crunchman

4 minutes ago, Muzz said:

I'd suggest that the first line of their announcement 'Due to circumstances beyond our control' suggests very very strongly either imminent or actual legal action from Gibson...in the end, it makes no difference: they've changed a popular design (and the name) due to external circumstances. No point in taking on extra work, and possibly losing sales, if that wasn't the case.

I'd guess they have had a Cease and Desist letter, and have decided that changing the design is safer than the potential costs of a court case.  Most small businesses do the same as they can't afford the legal fees even when they have a good case.

13 minutes ago, CameronJ said:

We all know it’s not that simple though. As has been mentioned, Dingwall is a small company. Even if they know they have a very strong case in court, the legal costs involved in going up against someone like Gibson are far too high to be worth it. Especially not for the sake of a design that isn’t one Dingwall built its success on.

If someone were challenging Dingwall about their AB1/ABZ, Prima or Combustion shapes it might be a different story.

This is probably the reason.  A lot of small companies will not fight things in court.  The system allows the big companies to be bullies.

I've managed to fit my TMB 30 into a guitar gig bag - bit tight but it does go in.  Not sure that it will go in all guitar gig bags but it will go in some.

1 hour ago, fretmeister said:

That PJ Ibanez must be worth a look. 

Don't have to use the J pickup!

I don't, most of the time.  With the active pre-amp though, it doesn't sound like a traditional passive P bass.

I really want a 32" P bass.  I bought one of the new Ibanez basses a few months back.  It's ok for what it is, but it doesn't sound like P bass.  I don't know if removing the active pre-amp would help.

I think there were some 32" P bass copies made by companies like Aria and Greco.   The Westone Concord is 32", and has a P style pickups and passive electronics - although it doesn't look like traditional Fender P Bass.

I would love it if Fender bought out a Mexican made 32" P bass.

3 hours ago, Davebassics said:

My preference is the jazz body regardless of pickups but I agree, there is something oddly satisfying about a P pickup on a J.

I found the option on Warmoth for the pickguard with the P pickup in the traditional position. The Pickup rout looks closer to the end of the guard than on most Jazz basses so I assume this what I'm looking for. Does anyone have any first hand experience? I'm off to america in a few weeks so would be a good time to pick one up.

 

I've not done that as importing from the US gets expensive.  There are people in the UK who will make a Custom scratchplate for less than it costs from Warmoth.  Anotehr alternative is the scratchplate for the Reggie Hamilton signature bass.  WD Music do one and I ended up buying that.  It doesn't have the P pickup in the exact position, but it is about a centimetre closer than the usual Jazz position.  My bass is Mexican, so the Reggie Hamilton scratchplate fitted nicely.  Not sure whether it would fit the US Fenders so nicely.  I've actually got that bass for sale, but it's a Jazz neck, so isn't what you are looking for.

I don't have a lot of experience of old Fender basses - I'm primarily a guitarist.  Old Fender guitars of the 6 string variety tend to be a lot more expensive than the basses.  I wouldn't personally spend that much, but I do have to say that a 50's Tele I once tried was probably the best sounding electric guitar I've played.  There does seem to be something special about the best of the old ones.

The whole topic of old wood is discussed to death on guitar forums.  There are those who say that the wood is better.  Whether that is because of quality in the first place, and all the good stuff has now been chopped down, or whether it is down to the way it ages is another matter for debate.  Whatever the reason, in the 6 string guitar market, those old ones fetch a fortune - but a lot of that is because they have now become collectable.  That seems to be feeding over into the bass market as well.  There is an element of "what the heroes played" in it as well.  Some guitarists want 58-60 sunburst Les Pauls because that is what Clapton played on the Beano album.  Some bassists want vintage P basses because that is what Jamerson played.

I can only ever recall having a go on one pre-CBS Fender bass.  What did stand out was how light it was.  It really was a featherweight.  I don't know whether that was how it had always been, or whether it had lost moisture content over the years.  Lighter weight instruments like that might well have a different tone.  Is it better?  That's probably subjective.

Just bought one of the new Ibanez Medium scales.  So easy to play after a 34" scale.  It's my first active bass so slightly different to what I'm used to.  There does seem to be a lot of top end, but then it has brand new strings, which probably isn't helping.  Seems ok when I turn the treble down a bit on the amp to compensate.

Edit:  just to add that I did try out a Mustang in the shop for comparison.  The 2" scale difference does mean the strings aren't nearly as flappy as the Mustang.  I think 32" really is the best of both worlds in terms of scale.

On ‎26‎/‎01‎/‎2019 at 16:32, skitzigol said:

@crunchman

I picked up a Westone Concord on here a few years back. It had been around the block, but feels lovely to play as it’s just that bit lighter and easier on the fretting fingers! The action is quite high on mine, but that’s fine as I use it for rumbly-punk sounds. Maple board is slick, and the PUPs are nice, load, and boomy. 

Thanks.  Seen a few of them relatively cheap on Feebay.

What's the nut width on the Concord?

8 hours ago, Osiris said:

Cheers guys, there's some good suggestions coming out, I'm particularly intrigued by the Maruskything one, although I'd have to have one in a different colour scheme as I just can't cope with turdburst and tort finishes 🤢

Keep 'em coming!

If you go on their website you can configure it how you want:

https://public-peace.de/configurator/jake-c

You will have to go light on the fancy options to keep to £1000.  The base price for their precision style is €1090.

1 hour ago, KK Jale said:

As for modern 32" P-basses around £500, I don't think so. Unless you can find a s/h History SPZ-2M or a new "Cool Z" ZBP-M1R (basically the same thing) from Japan. 

http://store.shimamura.co.jp/shop/g/gst0074903/

You are back with the CITES problem with those.

I might wait and see if anything comes of this:

http://www.musicinstrumentnews.co.uk/2018/10/12/namm-offers-signs-of-hope-with-cites/

If it does, then importing an 80's one from Japan might be the best way forwards.

How often do the medium scale Japanese Fenders/Squiers pop up on UK sale?  There are several on Ebay or Reverb from Japan, but the CITES stuff would be a massive headache with a rosewood board (which I would prefer).

Does anyone know how the Westone Concord compares as a cheaper option?

Alternatively, are there any modern production 32" passive P basses in the £500ish price range?

1 hour ago, KingPrawn said:

Hello. Its a 34" and the nut is exactly 40mm

cheers

Thanks.  I'm after a medium scale though.

Is it 32" or 34" scale?  Some of the old Arias were 32".  Also, what is the nut width?

Thanks for measuring.  I was getting confused.  Looks like the 32" scale is just in a Jazz configuration.  I think there is one for sale on here at the moment.  I'd prefer P or PJ though.

What's the scale length?  As far as I know there were some Aerodynes with 32".  If it's a 32" I might be interested.