Peter Train

Thanks for all the advice, it's really useful to get others views. I must admit that the one I like best is the Ibanez and I've seen other people comment very positively about them. I particularly like the look of the SR 500 but its out of my price range. I know you can get more second hand but I'm always wary of buying something second hand when I've not had a chance to see and try it in case I end up with someone elses dud. For the same reason, I'd prefer to visit a shop to try out new ones rather than just order them over the internet. Someone also pointed out this one in a mag. It's a Washburn T24 which won an award in Bass player but again I've not hear of the make before. Keep the advice coming please.

Try this link. I saw one of these in a local shop (mad monk music Kendal) for £270 and I found one on the web for £199 and I like the look of it but I can't find any one who's had one to tell me what its like. I really liked the look and feel of it. [url="http://www.jandd-guitars.com/jd-s4b.htm"]http://www.jandd-guitars.com/jd-s4b.htm[/url]

Hi Bass Chaters, I'm planning to upgrade from my very cheaf Fender P Bass copy to a better bass. I've a budget of about £200 - £250 and I'd like to get a jazz bass as I'm told it has a greater range of tones. I've seen 3 that I like which are: Ibanez SR300 Squire Modified Jazz Bass J&D Guitars JD-S4 I've seen reviews of the Ibanez and Squire but I saw the JD bass in a local shop. It has a though neck construction and passive pick ups and I liked the look of it. I can find them all for £199 My questions are: Has anyone used any of these and can they recommend them or not? Can anyone recommend any other bass in the same price range for me to consider? What would be best active or passive pickups? Photos below:

What a great day!!! TM Stevens was definitly my highlight, I loved the energy and enthusiasm. I agree that the electric guitarist got a bit too much into himself. I want to see more of TM.

I love em but I only wish i could afford one!!

I usually manage to get 30 minute or so when I get in to get rid of the day's stress but the kids do want attention. Better that thatthem wanting nothing to do with me

[quote name='BassManKev' post='323041' date='Nov 5 2008, 10:19 PM']what are you tryin to do with it?? do you know how to use a limiter?? i have also just bought one, n it works perfect as a very transparant limiter. i like the enhancer around 9 o clock for a tiny bit extra bite, any further and yeah you get hiss, but unless you have got a high treble amp (your a bassist, why would you) theres practically no hiss at lower settings. if you have played around with the knobs and have no effect, then theres something up with it. the enhancer is pretty extreme at max settings, not in a good way either, but used sparingly its great. i use the limiter to tame the volume boost i get from runnin a fuzz into my filter, works great.[/quote] Thanks for this. I'd tried it on my small practice amp at first where I got a lot of hiss. Since then I've tried it on my larger and better quality amp and it does seem to make a difference with no hiss although I'm still experimenting with settings. I think I was worried that i might have bought a dud.

I've just bought one too and I can't hear any difference other than an aded hiss.

I've just bought a BLE 100 limiter enhancer. All is seems to do is add hiss. Have you any suggestions as to what settings will make a difference? pete

Hi welcome

[quote name='Pissman' post='316199' date='Oct 27 2008, 09:47 PM']So! What's peoples fav colour! Gota say I love a purple bass.. I think I made this poll right...if not feel free to delete and I'll cry over my incompetence..[/quote] Got to be natural every time. Why cover up the wonderful grain and textures of wood with paint? Pete

[quote name='PVTele' post='319828' date='Nov 1 2008, 09:16 PM']Hi Peter, this is Mike here, all the way from damp distant Dorset! I love Cumbria, though haven't been there for years now. I'd looked at the Ashdown Five Fifteen myself, looking for a medium amp for worship gigs etc. - how do you get on with it?[/quote] I'm pleased with it as it replaced a 15 watt practive amp. I chose it as it was cheap and had a reasonable amount of power so I could play with guitarist mates using 30 - 40 watt amps. It works well when we play together and has only basic tones. On the down side, it is quite heavy to carry round and it only has basic tone controls but as I say I'm very happy with it and I would buy it again as I've not seen anything better at that price. I have seen a second hand one cheaper on the gear pages of basschat. Pete

Ok folks, I'm new to playing the bass and so I’ve read all the articles and adverts about bass guitars and I want to know what is so good about old basses? I've seen loads of adds for very expensive 59, 59 fenders and I can't figure out what is so good about them When manufacturers change designs it's usually done to improve the quality of the product. I can't believe that new basses made now aren't made to the same or higher standard that those made over 30 years ago. Also, I can't believe that the pick ups and electrics on new basses (and I mean the high end expensive ones not cheap imitations) are not better that those made in the 50's and 60's. Is it simply the case that they are vintage basses like antiques? This is a serious question, as I don't understand why older basses are so valued and played. Pete

[quote name='The Burpster' post='318810' date='Oct 31 2008, 08:50 AM']Pete, As this is an upgrade and your P is working OK for the time being, ( I understand about not shellig out loads!) keep looking in the for sale ads below, P pups come up regularly..... US Fender OEM pups will be better than you have or a 2nd hand set of SDs as above, 1/4 pounders are really fat and loud but there are esveral other SD options as well that will make a huge difference to your current set up..... How does that sound?[/quote] Sounds like a great tip to me. Although it's a ceap one I really like my bass and get a lot of pleasure from playing it with friends. Cheers Pete

[quote name='The Burpster' post='317934' date='Oct 29 2008, 09:00 PM']SD, Barts, Schaller or Wizard..... tried 'em all... there are all better than std.....[/quote] I'm also interested in replacing the pick ups on my P Bass as it's a very cheap fender copy (Only cost £50 on ebay but it seems OK to me) and I'm told that an upgrade will improve the sound. Hoever, given that funds are limited, what would be a good but fairly cheap replacement for my existing ones. Pete Cumbria

[quote name='GreeneKing' post='315254' date='Oct 26 2008, 06:12 PM']I play with a few guys in Penrith. Looking to maybe gig in the New Year, if we can get our act together I know Staverely fairly well too. Do you get lessons antwhere? If you ever want to get together give me a shout Peter[/quote] I had lessons from a Guy called Paul Everson who works at the Lakes School and is a really good player and teacher. He has his own band that is booked up most weekends. I've not had lessons for a few months since Paul got married and I want on holiday wth my family, but I plan to start agin in the future. I work in Penrith and travel up there and back daily.

[quote name='GreeneKing' post='314336' date='Oct 25 2008, 07:08 AM']Hiya Peter Welcome from another Cumbrian Peter - Kendal. Peter[/quote] Peter I'm in Staveley near Kendal and we meet every Thursday in Winermere. Nice to know there are other local bass players. Pete

Hi I'ive been playing bass for just short of 2 years and now meet weekly with some friends at their cafe to play together. I have a cheap fender p bass copy made by ALBA that I bought second hand and an Ashdown five fifteen amp that is great for playing with other people. The bass seems to play OK to me but I'd like to get something a bit better and I'm thinking of an Ibanez SR300 as it had a good write up. Pete