GreeneKing

[quote name='Conan' post='1108525' date='Jan 30 2011, 07:30 PM']Wise words. But there's another that says 'Never look a gift horse in the mouth'... That's the great thing with comments of this nature - there really is one for every occasion! [/quote] Comments like that seek to simplify life because we like to see things clearly and in simple terms - human nature. In reality it's seldom that way. Personally I've spent £60, I've got a bass that sounds quite good, I don't like the action or the thought that the neck is no longer adjustable. I'll see if a Fender size neck will fit and I may have some fun fitting it. Results to be determined, life will go on and it could be a good thing or it may not be. Either way it's keeping me from the existential despair I might otherwise succumb to Peter

[quote name='nick' post='1108010' date='Jan 30 2011, 12:10 PM']I strung mine with black nylons, just went the usual back of bridge route, though not too bothered about string through body - sustain's not a priority for me. [/quote] Mine stick out but it's not an issue for me. Re: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=120816&hl="]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=120816&hl=[/url] Can someone with a Fender try a neck swap for me? Thanks Peter

I had a saddle allen key in the lead bag.

I think so, with gold tuners? Would be mildly interesting if anyone can see if a Fender neck does fit. Not that I have one spare mind

Just thought I'd better let you guys know, I may (do) have an issue with my cheapo bass. I gently (it really was gently) adjusted the truss rod to straighten the neck a tad as the saddles were close to bottoming out and the action was still a little high (yes I do know what I'm doing ). It seemed to work at first but then the neck settled back to it's original position. I then noticed a couple of slight swellings at the back of the neck, around where the ends of the truss rod would be. So it seems that, on mine at least, the neck isn't really up to the job and is the weak point of the instrument. It still plays and tbh I can't be arsed to take it back as I can use it. It still sounds pretty good although the action is a bit high and isn't going down anytime soon Peter

I can remember when Japanese made products were referred to as 'Jap Crap' and were often of dubious quality. I believe that Japanese products nowadays are among the best on the planet. I work in Lakeland's (The kitchen people) warehouse at the moment. At least 70% of their products (often with household brand names) are made in China. Chinese tat is a misnomer and the standard of their product is at best brilliant and otherwise improving rapidly. Here's some photos of my £60 bass:

Here's my review copied from another forum in 3 posts: 1. I thought about it. Delivery charge = £0.00p. It's the price of a good night out, or so I'm told. I've ordered one and if only to tweak it and experiment a bit. A new band I'm trying out for practice in a tiny room and it won't matter if I knock it a bit. 2. I've just got in from work and the bass is awaiting for me. Let's be objective here, and forget cost for a moment. Accessories: Gig bag, slightly padded with pockets and a leather handle, better than some Fender canvas bags I've seen. Strap, cheap but hey it works. Lead, as above really, at least it's not 'curly'. There's even a truss rod allen key. The bass itself: First of all it's quite light, I'll weigh it later but it's certainly not a ball breaker by any means. Paint finish is pretty immaculate and the scratchplate is 3 ply. The string through bridge is apparently good quality and is a 'high mass' copy. (No not that Catholic thing that appeals to many). The neck relief is reasonable and the intonation is nearly spot on although the bridge saddles are right up and the action is much too high for my liking. The neck wood has those 'flecks' in it that always make me think of cheaper woods but hey, it does have a 'skunk stripe'. The open tuners are obviously copies but are sturdy and smooth. The frets looks good with no sharp edges but we'll see when I lower the action. I'll also replace the strings. The fretboard isn't 'perfect' in that it has some 'lumpy' grain around the G string but I don't think that's an issue Tone wise initial impressions are that it has a good output and a fair bit of punch but little warmth or sustain. The volume pot has most of it's adjustment in it's first bit of travel but both pots are smooth. I haven't got a cheap bass and at £120 I'd consider this a bargain. A new bunch I've started playing with practice in a tiny shed and their eyes lit up when they saw my ACG. Better to drag along something more akin to the environment and risk of damage. I'll put new strings on and lower the action and let you know how it progresses. It may really benefit from new pups or electrics but with a bass of this value that could be a mistake. I'll see, and it'll maybe be in Moffat in just over a week for you to abuse. 3. I've lowered the action (using the other allen key I found tucked away in the lead bag) and taken a bit of relief out of the neck. No buzzing at all. The bass still sounded 'nah'. I put some Ernie Ball Super Slinky's on and: [size=7]OMFG[/size] Night and Day. I popped them on one at a time starting from the E and each time my other half heard me yelling how good it was. The old G string was the worse by far and that too was sorted. Oh and the neck pocket is tighter than a nat's chuff on a Sunday. It's sounding good through the active input on my amp as the passive was clipping a bit. I still need to raise the pups a tad too. 60 quid plus a set of strings hanging around that I was probably never going to use - unless the neck is like a banana in the morning I'm really pleased. Oh my balls are bigger now and stick out a bit. Peter

