Conan

[quote name='JamesBass' timestamp='1404861722' post='2496566'] I don't really play the Ric anymore but when I sounded out a trade value for another P bass I was getting offered significantly less than £1k! If I do swap it in, where's the best place to get my money back/a trade? [/quote] From what I've heard, Mark at Limelight is pretty generous when it comes to trades in exchange for his basses... Maybe drop Discreet a PM on that subject?

[quote name='Jestermab' timestamp='1404892170' post='2496660']I have a variety of bass amps, both solid state and valve with a selection of cabs which are the best you can get.[/quote] No offence, and I'm sure it is not the reason for your lower pickup output - but many would argue that Orange and Markbass cabs are far from being "the best you can get"...

I've got one of these [url="http://www.andertons.co.uk/bass-combos/pid24520/cid687/ashdown-perfect-ten-40-watt-bass-practice-amp.asp?LGWCODE=24520;56375;2717&utm_source=googlebase&utm_term=PERFECTTEN40&utm_medium=pricecomp&utm_campaign=GoogleShopping&gclid=CjwKEAjwre6dBRC94d-Gma7g3wcSJACNatZeuuOOWcfrZzM1kJY1m8IM7qeKZCqtbp_Rrr6R2d8qdBoCJq_w_wcB"]http://www.andertons.co.uk/bass-combos/pid24520/cid687/ashdown-perfect-ten-40-watt-bass-practice-amp.asp?LGWCODE=24520;56375;2717&utm_source=googlebase&utm_term=PERFECTTEN40&utm_medium=pricecomp&utm_campaign=GoogleShopping&gclid=CjwKEAjwre6dBRC94d-Gma7g3wcSJACNatZeuuOOWcfrZzM1kJY1m8IM7qeKZCqtbp_Rrr6R2d8qdBoCJq_w_wcB[/url] which I really like. Good price too Mine is a few years old and I'm fairly sure it is 30 watts, whereas the new version is claiming 40... I gigged with it at the weekend To be fair, it was in a smallish room in a castle, and the drummer was using his electronic kit - but I got a decent sound that was plenty loud enough. If you play with a quietish band, then some of these "practice" amps are loud enough to gig. I also use it at rehearsals sometimes... make of that what you will!

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1404762415' post='2495530'] Are you going to put a Fender decal on it? [/quote] Perish the thought! But I am going to get the headstock painted in the same colour. This will, of course, obscure the makers' name... Not that I am trying to hide that! I think I will either leave it plain of get a "jokey" decal made in the same style as the "Fecker" one on my fretless J bass copy. Maybe something like "Bender"... although that may have certain connotations

I've just got one of these. Delivered on friday, and gigged on saturday night! All it needed was a set-up and a bit of a tweak to the action. The strings sounded and felt great and the response is very even across all strings and frets. I didn't notice any of the sharp fret ends that others have referred to. The surf green colour was a very close match for my guitarist's Fender Custom Shop Strat, so that's another tick in a box! I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of this instrument. Even when I switched to my CIJ Geddy Lee in the second set, the only thing that I really noticed as the slimmer neck. My bandmates couldn't believe the quality for such a low price. For £119 you just can't go wrong!! How on earth can they produce such a good bass for the price of a decent set of pickups? Highly recommended!

Generally I would say that the overal sound of the band comes first, but if you are not happy with how YOU sound, then it is likely to affect your playing and potentially your relationship with your bandmates. For what it's worth, I've never put my bass through the PA for pub gigs, but obviously electronic instruments like drums and keys will need to unless they use their own backline. What do they think about the sounds they get through your PA? What kind of PA is it? Is it capable of pumping out decent bass at reasonable volumes? I would have thought that unlikely if it is the usual, portable kind of thing... Whatever your chosen solution, it needs to be sorted out as it is clearly bothering you.

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1404471657' post='2492900'] I am currently in favour of a 212 and 210 on top. [/quote] Which brand(s)?

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1404462039' post='2492774'] Fender, just please make American Standards in classic colours like LPB, sea foam green, fiesta red and sonic blue. You will sell a LOT. [/quote] Yes!! BTW, is "sea foam green" the same as "surf green"?

