3below

I feel guilty about this, but here goes [i]Never in the field of human bass playing was so much available by so many to so few at such good value..[/i] A great time for GAS if you have the readies

[quote name='Hutton' timestamp='1358759934' post='1944412'] I know that it is all down to personal opinion but I just wonder if enough people say enough times that Fenders have quality control issues then it will become a generally accepted fact. For myself, I think that the current range of Fender guitars and basses display excellent quality control. Mind you, I didn't have much problem with the previous offerings either (apart from late 70s) but the current product is first class considering how many are made each day. This, I emphasise, is only my humble opinion. [/quote] Agree totally, it is all personal taste. My 1977 Fender Precision (bought new, in the days of student grant lol) was excellent, once I had fitted the neck correctly and closed the pocket gap. It had the best low action I have ever had on a bass to this day. It had the 3 bolt plate (like my G&L has) but I never had any problems with it. Do not think 1970s Fenders are 'bad', use your own judgement on what you have in your hands. What you spend your own money is your own choice, at the moment I play my £150 Chinese made bass as first choice (the vintage USA basses are kept in reserve, too 'valuable' to use?). Had my Chinese bass been available 40 years ago, with the quality to price, I doubt I would have spent vast amounts on other basses (Ric, Gibbo, John Birch, Fender). I see there is a Warwick Rockbass on the forum for £100 - the quality to price ratio on that will be beyond belief. The neck pocket will be tighter than a tight thing, the paintwork flawless. It is all down to personal choice. I am starting to wonder if we are on another bass forum, tolerance and a broad church is a good thing.

The bottom line, you have free choice, it's your own money. Spend it as you will. Shame my 54 P bass (bedroom condition, with tags and bill of sale signed by Leo) has a 0.5mm neck pocket gap, guess I better sell it on the bay, since qc was poor. Any takers? hope I get lucky. (I do not have that particular bass btw)

Me neither, and I have that exact bass in sunburst, used but not abused is how I would describe it.

pmd

Has April 1st come early this year?

Cheap of the cheap, I have milestone 3 bass, came with case I bought [size=4] . Great bass, look at the necks on all Peavey basses with 4 tuners on one side. They are all pretty much the same as far as I can tell. It is thin and very fast, total opposite of my G&L. So if you want chunky, big neck, look elsewhere.[/size]

[quote name='thinman' timestamp='1358364331' post='1937938'] I really wouldn't do outside without decent PA support unless you know you're going to be in a confined space with audience up close. Once your bass rig starts to overpower the drums (I'm assuming you're full band?) then they will need reinforcement. That will require a fair bit of PA to be worthwhile and then everything else needs support too. You'll end up with ridiculously loud on-stage levels if you try to do it all with your backline! [/quote] Very true words with good advice. However, if you want to destroy buildings... get a Barefaced dubster and an amp that will deliver 500W+ (real watts lol) (I use a Peavey Tour 700, cheap s/h). you could build a Fearful 1515 and a 6 headcase. I will attest that the BF Dubster with 700W available is 'adequate'.

Commiserations. I had first rejection about two years ago, along with guitar player who I think is outstanding. I also felt we played well for the two full set auditions (no, before you ask there was not an audience). You win some, you lose some, move along no news here.

Prices, prices, prices, there is a recession so lets see what the price tag is. Star bass looks to my taste.

Or if you fancy a BFM omni 15 wideboy - the same as Mr Foxen's but in the wide format for valve heads. I have used the 3015LF in another cab but the rest of it is available. Probably about the size of a 4x10, check website for details. It was pretty comparable to the Barefaced big on I used to own.

Francis, 3below - Kerry, Powys

Take a look at Bill Fitzmaurice's web site.

[quote name='Truckstop' timestamp='1358105210' post='1933249'] .... chunky/wide necks because I have stubby fingers and wide hands. Truckstop [/quote] A very good point to bear in mind. I also have little hands that are stubby. Narrow neck guitars are just too hard too play, insufficient space for my fingers.

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1358073129' post='1932525'] +1 I'd check for dead spots, sustain, tone and the action before I'd worry about neck pockets. [/quote] I totally agree on this, check the C on G string in particular for the dead note. If all other notes are good and the bass 'sings' ask the shop to put new strings (not an unreasonable £10 on a £600+ instrument purchase. New strings will show if it is a fundamental unfixable issue or duff strings. Do not worry too much about the neck pocket gap at the E string side. It is easily sorted out in about 2 mins. If there is a gap at the lower side after the top (E) side of neck has been aligned correctly then it might be time for second thoughts.

My Fenders (1990s guitars) x3 are all well built, two are flawless, one has paint sinkage at 22 years. QC might be variable, I chose what I spent my money on. Build quality on most instruments has moved on leaps and bounds, these days I just evaluate a bass or guitar for what it is, not the decal / inlay on headstock. Case in hand, I have a Peavey milestone iii bass. Alder body, maple neck and better bridge than std precision. Apart from indifferent pickups it is a great bass. Is a USA 'name' bass 6x better at 6x price?, will I play 6x better? For the record I am not 'Fenderphile', current bass of choice is a Chinese job (£150), better built than my two USA 'vintage' basses, plays far better as well.

What are the pickups, can not see from pic, I have various ones, will donate to this if suitable.

[quote name='lettsguitars' timestamp='1357987853' post='1931332'] Thats a pretty standard issue. [/quote] Yes, and I had the same with my 1977 Precision from new. It is very easy to sort. Slacken the strings, loosen neck screws, tap neck on non machine head side to close the gap, retighten neck screws, tune up. Many bolt on neck basses can be made to look as bad as this pic. Fender do themselves no favours with that photo, and not ensuring some shops sort this out if it has happened in transit.

Fender tele, strat neck sizes and profiles can vary considerably. I have one that has a neck that I can only describe as a baseball bat. I love it. As always try a range out.