NJE

I have a massive issue with my body chemistry deadening strings quickly, and was luckily given some bonus D’Addario player circle points to try the NYXL strings. Despite not being marketed as lasting longer than any other strings they have massively more life in them than any other uncoated nickel strings I have used over the years. like someone else mentioned they are beautifully packaged and I love getting a little sticker as a bonus when your spending a good chunk on a set of strings. Mom currently deliberating more or going back to Elixir but it’s a tough choice.🤔

Worst lyric in a song that my band performs; “Well I'm the friendly stranger in the black sedan, Oh woncha hop inside my car, I got pictures, candy, I'm a lovable man” Im sure it wasn’t supposed to give the creepy vibe it does now, but in modern day context it does sound a bit wrong. 😬

I am now on my third Stingray after trying a few different basses and unfortunately having to sell one for financial reasons. For me there are a couple of big selling points which bring me back to the bass not including the very consistent build quality. The neck is beautifully finished and the nut width is just about spot on for me as I struggle with the Jazz bass nut width. The big pickup has bark and you can do so much with it and a 3 band EQ, I find it really cuts through live which is a big thing for me. The pickup position is also really comfortable for me as I pretty much always anchor my thumb on the pickup cover. I never quite get comfortable with the Precision pickup position and a jazz is a bit too far back although more comfortable than a Precision. I still love J and P basses but the small things just make a Stingray the perfect bass for me at the moment.

I trained my wife up too well, she knows makes models, colours and now even comments on the colour and comments things like “you’d need to change the pickguard in that, tort would look better”. I think I am the odd one out because my friends all hide purchases for their hobbies from their partners but we discuss everything and I like running things past her. I think I have almost got her on board with a mustang bass and she knows one of the ultimate dream basses is a Pino signature.

That looks very wrong to me. Truss rod adjustment hole looks wrong, headstock decal looks out of place, the pickguard doesn’t look the right shape, sunburst looks wrong, and there aren’t many stock Fender basses with PJ pickups in that colour with maple necks. Just lots of small things that make me say avoid or at least don’t pay much and happily know you have probably not got a Fender.

I have heard this quite a bit, these shows and their researchers etc will go and search YouTube and social networks to find people who have a certain level of ability so they know there will be some talent on there. The Voice seems to do this to a higher degree from what I have gathered from some videos and articles.

I love Lollipop tuners and they look amazing on a Tom Stenback 5 string in the same 4+1 config.

I wouldn’t listen to any of that Kind of music at home out of choice, but it is so much fun to play in a band. I played loads of Disco/funk in a previous band with a brass section too, and I have never enjoyed playing so much. We used to do September by Earth Wind and Fire which was just pure joy for the band and audiences.

Yeah totally agree, my stingray is incredibley well made. I think on the whole I can’t quite believe how much American made basses are, I remember paying £650 new for my first American standard precision but then that was about 18 years ago now 😬

I was really not impressed by the changes when I first heard about them, but I have done a bit of U-turn. I think they have made some valid and purposeful changes to the bass rather than just change the colour and tweak a pickup. The roasted necks look superb and the sculpted neck joint is lovely, but I still think this is big lump of money for a Stingray. Perhaps I haven't got with the times on what things cost, but when I first started playing and fairly recently, I have bought second-hand Stingrays in immaculate condition for less than 1k, so I don't understand buying one for more than double that. I am a fan though and I have to say if I had the spare money I would love to pick up a second-hand Smoothie or Classic Ray which are a premium. Good on them though, a really nice set of updates to a classic bass and you still have the option for a classic reproduction if they aren't your cup of tea.

I have asked myself the same question many times over the years, why are there no Jazz basses and very few PJ Precisions with a 'proper' precision neck. I can handle a Jazz nut width for a while but it gives me cramp in my hand and I just feel more comfortable on a P or Stingray neck. I love Jazz basses but to get the neck I would want means either a bitsa build or custom. I was on the verge of emailing Moollon to see if they would do one of their Jazz basses with a P neck, but as I don't have the money I didn't want to waste their time.

