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There is some really positive feedback here, I am seriously considering letting the Aguilar go to give one a try. Its probably going to be the ABM III 500 or 900 I think, that combined with my EBS 410 should give a fair bit of power. An EBS amp would be ideal but they are seriously expensive, apart from the HD350 secondhand. I still have my concerns with the HD350 that it will be loud enough at 4ohm for my band. Lots to think about....

Thanks for the comments, I seem to remeber havinga self induced incident with an old Ashdown and the customer service was excellent then. I do quite like the idea of dealing with a UK based company and the ABM range seem to offer a good chunk of power for not a lot of money. Specifically i have been after something that can run 2 4ohm cabs if need be, I currently use a EBS Neo 410 and would like the option to run another cab for big gigs. The ABM 900 has the dual 575w amps so that would be ideal. Failing that I am back looking at either a Hartke LH1000 or an EBS Head again.

Just curious as to what the quality is like on Ashdown now? I know people give them a bit of a knocking compared to some of the other specialist brands like MarkBass and Aguilar etc, but I was just wondering is the build quality good, has the sound changed at all over the evolution of the ABM range? I used to own a old ABM 300 which was pretty good, never had any issues, and have suddenly started looking at them again as an option to possibly change my amp. I have been using a Class D small amps for a while and just find them lacking somehow, they just don't seem to have the low end grunt and power that I used to get from my old trace and ABM heads. I also played a big old Peavey head recently and it just seemed to have more presence. I figure a lot of players use the Ashdown kit and if its good enough for the main man Pino, surely its worth considering? Are the ABM still made in the UK?

odd comment but that is a really nice looking headstock, is that a new shape? looks a bit Pensa/Celinder......not sure about the 50/50 body, but looks like a nice bass. I would like to see those features and spec on a non signature bass though, preferably without gold hardware.

[quote name='Rick's Fine '52' timestamp='1389470992' post='2334588'] Here's my latest addition; 1961 Fender Jazz, all original, stack knobs, case, mutes, covers, manual, catalog, ad, strap, cord, cloth, even sealed spare strings; [/quote] Where on earth do you find vintage basses, not only in that condition but with all the tags, paperwork etc? That is an amazing instrument!

[quote name='BetaFunk' timestamp='1389019834' post='2328837'] Just bolt a Precision neck on a Jazz body then. [/quote] I thought about getting bits from The Stratosphere on Ebay but knowing my luck the bits wouldn't fit and they wont even check for you before they send them out. Quite simply I am not brave or rich enough to buy two classic series basses to try it.....maybe one day though.

I wouldnt mind seeing a Jaco jazz with his other less known, fretted maple Precision neck. I would kill for a Jazz bass with a bulky old maple precision neck as I find the jazz neck a bit scrawny.

I have been through far too many basses since finding bass forums! But despite some beautiful instruments coming and going, I just seem to be happiest with Fender. For me they work aesthetically, and just fit me well. I am a big chap and anything else just feels and looks a bit like a toy on me. I love my Roscoe Beck V and the only basses I have GAS for at the moment are Fenders, particularly a custom shop relic. Glad you have found something that fits you and suits you well. I am no Fender fan-boy, I have played some stinkers in the past USA standards most recently, but when you get a good one, they really can sing. I once played a mexican 50's precision and it was faultless, it resonated more than any other bass I have ever played and I regret it to this day not taking it home from the shop.

I would love a Pino Precision but unless I can get one secondhand they tend to cost about £1500 more than some relics in shops at the moment. There was a 59 precision (I think) in guitar guitar which has now gone, and a 64 in Coda music which has also recently gone. To be honest, if/when I have the money I will probably hunt around a few stores. I am quite tempted by the heavy relic jazzes in coda at the moment.

This question is going to no doubt open a massive can of worms and bring out all the fender haters. Worth/value is all relative but if you like fender and have GAS for a custom shop I don't think anything will scratch that itch other than the real deal. From what I have read and heard about Nash, I personally wouldn't buy one but a lot of folks love them. I have played a couple of custom shop basses and they were beautiful, no better or worse than my old hand built overwaters, just different. They were beautifully made and sounded like brilliant fenders, and to be honest 2k for an instrument is not a lot of money compared to a lot of musicians, drummers, keyboards players etc. Now I am no Fender fan boy, I love my current one, but have played some stinkers in my time, but I recently played some relic fenders and they blew my mind in every way, I don't even particularly like relics! But these were stunning, they played better than anything I have ever got my hands on and that includes celinder, sadowsky, overwater, warwick, Alleva, in fact the only bass that I have played that I can say was equal in terms of comfort and playability was a well played in custom GB Spitfire. I also believe that Fender hold their value better than a lot of custom brands so if you ever decide to move it on you won't take a huge hit. Coda music, bass gear, and guitar guitar have custom shop basses, well worth a drive to one of them to try some out. I am desperately saving for a Fender Relic after playing a couple, it was like a lightening bolt moment, I just have to own one.

