philw

Zero fret always struck me as a good idea and I've never associated it with 'cheaper' instruments. Ned Steinberger, Joe Veillette and Rob Green are three renowned luthiers to have gone the zero fret route at various times and on various instruments. I'm sure there's more.

P

[quote name='yorks5stringer' timestamp='1435605295' post='2810549']
Yes, it's mentioned in "The Who at Glastonbury" thread in General Discussion, there's even a close up pic of it.
[/quote]

Serves me right for not looking for a thread there then!

P

I'd run straight to Paul Herman and order another Wal. It'd be an odd one though.

P

I have a set of Innovation Super Silvers on my cheap and cheerful Czech laminate DB at the moment. They're a bit too dull though and they don't do arco particularly well - they're hard to get moving with the bow and even when they are, they sound a bit scratchy.

So, any suggestions for something with a similarly lowish tension and brighter fundamental tone that does arco well? Mustn't break the bank either.

Recording a new album with the band in October and I suspect there's going be quite a bit of DB arco called for, so it would be good to get some strings I'm happy with.

Thanks
P

Anybody else notice Pino playing with The Who using what looked like a P bass with two big chrome Tele bass style humbuckers with then a third plastic cased humbucker right up against the neck? Fascinating Jim...

Not exactly like his Fender signature model.

P

Blimey! That's both rare and lovely.

P

There's these two also..

The Squire Vintage Modified (not HB): http://intl.fender.com/en-GB/basses/jaguar/vintage-modified-jaguar-bass-special-rosewood-fingerboard-3-color-sunburst/
The Modern Player: http://intl.fender.com/en-GB/basses/jaguar/modern-player-jaguar-bass-maple-fingerboard-black/

I have a Vintage Modified HB. It's a perfectly good bass, but beware, it's a one trick pony tone wise.

Strangely, I want to refinish a Jag too. Mine would be Sea Foam Green though. Who would you have do the re-finish?

P

Yeah I thought Marleaux at the time but didn't look any further. Have to say I thought the Planet Percussion thing was by some considerable distance the most entertaining music heard all night.

[quote name='Sibob' timestamp='1432320831' post='2780536']
Haha, you know what I mean .....find it easier to get to grips with than a Low B 5 is my point

Si
[/quote]

Yeah, I know what you mean. Actually, think I'll order myself a Fodera 5 string so I can just use the B as a thumb-rest :-)

[quote name='Sibob' timestamp='1432301740' post='2780218']
It's funny, I don't really consider it a 5, as the business end is just a low E rather than a low B getting in the way. It's easier to 'ignore' the high C if it's not appropriate for your gig

Si
[/quote]

That's a genuine "first world problem" there Si if ever I heard one. Spend £6k on a bass and ignore one of the strings :-)

Sea foam green.

That's really lovely (although I suspect I wouldn't get on with such a Jazz-like neck). Falls immediately into my "if only" category.

P

[quote name='mrn1989' timestamp='1431351773' post='2770301']
£250 free delivery, but there will be taxes and import costs of £20 - £80 when it hits the UK
[/quote]

Seems to me the import duty, VAT and handling fees will be £80 minimum. I reckon you need to be mentally (and financially) prepared for something around £100.

P

Love the green/teal one. Never seen one before so presumably they're rare. What Fender model was it? How long ago was it discontinued?

P

EDIT!: Duh, sorry, didn't see the link in the OP.

[quote name='Marc S' timestamp='1430992918' post='2766589']
Just wanted to ask,
Do you find the TI Flats are very low tension?
[/quote]

Hi Marc,

Yes, they are pretty low tension but not so floppy that all the feel has gone. I have a set of LaBell White Nylons on one of my fretless basses and although they have a tone to die for, the extreme flopp makes them a really acquired taste and not one I'm sure I have, well not all the time.

This is LaBella White Nylons (on a fretless Yamaha BEX4): [url="https://soundcloud.com/philberish/whale-song-pw-remix"]https://soundcloud.c...e-song-pw-remix[/url]

Thanks all for the other suggestions. DR Fat Beams sound like an interesting option for the Wal.

Phil

I "won" myself a cheapish (£27) set of TI Flats on eBay the other day. I'd never tried them before but I know how many here hold them in high regard.

They went straight on my pimped Squire Jag and they're bloody brilliant! So comfortable under the fingers and with a unique tone.


So, now I'm wondering if I should try a set on the fretless Wal or if I shouldn't splash out a set of TI roundwounds of some description for that (never been a huge fan of flats on the Wal before, I miss the roundwound growl).

Any suggestions?

Phil

Thanks for all the answers

Yeah I guess the easiest option is to respray a Squire VM Jag, but the respray actually makes it pretty expensive (who's the most cost-effective and/or best refinisher in the UK?). It'd be nice to find a previously loved VM Jag to donate its body.

I'm sure there must be a more cost effective route than that. That Warmouth Jazzmaster body is great but it'll be probably near £400 by the time it gets to me once you've added shipping, duty, VAT and the various handling charges the couriers like to add just 'cause they can.

I know I'm sounding like a cheapskate here, but dosh is tight at the moment :-)

P

All

I've long had serious, untreatable GAS for a Jaguar bodied bass (probably passive with two Jazz pups) in surf green. To my eyes this would combine Fender's best looking bass body with their coolest colour. The thing is though, it's a decidedly rare combination, so, excluding the idea of ordering, say, a Peterbuilt custom bass from scratch (which I'd love to do but can't afford right now), any suggestions for the most cost effective route to satisfy the GAS. I'm perfectly capable with a soldering iron and screwdriver so a self-build bitsa bass is feasible. Only thing I can't do is spray paint (which unfortunately is always the expensive bit).

Thinking caps on guys please...

Phil

My memory of the 80s is that [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Tokai was the brand that finally pushed Fender into the arms of Japanese manufacturers. I think the first Squires are actually re-bedged Tokais. In other words, 80s Tokais are actually early MIJ Fenders.[/font][/color]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]P[/font][/color]

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1429280903' post='2750011']
I think that looks great...
[/quote]

Me too!

[quote name='lou24d53' timestamp='1429029763' post='2747210']
Was in Motherwell there to pick up my new specs from the opticians and couldn't resist popping into the local Crack Converters for a nosy.

They had one of these on display, they gold / black version, maple neck, looked pretty ok actually, asking for £115 I think. Wasn't tempted myself, but looks like it'd do a turn.

**sorry for regurgitating an old thread, just done a search and was the only relevant one I found.
[/quote]

Errrm £115 is a steal!

P

Blimey that's gorgeous. And a very good price too. Have a bump.

[quote name='xilddx' timestamp='1425514387' post='2708217']
440!! OMG!! It's supposed to be 432!! OMG!!
[/quote]

Yeah, I know. It's pretty risky, this playing at frequencies that conflict with the natural frequency of the Universe, but it's sooo rock n roll.

P

Uncool? You're kidding me. That's ridiculously cool (although I agree with you about the logo).

P

[quote name='JamesBass' timestamp='1425288449' post='2705770']
I can imagine the pressure! But it's awesome you got to use his rig and play support such an awesome band! Gotta say I'm a tad envious aha
[/quote]

Yeah it was stressful but real a privilege and great fun. We had to cut down our gear (we're a six piece) to fit on the stage (drummer played cajon and I cut back to one bass from the usual three - fretted, fretless and EUB), but we seemed to do ok and got lots of good feedback. I didn't get to speak to Norman, other than offer a quick thanks for the rig loan, but the other Blockheads who hung around to chat for a bit in the soundcheck were very friendly and welcoming. And yeah, they're an awesome band.

P