Joebethell

[quote name='TheGreek' timestamp='1462643119' post='3044652'] Nice looking bass - Love big bodied semi acoustics...I'm hoping to take possession of my Epi Jack Casady tomorrow - bought is about 6 weeks ago but had a friend collect it for me and it's been with him since. [/quote] had a friend who played a Casady lovely sounding bass I just never liked the gold (now they do other colours can't really fault them).

So after a bit more of a play today I'm still really chuffed with the bass. It has all the plus points of the single pickup Newark St version I had but the build is a lot better and has a proper bridge as I really didn't get on with the wooden saddles on the latest versions (hence the sale of the Newark 2years ago). I know that's how the starfire bass was in the 60s but even after lowering and enlarging the saddles I would still loose an E or A at a gig (I do dig in a bit but still) so the metal saddles on this bass are reassuringly massive and I can't see me having the same problems. First change will be the tape wounds they need to go and fast not my cup of tea at all! Really seem to strangle the tone so some nice flats or halfs to buy. Also will have to find a longer strap as I feel it needs to drop just a bit lower than the ones I have now will allow (I'm not quite hooky though)

My newly acquired Guild Starfire II USA from the 90s. Love this thing. Sorry for the poor photo.

Not long moved house and can I find my guitar stand!

New Semi Bass Day Last month was my 33rd birthday(yes yes I am that flipping old) after much internet hunting and planning I managed to wangle today off work to take a trip and spend some cash! So a booking with a Mr Baxter and a train to the smoke was the order of the day. Now I tried many very nice instruments at his shop including a nice 57 reissue from 1983(good year that) but it wasn't right for me nor was the 1975 P or the Gibson Eb2s and a Rivola so with that I departed. Now the fun bit on he advise of some fellow Basschatters I made my way to the Gallery in Camden and after some time one beauty stood out played and sounded a dream so made its way back to the real world with me. Said bass is 1990 I believe so only 26ish but after having a non USA recent reissue the 90s U.S. By comparison is in a totally different league. Say hello to my new (26year old) Guild starfire II.

So visited Mr Baxter he is very accommodating but the basses I went to view were not right for me so I popped over to the Gallery as suggested and have come back poorer! Will post a NBD soon but first Celebratory Beers and then a train to be real world are the order of the day!

[quote name='ahpook' timestamp='1462526036' post='3043718'] Shhhhhhh...he's here, he's here ! Everybody hide, shhhhh, listen...everybody hide...and then we'll all jump out and shout 'Boo !' It'll be ace . 😃 [/quote]

That walnut though! I think I would have wanted that anyway even if the oak didn't have to go.

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1462428502' post='3042888'] Mind you don't scuff our gold street paving on your way through... [/quote] Will be careful not to trip over an oligarch!

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1462387553' post='3042654'] If you have an appointment with Mr Baxter you won't be able to afford to go anywhere else. [/quote]

[quote name='timhiggins' timestamp='1462387821' post='3042662'] Ha [/quote] You might be right!

So I'm off to the BIG smoke this Friday on a rare day off from the daily grind of work. I have planned it well with some birthday money still burning a hole in my pocket I plan on visiting a few of the bass shops to see if anything jumps out! So my question is this who should I visit apart from Mr Baxter as I have booked an appointment with him as I have always wanted to go to his shop.

Good work hope it holds!

I have owned modern and vintage basses and the sound and quality can vary on both. I wasn't around in the 60s or 70s but having have Gibsons Fender, Ricky's and a Hofner the older wood does seem to add something to the tone! I dont know if it's right but I think it's down to the playing over many years with the vibration in the wood? The one thing I have learnt is I don't like active basses especially with pedals! Overdrive,fuzz or distortion just sounds plain wrong with any active bass I have played!

Looking forward to seeing this saved!

Billy would know better! 62 jazz refin and refret with some major mods plus the neck joint gap looks pretty poor all yours for 6grand!

Bit of an odd one this and a hefty price to go with it. http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/162049144688

Think I'm going to just go and try it when I get a day off. Plus I'm sure I can find one or two others to play while im there so I can make an informed decision.

I'm afraid I will be a no show as I am unable to get rid of my shift at work 😟

yeah think that's going to be the only way! GAS is becoming a problem for me so I was hoping a birthday bass or YOB would add an extra layer of attachment so I want to keep hold of it. If that makes any sense

Cheers I think I could get on with the nut width if I got used to or if the neck is thinner then the width would be less of an issue but it's hard to say until you pick up the bass in question! It's a lot of money to risk I know I'm going to struggle to get to play both basses as they are both far away so it's going to be a call to decide which one to go try and possibly purchase.

So I have had a little cash for my birthday and I'm torn between a couple of options from the big F. The first is the 2015/16 postmodern Pbass from the custom shop the spec sounds great and from trying a couple of other custom shops the tone seems to go up a notch with them. The main selling point for me of this is the Jazz width neck. The second option is a Pbass 59 reissue from 1983 which is a YOB now the only thing with this is the nut width will be along the 1.7" wide. So the dilemma comes from a YOB bass which will have a special meaning but I know from trying another later version the neck width will take some getting used to for my little digits (not unplayable but the bass I tried not the one for sale sounded and played really nicely apart from the width at the nut) or a Pbass that should sound and play great with a nut width I'm used to but with no YOB specialness.

Your right I never expected that!