fingerz

The problem with all these sort of debates, is they revolve around the theory that due to the price tag, they will be 'all things to all players'. I think the feel of AC's when you play one is that it has had serious time spent on it, with someones own hands (at least the older ones I have played). That's a totally ambiguous thing to say, but there's something there to me. I have played one with a dead spot, others have quirks (like the crazy top fret hanging off the top of the finger board).Some people don't hear these things, or care about them. It's like Jimmy builds in Fenders old design floors as well as the good bits, but with the aim of it achieving the tone of an old instrument. Which I really respect personally. I've heard them sound fantastic 'in the band' which is not something I can say for a lot of other 'top' luthiers. I also played a Jazz ('78 I think) with an AC Pre installed and it was out of this world. I think that bass actually previously belonged to a very well know gent and AC ambassador with one of the biggest gigs in this country.. It was an amazing bass. To answer your question directly, to say "Is it worth the money?", is one of those questions that will get you a mixed bag of answers/opinions. There could well be one out there for you, if you play it and love it, then the answer is "Yes", that's not to say everyone you pick up is going to do it. I think you don't get F Bass/John East type customer service but only AC's sound like AC's and that preamp is one of the few that actually respect old school tone, the neck radius is nice and old school too. I always play them where possible and would buy one if it spoke to me. But I am a tart!

I've been using Lava Ultramafic cables. Rigorously, on tour over the last year. Solid build quality, best cables I've ever had. You REALLY can hear a difference, I asked some of my students as I thought I was being a tart when I got them. They all heard the difference instantly and agreed there was 'more' of each instrument using the Lava. I read a lot of conflicting info when looking at shelling out on cables, but I'm glad I got some good stuff.

I play both depending on the gig. In no way do I think that the extra string is a 'step up'. It's all about tone and how you sit in the band and feel the music. For me, 4 strings generally work best in the mix. That's personal of course. I think you definitely should nourish your curiosity if you have the urge. Keep open minded. Buy something second hand as advised above, that way there's nothing to loose financially. And get something you really like the sound and feel of. But if you have the itch, go for it.

Yeh the theme tune 'Grease' by Franki Valli is a wicked tune with a hip bass line. Check that one out. I always think of it as a 'mans bass part'. !

[quote name='Shockwave' timestamp='1416177620' post='2607745'] Ok. Thanks for the info guys! Just a quick one, is there ANY difference in tone between a 44-60 and your common Fender Jazz? [/quote] There can be a slight difference in tone potentially. But get a room full of each, and you'll find some identical/very alike, and some far apart tonally. It's because of the dimensions, pick up specs, wood sources of each manufacturer. With this type of bass - passive/single coil, you find the wood rings through more, so variations are quite wide and personal. Both models are very much from the same tonal school tho. It's simple really - buy the bass you like most when you play it. Everyone makes a different noise on an instrument so no one can tell you the right thing to buy.

A direct answer to your question is because the quality of both instruments is on par, hence the market has gone that way.

I used to Warwick sweet 15, and though I don't normally fall in love with their stuff - that thing was fantastic sounding. Warm and transparent for quite a 'middle of the road' combo. Don't know anymore about them than that. Anyway, good luck in your quest for a kick ass combo!

Yep, it's really common to hear your story, absolutely bullet proof reliability - hence I use the term 'at certain points in their manufacturing history'. 20 years, wow, it must've felt like part of the family!

Dare I say, or ask the question: Why? They are notoriously dodgy at certain points in their manufacturing history reliability wise, and there is stuff that sounds great at a similar price point. They were really 'in' for a while, but had a sound that is, in my opinion, quite dated apart from the V series stuff. I'm not saying that my opinion is final, or even matters, but I would definitely try a bunch of other things out and see how the sounds are working for you. Maybe your Glaub would sound better through a different rig? ; )