NJE

Fundamentally they are good basses, well put together good electonics but I couldn't get on with the neck at all, I much prefered the Joe Osbourne (probably has the same neck ha ha) it felt better to me and more comfortable, but that is just personal preference. If I had the choice of a 5 string right now it would probably be a Stingray 5 or a Yamaha TRB. The latter of course has 35" scale like the Laklands. Try a few fives out and see what takes you. In the past I have been hugely suprised by what I thought I would like and what I actually liked.

Buckeye and Maple necks are the best combo ever. Congratulations thats going to be a stunner.

[quote name='Doddy' post='625528' date='Oct 13 2009, 10:04 PM']So,you're going with the women analogy again then,eh? As far as basses go,buy whatever you want. What's most important is what you play on it. A good player will sound good on an 'off the shelf' bass,a bad player will still be bad on a 'custom' instrument.[/quote] Very true, I recently made a £2.5k Nordy 5 String sound completely aweful, cant blame the wood combination for that, it was all me! At the same time there was a very talented bass player making my Squier Deluxe V sound awesome, even with no EQ on the amp and and all controls bypassed on the internal pre. I think a huge proportion of a sound is in the hands.

Went through the jazz basses recently myself and here are my thoughts. Mexican Deluxe Active: Pretty good, EQ has not been great in the ones I have played and the construction quality varied. Mexican Reissue: If you are refurring to the new block inlay basses, I thought They were pretty good. Fit an finish on the two I played were good and the sound was pretty good as well, but I would have a new set of pickups put in for the small extra investment needed. I would say if you want a good Jazz hunt around secondhand and try the Japanese built basses. I settled on a 60s Reissue CIJ Jazz matching white headstock bound with no blocks etc, and it is superb in every way. I bought it blind without playing it after trying a Geddy Lee Jazz. Not the same bass obviously but I knew the quality would be there. Actually Might be selling my Jap Jazz soon but only as something extra extra special has come along.

£999 for a Jap Jazz They are seriously worth it (IMHO) but never knew they were that much now. I could sell you a white Jap Jazz with matching headstock and all the gubbins for less than that.

Just my bored office worker thoughts on it. I have been very very happy with off the peg Fenders/warwicks/MusicMan guitars for nearly ten years. Recently I have wanted a custom built bass because I cannot find a single manufacturer that will give me all of the aesthetics I want without heavily moddifying that bass and potentially killing any future sale price (sometimes in life you even have to sell the things you love). I do not think it will make me play better, and I am not really bothered about wood combinations, fancy tops or special finishes. I just want a bass that has the look I want. It is vain which is why I have a hard time justifying it at the moment but, lets be honest most of us are vain. I doubt many would buy a ugly car just because it drives well, or buy ugly shirts just because the fit is nice. Anyway enough now, time to go home.

Forgot to say, sent you a PM regarding the bass. Thanks, Nathan

So I went to bass direct today and it was amazing. Mark was great and spent loads of time chatting and humouring me and my stupid questions and poor bass playing. He is a wealth of knowlege and let me play some amazing basses. It is a great shop, great environment and going and playing these top notch basses really does give you the opportunity to find the right bass for you. I am completely in love with the 5 string maple necked Nordy he has in at the moment, but also was hugely impressed with both the Esh and Skjold basses, oh and the Roscoe and Dingwall (so all of the basses really) He gave me a lot to think about gear wise and along with his guitar tech is going to try and sort out the preamp on my squier jazz V. Just to top it all off I got a great man bag (gig skinz) for my eden head. All I can say is, top shop run by a top chap, thanks Mark.

Just had a good look through the site as im on a break and there are some seriously awesome looking basses. The red Nordy, Dingwall Jazz and W&T basses have caught my eye (why cant i have cheap taste). saying that there is a secondhand Warwick Fortress 5 there too!!!!! oh dear lord. I only need a bag for my Eden, I only need a bag for my Eden (if I keep saying it, it might work) i am actually incredibly excited now, bet something happens and we cant go after all, just my luck.

[quote name='poptart' post='618203' date='Oct 6 2009, 09:24 AM']NJE I am in the shop Monday - Friday 9.30 - 5.30, I open on Saturdays by appointment as I want to give customers the space and time to try gear out which can be difficult in music shops on a Saturday with too many customers hanging around. It is always worth calling or emailing me before so I can make the time for you. I am also thinking of doing a deal with Warwick castle so you can have a family bass and joust day ;-). PS - No pressure to buy, you are more than welcome to just pop in for a look, and basschatters are always welcome. Regards Mark[/quote] Hello, Thanks very much for the reply, I didnt realise you were a member otherwise I would have sent you a PM. I will most definately be taking you up on the offer to pop in, in that case. I cant afford a Nordy or W&T just yet but always need bits and bobs. Castle and Basses it is this friday then (weather permitting). Many thanks Mark. Nathan

[quote name='woodyratm' post='618197' date='Oct 6 2009, 09:12 AM']If it makes you feel better my girlfriend is the same. "Do you REALLY need that?" "Yes!" "No you dont. Now lets go." "B....b...but i doooo!" "No." Walks out shop with my car keys and more than likely my wallet. Defeated! [/quote] That's really funny, it must be some training course all women go on 'Male GAS negotiations 101' because that sounds like most of our conversations.

