Cat Burrito

[size=4][font=arial]I've never done a review before but seen a few on here and as I have no affiliation thought I'd give it a go. Be gentle! I must confess I'd be interested in the Cabronita range for a while. There seemed to be a fair bit of interest on Basschat when these were announced and I thought having finally picked one up it might be useful to offer a different perspective from the YouTube videos. It may be w[/font][/size][font=arial]orth mentioning mine was a surprise present from my girlfriend (there is another thread on that if you are really keen) so first I knew about this was when a delivery guy rang my doorbell![/font][font=arial] The main thing with the videos raised at the time was does it sound so fuzzed up in reality. [/font] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRdlKVi5Ido [font=arial][size=1][size=4]I'd wanted to opt for the Squire as 1) I'd read it was better value for money (& even superior to the Fender in some respects according to some comments) and 2) I'm just totally blown away with the quality of the Squier range these days. If you want to know how they compare, I don't know - never played a Fender one - so search elsewhere.[/size][/size][/font] [font=arial][size=1][size=4][url="http://s38.photobucket.com/user/Tim_73/media/ValentinesBass_zps39ea07b7.jpg.html"][/url][/size] [size=4]Taking the bass out the box it felt fairly light but substantive enough to know it was a quality instrument. The bass was well balanced and incredibly, it was set up to play. [/size][/size][/font][font=arial]The black with white pickguard looks classy and classic.[/font][font=arial] The tuners are solid and sturdy with the neck glossed which is my preference. As I slid my hand up the neck thetop of the tiger stripe felt slightly rough higher up but this is being really picky (& to be fair I tend not to venture up that far anyway!) Feeling the bass now I can't find that first impression so I could be even pickier than I thought. The frets are well finished and the neck is straight. Probably the best set up I've ever had from an online order. My 50s butterscotch Squier was straight in for a set up when I got that - it sorted it out but always nicer when the shop have set it up to play. [/font] [font=arial][size=1][size=4]I tuned it up and the tuners were good with no slipping. A persona niggle of mine (normally) is the bridge is very modern looking. I seem to be one of the loudest voices on Basschat when it comes to championing the retro finishes but to be fair I can certainly live with it. The Fideltron pickup looks classic for a new feature and the 2 knobs (volume / tone) are flat top finish with nothing cheap about them. The body is cutaway rather than slab which isn't always the case on the tele bass design. It kind of reminds me of the Yamaha Pacifica in some respects but is suitably Fender-ish enough at the same time. At the moment the jack cup (curse of all tele basses & where Leo got it wrong) is actually very sturdy and not a problem. Ask me again in six months though![/size] [size=4]Putting the bass on it immediately feels comfortable and well balanced. The setup is spanky (er!?!) with no dead notes on my bass. It felt strange playing roundwounds though as I haven't done so for about 10yrs. This bass breaches two of my main preferences - roundwound strings and it is active. Incredibly I love it and I feel challenged. Time to plug it in...[/size] [size=4]The first thing that got me was it sounded familiar, very bassy but not a million times removed from that classic P bass tone. It wasn't the same as a P-bass but certainly a variation around the same theme. The next thing that got me was the variation on offer from just the tone knob. I've played basses where you roll back the tone and just get a washed out muddiness. Not this bass. Rolled right back it has an almost uprighty tone as would sit in the mix, turned on full there is enough cut through to really make your playing sing. I cranked it through a Vox Pathfinder 10 (can you crank on a practice amp?) and the tone wasn't really breaking up. So I decided to take it to that evening's gig and try it at volume. Once again the bass just delivered and felt like an old friend. I think this one will stay as stock and that includes the strings staying. Enough tone for everyone to find something from vintage to modern and cool enough looks for even the biggest poser (me!) A keeper, much like the girl who bought it [/size] [url="http://s38.photobucket.com/user/Tim_73/media/NBD_zps4597382d.jpg.html"][/url] [/size][/font]

I stopped playing in bands from 2000 - 2004 and kept my Fender Jazz 75RI and my Fender Precision 57RI along with my Peavey combo. This was before I discovered the internet and went through the big GAS period. I dread to think how I would have coped circa 2008. I don't think there is a right or wrong answer, it is just what suits your personal circumstances.

Speaking as someone who loves to keep it lightweight, that looks awesome - bass included.

I keep hovering over the ticket link as that original soundtrack album was one of my 3 first insights into great music. I only saw the film with David Essex about 10yrs ago (I enjoyed it but obviously the nostalgia of the record at the age of about 5yrs old was always going to win). I bet it is a great show and good to see a review like this as it make me think I'll make more effort. I think my brother and I wore the grooves out of my parents original vinyl. I have baked our copy into a groovy vinyl bowl and re-bought it on EBay. The sleeve is framed in my kitchen.

