Cat Burrito

I can only assume that Dom in Somerset was unlucky as the MIM series basses that I've tried were all really good. They also have better resale value and you are basically describing a Jazz bass when you say what you like. The MIM's are also really good for upgrading, turning a good bass into a great bass.

[quote name='Clarky' post='691038' date='Dec 21 2009, 09:45 PM']Question BurritoBass: don't you find that playing so close to the neck means the strings have much less tension and thus a greater amplitude so that playing fast becomes very difficult? I ask partly as I love the look of ashtrays but struggle to play when they are on[/quote] I tend to play up there on the slower songs. Faster songs I tend to play back towards the bridge and occasionally I use a pick too. The ashtrays have been on my basses for the last 10yrs plus of playing so I'm used to them but they were definately an addition that took a while to get used to.

[quote name='BurritoBass' post='691001' date='Dec 21 2009, 09:07 PM']my oldest P-bass had rust on the original pickup after literally hundreds of gigs.[/quote] Sorry, this isn't clear and I didn't want to edit as I've been quoted already. The rust on the pickup was from gigging pre-the ashtray covers. My point here is that at a hot sweaty gig I'd much rather sweat on a cheap bit of replaceable plastic as opposed to the pickup. Sorry, this post was bugging me! I never used to clean down basses after playing and my general approach / attitude in my early days was very different to what it is now. I'm not suggesting that ashtray covers need protect a pickup, mine are just there because I like them. This was just a problem from my early playing days.

I can understand your frustrations but I think I'd probably cut my loses too, if I were in this situation. It would have been great service had they got involved but if the warranty is up & they don't want to know, I suspect that is the end of that. Regarding Trading Standards, I've worked with them and they are generally thinly stretched & over worked. I doubt they'd do much off the back of one single complaint. However if a lot of people have complained about the same sort of thing they may take more interest. I'd chalk it up as experience though.

I use them. My P-basses all have ashtrays so I can't rest on the pick up. I like the retro look of the covers & my oldest P-bass had rust on the original pickup after literally hundreds of gigs. If you see the thumb rest below the strings this was on earlier models to rest your fingers & play with your thumb.

Reminds me of Michael Anthony's Jack Daniels bass...

Well I quite like it but certainly not $1800 worth

[quote name='paul h' post='690797' date='Dec 21 2009, 05:04 PM']For me the single most important thing in a bass is....looks.[/quote] I think this is true for most of us, just in terms of what makes us take something off the wall in the shop. I personally wouldn't touch a BC Rich bass even if it was set up beautifully and played like a dream. Equally I am sure there are people who feel like this about Fender. Obviously to counter balance this I wouldn't buy a bass if it played badly or didn't feel right but certainly the initial attraction is down to looks.

I associate Tanglewood with acoustic guitars that are quite good but not stunning. I don't recall ever seeing a non acoustic instrument from them.

[quote name='Dom in Somerset' post='688262' date='Dec 18 2009, 12:08 PM']I've got black nylon flats on my acoustic fretless, unplugged- dull and quiet, plugged -cavernous.[/quote] I think black nylon strings sound great on acoustic basses. Mind you, they sound great on electric basses too

I find if I ask for a set up & highlight a certain issue, that'll get done too. RhysP is quite right though about the electrical contact cleaner. Cheap as chips on EBay too. When you consider how easy it is to clean the pots there is no reason why it can't just be included in the set up.

Pleased it went well. I supported Wilko Johnson last month with Norman Watt-Roy again on bass. I was really impressed with his playing too. Normally I find bass players supporting / headlining to be pretty evenly matched but he left me for dust! Chatted with him a bit during soundcheck and backstage too.

Thats the exact set up I'd like to try. Very cool

[quote name='bigsmokebass' post='686855' date='Dec 16 2009, 10:58 PM']Anyone had the new Fender?[/quote] I've played through all the Fender TV amps and they sounded good. I felt they were a little overpriced for what they were but then it was only in store so I hadn't really let them warm up. Cool as a cat though. They certainly look the biz.

I always say if the music isn't paying your mortgage then it has to be about having fun. If he is being like that at rehearsal, how is he going to be at the gigs? I agree with the above posts.

[quote name='Mykesbass' post='690193' date='Dec 20 2009, 09:46 PM']The other shop may be right - 70's models probably were unplayable and had such a bad reputation - funny how so many people have no forgotten that.[/quote] I have a 1978 Fender Precision with the lowest action of all my bases and it plays beautifully. I've played a couple of other 70s Fenders which were also really good. Your post may be meant light heartedly but I feel the balance should be redressed.

Nice one, pleased it went well

Yep fair point and I hear you. Certainly the van secruity needs to be A1 at least. I'd still maybe consider taking the instruments in and just chancing it with the cabs.

Personally I try and support my small local guitar shop as much as possible and I'm very much guided by the experience there. Sounds like he was fobbed off and just repeated what he was told. I wouldn't take it personally.

In 1995 we played Tunbridge Wells and the van was nicked. We lost a drum kit and a few other bits and pieces. Thankfully I got trapped backstage as the next band went on so my bass and amp stayed in the venue. However, it cost us a fortune. The drummer was reluctant to replace his kit so we wound up having to sack him (which cost a friendship!). The moral of the story for me is that I never leave kit in the car / van and if I do I make sure it's only replaceable stuff.

I agree with Mr. Foxen in that I usually tackle the bridge first when upgrading instruments. Pickups next. Bear in mind that if you are trying to replicate a much loved bass this is near impossible. If you simply wish to raise the game of the weaker instrument this is much more realistic. I wasn't that impressed with the handful of HWY1 instruments I tried but I know there is a lot of love for them. It could be that you've got a particuarly good one

I think fret markers are more comon for players in the early days then people let on. Fair play for having a go though.

I think if you've heard both you'll have an idea. Personally I think generally nylons sound a little more upright like and flats sound more fretless like but I've heard examples where the opposite is true. I keep a bass strung with each. Why don't you try the nylons if you like your tutors sound? At least you can say you've tried them even if they don't work out for you in the longer term

I'd keep a watchful eye out for a second hand VM Squier or an old Jap Squier if I were looking within that budget. They do come up on these pages