Musicman20

[quote name='dave_bass5' post='922554' date='Aug 12 2010, 11:51 AM']Well the new Jazz has arrived and the pups are still not lined up. But this time there is a large gap around most of the bridge pup. A good few mm at the top and it looks like the pup needs moving up. Im not sure what to do now. Im inclined to keep it as i really need to use it. It plays well and sounds great, as did the other one but im really hacked off at the quality of these Fenders now. Back to Lakland for the next bass.[/quote] Jees! This is NOT good. Did they not check it?!

[quote name='gafbass02' post='922367' date='Aug 12 2010, 09:39 AM']I'm just gonna swap it and if the next one does it then I figure it's just what these amps do. Live I'm sure it won't be any worse than a gained up Marshall stack hissing between songs. But for home practice or studio use on this particular unit it would be a problem. Hopefully on another it won't.[/quote] Just chiming in. I can't stand that hiss that guitar amps produce when at higher volume levels!!!! My RH450 is Class D and does not hiss. The LM3 is Class A/B and is very quiet. I tested a Markbass F500 and that DID hiss.

[quote name='malcolm.mcintyre' post='922275' date='Aug 12 2010, 08:07 AM']Well I can't find a dealer in the UK that stocks any USA Laklands, so I doubt if I'll ever see one of these in the flesh. Anyone know of a dealer with USA Laklands?[/quote] They will deal with you direct for USA models.

Quite a cool bass! Im not keen on blocks and binding on a P bass on any type if im honest though, especially the early design. Weirdly enough, I used to want a block/bound Jazz for a long time, and now the market seems saturated in that style, im actually quite happy to see necks without. Lakland seem to love putting blocks and binding on absolutely every bass hahah!

It seems quite a low level of hiss. Im assuming its either the horn, or indeed just part of the amp. Hiss is annoying though, I agree. If Thomann are prepared to swap out at no cost, it might be the safest bet.

[quote name='bassatnight' post='921567' date='Aug 11 2010, 01:20 PM']I have thought the price was a little too high, but then American Deluxe is going to set me back £1250. I am even thinking about a stingray but want the all black with maple neck and matching headstock I have only seen HS models in that finish or the limited edition from a few year back.[/quote] You can definitely spec a single H Stingray with 2 or 3 band EQ and maple board and a matching headstock You might even be able to get Stealth Black still, not sure. I prefer the normal black myself with chrome.

[quote name='Beedster' post='921498' date='Aug 11 2010, 12:30 PM']2. Because (and I know it's grammatically incorrect to start a sentence with 'because') it's about time I realised that if you've got a good thing, it's often at a slight cost. If there's one process that's characterised my bass playing career it's the following: [list] [*]Buy a pice of kit [*]Decide I love it but there's one little thing that could be better [*]Sell it and find another piece of kit that supposedly does it better [*]Find out that the first bit of kit was better after all [*]Buy back the first bit of kit, usually incurring a substantial financial loss in the process [/list][/quote] Wise words. I have been there and done that. Never bought back my exact gear from the person I sold it to, just gone straight to the store and spent yet more cash!

I went on a huge '5 String that still looks almost traditional' and the best I found were: Stingray 5 - 2008 onwards have the nicer (IMO) warmer Alnico pups. Sorry to disagree with OTPJ, but im all for warmth and traditional tone. I think this reflects on why the pre-08s (aprt from the early ones) dont sell so well secondhand. That, and the fact that most people seem to ignore the more popular and traditional colours, so when they sell it on, they dont get as much back. You should be able to pick up a second hand 08-onward Ray 5 (single H) for under £1K, and it will, well should be, in fantastic condition. Pre-08 Rays go for SILLY money, and are bargains IMO. In a few years, Rays will come back into fashion and prices will change accordingly. Lakland DJ5/JO5 - Great feel, nice neck (although the 35" scale makes the instrument sound very 'deep' compared to the 34" scale DJ4/JO4) but it can lead to tired hands due to the fact the neck is so large. Still a nice instrument to play. My gripe? Paying £1K+ for an instrument thats not as great QC wise as it should be. If you get a good one, you will be very happy. If you dont, you will be messing around for ages and wasting time trying/buying/refunding the same bloomin models 5 times over. If you want more bite, it needs a nice pre adding or a nice pre amp pedal. Personally, after all the messing about, and the fact you dont get a proper hardcase, I went for the Ray 5 (still incoming) purely because after trying one I LOVED it. I will not be modding this bass in any way due to fact the pups and preamp work so well. Plus, it looks traditional, and is tried and tested. The Ray 5 is one of the best selling 5 string basses ever made. This was a very very long process, but I got there is the end. If you can get a boutique 2nd hand instrument for under £1k, go for a Sei/Overwater. Another option is a Sadowsky Metro 5, but these have a totally different sound to a normal Fender. Very well made, and highly regarded as fantastic basses. I doubt these would come under £1k though. IMO - Ray 5 all the way.

