cameltoe

Approach with caution. Sounds like you may be having to contribute like it's 'your band', but in reality it's his band. What are you getting for your money? Are you pushing this forward as a band, or as an artist with a backing band? If it's the latter I'd tell him to pay it himself, the cheeky sod.

177 posts of love for John! Just echoing what everyone else has said- sent an enquiry to John, once we'd worked out the finer details (utilising his expert knowledge) he cracked right on with my request and it was with me the next day! Top, top quality stuff and a breeze to fit as all the hard work is done- just a couple wires to screw in! He even included a small screwdriver to remove the trip to the tool shed!

[quote name='brensabre79' timestamp='1384870788' post='2281647'] If that bass above were mine, i'd get rid of the stripes and stick a black scratchplate on it [/quote] Which is how it looks now! Yeah... Not sure about the green look really! Thanks for the Photoshopping!

Hi Guys! Got a bit of an idea with my recently acquired Silver Series jazz bass. The thing plays beautifully, but needs a bit of character. I like my basses to have character! It's black with rosewood with black guard at present. My mind has been wandering..... and I'm thinking mint green guard with mint racing stripes! (a la Mustang). Possibly an F bridge cover too. It looks better in my head than it sounds here, but maybe a bored photoshop whizz wouldn't mind knocking a rough image together before I buy everything, fit it, realise it looks ridiculous, and sell it all on for a loss? Cheers!

[quote name='Monckyman' timestamp='1383663428' post='2267260'] Could try seeing if the phase is out yes, but more importantly how are you running the system? doesnt sound like you use a crossover so how do you send to the sub? Via an aux or a mono output? You shouldnt have to push individual chans on the desk to send more to the subs. Could be an input sensitivity issue on the JBLs,am assuming you are using the XLR input and not the Jack socket for speaker signals? Try reversing the polarity on one while playing some music,could help though it will be different in every room. I suspect you need a decent crossover with individual output levels for your tops and your subs, so you can balance the system easily. [/quote] The subs have a built-in crossover, so both outputs feed the subs, which in turn feed the SRM450's. A separate crossover might be worth a look though.

here [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/186480-short-saddle-screws-for-p-bridge/page__p__1799773__hl__shorter%20screws%20bridge__fromsearch__1#entry1799773"]http://basschat.co.uk/topic/186480-short-saddle-screws-for-p-bridge/page__p__1799773__hl__shorter%20screws%20bridge__fromsearch__1#entry1799773[/url]

I read a post on here before about someone finding these on Allparts or similar. Let me see if I can find it.

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1384699589' post='2279597'] But there'll be disagreement about what counts as playable. [/quote] True enough I guess. I have played some good instruments in the past where I thought 'Hmm, with a little tweak to my liking, this will be a nice bass for me'. This wasn't like that, this was more what's the point, might as well put it back in the rack unless I can get my allen keys out right now.

The problem you have is poly doesn't really age gracefully like Nitro. That's why it still looks good 20 years on. Poly either looks brand new, or has chunks taken out of it. You won't get a convincing worn 'Road Worn' look with a poly finish.

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1384695096' post='2279516'] I'd never have any expectations of a bass, in a shop, being setup as I would like it. The strings would be the wrong kind for me. The action would be wrong for me. I don't understand why you would expect a shop to setup a bass just for you. [/quote] See below [quote name='cameltoe' timestamp='1384692231' post='2279472'] .....I realise I'm not expecting to walk in to a shop and have every instrument set up just the way i like it, but it wouldn't take much to have the action at least playable on most of these instruments. [/quote]

[quote name='DarkHeart' timestamp='1384681914' post='2279332'] yeah either side, i was shocked to say the least, all the bitsa`s ive put together dont have any gap whatsoever. it was very noticeable as it was the natural wood finish it looked like 2 black lines either side of the neck. [/quote] I bet that's why- they've allowed a tolerance for the paint, but there is none. And knowing Fender, they probably select the bodies for the natural wood finish after they've been cut.

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1384690371' post='2279435'] Does a bad action/setup really stop you liking a bass? I can tell a "good" bass from a "bad" bass even if it has an action I don't like. How does anyone buy a bass if they can be put off by the height of the strings? [/quote] How can you tell if the bass is even capable of a nice low action if you're playing it with the action super-high? Don't get me wrong, some felt better than others, and I'd hope I could still tell a dog from a good instrument regardless, but when you are hoping to make some kind of connection with a bass it's not easy if you are having to use shoulder muscles to fret. I realise I'm not expecting to walk in to a shop and have every instrument set up just the way i like it, but it wouldn't take much to have the action at least playable on most of these instruments.