[quote name='Biaeothanata-Bassist' timestamp='1404423241' post='2492605'] I would of done if he hadn't of fallen ill [/quote] I think he has good days and bad days, and is mainly trying to avoid jobs that generate a lot of dust - like sanding and routing. I spoke to him yesterday and he said he was feeling better It can't hurt to drop him a PM - worst he can say is no!

What is the cab? Looks like it's got four tens and a fifteen in there...

I like this one... [url="http://www.zazzle.co.uk/like_most_musicians_bumper_sticker-128976427965024533"]http://www.zazzle.co.uk/like_most_musicians_bumper_sticker-128976427965024533[/url]

[quote name='skej21' timestamp='1404459447' post='2492745'] I think in this case, the OP may be referring to a mass produced (Korean?) 'Overwater by Tanglewood' bass rather than the custom instruments? [/quote] Oh right! Yes, at that price it would have to be, wouldn't it?

[quote name='Weststarx' timestamp='1404378032' post='2491981'] Yamaha's should be a lot more expensive than they are in my opinion. I rarely see an Overwater in music shops which means they don't sell - which there'll be reason for. [/quote] To be fair, that's like comparing apples and oranges. One is a mass-produced Japanese instrument from a company that also make guitars, effects, keyboards, outboard motors and motorbikes(!) and the other is a range of (mostly) hand-built British basses. Overwater probably sell as many as they need/want to... Good to hear that the OP is happy though - those Vintages are mighty fine basses by all reports!

I like the look of the Entwistles, but I would also personally recommend GFS pickups from the States. When the conversion rate is good (as it is now) even with shipping costs they are very reasonable, and good quality. [url="http://www.guitarfetish.com/GFS-Bass-Guitar-Pickups_c_97.html"]http://www.guitarfet...ckups_c_97.html[/url]

Drop a PM to Howard the Bass Doc. He is a wizard with scratchplates!

[quote name='Geek99' timestamp='1404312458' post='2491481'] precisions - they [i]just [/i]work [/quote] Normally the emphasis is on the [i][b]third[/b][/i] word... Doesn't stop it being true though

[quote name='Simon.' timestamp='1404398532' post='2492299'] I was increasingly hankering after a P-type sound. Tried a few different pick-up types in my jazz, but just couldn't get the sound I was after. Now I can have the bass set up as a P/J which does a pretty convincing P sound, [/quote] It's funny, and maybe my ears aren't as discerning as others' - but I have always reckoned that a J neck pickup can do a very good approximation of a P bass.

[quote name='Bigwan' timestamp='1404397471' post='2492290'] Keep an eye on the other items for sale section here. Buy replacement pickups used and if they don't suit you, sell them again. [/quote] Definitely! The only pickups I have bought new are GFS from the States, and they are really cheap!

[quote name='jakenewmanbass' timestamp='1403684026' post='2485166'] Suppertime is great! [/quote] Oh yes! I have been trying to find out who played on the OST for years... anyone know who it was? Great bass tone... a bit Stingray-like maybe?

[quote name='Highfox' timestamp='1404300798' post='2491264'] spoke to the guitarist today and he complemented my bass playing and said that I bring my own sound to the band and that that won't be lost. [/quote] Result!

[quote name='action_panzer' timestamp='1404288389' post='2491066'] Were they as bad, musically, as everyone says? [/quote] Actually - no! They weren't exactly Dream Theatre, to be fair, but not too bad

Changing the pickups is probably a good thing to do - my choices would be Wizard/HotRod Hammers, Entwistle or GFS. None of these are too pricey and even if you don't get on with them you can probably sell them on here at not too much of a loss. But maybe try the pickup heights and STRINGS first? What strings are you currently using? Sometimes a change of brand (or even gauge) can make a big difference to your sound. Much cheaper than pickups too (unless you go down the Entwistle route - they are seriously cheap!). Nothing else really sounds like a Jazz - so if you crave that tone, don't sell it!