A couple of pound cheaper with Thomann even with €10 delivery, but if you need more stuff it’s free shipping over a certain amount.

I learned long ago that a room will change the sound of my amp and how I perceive it dramatically, so there is no amp, in my opinion, that will give me a consistent sound. As such I realised that expensive amps and cabs were a waste of time (I always DI to front of house) and as long as my amp works, I can hear it on stage and it sounds good out front, it doesn’t matter. I don’t know how I got over caring what my onstage sound was like, but it’s liberating when you start to realise it’s only you that really cares and as long as your band sounds good as a whole it’s all that matters.

I follow Chicago music exchange bass department on Instagram and they are at NAMM. One of the main guys there said that it “sounds correct”. I take that to mean this is a good stingray tone so the pickup must be reasonable. Simple enough mod if it’s not though.

Spotted these a few days ago, but is seems they have made their way to one or two shops in the states now. https://www.maxguitarstore.com/products/squier-contemporary-active-jazz-bass-hh-mf-flat-white/ https://www.maxguitarstore.com/products/squier-contemporary-jazz-bass-lrl-dark-metallic-red/

Not quite the same as a signature instrument, but Christian Olde Wolbers and Byron Stroud who both played bass for Feat Factory, both used to play custom modded versions of the Roscoe Beck Signature bass. Apparently they/fender had to ask for permission to use the design and change it. He agreed and thought it was cool metal guys liked the bass.

I have heard that a few times too. In Sterling’s own words on the subject he said “it was about money” as well. Apparently he still uses them and was seen recording with a Sterling so he must still like them as instruments.

It is an American artist series apparently, so judging by the other two Jazz basses (Geddy and Adam Clayton) I would guess around £1900 in the shops.

As a stingray owner and as someone who struggles immensely with Jazz width necks, this has very little interest for me personally, but I thought it would be nice to share. I actually think it looks quite smart after being quite uninspired by it initially.

According to what I believe is a trustworthy source on social media, this is the new Flea American Artist series active bass. As lots of us commented a while ago, it’s the signature bass we thought fender should have released. No news on preamp and pickup but is looking good.

The last few times I sent instruments and cabs I used a company called P4D who act as broker service. I went through the order, checked extra insurance and then actually picked up the phone and spoke to a really nice lady in the office to double check that the items I was sending were not in any way prohibited and there could be no excuses made for not covering the instrument or cab. I was assured and had an email to confirm the couriers would insure to the full value, provided that the items were packaged well. Everything I sell goes in a hard case where possible with bubble wrap and then wrapped in heavy card. If I don't have a hard case I get the factory packaging for a similar sized instrument and send in that. Then I take photos of every stage of packing so that if anything happens I can bombard the courier/broker with how well it was packed. I had one incident where a cab had been dropped hard and damaged it. I wrote to P4D straight away with pictures of packing and damage and explained the only way the damage could have been caused. It was dealt with in a couple of days and I got the full price I insured the cab for no questions asked. Moral of the story...if in doubt ring the courier and check its covered and get written confirmation and the name of whoever you spoke to, sorted!

I seem to have pretty bad body chemistry for strings and have tried a few brands to see what lasts and sounds good. I can only comment on Nickel strings though. Elixirs have been my choice but if you aren’t after coated, probably the best two sets I can recommend are the D’Addario NYXL and the Dunlop Super Brights which did really well considering there is no claim they last longer than any other string. Apart from that everything else I have tried just doesn’t last.

I am not a huge fan of chordal/jazzy solo bass type playing, but I have a lot of time for Janek Gwizdala as a person and musician. I know he’s not everyone’s cup of tea and some folks don’t like the personal aspect of some of his videos, but I really like watching his videos on YouTube and find him a really inspiring person. He seems to have a ridiculous work ethic with his training, practicing, vlog editing and writing books, it’s truly inspiring to me. I wish I had 1/10 of his drive and focus.