jonno1981

Hello hive mind. I’m considering making some changes to my jazz bass. it’s an all parts/mighty mite combo which work really well together. The setup is fantastic, lots of positive comments from other folks who’ve played it. Between myself/previous owners we’ve upgraded the hardware on it. It’s sporting gotoh tuners, badass bridge and emg jvx pickups - which is their vintage voiced set and strung with ti flats. I have two issues with it: 1. Body finish I find is too bright. I’d love to dull it down a bit. I’ve considered a relic but conscious that it’s poly and may become a hideous looking disaster. Thinking some light wet sanding to reduce thickness of clear coat might dull it down a bit. Could reduce risk by doing the back first I case I mess it up or find it falls off in chunks or something. 2. Amplified tone. It’s quiet! Comparing to a cheapo but great Yamaha 414, it’s about 1/3rd the output. It’s really noticeable. Yes I’ve adjusted pick-up height up, changed the battery and looked for any adjustment on the pickups, nothing. It’s with the factory harness with pots/ jack etc. It’s been problematic in the studio. More gain is required and I have to use an external pre-amp which I just don’t need when using the bb. As a result the bb has become the go to. So thinking of solutions to #2, new pickups and possibly on broad pre amp seem the way to go. If I go pickups first (bound to cost £150+ for anything), plus another £45-65 for the loom, I’m in for £200+. If I still think I need the on board pre something like a j retro then it’s £150 ish on top. option 3 - stop thinking and buy a squire 40th anniversary (edit from 50th!!)for £300ish and keep the jazz as is! What would you do?

That’s a new body shape to me from that brand. I like it! The lakland bridge makes it their own.

Thanks so much for this. Sounds like a non-crap paramore! Will delve further.

Maybe Barry Moorhouse of the bass centre fame can help? Unless my middle aged memory is failing me, I recall how strong the connections were between the store and JE.

I hate where people remove scratchplate film but leave bits under the controls. High action New basses that don’t come with a case. Small strap buttons Plastic highly destructible battery box covers Sticky necks/ other peoples gunk

Excuse my ignorance but what’s an acc-126?

Doesn’t say what the 2 switches do in the description. Could be good value if the basics are assembled well.

Activier? Sounds like yoghurt. I’d love to see what was lower on the list.

Led zep, Bowie, The smiths, King crimson, kraftwerk, Motown was all on heavy rotation was I was growing up. I love all of these and it’s certainly had an impact on my playing and musical taste. I had a weird nostalgic moment listening the smiths recently when I swear I felt like I’d stood on some Lego. No Lego in sight, just a weird flashback to some point in my youth when my dad was spinning vinyl in the front room.

I’d say I’m pretty average, but reckon I’ve played in some above average bands over the years. Point I’m trying to make is that it’s not about the individuals, but how they come together that’s the important bit for the music. No one cares how good you are if the band just doesn’t gel.

Best reason to go DI only! Wouldn’t fancy carrying a bass rig around.

Thanks for the recommendations. Unfortunately purchasing plans are on hold for a bit as my aquarium needs a new filter and lights. It’s going to consume my disposable income in the short term. I’ll come back to this thread and update it once I’ve actually bought something. 😀

Love the headstock. Might be the first time I’ve seen a matching scratch-plate headstock and it’s brilliant.

They’re pretty savvy on internet advertising. If you do a generic google search “I want to buy a bass”, they always turn up high or first. Product is very cheap, checkout is fairly easy, lots of models/colours to choose from. Schools buy a lot of them as well. I’ve never played a good one! But they are often in a sorry state when they turn up secondhand.

That 4 string is so beautiful. The neck through looks so incredible on its (ahem) backside. If I had that I think I’d display it backwards on a stand!

Bit of a greatest hits episode tonight. How good was Jill Scott & band?

I’m a fan of the brand. The bass vt is a staple on my board but doesn’t do this sort of sound well.

Crikey it’s over £300! Ticks a lot of boxes though.

Interesting. I don’t associate him with that sort of tone, but that’s not to say the pedal can’t manage it.

Hi hive mind! I want to get a drive pedal that has two switchable levels and flavours of drive. I used to use a trex bass juice that had an on/off and a boost. Something similar but different! Ideally, a preamp that has an on/off, then drive 1 and then drive 2 gain levels would be splendid, but not essential. Any recommendations? Seen a Goliath effects desolation which looks the ticket.

If only they could make these at the same price as the 40th anniversary squiers!

I really enjoyed reading that. Thanks for posting and reminiscing.

I’d love for Thomastik infeld to keep making their current products, but just in a way that brings the prices down! Nothing wrong with the finished article, I just hate paying £60 per set of jazz flats!