I just tried a Squier VM precision V, it was a cracking bass, incredibly well made and well set up out of the box. The B string was fine, it sounded like a precision with a B string string! Not quite as articulate as say my Roscoe Beck v, but perfectly good for what I play, soul/funk/Motown stuff. I nearly walked out with it but fought hard as I don't REALLY need a precision at the moment. Build and playability wise though, incredible considering it was £249, a lot better than the 70s jazz they had in and no worse than the USA fenders I have had in the past. I'm almost talking myself into ordering one now.....

I remember playing one of the Wal look-a-likes at a guitar show, lovely bass, but two things stuck me immediately. First was the G string, no-matter how I played I kept pulling it off the edge of the board, I dont know if it was a misaligned bridge or just the way they build them but I have never had that problem wth any other bass. The pickup was superb but I think in a real life situation it would drive me absolutely insane fiddling and selecting the confusing array of combinations. other than that, beautifully made and a pleasure to play (as long as I stayed off the G string). if it was me, i would get a Wal for that money and I would say that it would probably hold its value better than a Sims.

[quote name='chardbass' timestamp='1386273038' post='2298186'] Absolutely loving this. In fact I'm loving how much of this kind of music is so accessible these days- Soundcloud, YouTube and Facebook are throwing up some real gems. This, Brother Strut, Shuffler and Dirty Loops are all projects that could have normally passed me by but I'm grateful that they haven't. [/quote] I have found some real great bands and music through youtube and facebook etc. If you like Brother Strutt and Shuffler you would probably like Cut The Funk, I started a thread about them some time ago but a google search will bring up youtube clips, facebook etc......gotta love the internet.

[quote name='jon_kemo' timestamp='1386229855' post='2297365'] Yep I bought a white one just over a month ago. I really like it and it's all I have played since buying it. My band detune half a step and I've not had any problems with the B string which seems to be an issue to some people with 5ers at this price point. [/quote] Good stuff, I was hoping top hear something positive. I think B string issues are more down to string type and set up than anything else, my squier deluxe jazz has a very good B string, better than my old 36" Overwater...go figure! for £250 I am seriosuly tempted to get one of these and stick a set of flats on for some motown/soul tones.

Has anyone played, or does anyone own one of the new Squier Vintage Modified Precision V basses? I am really interested to hear opinions/views on them as I have bad GAS for a 5 string precision. I have read through the thread on talkbass but for fear of sounding a bit harsh, I find the talkbass crowd a bit gushing and over enthusiastic. So just wondering whether any of the sensible and grounded members of basschat have tried the bass?

Here is the website: http://simonwoodharrismusic.co.uk there are a few full songs on the music section via sound cloud. I am told there are ways of getting music downloaded from sound cloud, but not sure how to do it. I don't think there is any release due any time soon.

Whilst on one of my youtube sessions seeking out new music and generally wasting my life, I stumbled upon a new project that Pino is playing on. Its being put together by a guy called Simon Wood Harris and is so far called Unidentified Flying Project. He has got some amazing people playing on the tracks; Pino, Dave Weckl, Kipper Eldrige, Robbie McIntosh, Dominic Miller amongst others. There is one full song on youtube and a few 'making of' videos, but I am really liking the snippets I have heard, it sounds a bit like Dave Matthews to me (Jon Kenzie the singer has hints of Dave Matthews and Paul Carrack in his voice to me) and Pino is as classy as ever. http://youtu.be/G0ilQQjRbTg

I have had a lot of back and forth with John over a wiring kit for my Jazz (a long story that basically involves a pain in the bum bass) he has been an absolute gentleman and very patient with me and my endless checking of dimensions. In the end it was all worth it, I have a once active bass that now sounds better passive than it ever did active and the wiring and service from john was fantastic.

[quote name='marcus bell' timestamp='1384470016' post='2277221'] Doesn't bother me too much. You can all say what you want, at least me and my old man share an interest and get on really well, that means me to me than all the bass guitars on the planet. [/quote] Well done mate, I can relate to this. My dad got me into music and and soon as I could play a few notes on the bass I was actually drafted into his band. I played in the same band with him for about 6 years and I felt very privileged to get on with him so well at an age when most of my friends hated their parents.....teenagers and their angst!! Love the basses too, prefer yours though.