flutophilus

[quote name='AndyMartin' post='308532' date='Oct 17 2008, 12:49 PM']I thought about getting one for a while because I like the option of having the J pup. It's a lot of money to spend just to get a hot rodded P though. I don't know what other bells and whistles Mr Franklin would have specified, so I'll probably get my standard P hot rodded by a decent luthier[/quote] I guess that's an option. Looking at the specs for the TF it looks to have the same neck radius (9.5in) and nut width (1.625) as the American Standard so I assume the neck would feel very similar. It has a different (vintage) bridge and tuners but how much difference that makes is hard to say. I guess that modifiying the standard would also give the option of having a pup blend rather than a switch. Anyone done anything like that? Cheers

Hi, Has anyone out there owned or tried or even seen a Tony Franklin fretted precision? Anyone know a shop in the midlands that has one? I've just about decided on getting a new American Standard but I'm wondering if I should try to get hands on a TF. I know that a single pup precision is good enough for some great players and it's the sound I want, plus it's a really comfortable bass to hold and play, it's simple, strong, passive, no batteries. But will I start geting twitchy if I haven't got another tone option on the bass? When might I need that extra pup? Is there any reason, other than the extra pup, to get the TF? Cheers

Genuine question here. Why wouldn't you get a US Deluxe if you wanted a P bass with a bridge pu? (assuming money not a problem). I'm asking the question because I'm looking at P basses at the moment, and I've tried the US Standard which I like but the shop didn't have a US Deluxe so I couldn't try it. If you set a US Deluxe to neck p/u only and all eq flat would that not sound the same as a US Standard ? Does it lose something just because it has the bridge p/u ? Cheers

I've been doing some looking at basses that are comfortable when you're sitting down as I play in theatre orchestras. In this situation you can be sat for a long time with the bass on your knee - and any unbalance becomes very noticeable - particularly during the talking bits when you're not playing. It's amazing how annoying it can be. I like the look of a Jazz but I've found the Precision shape the best for comfort (and the new 08 US the best of these so far but I haven't tried many yet). On a J the knee cut is nearer the bridge so the whole thing sits further to the left (for a right-hander), meaning more stretch to the low end and more weight on the left hand. The P (at least the 08) is very well balanced and the larger body seems to support the right arm very nicely with the weight of the arm helping to counteract the weight of the neck. The result is that the bass just "sits there" - at least it does for me. Balances nicely standing up as well, but so does the 08 J I tried. The P-shape also sits nicely in my guitar stand. Back in the 30s and 40s guitar players in big bands played sat down and I suspect Leo Fender had it in mind that P Bass players would also play mainly sat down. Cheers

Thanks for all the ideas. In answer to a few questions - there are shows that need double-bass (like Cole Porter, Rodgers and Hammerstein), then there are shows that are for bass guitar (Rent, Full Monty, Panto) , I don't think there are many that need both, though there must be some. I'm looking at getting some form of electric upright as I can bow, but that's another thread ! There's names mentioned here (Sandberg, Lakland, Kubicki) I hadn't even heard of, shows how much I don't know - I just play the thing. So I've been clicking around the net to find those. I've certainly nothing against Yamaha, I don't know about the modern ones but mine (dating from around 95) is a quality instrument for the price I paid and has done me well, just a little lacking in range of tones. Don;t seem to see them around these days, I bought mine at Chappelss in Milton Keynes - long gone. One of the things I find is that some basses that are balanced on the strap are neck-heavy when seated so I'll definitely be needing to try some of these ideas out. I hadn't considered headless - they don't seem to be so popular these days for some reason. Don't they need special strings and things? There have been times when I've been jammed between the drummer and the keyboard when a headless might have been useful ! But normally there's room for the headstock. What I don't want is instruments sitting on stands where they can get kicked by the drummer. As for Fender, I see that the Deluxe's are Active so I will take a look at them. I have a personal taste for flatwounds if that makes any difference. Volume pedals a good idea but I'm so not used to having one I fear I'd have it turned off at the wrong time, but any suggestions on a good one? I agree about the noise issue and the need for shielding. Really important. Side LED's are a fun idea but I think I'd have to take a bit of stick if I had those on - I can imagine the band saying things like "does it light up where to put your fingers". As long is it's got reasonably decent markers on the front and top I'll be OK. Any good shops where they stock a range of good basses and know what they are doing ? (London, Midlands, East Anglia) I'm not going to buy on the internet as I want it set up properly. BTW I have to say that basses and guitars are really good value. I play flute and instruments up to about £1500 are considered student grade. Pros will pay tens of thousands. It's the same with violins - and have you seen the cost of double basses? £1000 wouldn't buy you a decent bow. Cheers

Hi, I converted to bass from guitar about five years ago and have been playing pop covers with friends, just for fun, from Beatles to Razorlight. However, because I can sight-read the dots and because I'm involved in theatre in other ways, recently I've been playing for theatre bands. I play through a Roland Cube 100 which is usually fed into the sound desk. I have about £1000 budget for a new bass. I'm looking for a wide range of tones from one instrument (there's no room to have more than one in the "pit"), it must be comfortable to play sitting down as well. I usually play with a pick, often a felt pick. I was thinking that an active bass would give me the control I need without getting to the amp (which can sometimes be hard to reach). But I'm worried about there being more to go wrong. I currently have an old Yamaha RBX passive. Totally simple and honest. I also think that a bass with a single volume control is easier to work as frequently I need to change volume within a piece of music. Obviously I'm looking for pro quality and reliability. What do you guys think, and where can I go to try out some decent basses? (I'm within easy travelling of London, Birmingham, MK, Oxford, Cambridge) I'm not hung-up on any brands. Thanks in advance,