gjones

The John East in my Jazz is so versatile, I really don't need any other bass.

Mercedes builds Mercs in China. So why not manufacture Fenders there as well. Becoming a boutique guitar builder , based in California, is not what Fender is all about. Fender's were created to be the Ford model T of the guitar world, affordable by Joe Public everywhere.

But he's throwing in a tuner!

[quote name='brensabre79' timestamp='1402132126' post='2470257'] Interesting one last night... Turned up to a usual sort of Friday night pub gig with my covers band. While setting up the power tripped no less than 5 times (before we'd even turned the amps on!). Finally managed to get consistent power from an extension lead behind the bar. I had a feeling it was going to be one of 'those' nights... Next thing, we do soundcheck, who should appear... None other than Mr MDP! Thats right the infamous eBay master bodger extraordinaire himself is standing right in front of me! Turns out he's having a fish supper around the corner with his family... He comes over after the soundcheck and says "sounds good guys" then leaves... SO we get started, to a suspiciously overenthusiastic rabble of a few. Within about 5 songs, a couple of guys who were dancing (to smooth operator!!!) bump into each other, a heated discussion turns in to a bit of pushing and the place quickly descends into a moshpit briefly before a fight breaks out. (oh my days) Police are called, they have a word with the worst of the offenders and leave. Allowing the meatheads back in to the pub!!! Second set. And another punter decides to walk over to the stage area, expertly navigating the leads and mic stands despite his drunken state and makes a bee line for our singer. I step in his way and politely tell him to move away (mid song here so options limited) he doesn't, instead stands touching my shoulders watching my fretboard intently. I start to push gently away, guiding him to the edge of the stage, where he stays for the rest of the song playing air bass! In the end an audience member stepped in (3 times) to have a quiet word with him and eventually he backed off a bit. Believe me, I've never seen a band pack up and leave a gig so fast! [/quote] Oh the joys of playing in a pub band! The guitarist/singer (in a band I play in) had to headbutt some guy in a God forsaken pub, in nowheresville, recently, for doing the same to him. He didn't seem too bothered.

My old style MiBass has a seriously quiet fan and masses of bass.

Thinking of downsizing and getting a Hartke Hydrive 112 cab for smaller gigs. I wondered if anyone had any experience of owning one. Are you happy with it? Are they up to gigging with a reasonably loud drummer and guitarist? Share your thoughts.

I like the sound of the Jap one; it sounds a bit tighter than the others. My own bass sounds like the 77, which is probably because mine has got 70's pickups in it. Edit: Although I think the 77 sounds great with a pick.

Whenever I play a festival and the backline is Hartke, I know I'll get a decent sound, without too much fiddling. In fact, I'm thinking of buying a Hartke Hydrive 112 for smaller gigs. They don't come up secondhand very often, which is the mark of a good cab (people hold on to them). Will Lee uses Hartke, which is a pretty good endorsement if you ask me.

This is the best example of playing behind the beat I can find. I play in a blues band and I always give this album to drummers who are new to blues. Many have never heard of the concept of playing behind the beat. They think I'm talking 'Crazeee tok'. http://youtu.be/E7rv8pu-0z0

I have great sympathy. I hate drunks. I have no time for them. They usually get the pointy end of my boot if they dare to wander onstage. if you're playing in a tribute band you'd be better of playing all ticketed events rather than a boozer. That way you get an audience that appreciates the stuff you play, rather than one full of drunken tossers.

WTF!!

Drunks in bands are not good news. I've played with a few. One (a singer guitarist) used to ask to be paid halfway through the gig and by the time the 2nd set came along he wouldn't be able to stand he'd drunk so much. Another singer had to be tied to a chair to stop him falling off. We thought the crowd would boo us off but amazingly they loved him (I think they thought it was an act). A drummer in a band I used to be in (who was a secret alcoholic), fell off the wagon one night and played hip hop beats throughout a blues set at a local Jazz bar. We had a residency there but he got us sacked that night. And finally, another alcoholic drummer, was finally sacked after he had explosive diarrhoea, in the back of the van coming back from a gig. Drunks don't ya luv em.

There should be a mex serial number on the back of the headstock if it's Fender.

I play in a Ska band and play quite a few of those tunes. It formed about 9 months ago and like you I was just throw in the deep end. Remember, bass in ska is the heart of the song so turn up the bass end and turn up the bass.

[quote name='brensabre79' timestamp='1410881287' post='2554239'] [url="http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-USA-74-RI-Fender-Jazz-BASS-NECK-TUNERS-J-1974-Reissue-Maple-Pearl-/191325433398?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item2c8be26e36"]http://www.ebay.com/...=item2c8be26e36[/url] but $800+ plus import taxes! [/quote] I bought one from a Mex classic 60's Fender a couple of years ago, for about £250 including duty and postage. That one is a vintage USA one.

I've played some dives in my time but I've (nearly) always enjoyed the playing, even if the venue is a toilet.

[quote name='sammybee' timestamp='1410538535' post='2550576'] My 70s Classic Jazz (MiM) needs a new neck. I've talked to Fender who recommend a straight replacement - but at £550 it seems a little steep (and I don't think the bass is *that* good that I would spend anything like that on it even when its 100%). Can anybody recommend a supplier of reasonably priced necks (with blocks and binding)? I can remember a thread on here a while ago but cant find it for the life of me. Cheers. [/quote] The Stratosphere has many Fender necks. Keep an eye out for one from a 70's Classic. They come up from time to time and are usually about the £200/£250 mark including postage. http://stores.ebay.com/The-STRATosphere/Necks-/_i.html?_nkw=jazz+bass+neck&submit=Search&_fsub=2&_sid=105525814

I have light gauge DR Hi Beams on my Precision, because it has a baseball sized neck and it makes it much easier to play. Certainly don't have any issues with my sound. Thought they'd be incredibly twangy but not at all.

I saw this and instantly thought it looked like a cheap Chinese neck with a fake decal. Truss rod access is incorrect for USA Fender.

[quote name='Delberthot' timestamp='1410303309' post='2548109'] My opinion is the opposite. The ampeg cabs I've used either have thick indistinct rumble and/or clicky tweeter. The best ashdowns I've used were the mag410s. Used two of them against 2 very loud guitarists and they were fantastic. It was the two I traded with Conan ages ago. The 37kg weight of each one eventually did my box in. [/quote] The cab the Ampeg replaced was an Ashdown Mag.

No it ain't. Well not according to the BEEB. Honeyblood is my niece Stina's band, so I may be slightly biased. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-27050381

[quote name='Dickyc1981' timestamp='1409775739' post='2543329'] But which Ampeg? Mines the cheapest of the cheap! [/quote] The one I'm talking about is one of these babies http://www.ampeg.com/products/classic/svt410hlf/

I regularly play through an Ampeg 4x10 and it's fantastic. I've owned Ashdown ABM cabs before but they don't compare very well with the Ampeg.

Buy something decent secondhand and if you decide at a future date, you don't want to play bass, you can sell it for what you bought it for.

I assume he's stated a ridiculous postage because he doesn't want to use paypal. [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]If you would prefer to pay by PayPal then you will be liable to pay the shipping charge for this item, even if you live locally to me.[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]Under eBay rules I cannot qualify for Seller Protection when a buyer pays via PayPal unless I deliver the item using a trackable/signed-for service.[/size][/font][/color]