You're not in Cumbria are you? Sounds like you've tied in with our 'old' guitarist

[quote name='thisnameistaken' post='436826' date='Mar 17 2009, 01:20 AM']Hmm. OK let's try to distill that a bit: Vigier - I've never seen an old Vigier, anybody got a snap of one? That's a new bass to me. John Birch - Would like to see one. Looks like he just makes copies of American basses. Gordon-Smith - I think their Les Paul models are modern classics and I love them, but I've never seen a GS bass - again, pics? Chris Eccleshall - Another American copier? Jaydee - Too modern. Aria SB range - Bit plain, but the best suggestion yet. Yamaha BB range - Agreed! [b]Not-American Classic[/b] Ashley Pangborn - Look just like Jaydees or Alembics, no, not good enough. Manson - Does he even make basses? Another boutique nobody - NO! Wal - Agreed! [b]Not-American Classic[/b] if you can find an older one or the original body shape. MkII and later basses don't count! Overwater - Too modern, too exclusive. Hagstrom - Inspired by American designs but still with original features and still cool. I say [b]Not-American Classic[/b]. I've never played one though and they don't look too clever in the "giggable" category to me, but maybe that's just me. Egmond - Best example I could find looked like a really cheap Fender knock-off. Pics? Ned Callan - Would like to see some examples. All I'm finding is Shergold links. Washburn - Can't think of a "classic" Washburn, I remember them for (admittedly good) budget guitars in the late '80s. Were they around before then? Tune - Too modern. Ibanez - Again, great suggestion, I declare the Musician a [b]Not-American Classic[/b], always tempted by them when they come up for sale. Vantage - Would need to see classic examples, I thought they were a relatively modern brand. Riverhead - Can only find '80s models. Did they do anything else? Westone - I remember lots of people learning on Thunder models. OK then - [b]Not-American Classic[/b] - but ugly! El Maya - Didn't they just do Fender copies? Fernandes - Didn't they just do Fender copies?[/quote] ? Are you real?

The best 2 x 12 that I've heard, by far, in a back to back comparison was Dave Perry's home built cab - totally awesome. I put together a pair of Eminance neo drivers and a tweeter into an old lightweight discontinued Zoot 'box' and with a pre made panel/crossover it is totally awesome. Dave P has now built a composite version of his cab and it remains to be seen how good that is (I'm expecting a lot). My point? Commercially built cabs in the main aren't rocket science. The right sized box, well braced and well equipped with drivers and a decent crossover may turn out better than some 'commercial' big name products imo.

[quote name='joegarcia' post='1095911' date='Jan 20 2011, 03:29 AM']Nice![/quote] A master of understatement Have you put this on Talkbass Matt? Peter

Hehe, if I pay Rich legal fees he'll have bigger ones to pay to Messrs Ball and F Purely research. all in the public domain, move along.... Many thanks all. Rich, your thoughts? Peter

Much appreciated guys, now the P to go Peter

It does thanks Dan

I'm thinking about commissioning a somewhat special bass for a particular sentimental reason. I have an urge to get close to the traditional MM and P bass tones from something that looks much more modern. Can you Stingray and Fender P bass owners give me the pickup centreline distances from the 12th fret so that I can look at the possibilities. Much appreciated. Pedro

Yet again a pleasure meeting up with Gadge. (Sadly the last time when when my Mum was moving onto care and this time was to her funeral) A gent. Don't forget to pm me your address so I can get the cable in the post. Peter

[quote name='sk8' post='1091450' date='Jan 16 2011, 03:21 PM']classy throw!!![/quote] Well it put the Bengals to good use Just kidding honest (Germans can have strange tastes in throws):

I'll throw a picture of mine into the mix. I love the tone, very subtle and versatile.

[quote name='Bassnut62' post='1091265' date='Jan 16 2011, 12:28 PM']I know the feeling - I tried mine just cos i was in a shop and GAS was so bad I had to give in in the end. got mine with one of those Arts Council interest free loans - gave up smoking and used money to pay £100pm off on ACE loan went for a solid colour too win, win good luck if you need a cure for the GAS; but you may have to accept your situation and enjoy![/quote] And you quit the evil habit, result!

DR Sunbeams, my 1st choice

I'd say that my JM5 in Jazz 'mode' has more warmth and 'soul' than any Jazz i've played and that's a few. It does have Delano's and the Sandberg pre that I think is a GlockenKlang. Soul is what I would call it's tone. My other half would agree, she loves the tone. My other basses are much more modern and hi fi. Not a bad thing, just different.

Many thanks Guys, appreciated. If you go South to the BM for a gander Alan, give me a shout. Peter

A good luthier will have a machine that puts a very accurate radius on a board. Doing it by hand serves no useful purpose whatsoever imo unless you can charge $999 for it