T-Bay

[quote name='Chownybass' timestamp='1492762550' post='3282924'] We've gone for a range of solutions for this fretboard issue. In the short term we're putting ebony on the fretboards of the SWB basses because this gets product moving again. However Ebony is more endangered than Rosewood (Which is actually very well managed in India - and a bit of a blow to their industry - but that's another matter). So if other manufacturers make a dash for Ebony to get product moving again - I think we may well see Ebony on Appendix II before long. We will continue to use Ebony on our high end stuff though. So we're making more maple necks - which aren't to everybodies taste. The other thing we're looking into is a product called Blackwood Tech. It's a resin/pine composite - much like Richlite (which is resin and paper composite). They take pine (pinus radiata) and pressurise it with stain (either brown or black) and then they pressurise it and impregnate it with resin. And then finally they compact and press it. It can be manufactured to the hardness and characteristics of ebony or rosewood or anything inbetween. It also - unlike richlite - keeps a grain because it's still wood. It's also water resistant, doesn't warp and is flame retardant. Oh and it's 100% FSC sustainable. We've had samples made and it's really not too bad at all. You'd think it was ebony at a glance and it sounds great. I can post some updates on this stuff if people are at all interested. [/quote] That sounds very interesting, would love to know more as you work with it.

I do it in chunks, so each riff/ section then chuck them together. Most stuff I can get down quite quickly then it's just practice practice practice to get it as good as I want it. Easy stuff like Creedance Clearwater Bad moon rising took about 5minutes, some stuff can be a couple of hours spread over a few nights (i divvy up my practice so only do fifteen minutes of new stuff a night unless I really need to squeeze it in). I don't do super complex stuff yet but know that Phantom of the Opera by Iron Maiden, or similar, wouldn't be sorted in that time scale.

I have just bought one of these in 250w form off here. It's heavy but the side handles make it manageable. But you forgive it the second you turn it on. It's LOUD for sure but it's the tone that gets you. I read a lot about how nothing matches the TE tone and I now know what they mean. I spent last night just noodling favourite stuff to just enjoy the sound. Mine was up at £150 so the price on yours isn't crazy. I would buy another tomorrow without a doubt or second thought.

[quote name='SpondonBassed' timestamp='1492680763' post='3282202'] One day I hope to play bar venues. It is my dream that I will pull enough punters to be able to demand a bar towel that is soaked in [s]the finest vodka[/s] solvent just to clean my strings, oh, and to freshen my gums but that's wholly incidental. [/quote] Not sure they even do bar towels anymore, don't they all use the plastic trays? I have a well worn calling black label bar towel that was liberated way back in the depths of time and for many years acted as a breach cover for my rifles when shooting in the rain. It now lives in my 'music sundry' bag and serves the purpose of general wipe down cloth well. It's had years of gun oil on it but I did wash it first.

[quote name='bazztard' timestamp='1492661064' post='3282047'] lol you don't even have to get your feet wet to travel to France, seriously . Why didn't you just go on a day trip via the chunnel? For a nice bass surely you'd do that rather than pay and wait, and wait....I don't get it. As an Aussie, EVERY parcel from another country is overseas,and a LOT of seas at that lol. I WISH I could hop on a train and be anywhere in Europe. [/quote] Sadly it costs £20 to get the next town by train, so 'anywhere in Europe' by train would probably about one kidney.

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1492638720' post='3281979'] Personally there's no way I'd make a 200 mile round trip for something as easy to find as a Mexican Fender Jazz, especially if it's in a bit of a mess. [/quote] Exactly my thoughts, if the price/ condition warranted the effort I would. I have spoken again to the guy and he is happy. I don't think he really has any idea either of value.

I am happy doing some work, in fact I love a project, but would want to pay a fair amount based on that. It just gives an overall impression of not having been looked after so I am going to pass on it. I think it was bought on a whim and has just sat since shortly after new and not been touched. If it was a rare model I would take it on, but it's a common one, not cheap and a fair way from me. Thanks all for the input it's much appreciated. (I will try and get the pics up but whatsapp is playing silly beggars at the moment).

