky's, and many others - It all boils down to the player in question and what they need and expect from a bass whether new/used/American/Dutch/Welsh made. I'm off to play my Hewn from goat's bone made in Australia 19 string fretless now... [/quote] Wise words here. A lot of the 'wow its MIJ' or 'Lakland Skyline is the biz' is to do with internet myth to be honest. The MIJ Fender's ARE good, but there will be some rough ones, the same with the MIA's. I've never played a Lakland Skyline that sounded as good as a Fender Jazz. Not only that, the weight and their attention to detail for a bass made in the Cort factory is questionable. Cort's are good value, Skylines are expensive for what they are.

This will only rise in value IMO. The Talkbass guys/gals are discussing the imminent price rises (by $500.00 or so) on the American RI guitars, which is also expected on the basses. No doubt CS will rise even more.

Nice!

Agreed, the P5 I played was lovely.

Looks like things really are starting to change: http://m.tesco.com/mt/www.tesco.com/direct/genz-benz-gb-610t-xb2/506-1271.prd I don't mind this to be honest. As long as the service is good and the prices are right. Bizarre though!

As in practice with headphones without the cab? Absolutely

[quote name='Jack' timestamp='1357685010' post='1926886'] Thanks for the info so far folks. Musicman, you're in my neck of the woods. If you're getting that kind of money would you care to tell me where? :-p [/quote] Ah, I would for sure, as it is out there. I'm currently now involved in setting up another new band which will no doubt be unpaid but quite fun! What I meant was if I was to get into the paid gigging game again, and it was covers/function work, id expect that amount, otherwise may as well concentrate on work and play for fun.

[quote name='kerley' timestamp='1357654213' post='1926047'] Good point. The argument trotted out many a time is that we must use the bricks and mortar shops otherwise they will dissappear. However, the shops may not be helping their cause if they remove the main reason for going to a shop (i.e. play before you buy) [/quote] I agee in a way, but its inevitable that eventually most normal guitar shops will either change their presence and have a better online presence, or just go out of business. It's not the fault of those who buy from the big box shifters! It was inevitable as its happening to virtually every industry. It's a modern world. If they don't adapt, they have themselves to blame. Again, this is happening in many industries!

In my ex band we usually got £60 ish a night each. Now I wouldn't play covers, etc, for under £75-100 each. No point.

Some of them are fantastic, most of them aren't. It's a lottery. I love my P bass but I was lucky it.

I have a fantastic separates system, which I have owned for about 10 years...something like that. It has been brilliant, and still is. The B&W speakers are absolutely brilliant. It's now boxed up and unused in my music room. I wanted to have it all laid out properly but I just can't fit it in. I love mp3's...no doubt, but I think they have saturated and watered down the music industry. I no longer rush to buy a CD on release day and play it over and over. I just shuffle through. Rubbish.

Most Warwicks, and virtually all headless basses. On the other hand, I think most Dingwalls look class, as do the EBMM Big Al and Bongo basses.

Yeah it's a shame, he was a good chap to have on here.

It's worth bearing in mind that I've played around 12 or more of the 08+ American Standards. I've got an 09' P and a 11' J. Both of them are great, no doubt about that. What it also really shows is that some of them are STILL dogs, as at one point I want 2 Js, and 2 Ps, (with different boards). I gave up because I couldn't find decent ones. I'm still trying to find a good 12' P bass, no matter what colour etc it is. I haven't played the American Special series yet.

I don't think it's through speakon. I think it's through the effects send on the back. There should be detail in the manual

[quote name='VTypeV4' timestamp='1357430727' post='1922703'] I love my valve amps and I see it unlikely that I'll be going back any time soon but... I also really miss my 400SMX as it was probably the best graphic trace I ever owned or indeed built(?). It had plenty of power and looked the nuts with it's UV lamp. For my uses, it was even better than the 600 I had for many years. I should have kept it but sold it to buy motorbikes.. [/quote] I had that amp. Fantastic.

Where do I sign?!

[quote name='cloudburst' timestamp='1357318962' post='1921014'] I thought "hipsters" were those blokes with shoulder-bags and skinny jeans who mince around cities on single-speed racers with tan leather saddles and narrow handlebars. CB [/quote] sh*t I've been caught out.

I just use my digital camera to capture the lot, or my iphone. I was going to invest in some recording equipment but until I upgrade our iMac to a new model I don't see the point. To be honest, 90% of the people will listen to it on a smartphone or through normal computer speakers, so having ridiculously high quality sound isn't hugely necessary. I only did a few, then took them down, but a few people asked how I did it and was suprised that it was just a small digital Sony camera. It actually picks the sound up pretty well, and zero faffing.

Bumping this thread. The project I had going has now finished, so I am definitely available.