Musicman20

When I pick mine up, it doesn't feel 'heavy' at the body. It doesn't want to dive, I don't think, but the body doesn't feel as heavy as I expected. No doubt the tuners are pretty weighty but they look class.

I caught some of the T in The Park gig last night. Whilst I will always like the band, it just ISN'T the same live without John. It loses some of its funk, feel and melody. The backing vocals just aren't strong enough. The guitar seems much quieter in the mix and the solos don't 'soar' with sustain and melody like they used to. Flea and Chad absolutely kill as usual. Every time I see Flea play I want to pick up a bass; he is one hell of a player. He used a Modulus and his new Fender MM pickup Jazz and both growled and punched like crazy. EBMM really should have made him a Flea signature....

I've put a few basic tones up on Instagram (I barely have time to play never mind setting up proper recording ) but my account is private so if you are on it, let me know. Ropey playing as I've been playing guitar a lot more recently. The more I play the more I'm impressed. I wish I had more time on my hands to play music but the next two weekends are packed solid. Chances of me fitting in much time with it are slim. Super impressed. If you get the chance to buy one, do it. I cannot see how this is the price it is. It is like a 'economy' custom shop Fender...in terms of the finish and feel. it is immediately comfortable. I just don't know how they do it, and yes, I was sceptical of the 'worn in' feel but it's not a myth! Stacked pots? I see and hear zero disadvantage. I prefer it to the normal Jazz Vol/Vol/Tone! The way you can blend is far superior IMO.

Spent 2 hours at low volume fiddling with a Bass Soul Food and compressor. All I can say is I was literally 'wowwed' by how perfect the tone is. I prefer this to my American Standard I think!

Does anyone know why I can't quote?! That is actually not bad for a re-issued bass with a limited run that obviously required engineering and design to manufacture again. I really would like one of their passive models but I'm waiting to try one. Sorry, totally OT!

The latest Musicman prices are unfortunately quite insane. My favourite brand/manufacturer overall, but I feel the latest prices (I've seen Bongo 4HH basses for almost £2000!) are just stopping the sales to people who would normally splash out (although not all). I don't think I could now pay nearly £2,000 for a Musicman unless it was one of the special models in a colour I craved. I can see the reason the Smoothie and PDN's are more money, but a Ray 5 H for £1900?!??!

Has the price of your Old Smoothie gone up?!??!

Yeah, I love Musicman basses but I have picked up some insanely heavy Stingrays. Normally just 4 H models as well! The 5's I have, and the Bongos etc are pretty decent weight wise.

Weight wise, it's light for a Jazz. I only ever worry about weight if I pick a bass up and think 'oh, that is weighty'....that definitely didn't happen with this. I've never give GuitarGuitar much praise but actually, this transaction has been very smooth, and they have added additional packing to the original box with a little checklist and ticks to say everything is checked along with the Fender goody bag (not much in that). They may have even set it up and tuned it! Impressed, so praise when praise is due. Gig bag isn't bad at all. Quite glad I've now got a light bass gig bag. Nothing of Mono quality but not bad.

Just FYI, the link to Flea is very subtle. Just the cool roadworn neck plate. I personally really like his playing, and his band, so I don't mind but I do prefer signature guitars to be subtle.

That's definitely an example of what I mean by extreme! The G is pretty much on the edge...

Oh I do it by eye! Check how the strings sit on the board running up to the nut and how they run over the pole pieces. If it's central and one side isn't closer to the edge of the board, all good. I've seen extreme examples which leave the strings way to one side!

Thanks! Also, I always check string/neck alignment before anything else. I've seen many basses with either a misaligned bridge or the neck isn't in the pocket correctly, etc. This is perfect. Small matter but it is nice to see it as it should be.

Ta da...

I'll use the stock set until they totally die. I'd want a very light gauge/low tension set on this. I think I have just the right set in my draw unused, but then again, nickel rounds might be just right for me on this bass.

Aye, I usually play Musicman basses (my Fenders are great but don't get used so much at the moment) but I'm looking forward to using this...I've got a Tonehammer if I want to 'active' it up. But, I'm more than happy to just go classic Jazz with it and maybe get some 'bright' flats on it like the EB Cobalts at some point.

Just to confirm, if you DO get chance to snap one of these up, I would personally do it now. This has been the least stress free Fender purchase I've had in ages...! DV247 have one in stock (or did) and I think even GuitarGuitar do as well.... I wouldn't be surprised if this was a test of the market by Fender, and full production might be based on how well these sell and how they take off in terms of the general public making comments about playing one. Then they hit full production at £1100+....although the Nate Mendal....!?!?!?!? Now that seems a good option for a Road Worn P. I can see why the relic-look is an appeal now. There is something oddly brilliant about how it looks and feels. The body doesn't feel 'plastic' or stiff. it feels worn and comfortable. It just looks 'right' on a Fender that is attempting to replicate an older guitar or bass. Looking at the Sandberg relics, this seems miles ahead and it's a good deal cheaper....!

I've got a P and J American Standard, both post-2009, but both before they changed the cases back (I love those cases so it is a shame they don't do them now) and before the latest pickups. Both took me a while to find. I have tried around 10 or so American Standards, and it took some time to get these two with the feel and quality I wanted. With the Flea Jazz, I wasn't expecting it to be this good! So it has way surpassed my expectations and it hasn't even been plugged in yet. The other MIM I have is a Baja Telecaster. Everyone knows they are superb. It is better than my old American Standard Tele. It is on par with the 50's reissues in terms of high quality, good bridge, the right snarly pickups, fat neck, and very well made, except it isn't nitro....it is however very pretty. This guitar also arrived with perfect quality control and setup. Bizarre! Obviously the MIJ/CIJ are virtually always good (IME) and the Jag I got last year is yet more proof. It almost seems like when the Mexican factory is allowed more budget to work on their high end MIM models, they slam it out of the park. Now I want a Roadworn P!

It looks as though the spacing is basically traditional Jazz bridge position, traditional P pickup position, which can look a little cluttered, but it'll be the best of both worlds

Jees. I got 10 minutes on this unplugged. Pretty decent weight wise (lighter than my American Standard) but that's not the main thing. This bass is beautiful straight out of the box. Perfectly setup and in tune. Nice low-medium action. QC is perfect. This is the second high end MIM I've bought and I'm impressed again. Vol/tone no issues in terms of clicks/smooth movement. Paintwork and wear is so good. What a colour. Neck pocket fitment is perfect. What a brilliant bass. Probably the easiest Jazz I've played. There is something about the Road Worn series...

Aye, the offset look is getting popular again with guitarists, and this new AS bass looks awesome. P/J, plus looks amazing!

Not to put any pressure on your set up guy, but if you've used him as a service (like a business) and paid him, and he is at fault (even if it may also be partly accident) then actually, he should be dealing with this for you and not just handing it back. It's like passing a car to a garage for a service and they ruin the engine. Is he insured?

I actually think in your scenario that the Barefaced powered cab might be suitable.

Mine is arriving today! Oh, guess what, as I'm off to see a band tonight, not going home from work first, then working all day tomorrow and off straight for a work evening, then I probably won't be back until very late. So basically, in the house to sleep only. The first time I'm going to get to open it will be Saturday