Steve Browning

That's for sale here. Lovely looking thing.

I almost hightailed it right there after reading the original post but caught myself thinking 'but I don't even like Jazz basses' and so didn't. I was thinking I was possibly missing out on a bit of a deal but it would seem not.

Go for it definitely. As for the bass parts, it's not all the same notes. If you don't know their stuff, listen to Shanana. Ok, they were a little 'comic' but listen to the instruments behind the vocals. Of course, you could also watch Tutti Frutti on DVD.

Three Little Birds done as a shuffle and Heard It On The X done as a funk version. Both went down really well and you could almost hear the points at which each was recognised.

.................... and how's the liver. :-)

I actually disagree, the vocabulary you encounter in jazz gives you options in all genres. Your post raises the question of why teach jazz at all if you don't expect them to pursue it further - and you teach people to solo? :-)

I have gone in completely the other direction (as a result of my Dad, who was a pro Jazz man before the war). As soon as I started playing bass 'seriously' he took me along to a jazz big band where I was sight reading all the usual big band things (I had learned piano for years and so the change to bass wasn't hard as far as sight reading went). I was also in a punk/R'n'B band at I got asked to join a modern jazz quarter so I was doing punk gigs, modern jazz (piano, bass, drums and vibes) and doing the big band too. I have to say, playing in a big band is something else when you are literally immersed in the sheer power of a horn section. It's quite an experience. I think it's the challenge but also you become less evangelical as you get older and are less inclined to maintain the 'tribalness' of youth. There are some simply stunning tunes in Jazz and I defy anyone to listen to Ben Webster play a ballad on the sax and not be moved.

Check out the Ishibashi site. There are lots of good Japanese basses here and the prices are good (don't be put off by the price in Yen).

I swap out all mine for the Gotoh 203. An advanced version of the original without having a brand name all over it. Great bridge and very reasonable cost.

I can only answer for the Aerodyne where I get a full on Precision with the Jazz pickup backed off and get a Jazz bridge pickup sound with the Pbass pickup wound off. The pair flat out gives a fatter 'Jazz' sound as you are incorporating a Pbass pickup rather than two Jazz pickups. The Pbass pickup is hum cancelling.

I get the impression that the amp is unreliable rather than it just being the settings used. There is mention of a known issue with the eq somewhere back in the thread. I don't know which Cort you have but they mostly seem to be actives with twin humbuckers, much like the basses you want so I think I would be tempted to concentrate on getting your amp sorted so have something which is consistent and reliable. Maybe an investment in a good set up.

I am not familiar with Sin City (more's the pity) but where are you? Could you take yourself to a blues jam or something and ease yourself back into it? They are wonderfully supportive places and you usually play 2 or 3 numbers before the band is changed around again. I'm kind of the opposite in that I only feel like I know what I'm doing when I am playing bass. In every other situation I feel like a fish out of water.

May I ask what kind of sound you are after? Could it be achievable with a change of strings (do you use rounds but your ideal sound is made using flats?). Maybe the wealth of knowledge here can guide you more specifically. I understand what you mean about 'better' gear. I think most of that is in the mind rather than actual. I remember feeling really cool when I bought my first Fender but I don't think I actually played any better.

I know that feeing only too well. I think one of the reasons I have the gear I do is because I have had to sell stuff, over the years, to make ends meet - not a pleasant experience. I know what it's like when th gig money buys a loaf of bread and not a new bass/amp. Very best of luck with the new venture. If you want any help with VAT then feel free to PM me (I am an ex-VAT man and now in charge of VAT at a company with a good few £billion turnover). It's not much but may save you a few quid as you start up. As others have said, don't get too hung up on the gear you use. I suspect that your feelings are more to do with your current inability to get anything else principally.