bakerster135

I've got the Nordstrand 2B-MM in my 79 Stingray, currently, preserving the original...The Nordy definitely sounds a bit better! High quality components and true to the Pre-EB 2 band design. Quite pricey but probably about the same as the East? http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Nordstrand_Preamps.html

Incredible 66 Jazz I recently purchased off Pmjos of this parish! Absolute dream of a bass...

Defo this, I find the most challenging part those muted straight 16ths at the start... Talking of muted 16ths, I've recently started to work my way through the Tower of Power back-catalogue as part of my practice regime. Good stamina-building parts!

Thanks guys! 👍

I think the important thing to note about Hooky's melody lines, especially in Joy Division, is that he'd often be adding an open string 'drone' alongside the line to keep some low end, e.g. She's Lost Control. He did this less so in New Order, though there was usually a Moog Source or similar synth pumping the bassline out, and his Clone Theory chorus sound would cut through most mixes! This is my recent attempt at a definitely Hooky-influenced bassline!

Current Bass Whammy does down a tone well, and has the polyphonic mode so you can play chords without it going warbly.

Fender definitely have those Pure Vintage 74 values the wrong way round on their website, bridge is the higher value. Look at Nordy, Bare Knuckle, etc. 70s specs for comparison...

Ye gods! I just can't understand why someone would put the time and effort into making something that looked like that...Love the idea of someone turning up to a jam at a smokey old blues bar and pulling that out of the case!

Thanks mate, a few images in here, very happy with it! The screws in it are still small, just definitely not Fender type screws and, as I'm quite obsessive about these things I'm very keen to get it looking right! ...

Hi all, I wondered if someone could please help? I recently bought a 1965 Jazz Bass and the three control plate screws appear to have been changed at some point, so I’m trying to find some period-correct replacements. I assumed it would be these pickguard screws, but following on from advice and having checked pictures of other basses from this year, the control panel screws appear to be a little smaller than the pickguard screws. I just wondered whether anyone could advise on what type of screw is required and, if so, where I might be able to purchase some from? Alex

Firstly, massive thanks to everyone for your comments on this. It's definitely made me focus on the fact that the bass is a great player and that, aside from these minor "adjustments" it's still a beautiful old Fender at its heart! :-) Guy, thank you very much for the offer, I appreciate it! I'll just stick with the screws that are on there I think though, everything else on/in the bass checks out...I'll just consider the overspray, screws, etc. as interesting additions in its 52-year history!

Yeah, all cross-head and no slot-head on a '65 JB as far as I understand...

Yeah, I'd Googled quite a bit and mine are definitely different...Just couldn't be sure whether they differed from the scratchplate ones on the images though, but this clarifies so thanks!

Thanks for your advice Chiliwailer! Must admit, we didn't look at the headstock face in scrupulous detail, though the decal separation can still be seen underneath and it does very much look like the original rather than a reproduction. Either way, it is a great player and sounds amazing so I think I should just enjoy it really... Does anyone know re the control panel screws being the same as the scratchplate ones though? The current ones look kind of goofy so would at least like to replace those with something a little more period-correct!

Thanks for your advice, Pete. Yeah, it's ok as it sounds great and is totally a player, but I just wish they'd been more accurate in the description... Waiting for confirmation, but naturally suspect it was done at some point in order to protect from further wear to neck and headstock.

I'm looking for opinions on a 65 Jazz Bass that I bought, advertised as all original aside from a body refinish, which I managed to pick up for £3500. The bass arrived and looked pretty good to me, aside from some fret pitting, so I took it in to the Bass Gallery on Friday for a fret dress. Martin and John examined the bass and confirmed that, aside from the refin, the majority of it is original, however, they noted that the three control panel screws are not but, more notably that, at some point the neck and headstock have been lightly relacquered...They explained that this is evident by the fact that dirt is visible under the lacquer layer on the back of the neck, but also that the headstock waterslide decal is under a layer of lacquer when Fender would have actually placed this on top of the lacquer in 1965. Obviously I'm slightly concerned by this as I was under the impression that the refinish was the only non-original element on the bass. I have asked the seller whether they were aware of this work and why it was carried out, but I just wanted to enquire with those vintage Fender experts on here whether you feel this was a fair price to pay for the bass? Also, at this time would Fender have used the same screws for the control plate as they used on the pickguard? Some pics below, though unfortunately didn't get one of the neck before it went to the Gallery... Would really appreciate any assistance with this, thanks!

Nicolas bought my AVRI 75 Jazz Bass. Very smooth, easy transaction and he was an absolute gent throughout. Enjoy the bass mate!

Oh yeah, I forgot he's working on a MK2 version...I'd jump on the pedal danbowskill's selling here if I were you though, total bargain!

Would seriously recommend looking into the COG TK-421, which is Tom's RAT clone. That and the Knightfall 66 are still my main distortion/overdrive pedals, and they stack great together as well! I use a pre-eb stingray a lot, and think the TK does what you describe pretty well...Had a Rat Tail before but found it a bit fizzy on top, and a bit too woolly unless I maxed the high clipping. I've had a Vitriol and Blower Box too but flipped them in favour of the COG. Still use a Tech 21 XXL, but it's a bit OTT and usually only goes on when I want to take the roof off! Crowella Animated (Human Gear Animato clone) might be worth considering too, though you definitely need a clean blend with that or you lose the bottom end.