[quote name='Raggy' post='618195' date='Oct 6 2009, 09:03 AM']You only need to make an appointment for a saturday, he is usually there all week. Always worth an email or phone call tho. Heed our words....................You'll end up with a severe case of GAS!!!!![/quote] Ha ha everyone has got me really worried now, I am terrified I might walk out with something I don't need........but want! Actually I will have my girlfriend with me and she is usually the best GAS buster there is. Saying that she did actively encourage the new EBS cab and even gave me some towards it, so I cant rely on her. Just seen teh really cheap secondhand warwick fortress, dear lord!

Cheers, Will probably give a call later but cant while I am at work and just wanted to see if it was an option for friday. I am planning it today and It was either bass direct and warwick castle or west midlands safari park, I think we have a winner and its bass related!

Hello, Just a real simple question about Bass Direct. I am thinking about going to Warwick on Friday and thought I would pop in and have a look around because so many folk say wonderful things about the place. I wasn't sure if it was by appointment or whether you can just go in at any time? The thing is I might pick up some strings and I am tempted by a GigSkinz bag for my Eden head, but I didnt want to book an appointment and go in and not buy anything, would feel a bit guilty. Also do they mind youplaying basses even if you cant afford them? Many thanks, Nathan

This is amazing news. I was hoping they would be about 1k cheaper (I never knew how much they were originally) but still amazing. The pictures look amazing and I think I even saw a maple fretboard on there somewhere. A Wal Mach I with a maple fretboard and buckeye top would be my dream bass. Anyway great to see them back regardless of price.

THE WAL SITE IS UP, THE WAL SITE IS UP!!!!!!! LINK: [url="http://www.walbasses.co.uk/Home"]http://www.walbasses.co.uk/Home[/url]

Wow some of you have had some really awesome moments! For me it was playing to a croud of over 5000 in my home town on new years eve 1999/2000 (we played both sides of 12 o clock) and having what felt like every person there sing every word with me, it was awesome. The best thing of all was that I had only been playing 2 years and my dad was also playing right beside me, that will stay with me forever, me and my old man. Nathan

Found this on Ishibashi, I want it so much, I love the Marcus Miller and I love Sadowsky, could it be any better! [attachment=33954:3263016012.jpg] [attachment=33955:3263016011.jpg] anyway bit of fun.

Just to add to what others have said, I recently bought a CIJ 60's Reissue Jazz and it is absolutely fabulous. I got crazy GAS after playing a Geddy Lee, the quality and playability was amaing and I wanted one so so badly. When the 60's reissue came up I knew it would be on a similar par to the Geddy Lee and was not dissapointed. Its so good I felt very little sadness when I sold my Fender Roscoe Beck, the quality and sound is that good. Good hunting and just as a side not it may be worth getting in contact with Ishibashi. They always have a few Jazzes for sale and the rates are good, youshould definately be able to get something for your budget: [url="http://www.ishibashi.co.jp/u_box/e/"]http://www.ishibashi.co.jp/u_box/e/[/url]

Just took a 2x12 EBS cab off Paul's hands and thoroughly pleased, sounds awesome with my new Eden head. Good price, great cab, and he met me half way which was very kind of him. Many thanks, Nathan

Congrats! In the same sort of position, band collapsed a few months ago and i went through the usual for me which was selling my amp and trimming the gear. About a week ago I put an advert up on a website and I had my first jam with the band on wednesday with another tonight. Seems good so far and nice to be playing with some nice people. Just to add a cherry to the top I just had another email today from another band looking for someone to join a covers band (the other is originals) so I may potentially be in two bands after being in none....bit like busses, never one when you need one and then two come along. It was nice having a break though, really made me hungry to play again, so much so i resorted to adverts which i have never done before.

Did a deal with Jack at the weekend for my Roscoe Beck V. Met up and did a dodgy looking deal in a motorway services and I walked away with a cracking Eden head. Really nice chap, gave me some good advice on cabs and gave me some practical guidance on using the new amp. Highly recommend dealing with Jack. Many thanks, Nathan

I remeber reading somewhere that someone suggested Mr X could have been Winston Blisset who used to play with Massive Attack and did some work for Robbie Williams amongst many others.

Hi, Funnily enough Jack who I got the amp from has been using barefaced if I recall, and said they were fantatsic. Unfortunately the cheapest cab is still £100 over my very top budget otherwise they would be top of my list to check out for sure. I wish I could afford all the gear i want but i guess a few of us on here are in that position. Cheers, Nathan