[quote name='bassatnight' post='921372' date='Aug 11 2010, 10:48 AM']Chaps, I am about to order a new Bass and have managed to get the choice down to a Natural Lakland Skyline DJ for £1,100 or a new Black Fender Deluxe Jazz 2010 with the block inlays. I have played the DJ and its lovely really nice range of warm tones nice and light and of course looks the business, the natural finish seems a bit rarer than the more common blue. I also understand they have stopped making them now so might keep its value? I have not played the new Jazzes so apart from watching clips on you tube and of course going by previous Jazzes I have owned I am fairly confident it will be a cracking bass, but I just can't decide between the two. Anyone got a view?[/quote] Id give the Fender a try before ordering, if you can. I do like what Lakland do, but ive yet to find one thats right for me. They have indeed stopped the DJ production now, which is a shame. Have you tried a normal American Standard Jazz? If you are going the 4 string route, I would try one out, and if you want the active sound, get a high end circuit added or a nice preamp pedal. £1100, for the DJ4, is VERY expensive IMO.

I get the impression if you like a Warwick, you will like them for life. I for one tried a few Warwicks and they just arent me, but everyone is different. They look extremely solid, but the aesthetics really dont catch my eye. Go out and try what you can

Gallien, Aguilar or Orange.

Sounds great to me, but I don't ever mod basses. If they aren't good enough before, I don't buy them. Most players like to mod, but I like them stock. Stingray pups and pre-amps are expensive as they are, and do it how they should, so personally I'd stick with Rays as stock.

[quote name='dave_bass5' post='919789' date='Aug 9 2010, 04:33 PM']Just a quick update. The retailer has today received the bass back and have got in touch to make sure im happy with a Black/maple replacement. They are checking the replacment out before sending it tomorrow. So far they haven't mentioned the original ones issues or questioned it. Fingers crossed the new one will be the final one.[/quote] Excellent. Im glad they are being helpful and actually realising there is a problem. Let me know how the new one is.

Id like to see how large they are in the flesh first, but I must admit Im VERY tempted.

[quote name='JTUK' post='919497' date='Aug 9 2010, 12:29 PM']A friend of mine just pointed out that the dims on the AE212 are pretty much the same as 2 AE112's which I would consider at some point..although not tempted to pay the AE112 new prices.. I have a system that I am more than happy with, so I don't need to rush out and buy, but to get the same sort of thing as 2 AE112 at £800-ish as opposed to £1100 for the seperates got me into thinking that this is what I might pay second hand for the seperates anyway. So, does anyone have any thoughts or experience of these cabs? I am thinking that the AE212 will be a tad more low down than the AE112..which is not supposed to be lacking anyway.. If this is the case, then I think I can fit one into my car. Damn GAS.. I was doing great until he who shall not be named pipped up [/quote] [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WoWx2ixLLJo"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WoWx2ixLLJo[/url]

