Musicman20

[quote name='Grand Wazoo' post='953093' date='Sep 11 2010, 08:05 PM']This one you speak of, is not a taco is it? (mexican) if so bewaro amigo, mucho bodgjo![/quote] It is.....although the RWs have had excellent reviews, some people comparing them to the Fender Custom Shops but much cheaper. Hmm.

[quote name='kevbass' post='952987' date='Sep 11 2010, 06:32 PM']Fender 60's reissue jazz bass?[/quote] Possibly, although the lighter weight of the RW is tempting (well Ive heard they are mainly lighter overall).

Hi Can anyone recommend a nice Jazz bass that nails the 60s tone, is available with a rosewood board, and isnt over £1k? I dont mind if its passive or active, but Id prefer passive. I have been tempted by Lakland Jazzes, but Im not going to pursue that avenue after a few problems I had. It caused too much hassle last time, so something else? Sadowsky basses dont do it tone wise for me. One option is the Roadworn Jazz Bass (Fiesta Red). Not only does it look great, but I tested one and it sounded pretty damn good as well. Are they overpriced? I know I can get one under £800, but is that still too much? The other option is Sandberg, but Im not sure if they sound a little too modern for what Im after. Im open to ideas though. 4 or 5 string, dont mind.

Ive no idea what the fuss about string spacing is on these! 17.5 seems fine to me. After one day I can almost slap on it, and I dont really slap much anyway. The B is great, the 3 band EQ is brilliant, the HS options are excellent, the weight is LOW for a 5 string bass (possibly the lightest 5 string Ive tried) and the fit and finish are great. Excellent neck joint, and the paintwork is stunning. Pics up in the Gear Porn bit over the next few days. Now dont get me wrong, Ive tried some great basses to get to this, but EBMM just dont mess about when it comes to quality on the vast majority of their basses. I nearly went for a JO5/DJ5 Lakland instead way before I found the Ray 5 HS, and I still go and test them when I see them in stores. I just cannot go over how bad some of the workmanship is on the Laklands on a £1K+ bass. The Ray 5 is more expensive, but you get your proper case, and massively superior electronics. I still think, after an almost instant A/B, that the 34" B on the Ray is tighter and more defined. Anyways, thanks for all the advice!

Totally off topic, but still on. Everyone knows I like the neck on these basses. I went to try new stock today. It ticked almost every box....almost. Quite light, lovely rosewood board, striking paint colour, excellent neck join. What let it down? Really bad routing of the bridge pup. The G string was nowhere near the centre of the pole pieces. I dont just mean a bit off, I mean totally off. It was obvious when I solo'd the back pickup. The volume dropped. Looking at the other stock they had, there were some others the same, and some were spot on. Clearly its been put in wrongly like Dave's Fender Jazz. I class this as a shame because they make great necks. I do think I prefer the days when they were a smaller outfit and didnt have the Hanson pups.

Not keen, which is odd for me.

My god they dont waste time with new colours! I still like the new Teal Ltd editions.

[quote name='Clarky' post='952528' date='Sep 11 2010, 10:12 AM']Similar although Newsted's has upgraded electronics and is stealth black. Jazyvee's newest Alembic, on the previous page of this thread, is near identical to Newsted's and I would really like to own it (sensibly he is not selling!) My current intention is to get my incoming one re-finned in black. You can see a pic of it if you click the link on my sig.[/quote] Ah I see. I like that wood finish! Id be tempted to keep it as it is, but yep, black would be much more Tallica

Its on the front page of their site right now

Clarky, is that Elan 5 similar to your incoming Elan?

[quote name='throwoff' post='948563' date='Sep 7 2010, 05:43 PM']I also heard this story, in fact the poor bass mix is so well known a movement does exist which remixed these with the bass back up at a decent level (alledgedly from the masters, which is plausable considering the quality) under the moniker 'And Justice for Jason' If it pleases the court, exhibit A - [/quote] That sounds more 'normal' for bass levels. I used to, and still to, love Metallica. I just dont see how a Sadowsky suits Newstead one bit. The Sadowsky tone, IMO, doesnt suit heavy music. That Alembic tone is nice though.