They are on my phone on whatsapp, will try and get them over.......

Just this minute had pics through and it's a no goer I think, condition is not great overall and it desperately needs a really good clean, and pots are crackly too so may need a clean but may need looking at. I will speak to him about it but think it will need a reasonable amount of time and effort to get into perfect fettle and it doesn't seem to be reflected in the price so I will pass and keep an eye out for one as I am in no rush.

[quote name='Geek99' timestamp='1492630074' post='3281867'] STill a bit over priced in my opinion - unless it's a shop with bills, staff, vat etc [/quote] Thanks, it's a mate of a mate which makes the discusssion a bit trickier in some ways but he is a friendly chap so will see what comes when the decent pics arrive. It's a 200 mile round trip so I will want to be fixed in my mind regarding condition and price before I do it. Searching around I can seem to find any for much below £350 but that is as of today, doesn't mean there weren't twenty for sale at £200 last week or indeed next week for that matter, hence why I asked the immensely more experienced resource that BC is as I had no real clue beyond what they are new. I would prefer a precision anyway tbh so certainly don't want to pay a premium for a Jazz.

Had a search and found it's a 2003, after further discussion (it's quite a way from me so don't want to waste a trip) it's going to be around £350, he wanted £400, I suggested £300 if ok and he came back with £350 which seems reasonable from what has been said above if it's as described. Time will tell..... Edit^^^^ beat me to it by a minute! Thanks anyway.

The serial number starts MZ317, does that help or do I need to,put up the whole number? Don't want to be rude to the guy selling as it's not mine and I don't know him personally.

[quote name='Geek99' timestamp='1492611130' post='3281620'] Not all squiers are created equal Neither are mex jazzes- suggest you post the serial number ? [/quote] I have only seen a rough pic so far, will post up the number if I can get it. Having spoken to him again it would seem that he has a sensible idea of value that looks to fall broadly with above, well a little bit less actually so will have to see. Thanks for all the help.

[quote name='Bass_Guardian' timestamp='1492603114' post='3281531'] £300? [/quote] Is that a top value or what you would offer?

I have been offered a Mexican Fender Jazz, but asked to 'make an offer' (I hate doing that). It's white and reasonable condition, just in need of a setup and clean I understand. Could anyone give a rough figure of what they usually go for? (I have searched the old Internet and found widely varying prices so after a ball park as opposed to down to the last penny). Also, are they ever copied? If so, any tips on how to check it's genuine. You may have guessed that I am a Fender Virgin!

I can't speak for any of those, but was surprised by a friends combo which was identical to mine except for a cheap replacement valve. The tone was awful compared to mine, he has since switched to an NOS one and it sounds much better. So I would say 100% that quality of valves does affect tone. How that relates to these products I can't say though.

I bought a TE combo and cab from Steve, absolute top bloke and I would have no hesitation in recommending him to anyone else. Thanks again Steve.

You are advocating mental/ physical abuse of people? It is never needed and is never productive, only the stupid would think otherwise.

No one needs bullying, it's a stupid way to go about things and very unproductive.

My first year at Uni was partly spoiled by the guy in the next room attempting to learn the entire Caster USM first album, it wouldn't have been so bad if I liked the album, still makes me shudder now if I hear it. He wasn't bad, just very very very very dedicated to his practice. I helped out a mate in the Battle of the bands (just moving kit and setting up) and we have a laugh about this guy. Unbeknown to us he was sat opposite and promptly went out with his band who played a couple of Carter USM tracks and one of their own - blatant rip off of USM as well. When he came back in he asked if we recognised the playing, luckily he was a top bloke with a great sense of humour who apologised profusely about the noise and bought us a pint, which was kind of him.