Almost 1mm EITHER side? That is poor.

That's what I do- use the top of the P'up as an anchor when playing the E, for every other string I use the string above to anchor my thumb. Works for me, until I play a Ric!

Yes I see what you're saying, my basses generally need a tweak every winter and summer, but mostly this seemed action rather than relief. Very hard to get a feel for a bass when I could've limbo danced under the strings.

Calm down you two! Come watch X Factor. As the OP, I don't know where the magic comes from, but I've felt it three times my whole life. A circa '94 MIJ Precision, my RW, and the Custom Shop I once tried. The first two on the list, other people have commented on just how special they feel, so I know it's not just me. Never played a true vintage fender. Would love to.

In my search for a bass that feels 'right', with a slimmer neck profile than a regular Precision, I tried a few out today, hoping one would jump out at me. None did. In order: Nate Mendel P bass MM Sub natural MM Sub white Overwater (tanglewood) JB1 Overwater (tanglewood) JB2 Unfortunately the whole experience was let down by the fact nobody seems to bother setting up their instruments before they put them on display. The Nate and the 2 subs had ridiculously high action. Neck relief appeared to be ok at a glance (fretting 1st and 12th fret, sighting gap at 6th). Bridges way too high. On the mendel this caused me some concern as the bridge appeared to be at it's lowest possible adjustment, which would mean a shim. Not great on a brand new bass. The JB1 again, relief ok, action too high at bridge. JB2, not enough relief- rattling like mad on first frets. Quick sight showed neck was completely flat. Yes I like a low action, but you could have parked a bus beneath the strings on most of the basses I tried today. Ruined it for me and made it impossible to tell if I liked any of them.

Went and tried a few today, and none felt magical That magic is very much what I'm after. If my RW Precision can do it for me, surely another can? I'm not going to buy anything that doesn't speak to me in that 'magical' way.

[quote name='throwoff' timestamp='1384190505' post='2273757'] [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fender-Squier-Left-Handed-Silver-Series-/151160523990?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item2331de8cd6"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fender-Squier-Left-Handed-Silver-Series-/151160523990?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item2331de8cd6[/url] But is it? It has definately had the decal replaced on the stock, but the serial number on neck checks out, however I thought the silver series has the S/N on the headstock? Anyone got any ideas? [/quote] The first of the silver series to come over to the UK didn't have Silver Series on the headstock, from what I've read. £170-good price!

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1384456204' post='2277016'] Speaking of strings, this thread has just inspired me to ge through my string box and do some tidying up . As a result , I have realised that I have got several sets of brand new strings that I will never use now for one reason or another , so I am going to sell them all for an incredibly reasonable price here on Basschat . I need to get them sorted out and buy some jiffy bags to post them ect , but there are at least three brand new sets of Lakland stainless steel roundwounds gauged 45-105 , a set of DR Sumbeams 45-105, a couple of sets of Fender nickel and a set of D'Addario XL's that I got two days ago . All the strings are brand new with a maximum of an hours playing time , but mostly about ten minutes use unti once again l I realise I have wasted more money on strings I don't like , and they are all cut for a strings- thru- body Fender- style bass. It will take me a while to get organised enough to post them , but if anyone wants first refusal on anything mentioned , drop me a P.M . Doubtless , when I sell them I will then spend that money on more strings I don't like very much and keep this thread going . [/quote] Yep, I'll have the Sunbeams!

Message KiOgon (member here) for the loom, will be pre-soldered and ready to go, and best possible parts! Pickups- were you using Thumpers before? I have a thumper, which is like a Precision sound, but a bit more... I hear good things about Bare Knuckle being based down here

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1384452584' post='2276939'] I find Sunbeams to be one of the very best strings , full stop. Long life and all- round great tone . [/quote] Yup, pretty much sums up my feelings too.

[quote name='risingson' timestamp='1384028955' post='2272170'] Cool, I'll give Sunbeams a punt! It was mentioned earlier in the thread that D'Addario make Fender strings but they aren't just repackaged D'Addario strings. I bought a set of the new Fender strings over the summer and the difference was there for someone who's been a longtime D'Addario user. I guess if you are too you might find the same. Still not terrible strings by any stretch of the imagination, just not the same IMO. [/quote] Beware of fake sets of DR sunbeams on eBay. I bought a set a while back, I think I was restricted to phone access at the time so it was easier than logging on to stringbusters. Dud E-string straight out the box, felt lifeless, packaging looked like a cheap scanned copy, didn't even seem like they were nickel. All strings went dead in a couple weeks. UK seller but they turned up from Poland. If you like the sound of a played-in string I find sunbeams (genuine ones...) have been best for me personally.