Frank Blank

I always liked the look of a Fender PBAC, they don't appear often so even the chance to just try one out is very rare. Having waited a few years for one to appear, to my amazement one did appear, not only that, it was being sold by none other than @Happy Jack, so no worries about, well, anything really. I wasn't the first to see the ad but I was the first to say I'd have it if it hadn't already gone..? 🤞 Phew, it hadn't. I drove over to Jack's the next day. I'm not one for sitting down with an instrument and noodling for hours before deciding if I like it, I am impetuous to the point of foolish and have bought a few basses only having played a few notes. However, in this case, I think I'm right in saying I didn't play it at all, just seeing it was enough, let's just say we hit it off instantly. I had briefly seen @Silvia Bluejay at the front door on the way in and before Jack knew it I was off. I should apologise really for not hanging around longer being sociable but on the way I realised I had double booked my self and had to rush back to do some archery coaching! I got home and, as ever when I buy a new bass, I put it in the rack and forgot about it for a few days. I don't know why I do this but I do, I also always take my basses straight to Guitar Technical Services as soon as I get them for a set up, luckily he could fit me in that weekend. I drove up to Warwick, the bass was checked over and was in top order, he did remark (something I had noticed too) that the fingerboard was screaming out for some oil! I left it with him to fettle and tweak, he knows how I like my basses set up. As I was driving back I realised I still hadn't played a note on it (I don't think). I'm rambling, anyway, a week later I got it home and on the following Friday I used it during a rehearsal. Although I have very much got used to short scales I adapted pretty quickly (which is odd for me). All my basses have thumb rests, the PBAC doesn't have one so I rest my thumb on the very bottom of the fingerboard, the notes really bloom on this bass when played in this position, playing there also helped with the shift from short to long scale. We played several of our songs and the difference with a full sized bass was huge, a real improvement all round. Having had it a few months now I have to say I am loving it. The other fretted basses are lingering and looking like they need to be moved on. The chrome flats on the PBAC fit most of our songs, my new Sire GB5-4 (stupid name) will fit the few that need that bright metallic twang, but it's going to be difficult, the PBAC is the sort of bass that fits with an acoustic duo perfectly, it might have to be prized out of my cold, dead hands. Now I have a wait of Bog knows how long until a fretless version appears...

This is very true, but as I have returned back to long scale (for fretted at least) I think my fretted Jabba spalted bass (which is almost identical to @wrinkleygit's) will be on sale very soon.

Excellent. Dropped mine of with my tech today, too much relief in the neck and sharp fret ends. I take any purchase, new or second, straight to the tech just because my guitar tech skills are less than zero. The fret ends weren’t dreadful but not smooth.

Welcome @Hypo199

Agreed. My A4 had a small ring system and several small moons.

I have played about three notes on it, but it's certainly slimmer neck compared to the Godin. I'll report back further once it's back from fettling.

Ah yes, the Iceland Air Air Hostesses Netball Team.

Of course. The fretless does sound lovely, but, as someone who is lucky enough to own a bespoke @Jabba_the_gut fretless (which I prefered to my fretless Rob Allen), I am contractually bound to say it doesn't sound Jabba good.

No, there's going to be a sale or two I think to get me down to three basses.

The Sire was £2,180 less than the current price for a new Godin A4 Ultra. The Godin was a lovely sounding bass but it was way too big and heavy for me.

Agreed *joins ass kicking queue*

Yes, I noticed yours had the same string wrapping as mine.

It still had the wrapping around the strings and came from the warehouse rather than the shop so I'm assuming it wasn't ex-display.

I received a brand new bass from Andertons this week, no cosmetic issues but the battery was dead.

Preamp yes, tuner no.

Having had a Godin A4 I shall be doing a direct comparison once it’s set up. It’s certainly several tonnes lighter.

Yes. It seems to be an issue with these particularly, I was expecting it.

Hmmm, needs a set up (nothing drastic, action is a bit high, fret ends need smoothing down) but otherwise I can't find a fault. Perfect service/delivery from Andertons/DHL, I shall let you know how it is after a visit to Guitar Technical Services...

...that'll teach you to enhance your hampton with a M&S eclair.

In case anyone is puzzled that's a strictly DOI spelling, there.