von Braun

Might be worth waiting for Thomann to get the genuine Fender part back in stock, as for the Jazz they are properly sized, with holes for pick-up/bridge covers and thumb rest. I'd presume the same standards would apply for a Precision. I bought a Fender tort one from them for my MIM Sunburst Jazz 2 years ago, fitted a treat. Unlike the non-Fender after-market pickguard I had on previously, that left an unsightly gap at the join with the control plate.

............stong influence in terms of energy and style. Really should learn to finsh my replies properly before submitting them!

One of the best melodic bass players certainly and patently some who strived to learn and improve. I read a magazine interview with Flea in which he stated that among his many influences, McCartney stood out for his melodic basslines and strongly influenced his thinking on many of the Chilli Peppers slower numbers. Interestingly, in the same article he cited Paul Simenon as another

If you do buy the 2008, I'd recommend changing the pups at some point, the stock MIM ones are very weak. I don't know about the new models they may be better by now. I swapped the original pups out for a pair of Seymour Duncan Vintage JBs on my 2006 MIM Jazz and it was a revelation.

Mists of time........ Jedson Tele Bass - short scale, actually had a Telecaster shaped body. Japanese (can't remember name) Jazz Bass copy - not good. '68 Fender Telecaster Bass Blonde/Maple - first proper bass, this was great should have hung on to it, big humbucker, big sound. '62 Epiphone Rivoli Tobacco SB/Rosewood - another beauty I should have kept, someone added a Di Marzio P Bass pup. Didn't do much for the looks but gave it loads more punch. '75 Fender Precision Natural/Maple - looked great, didn't sound that good to be honest. Big break for 5 years and these I still own: Yamaha BB614 Yellow/Rosewood - surprisingly good for the money. Fender MIM Jazz Bass 3 TSB/Rosewood + Badass II and Seymour Duncans - basic bass was average but with a bit of work and tort pickguard..... Westone Thunder 1A Natural/Rosewood - love this thing, pure 80s! Dean Playmate Acoustic Black/Rosewood - El Mariachi, enormous, full 34" scale, very playable for the price and doesn't upset the neighbours!

The original bridge is actually in fine condition and adjusts well, I'm sure I just have a hang-up about sticking on expensive after-market hardware on my basses! Good point about keeping it as original as possible for future sale. Thanks all......I'm going to leave it for now.

Has anyone ever swapped out the bridge on a Westone Thunder 1A? The original bridge isn't bad but I think the bass would suit something a bit meatier.

[quote name='lojo' post='636660' date='Oct 26 2009, 07:56 AM']I have a MIM P bass, I love it and have no intention of replacing it, therefore I would be happy to spend a little on upgrading the pick -ups if it will improve the tone What will the SDs do for it and how much are they?[/quote] Had the receipt in the case. For a pair of Jazz Bass Vintage SJN/B-1s it was £88 plus delivery back in 2007 (from GAK in Brighton), I think that was a sale price though. I'd imagine the SD P-bass quarter-pounder would be about £60 - 70 these days.

It's an interesting one. I'd agree that these days there's little to choose between the physical build quality of the MIA, MIJ and MIM Fenders, even some of the top end Squiers I've seen recently aren't far off....better computer controlled machining maybe The main difference seems to be the relative weakness of the MIM pick-ups. I picked up a new MIM sunburst JB in 2006, swapped out the bridge for a Badass III, the white scratchplate for a Fender replacement tortoiseshell one (for that 62 reissue look) and a pair of classic Seymour Duncans and still saved myself £300 off the USA model. The Badass really helps with getting the action down, general intonation and definitely gives a beefier sound (as you'll know from the Geddy), I'm not sure why Fender don't fit them as standard. The SDs are just miles better than the standard pups. I also had the action lowered, neck adjusted slightly and intonation set-up by a local luthier, which has resulted in a very playable bass. Previous to this I have used a mixture of a 60s Epihone Rivoli (which I really regret selling), a couple of Yamaha BBs and an Ibanez Roadster (all long gone) but no American Fenders. I also have a Westone Thunder 1A which I'm working on at the moment, great bass with a really punchy 80's sound and if I need a workout I can just use that, as it weighs a ton! Personally, if you have the time and inclination, I'd find a well built MIM or MIJ Fender and spec it up (which the Geddy Lee more or less is) but having only played the MIA models briefly I may be missing something.