Thebassman75

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1383926802' post='2270931'] I wonder what music lessons are like nowadays in schools? One week a bit of rapping , next week some dancehall raggamuffin bashment , and let's not forget that the Grime module makes up 30% of you final mark . The school choir probably does a rousing rendition of old favourites from when the music teacher was young , like "Killing In The Name Of ", " Knockin' Da Boots" and " Nuthin' But A "G" Thang'". The kids probably just long to sing Kum Ba Yah and play the recorder. [/quote] If only it was like that (not the recorder - if I ever hear another one, I'll snap it in half!!)

[quote name='4 Strings' timestamp='1383917352' post='2270763'] We dreamt of a school bass. Our music block was a piece of rolled up newspaper left in the middle of t' road. [/quote] Luxury! Ours was a spec of mould on the windscreen of an old rusty milkfloat dumped in' canal

Believe it or not, we had a late 70's Fender P-Bass.. natural with a maple neck. No amp to plug it into but it sounded fantastic just slapped on its own. I guess that's where the love started.. I'd surte like to know where that bass is now. Probably in a skip or stolen.. :-(

The way I see it, IMHO, is that there is no illusion to value, only the reality. I have an all original custom colour '66 P-bass which I swapped for a 2006 Musicman Stingray and £500 because the other guy like Flea. I think that we can all agree I got a good deal. The rise in value has nothing to do with the way it sounds but because its rare. Unless you invent a time machine, you're unlikely to find too many these days and that's what attracts people to it. It signifies a time in life, a point in the evolution of rock and roll and a nostalgia for a time before things like relicing existed. It is, for better or worse, the real thing. The board is Brazilian rosewood, embargoed in 1969 and generally seen by George Gruhn (a sometime expert in these matters) as being the cut-off point in 'vintage' guitars. It has historical provinence that cannot be denied so has value beyond that which it was designed to do within the context of the history, both social and musical, that has passed since it was made. As a musical instrument, it is what it is, which is a nice bass in a funky colour. As a piece of musical history, it is a rare and authentic product of its time and that's why it's worth so much, and worth so much more than its monetary value.. Would I sell it now? Well, if you can find me another one for the equivalent of about a grand then I'll happily sell it for what I paid for it but until then, I'll cherish it for the next generation who might enjoy 'that old quirky wooden thing that Grandad keeps under the bed' (and I don't mean Grandma!)

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1383655356' post='2267043'] The question we should really be asking is why MIA Fenders are so much more expensive? [/quote] That's the point I'm getting at... The new Squiers don't feel like an old Fender, but neither do new Fenders. I do think that Squier could help themselves by toning down the 'vintage' toner on the necks (which always looks way too orange for my tastes) but I do see that they're only playing to a current trend. The actual build quality..as pointed out as being a tried and tested method with no development and 60 years to refine the process really should, in terms of manufacturing, be far cheaper. The Far East are proving this and I don't think that any amount of marketing will convince me to buy a 'new' Fender. If anything, I'm now watching to see what Squier will come up with next..

[quote name='redstriper' timestamp='1383507974' post='2265280'] The CVs are made in a factory in China by a separate company. Their own brand is Farida and they are excellent quality, very well built instruments. I think the VMs are made in the same Indonesian factory that produces Cort, Ibanez and other brands. I sold my Mex Fender when I got a CV Jazz and I sold the CV when I got a Farida Jazz. The Farida is closer to a US Fender and it shows the quality available in Chinese instruments. I also have a VM Jazz and it is very good, but again not as good as the Farida. [/quote] Are you talking about these guys? http://www.faridaguitars.co.uk/bass/

[quote name='iconic' timestamp='1383505073' post='2265220'] Serious question but do squier actually have any factories....isn't all production subbed out? [/quote] Good question.. I'd never thought of that.

[quote name='Chiliwailer' timestamp='1383485549' post='2264888'] [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Original-Vintage-1960-1961-1962-1963-Fender-Jazz-Bass-Guitar-Bridge-Pickup-/131034962115?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item1e824ad8c3"]http://www.ebay.co.u...=item1e824ad8c3[/url] [/quote] And that one doesn't work..! Thanks.

[quote name='gjones' timestamp='1383479684' post='2264804'] I wonder what percentage of Fender Guitars and basses are US built instruments. I'm sure it's pretty small compared to instruments manufactured elsewhere. I realise that the instruments built in the Far East and Mexico are getting better and better, and can compete with the quality of those built in the US. But it would be sad if Fender closed down the USA factory because they couldn't compete on costs. [/quote] I think it's true that you do pay a premium for US made instruments. I can't figure out why you would, except that if the product is much better, you should pay for quality regardless of where it's made. However, the issue here is that the Far East ARE catching up, and fast. The heritage and brand name can only carry Fender so far, as was evidenced in the 70's for all the major players. I think it's interesting to note that there is of course a shift in how music is made and I'm more interested in whether the company can keep up with innovation. To his credit, Henry J of Gibson has at least tried to innovate with the Robot guitars and the Firebird X, and its debatable to say whether they've worked yet but he does believe that Gibson needs to keep pushing the boundaries in order to honour the heritage of the company that created the Flying V/Firebird/ etc.. A Fender Precision is a beautiful thing and there's an argument to say that Leo got it right first time but hell, there's so many of them around and when you COULD gig on a Squier Affinity compared to a Custom Shop, is there a sufficiently large enough 'growing' demand for more Precision basses in the world to keep the company afloat?? Sad times indeed

Yes, it certainly looks the same and the age would put it about right. I'm having the bass it came from restored to the original so this is surplus to requirements. Might pop it onto Ebay and see what happens.. Thanks

Manny's Music? Are you a Medway lad Steve-bbb??

Great, thanks. Does anyone have any weblinks for comparisons? I've done a google search but not much comes up..

HI I hope I've got the right forum for this, if not, please re-direct. I took this old jazz pickup out of my 65 P-Bass. Obviously it's been retro-fitted but the cloth wire but the condition seems to point at it being 'original', in terms of maybe being fitted early in the life of the bass.. Is it an original Fender pickup or is it something else? Many thanks in advance for your help