NAS

I've been lucky enough to have had the cash to buy some very nice basses at various times (Tobias, Sei, Bassline, Gibson, Overwater, Modulus, Status, Yamaha, Warwick) and I've always found that "the perfect bass" can become "the not so perfect bass" quite easily. One has remarkable adjustment of tone, but not quite the right core tone, another the core tone, but only the core tone. I've recently been discovering the joys of good ol' Leo's designs with modern versions of the Precision and Jazz (the latter arrived today!). When playing alone at home they may appear a bit harsh and difficult to control, but in a live band situation they are wonderful. They find a place in the ensemble sound to stand out, and as an early designer Fender really did have a genius for design of an aesthetic instrument which could be mass produced effectively. I've now got 7 basses and feel very guilty - why does Keith Richards have 3,000 guitars? I'm not sure about taking out a mortgage on a "classic" early Fender that has been heavily used and repaired. I find it difficult to understand that the sound of that particular wood is so good. I've spent £600 - £700 on each of these basses (U.S.A. made) second hand and think I've got a good representation of the Fender sound. That's not to say that I won't keep a Status and a Modulus and a Warwick to hand! I change strings about every three months - more frequently would be too expensive and I don't play publicly often enough to justify more. Strings seem perfect to me about three weeks in and then slowly lose their "tang". Free strings for life, that's a competition I would enter!

[quote name='Merton' post='157577' date='Mar 14 2008, 05:51 PM']I had one put on my Status Retroactive when it was being built, so very very glad I did - I even use it halfway thru a song for the middle section, then flip back up again over 2 beats back into the chorus. OTT? Yep, but why the hell not! [/quote] +1. [attachment=7464:DSC01797.JPG] I also had one put on the '52 PBass copy I had built. [attachment=7465:DSC00269.JPG] Very useful for all those songs in D related keys and not as expensive as a 5 string. Stays in tune well enough for gigging although you do have to take a bit more care tuning up initially (tune in both positions and adjust screw if required. Also looks quite cool. Just always keep the original tuner if you're ever going to sell on the bass.

[quote name='dudewheresmybass' post='172762' date='Apr 9 2008, 12:22 AM']absolutely, it would be wasted if i didn't use it! as a former Cellist, my little finger is also quite strong.[/quote] +1. As a former 'cellist I adopted 1 finger 1 fret from day 1 on the bass. The pink one seems to get used for fifths and octaves a lot when I'm on the root with the 2nd finger in a major key and for minor thirds and sixths when I'm on the root with the first finger in minor keys. I also seem to gliss with it a lot so it's developed quite a callous!

I still love the stability, playability and huge sustain of graphite necks: [attachment=7459:ModQ4front2.jpg] [attachment=7460:statussbfront.jpg] [attachment=7461:statusvfront1.jpg] The Retroactive is the current favourite. But there's always a pull to playing on wood, especially on a well made slim neck: [attachment=7462:tobias4front.jpg] [attachment=7463:ps1modfr.jpg] The Precision is my current heavy user. Tried some recording and it doesn't have quite the sustain of the Retroactive (which is passive!) but an aftermarket bridge might change that (notice article in this month's BGM?). But the classic PBass thump and grind is great. I personally find the graphites to be very well behaved, but I always use finger style picking which may make a difference as I need edge on the sound to cut through live. As always this is entirely personal choice, but with a selection of basses at your command I would think a change of neck unnecessary.