[quote name='solofunkyjazz' post='919450' date='Aug 9 2010, 11:54 AM']It's a shame you can't try cabs in a gig situation, 'cos that's when you use them. I always found the 2 Epifani 4x10's that I had to be 'muffled'. They were quite mid shy but very warm sounding, so I don't think that'd be your best choice. The Aguilar GS cabs are similar, mid shy but warm sounding. The Aguilar DB cabs are I think warm but with a more pronounced mid focus, and that would be my recommendation. They're also more reasonably priced. The best guy to ask is Ken Jung on talkbass, he's tried pretty much every cab/amp combination on the planet. Most people will only recommend what they use themselves, and if they've been duped into buying something overpriced and 'boutique' then they'll try and talk you into that. Try experimenting with your EQ settings. I've tried loads of cabs over the last few years. Bergs are way over priced for what they are, and have a 'sound' that if you like it then great, if not you have to try and get rid of it. The same goes for Epifani.[/quote] I have to say, this is spot on advice for nearly every 'what cabinet?' scenario on Basschat. It is all down to personal taste. IMO, the Aguilar DBs are more mid focussed, quite a 'rock' sound, but excellent for anything requiring articulation. They bring out the sound of your bass/amp very well. Huge and warm low end, nice mids, clean and warm/sweet highs. Id like to try 2 x GS112 soon, as Ive heard the low end is absolutely awesome. Berg HS210? Ive tried the HS410, and its a POWERHOUSE of a one cab solution. I almost want another....in fact I do. BUT, there is something about the Aguilar cabinets that screams 'my tone' every time I plug in. I wll admit, the HS410 was very clean and precise. I wouldnt say it had 'vintage warmth' though. The tweeter had to be tamed somewhat, whereas the Aguilar tweeter can quite happily be on half way and still sound sweet. +1 on asking Kjung, but also be aware, as he will state, he likes a bright/punchy tone for that modern J bass sound. Check out his youtube videos.

[quote name='Prime_BASS' post='919201' date='Aug 9 2010, 01:16 AM']This thread should be banned, my gas is to high, I may explode. I want ray, I don't want to spend ray money, not even used money, I want a project, I don't want a olp project, I want string mutes, I don't really need another ray sounding bass, but right now it's all I like. I'm gonna see how well I get on with my next P-bass and if it goes well I'll mod that but who knows, there are some really nice used rays and one on the bay with the classic bridge. So I don't bloody know what I'll do with my cash.....[/quote] IMO, a Ray, a P and a J are exactly the tones ive been after since I started listening to the bass guitar. Cannot go wrong with any of them. There is a certain 'feel' and effortless 'ommph' with a Stingray that no other bass can match, and thats why I go back to them. Sometimes the tone is a little OTT, but as Ive found recently, a set of flats and a treble cut makes ALL the difference. Thumb resting on single H, plus that great neck profile, is perfect for fingerstyle.

If you like them, keep them I sold two Rays thinking ill buy one 4 Ray and one 5 Ray. I dont currently have any due to waiting for stock, but I REALLY miss having both those Rays. So much so that I might just bite the bullet and get another. Ive learnt so far that GASSING for new gear is bad for your gear collection as sometimes you sell something thats really good.

[quote name='Prime_BASS' post='918261' date='Aug 7 2010, 07:14 PM']Indeed, I'm still looking for the right P-bass for me. im pretty satisfied with my jag for a good jazz bass tone. Although ts got a load of switches and a naff preamp it does the standard jazz bass tone very well. How are you with Rics?[/quote] Only played a poorly set up Ric about 12 years ago and never got to plugging it in. I absolutely love how they look....and I quite like the tone. My issue with them is how many people get them brand new with bad finishes, things out of place, and general problems. They cant all be like that though, so id love to try a really good one.

[quote name='Prime_BASS' post='918228' date='Aug 7 2010, 06:42 PM']yeah nothing wrong with Jazzes. I like a good Jazz with 70s postion pups, phat alnico and nice low action. I just wish fender had a better active sound. G, I may be tempted to let go of my Jaguar with fender custom shop 60s for a nice price?[/quote] Fender are much better when it comes to plain old passive and ive learnt that when I bought a Fender P Deluxe some years back then sold it on. Thanks for the offer, but I think at the moment im still sticking only with a Ray or Jazz. Cheers anyway.

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' post='918078' date='Aug 7 2010, 04:04 PM']That is a lot of GAS you have![/quote] Hahaha! Yep, and realistically I have to choose just the one.

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' post='917979' date='Aug 7 2010, 02:08 PM']Also we are 3 pages in and no one has given any love for your another Jazz option,I dont want to be labeled some kind of Ray only player/collector! Nowt wrong with going fo another Jazz I love them too and I even work for a company which employs a Mr Jazz Mann and that is the truth! What jazzes are in the the lineup?[/quote] Would be yet another American Standard (3TS, Rosewood, Tort) 2010 (new), or a CIJ/MIJ Jazz as long as its in excellent condition. I did look into the Road Worn Jazz, but Ive had second thoughts. The lineup now runs at: 2010 3EQ Ray 4 H 2010 2EQ Ray 4 H 2010 American Standard Jazz Pre-owned MIJ/CIJ Jazz Possibly second hand Ray if they are the colour Im after.