JoeMischief

I am leaning a bit towards a j neck. Thought that might be a bit more manageable. Also let's be honest IF she at a later date wants to a p neck and finds it manageable she can at a later date once she's commited more to bass.

I'll have a look. Thanks.

Paolo. Thanks so much. That's great advice and has really helped. I really appreciate you taking the time out to dive into it with so much detail. Great work.

Hi Oliver. That might well be the way to go. Thanks for the advice.

Thanks Lozz. I'd tried that and it's a complete mixture.

Hey Paolo. Her tastes are VERY diverse and pretty developed. A lot of 80s 90s rock, but with a whole load of other stuff thrown in and developing tastes. I tried that cunning ploy and it's a complete range of p and j bassists. To be fair she may not know exactly what she'll want to play until she explores the bass. If she just liked a few bands or whatever it'd be pretty simple. Nice idea though. Thinking along the same lines as me.

Hi. You're probably right. I'm just struggling with the idea of a DIY present. If it's possible to get it right I'd like to try. If it was a car then yes a LOT more discussion and less surprise. Also looking to pay for it a specific way so that should be our problem to navigate the limited places to purchase.

Thanks. Much appreciated. I've got a lot of food for thought now...

Thanks Paul. I'll have a look.

Hi Valerian. That's a very interesting bass. Played the sample sounds and seems good. I'll have to trot off and learn about the bass itself. Definitely worth a look. Thanks very much.

You're absolutely right. That in essence is the problem. Firstly we're trying (although maybe needs a rethink) to surprise her. Just because she's asked for a bass she doesn't know she's getting one... Were hoping for the element of surprise. Also being a sweet girl she'll likely just tell us what she thinks we want to hear. She worries about anyone spending moneybon her. Whenever she asks for something she always just picks THE cheapest thing and gets stressed if we suggest anything else. Is really sweet in principle and sounds perfect I know but if you're trying to spoil her a bit is a nightmare!

I have done my googling. P, J, active, passive. The classifieds here just melt my brain unfortunately. Maybe geared more towards someonenwho knows their stuff.. ?

Hi Pete. That's an epic video. Thanks. I think the predecessor to the Hohner Jack Custom I was eying was in there. It was being played at the same time as another bass so my untrained ear couldn't differentiate. I had listened to the Hohner Jack Custom and the Ibanez RB850 played on YouTube and to me they both sound great. I was happy until I was told I'd got the choice wrong, too niche etc. Both J as far as I can see, one passive/active and one passive. Trouble is for me everything sounds fantastic. I love the sound of a bass full stop. Like choosing clothes or jewellery. Easy for yourself as you known what you like. On someone elses behalf no so easy.

Thanks Ed. I shall investigate further. Really appreciate the info.

Good old Google and YouTube. Precision and Jazz basses different styles. Different types/sound/configuration of pickups.