retroman

Picked one up last week, just to have a look. Didn't play it, but it did look really well built, and finished

[quote name='The Burpster' post='751556' date='Feb 20 2010, 07:24 AM']I would really like to like Fenders as I would Gibson but charging us mortals top dollar for a product they cant be ar5ed to check out before it leaves the factory goes against the grain with me. These 2 giants rely on the brand loyalty that comes from having teh history they do, and not on supplying market leading goods. I very much doubt I will ever buy from either of them again.[/quote] +1,000,000 to that Finally managed to get a full refund on a certain bass yesterday, made by one of the above, due to an absolutely shocking lack of care, and QC throughout the build process. Doesn't say a lot when the customer can easily find 20 faults........ I know where there is a guitar, hanging on a shop wall, made by one of the above, and the finish on the body is that poor, you could do a better job in your garage, at home, with a Halfords rattle can..... We all know that a good guitar/bass made by the above is a joy to own, but too many bad ones slip through. +1 for Ibanez. I have an IC200, and the build quality is stunning.

[quote name='iconic' post='751554' date='Feb 20 2010, 06:28 AM']a garage with a board on the wall with outlines of every tool you possess [/quote] I'll get me anorak then

+1 for a Squier with a decent set of pickups. Retro fitted the EMG J-Set into my Squier Jazz, and the pickups came with new pots, wiring, and jack socket....All switch craft stuff as well Spending any more than £100 on upgrades, and you are starting to open a can of worms....... Fender Japan? Second hand USA? Future resale value? I've used Squier V's Fender as an example, but same goes for Gibson V's Epiphone, Musicman V's OLP, etc I feel that with top end "premium" basses, you are paying for higher labour rates, better quality woods, and better quality electronics.....Apparently

Great stuff, can't wait until it finally gets released. IMHO, it's about time Lemmy was given a knighthood. Arise Sir Lemmy!

That's a shame........ I didn't have any problems at all with my Squier Jazz. The pickups sounded a little on the weedy side, but no buzzing noises, or any nasties. I too stripped mine down, as I fitted EMG's to it, and although the components were on the cheap side, the soldering was neat on all the originals. The only other comment were the sealed gear tuners on mine were a little sticky, so I stripped them down, and rebuilt them with some light grease, and they're perfect now

I once had a smug, ego boosted moment at a BOTB type thing, where I overheard the comment "S%*t, we've lost, that guys got a Rickenbacker! I normally manage to raise a smile, and a laugh, when I start playing "Fueding Banjo's" as well....Well, a banjo has four strings doesn't it?

[quote name='neepheid' post='748281' date='Feb 17 2010, 12:10 PM']I owe it all to my wife, she inspires me, encourages me and challenges me, sometimes all at the same time.[/quote] +1. We are both very lucky

[quote name='ThomBassmonkey' post='747933' date='Feb 17 2010, 01:28 AM']Been raised around music and got forced into piano lessons aged 5 and then keyboard at 11, never got on with them though but I do attribute a certain amount of my ability to being surrounded by music and learning to play at a young age.[/quote] +1 to the letter, almost! I was actually very good on the Piano, but, to be honest, I hated it. I would be up in my room, listening to Sabbath, Motorhead, Saxon, Slayer, etc, then get called down to practice classical music on the Piano.........I think you can all see the dilema! I even managed to get grade 5 practical, and theory. As luck would have it, I managed to fall of my bike, smash my knee up, and was off my feet for about 13 weeks! Very rare that I will tinkle the keys these days, but I couldn't resist playing "In a gadda davida" on a rather nice church organ last year!!!! Biggest initial influences were probably Lemmy, and Cliff Burton. Later influences are probably people like Scott Reeder,and Steve Harris, bass wise. Musically, I find anything written by Doom legend, singer songwriter "Wino" very influential. That guy has written some of the heaviest riffs on earth, without the need for silly low drop tuning.

I recommend turning up to rehearsal with an old EB2, and a wall of 18's...........They'll all be begging you to bring the 'Ray to the next rehersal!!

I used to love their Doncaster store. Had nothing but good service, and good deals. That was some time ago now, as the Doncaster store is long gone. I guess times change, and staff change..........

Thanks Chaps The radius of the board doesn't put me off too much. I have a Squier Jazz, that has quite a heavily radius on the board, and that chokes quite easily when bending a string. Never realised that the CIJ versions were heavier. The main thing that puts me off the Jap basses is the resale value seems to be pretty poor, considering that the retail on a new one seems to be around £1K now. A well looked after MIA seems to hold it's value really well, and I keep all my gear minty mint I'm not doubting the build quality of the CIJ, I've heard nothing but positive comments about them

Yeah, there does seem to be a real buzz with the vintage Fender thang at the moment Main thing that concerns me is build quality. Don't want to end up with a dog!! As my user name suggests, I really dig anything with an old skool vibe to it. Have to admit, to be different, I am also considering saving the pennies for a Zon. Don't see many of those about! The build quality of Zon's seems to be impeccable, which really interests me Then again, there's something uber cool about a '70's Jazz, with the ash trays, and big block markers I really like the feel of Jazz necks as well.

Yummy

Thanks for the input guys

Cheers Dude Mostly thinking of the MIA, with a Rosewood board

Can't seem to quite shift the GAS for the '75 reissue Jazz. Are they any good? Most interested in build quality above anything else Cheers, Rich

[quote name='guybrush threepwood' post='743837' date='Feb 13 2010, 11:28 AM']My favourite has to be Electromusic in Doncaster; no pushy salesmen that are earning commission on a specific brand, nice relaxed atmosphere, and they price match. What more could you want? I buy a lot of gear there, and they've always looked after me. Bought a Markbass combo there last weekend, and they knocked almost £200 off. Worst has to be Music Ground in Leeds. Never before have arrogant attitudes, rude staff and ridiculous prices come together to form such a farce of a business.[/quote] +1 For Electro. Dave has always looked after me well, and has recently done me some excellent deals It saddens me to hear about Music Ground. I used to be fairly regular in their Doncaster store, and they were always a good bunch of lads to me. Done me a really good deal on my 4001 Never been to their other stores though.

Sounds like you have got a bargain

£15?