Its a USA model only isnt it? Im glad to see they are progressing as a company. Despite my issues with some of the Skylines I tested, I still have faith they can make fantastic basses, (more so the Jazzes).

I've seen that new DJ replacement. Looks like a weird Jaguar. I still want a JO4 or 5.

I hear great things about it, but if it was me, Id get the Shuttle 9.0 and a 2x12 cabinet. A 1x12 wouldnt do much volume wise for me.

[quote name='Herbie The Rad Dorklift' post='951705' date='Sep 10 2010, 12:09 PM']Ibanez really? Obviously I'm not an experienced bassist (as I said), but in the world of guitar amps Ibanez are terrible! Will try and find one out.[/quote] Ive not played one, but the reviews are great. I know what you mean, they have a bad rep with amps, but I assume they have done their homework with this one

[quote name='Rich' post='951684' date='Sep 10 2010, 11:46 AM']- Big AL - Bongo[/quote] I was waiting for someone to mention these two! Personally, when I first saw the Bongo pictures when it was released, I thought 'what is going on?!'. Now, Ive warmed to it. Purely because its very well designed. The Big Al....well Im weird because I instantly took a liking to it, and thats weird for a tradtionalist like me.

For that price, the Ibanez Promethean. Ive not played one, but Thomann are doing them on a deal at £499 ish including the bag. 1x10 Combo, plus removable 500W amp head.

Peavey does the job but its only let down is the weight. Even though the Hartke LH500 isnt lightweight, Id take that over a Peavey. It has had fantastic reviews.

[quote name='Grand Wazoo' post='951666' date='Sep 10 2010, 11:35 AM']I've had the Big Al 5 SSS now for 2 months and I can guarantee you all I've not had a dull day so far with that monster. The things that bass can do sonically are beyond belief. Vintage passive tones to give you goosebumps and powerful active driving tones to boot, I think this is a bass which you will find hard to put down, Ed Friedland review is great but it's only limited to his playing style: it's not all snap, crackle and pop, rest assured, this can be as deep as you want it to be, or as bluesy / jazzy / punk / new age / grunge / as you need. All in one single bass. Also do not understimate the "funny looks" because regardless of the fact that it looks pointy and "Jetson's" like, the ergonomic has been designed in a very crafty way you see? The body it's actually quite small and comfortable, it sits tightly in your graps allowing your arm to reach the neck up and down with extreme ease, which I think once you play it, you will recognize that as a great advantage and that alone is a great selling point for this clever bass. Enough said.[/quote] Great report GW. Im pretty certain im going to order one for my 30th and literally 'forget about' the possible delivery date so I dont mess about and cancel it. I know for a fact it will be fantastic, and something totally different to what I own (which is what I am after).

[quote name='bassix' post='951574' date='Sep 10 2010, 10:15 AM']I've heard good things about the Bass Terror, it certainly fits the size category I just wonder if it'd do the punk job well?[/quote] 100% punk grindy tone if you want it. Will also do smooth and clean. For the price, its fantastic. VERY loud! So, you dont even need a pedal as it will get dirty if you want it to. Another option is a Markbass LM2 or 3 with a pedal. Light, great tone, very loud. Universally known as excellent amps.

[quote name='munkonthehill' post='951549' date='Sep 10 2010, 09:54 AM']yeah I started looking up the big al basses. what kind of tones are coming out of the single coils???? I cant help but think its going to be more trebly orientated.[/quote] Search for Big Al on youtube, there are a few reviews. Id say they are more 'warm' and vintage sounding than the Bongo...the pickups are neo and it has the 4 band EQ. The thing that really attracts me is the passive option and tone control.

Headless/Status mainly. Some of the weirder Warwick designs.

Hartke LH500 + Tech 21 BDDI or VT Bass. Personally, for modern punk, the BDDI. Or, you could try the Orange Bass Terror.