Thanks Dazza - hopefully we'll be back. It was a debut gig so not as slick as my other band that has played together for 5yrs but very well received and a great gig. I love the Vic and as an ex-Wiltshire boy love playing Swindon so we'll look t make a return later in the year.

[quote name='theyellowcar' timestamp='1392586247' post='2370434']How's the tone? Is it a typical P in disguise? [/quote] A lot of variation from the tone knob. Very bassy rolled off (which is what I've done). It breaks two rules for me at present; firstly it is active & secondly it has roundwound strings. I'm liking it as is though so may leave the strings alone. It doesn't sound as overdriven as the original YouTube videos promoting it suggested. A subtle variation that plays it fairly close to home, I reckon.

Slightly Off Topic Lozz but I saw the announcement this morning that The Daves were no more. Spoke with Andy on FB and best of luck with your new band together. Big, big, fan of Squier at the moment too so pleased to see someone else playing one as a main bass

[quote name='BetaFunk' timestamp='1392467307' post='2369064'] These aren't 'reissues' they are just based on the shape of the original and that's where the similarity ends. [/quote] Yeah, I know. I typed reissues as re-imagining seemed a bit pretentious

[quote name='BetaFunk' timestamp='1392460894' post='2368968'] Where online? [/quote] Looks like they are "available to order" rather than shipping now but loads of links like http://www.soundsliveshop.com/News/Apache-Travel-Bass-Guitars-released-by-Vox

The reissues are about £200 and available online.

[attachment=155218:JSBW.jpg] Debut electric set for my new band The Jimmy Sixes. I thought we did well & loved it.

[attachment=155216:NBD.jpg] And I took both the bass & my girlfriend out to our gig at the Bands & Burlesque night. Superb. Of course I'd got her something nice too

[attachment=155106:ValentinesBass.jpg] This showed up this morning. I'm trying to work out exactly why but the clues are; 1) I've wanted one for an age 2) I have spoken to my girlfriend about it 3) She asked if I might be in early morning 4) It is Valentine's Day Very cool of her.

Nicely dressed

With the popularity of GAS on this site I wonder if this topic will be a bit quiet? My original P-bass took a fair old pounding and was retired after 15yrs hard gigging. It became something of a Trigger's broom in the end and was sold on as a very playable but roadworn instrument. I still have the original rusted up pickup.

[size=4][font=times new roman,times,serif][color=#37404E]My new *other* band The Jimmy Sixes are making their debut at The Vic in Old Town, Swindon on Valentines. Rock 'n' Roll music, burlesque dancing, party games, free cake and a cupid kissing booth. Surely that has to be something for everyone? Swindon is the closest I seem to get to a home town gig and I have a bunch of great friends coming to this. Come along too...[/color][/font][/size]

Number 1. Tone gets better with practice as does reaching high notes and he's clearly put the work in. He says he hasn't played for a couple of years - I wouldn't be too worried unless he is no better months down the line.

My double bass is in the corner of the bedroom and I have my Squier out downstairs in the living room so I can grab either at anytime. Anything else is stored in cases and I've been ruthless in recent years, if it is in the case too long it gets sold on.

I've never claimed but having previously been paying a small fortune through one of the main companies, I heard about NewMoon on here.They are a small company run by musicians and very friendly / knowledgeable. I've never claimed so can't speak for anyone when it come to the crunch but hopefully I'm just buying peace of mind. Two pitfalls, firstly a lot of people think they are covered by home insurance and this isn't usually the case. Secondly, a lot of insurers want receipts etc which for vintage gear can be a problem so back it up with valuations etc.

I don't think there is a rule other than be yourself. If you are a happy upbeat guy, playing it moody and cool looks forced. Equally if you are a miserable social outcast there is little point working the crowd. Work to the strengths of the person fronting the band. Personally I rarely like it when you get the comedian onstage shouting out quips from behind the drum kit / other instrument. The odd one liner is passable but I don't think fronting a band should look like a committee.

I read somewhere that Precision sales vastly outsell Jazzes. Was a while ago but from memory there was a big difference too.

[quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1392138588' post='2365224'] Get him to play bass instead? Nobody will notice then. [/quote] I beg to differ actually. People only tend to notice when we do go wrong

I agree with JTUK, the key is can you live with it? If not then you need to address it, temper or not. Maybe softly softly with the "feedback sandwich" i.e compliment, what you want to say, compliment to soften things. "You are such a great guitarist but you made a few mistakes again today. A shame as your style totally fits what we do"... or something like that.

The Jimmy Sixes did some tunes at the Open Mic; the sound guy didn't know how to handle a double bass but watching the video playback & speaking with the audience, it was far better than it felt at the time.