Hi Rich, Thanks for staying with it. Yes, I'm using one of the downloadable documents from Fender to give me the approximate standards. I do have my action set much lower than often advised. Basically I set it as low as it will physically go and then bring it up slowly to remove any string buzz. How succesful that is depends a lot on the state of the neck and the adjustment available. Some necks seem to develop a slight "wave" so that when the relief is set low there is a bit of a "bulge" upwards somewhere in the middle of the fingerboard giving buzz between the 5th and 12th frets. This bass has a lovely straight flat neck on both sides so the action can be taken very low, and all the adjustments are well within the range of the hardware. Although the bridge is quite primitive the range of adjustment seems fine. If I was a real perfectionist I might try to get the bridge moved slightly sideways, but that would require filling and re-drilling the current holes which is probably not great for the tone and means fiddling with the through body piercings as well. That's a pretty impressive list of "planks" you have in your sig. I did once have a much more "boutique" collection than now but was hit by a personal recession a while back. For serious playing I have to admit that between the Status Retroactive and the Precision I could probably cover all my requirements (a man's got to know his limitations), but I get very tempted. I should really consider selling the Status SmartBass which I suspect will get very little attention now I've got the Precision, and also the Modulus Q4. Sadly that suffered a cosmetically rather ugly headstock trauma a while back when a drummer setting up tipped it over into a flower bed! No damage to operation or sound, but unfortunate as Modulus do not do repairs and a new neck is a small fortune. So after a settling in period with the PBass those may well find their way to these forums! All the best, Nick S

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS POST Having got everything back in the cavity (tight fit and the pots haved to be oriented just right to slot in) next comes the alignment. As it arrived it was clear that the bridge had been installed a couple of millimetres too far to the left (often a quality issue on mass produced basses). The bridge was already set up with the strings off the centre of the saddles to compensate for this. The alignment at the bottom of the neck shows this. And also the alignment over the pickups. So, a loosening of the strings to move them further across the bridge. And then begins all the setup stuff: Action relatively low on arrival, just a 1/3 turn to reduce the neck relief to the minimum possible without too much buzzing. Then adjusting string height at the saddles to about 1.5mm above last fret, slightly less than 1mm at the 7th fret when held down at the last fret. Intonation seems perfect without any other adjustment within the limitations of my Korg CA-30 tuner! Pickup height adjusted to range from 2.8mm at the E to 2mm at the G with the strings held down at the last fret. Everything put back together. I'm really pleased with the result. With my habitual small amount of compression the serial sound is the traditional slightly twangy (new strings) P Bass sound, and switching to parallel with the S1 switch gives a useable but softer edged sound. All the harmonics come through quite clearly in both modes which is impressive. Action lovely and soft, very playable. String spacing seems nearer 20mm at the bridge and 10mm at the nut. A bit wide for my usual habits, but certainly not uncontrollable. Weight about the same as a number of my other basses, not super light, but quite manageable. Strings seem OK, probably won't change them 'til they get dull. Neck very playable, not too deep. Must go off and do some more practise! Nick S

Well the PBass S1 arrived today (Monday) and I've spent the last 6 hours doing stuff - thought you might be interested if there were some, admittedly pretty poor, pictures. Here it is as newly unwrapped. Just as described with all the bits minus the strap and truss rod key - I've asked the supplier about those and have some hope they'll be provided. The ad mentioned a small ding - here it is in all its glory. There's also another very small one right in the hook of the headstock, but it really is minor. The case is a cheap Chinese Fender marked moulded hard case with black lining. Came shrouded in bubblewrap in a box so no noticeable courier damage. Here's the head stock with 60th anniversay badge and serial number. And proof I suppose of where it was born. Next jobs are to swap the pickguard for a black one, check and adjust neck relief, check and adjust string alignment, check and adjust string height, check and adjust intonation, check and adjust pickup height, and then have a good play. First pick guard. Everything relatively neat and tidy under here. Bit of that talc-like stuff underneath and that mystery hole in the wood. Can't believe that it's anything to do with tone. Must be a manufacturing method requirement or a "spare" for advanced features. Whoever did the QA obviously did a reasonable job. Everything came off the supplied pick guard simply, but the replacement one was obviously made to a slightly earlier spec. Besides having less screening material, which I don't think is critical given the wiring contact points, the volume and tone apertures are about 2mm too small in diameter, so a bit of drilling required. Have to admit it was a pretty inexpensive guard, but it's 3-ply and seems good enough. CONTINUED In NEXT POST DUE TO LIMIT ON NUMBER OF PICTURES

Hi Rob, Chris always does a great job if you can get to London. [url="http://www.mcintyreguitars.com/"]McIntyre Guitars[/url] Nick S

Quite right Paul - almost inevitable! The story I'm getting is that Parcelforce failed to pickup yesterday and they haven't been able to get through to them yet! Hope this isn't the beginning of a long running issue. No real worry yet as they sound entirely genuine (there's always that doubt though). Will post as soon as it comes. Got some new songs to learn on it. NS

[quote name='thegallery' post='168831' date='Apr 3 2008, 12:34 AM']I managed the BC for a few years while it was in Wapping.. Grant was Canadian and general manager... Chris ran the workshop and Barry was the owner... a[/quote] Is that you Alex? I was about to say that the old Wapping BassCentre and The Gallery are about the only music stores I've felt really at home in. Certainly the only ones I've been offered a cup of coffee in when I've been twiddling on basses for about two hours and still not made up my mind! I gather the new extension at the back of The Gallery is working well so there is now even more room to try stuff out without feeling you're taking up all the space. I'm a crap bass player and have absolutely no "chops", but the guys at The Gallery have never passed adverse comments and cetainly not ignored me. Despite the fact that there are often "high ranking" bassists in there trying to get an emergency fix done before a "proper" gig the guys have never played the "I need to attend to someone more important than you" card and have listened to my amateur queries and given thoughtful answers. A great place - since moving from London I miss it badly. As to being shy about playing in shops - I think age rubs off some of those edges - I have no doubts about the level of my playing, but if I want to try something to my own satisfaction I can only do what I do and I'm afraid everyone else will have to put up with it - for a while anyway. I can only hope that the demise of the BassCentre allows Martin to expand The Gallery and that they manage to keep their great customer service going. Nick S

[quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='168720' date='Apr 2 2008, 09:11 PM']*Grins* I knew Merton would pick up on your Retroactive! They're lovely basses, the pair of them! Remember that even if you don't like your new Fender neck, uncle Rob of Colchester can always make you a better one for the Precision Many thanks for the extra pics. Always great to meet another Status player![/quote] Hi Rich, I'm assuming the Colchester ref is to the home of Status (and also my son-in-law!). I do love the graphite necks which is why I have two Statuses and a Modulus. Rob Green did me a real good job on the Retroactive - he even asked whether I wanted him to fit the pickguard given that he seemed to have chosen such a lovely piece of wood for the facing. I did ask him to make and supply the pickguard but I've never fitted it - it's just there with the screws in the case in the unlikely event I ever sell it and the new owner wants to fit it. Such service! I've never tested the fit of Rob's necks to original Fender bodies. From your comment I assume it's pretty good. For the moment I want to try to come to terms with an "original" Fender build. I know they do make exciting projects, partly because there are so many of them about and partly because the truely impressive mass production design by Leo is so adapatable. I've now had about 20 basses through my hands and I think more have owed their origins to Leo Fender than to the Gibson, Washburn, Guild or Rickenbacker schools of bass build. He did have just a genius for getting the basic musical requirements right (tone, control, playability) and then wrapping it up in a package that could be mass produced comparatively cheaply (IMO the bolt on neck was quite a break through and has proved successful). I'll enjoy the Precision as long as I can get the action sweet and it's not too heavy for long sessions. The SmartBass Status has more of a Precision style neck profile so I hope I'll adapt to that OK. Given I play mostly simple "standards" (can we now use that word in the non-Jazz pop world?) in covers bands the Precision should provide a good "core" sound which I can then "colour" using the amp and effects (the latter I use rarely but I hope with good taste!). I'll post some pics of the new one eventually, meanwhile here's some of the Modulus Q4:

[quote name='Merton' post='168649' date='Apr 2 2008, 06:22 PM']When you rationalise can I have the Status then? [/quote] Not my "baby", but you might be able to get this one:

[quote name='bass_ferret' post='168614' date='Apr 2 2008, 06:32 PM']Why do you want a precision when you have that?[/quote] Ah now that's a good question. Partly because I want a slightly more robust and less beautiful bass for some of the "rougher" gigs, and partly because I do like the simple "back to basics" sound of the instrument. It really is a classic design and sound. I'm hoping it will be an alder body (the supplier seems to think so) with a well made neck (always a bit of a lottery with Fenders). I'll probably need to review the other 4 basses I have and see whether I need to do some further "rationalisation" after I've come to terms with the P Bass.

Thanks again for the input guys - for Rich, a few more pics of the Status: Hope you enjoy, NS

Thanks for the comments. The BassChat server seems to be a bit ill at the moment hence late reply. Yes, the eBay one is the S1 and not the new one. I have bought it so I guess I'll find out whether the S1 is a waste of time (I suppose Fender thought it was too as they haven't included it on the new model). Maybe I should have spent the extra and gone on the waiting list for one of the new 2008 models with heavier bridge and lightweight tuners, but the price seems to have gone up as well as the spec. Anyway, I'll try it out as is. If the S1 doesn't extend the tonal variety in the way I want I can always just ignore it! I'm in two minds about the bridge. Although Badass have a great reputation I've always wondered why so many people stay with the original "bent tin" design. Again I'll have to suck it and see. Black pickguard already ordered! I was tempted by a black pearl, but I think that would be a bit too flash. I can then leave the white one unblemished and with original stickers in the case. I'll post some pics when I have time after tinkering with the action and intonation 'til I feel I've made it my own.

I failed to clock soon enough that the advent of the new American Standard Precision spec would mean the demise of the now discontinued Precision American S1 model. I had just ordered one with Maple fingerboard and Butterscotch Blonde body to discover that all the web based suppliers were out of stock and were being told by Fender that no more were available. Of course the new model doesn't come in Butterscotch which was the nearest finish I could find to a natural wood finish which is what I really wanted. During my ringing round (Mansons, Dolphin, GAK, Guitars.co.uk, Thomann etc.) it seemed that no one had any left. And then I found this on FleaBay: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Fender-Standard-Precision-Bass-American-Great-value_W0QQitemZ130196483342QQihZ003QQcategoryZ4713QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQ_trksidZp1638.m118.l1247QQcmdZViewItem"]Fender Precision American Bass[/url] Being in a bit of a state about having my order turned down (but being offered a refund as the product wasn't available) I probably went off a bit half cocked and went for the black bass which should be winging its way to me on Thursday, so I hope it turns out to be a decent example. I did find out that Martin Petersen at The Bass Gallery thinks he has a spare S1 circuit and pickups somewhere in his spare bits bin and I was considering getting this to put in one of the new spec basses as a mod, but the cost would be a lot more, as would this: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330223881903&ssPageName=MERC_VIC_ReBay_Pr4_PcY_BIN_IT&refitem=220205945872&itemcount=4&refwidgetloc=closed_view_item&usedrule1=CategoryProximity&refwidgettype=cross_promot_widget&_trksid=p284.m183&_trkparms=its%3DS%252BI"]1977 Precision[/url] So, did I do the right thing or have I bought a pup? NS

[quote name='Dillsfretless' post='163570' date='Mar 26 2008, 09:15 AM']I was just wondering what you guys would nominate as the best bass you have ever owned or played? I have a headless status 5 string at the moment, and I really like it, but I just don't think that it's my 'ideal' bass. I'm looking for ideas as to decent kit that people have bonded with in some way. pics allowed![/quote] Not a five but also a Status this Vintage 4 has the graphite J style slim neck which I love, remarkably high output for a passive bass, a good workable range of traditional rock tones, a warm woody core sound, and Rob chose such a nice piece of figured face wood we both decided it would look better without the scratchplate. I don't use a pick so this is no disadvantage. Nick S