Thebassman75

[quote name='gjones' timestamp='1383427120' post='2264465']
Fender is not a healthy company. Recent plans for the company to sell shares to the public were shelved because of concerns about the companies viability. The Squiers and Fenders made in China, Indonesia, etc have the Fender logo on them because Fender have licenced the name to factories that were already making Fender copies. Fender will get a very small percentage of the sales on these instruments. Fender only make a profit margin of 3% on the guitars and basses they produce themselves, so I assume they will make even less profit on instruments made by other companies, that they have licencing agreements with, in the far east.

Globalisation capiltalises on cheap labour and bad conditions. That is why your Squier is so cheap. They may be paid 'Western' rates of pay, which is much more than factory workers in Indonesia, but I doubt the staff at the factory in Corona are driving around in brand new Cadillacs.

Sad tale of Fenders woes [url="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/30/business/fender-aims-to-stay-plugged-in-amid-changing-music-trends.html?pagewanted=1&_r=0"]http://www.nytimes.c...gewanted=1&_r=0[/url]
[/quote]

Great article.

Given what's happening with Squier JV's etc.. and the way that Fender is going, could there really be a point where Squier takes over the 'new' market fro Fender style basses? A few years ago, this would've been a ridiculous notion but now?

Thanks GJones, I'll check that link out later. I've got quite a few thoughts on the subject but need to spend some time getting my thoughts arranged.. :-)

[quote name='leroydiamond' timestamp='1383397492' post='2264024']
Any idea what weight the Squier deluxe jazz come in at?
[/quote]

The bass comes in at a respectable 8.25lbs BUT not as light as my '78 P-Bass at a whopping 7.55lbs!

Morning,

I'm extremely lucky to own a few great vintage fender basses but when I came across a Squier Deluxe Jazz IV, I had to snap it up. Played though the standard Ashdown combo, this thing had so much tone variation and played so well that I could genuinely say, hand on heart, that I could sell all my other basses and still gig/record with this one. The fact that I won't do that isn't really relevant here ( ) BUT I genuinely don't know how brands like Squier do it..

The cynical git inside me thinks it must be a combination of global economics and exploitation on the part of the workers but then I'm thinking that perhaps its just a bad reflection on the US models, with a market driven by nostalgia linked to history and fashion. I've read quite a few threads here from people saying that they don't understand how Fender charge so much for a mass-produced instrument and certainly for new stuff, even if I'd paid the full list price of £255 for this Squier, I'm starting to agree. I'm not a Fender hater at all (quite the opposite) but when it comes down to it, if I can pick up a bass, plug it in and get great tone and playability, what more do I need to do my job?

When I was starting out, living in bedsits and moving around alot, I always tried to bare in mind that if I needed to get out of somewhere fast, I needed to make sure that all my stuff went into my car. 20 years on and that ain't NEVER gonna happen BUT if I did have to go back to that then I could do far worse than grab my Ashdown MiBass and this Squier..

Hi, Is this still for sale?

PM'd

Thanks.. I'm waiting to hear back from another BC'er about another sale so will let you know.. I can't spring for both without sleeping in the camper van for a month! :-)

You can tell it's nitro is you know the feel of nitro and how it behaves in certain lights but unless you know that, it's kind of hard to explain.. Was the whole bass refinned or just the headstock?

You have mail..

In terms of whether a Fodera is overpriced, it's a relative question. There's nothing else on the market like a Fodera as far as I can see so you can't say that it's overpriced because there's nothing to compare it to in terms of design, materials, sound, feel.. Your point about MIM and Squires is far easier to work out because you could argue that the design, materials, sound, feel and component parts are so very similar but a Fodera is in many terms 'unique' to the market, which is why the company can dictate the price..

Could you tell me more about the refin please? Is it nitro?

Yeah, it's quite a look isn't it? I results in a totally different playing style and sound too, which I really like

So, the covers arrived this morning and went straight on and suddenely I'm thinking 'Actually, that doesn't look too bad'. I'm starting to think that once the pickguard arrived and gets repaired, this could be a done-deal.. The neck plays really really well and as it's exactly the same as my black 78 precision, I feel very comfortable on it. Hell, I'm even playing in tune!

So, my new project is a 1968 body, wiring, bridge and pick-ups with a 78 de-fretted neck. It plays like a dream but has a few issues. The first is that the pick-ups are microphonic so they're going to need to be wax-potted. These will be going to Jaime at The Creamery to do. I've already sourced the pick-up covers from a lovely female player who sold her bass a while back and forget where she'd put the covers. I got them for a good price and they're on their way as we speak. I've also sourced an original tortoise pickguard which is coming from the US. It was cheap because the laminates are coming apart but that can be fixed too..

The main sticking point is finding a neck. I really like the fretless maple but to me, it doesn't suit the body (which has been refinished really well). I think that a seafoam green body, tortoise pickguard and bound MOP neck is a winning combination. If it doesn't look right then I'll refinish it again, possibly black, although I'd be interested to know its original colour.

if anyone out there knows of or hears of a 67/68/69 bound neck, please let me know..

I'll update in coming weeks..

[attachment=146292:JazzBass.jpg]

Hi

I have a 1968 jazz and the pickups have developed a problem. Whenever I touch the pickup casing, say if I'm resting my thumb on the back pick-up as an anchor, there is a very loud noise. The noise is similar to the noise you would get if you ran your finger across a microphone. So, logical theory suggests that the pick-ups have become microphonic. The issue is, how do I sold this? I've had the pick-ups out and all of the original shielding is in place so I don't think that's the issue. Could it be that the pickups need wax-potting or is there something else I could do that wouldn't change the original state of the pickups? It happens on both but there is no earth hum or any other noises..

Thanks in advance..

Russ

So would you say I should still uprate the pups for more clarity and output?

Has anyone tried one of these??

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/62-FENDER-JAZZ-BASS-STYLE-VARITONE-CONTROL-W-SERIES-SW_W0QQitemZ170429837342QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar?hash=item27ae68f01e#ht_1135wt_1167"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/62-FENDER-JAZZ-BASS-...#ht_1135wt_1167[/url]

I was already thinking of uprating the pups in my jazz to Wizard '84's but just wondered if this might be over egging the pudding, so to speak??

Thanks

Thats what I was thinking.. I think, having played with an analogue one tonight, that digital might be the way to go as the signal deterioration is less..

Or perhaps I should just learn a new riff instead of buying another toy!!

Yes, I'd looked at that too but the smaller version (space saving) It seems to be a good price and does the trick without getting into daft territories..

Thanks for the advice..

Hi,

I've been toying with a delay pedal for my board and wonder if I can just use any standard guitar delay pedal?? I can't see why not as I've tried a few out and they seem to work fine but is there a specific bass delay pedal on the market and if so, why would it be so much better??

For space sake, I can only fit a small pedal on the board so things like Line 6 modelling pedals are no good to me, unless I buy a bigger board (!!)

Thanks

I'll give you £300 cash for it.

I know the feeling.. I play a bit of guitar myself but have never been able to find a bass player I can get on with. I think I've got a bad case of backseat driving!!

Hi,

I know what you mean. I'm currently in a similar position and have found myself slipping into late night internet voids searching for the perfect purchases. However, I think I've got it clear in my head that its almost impossible to have everything in one bass (enjoyment, investment, resale etc.) It sounds like you've got a few nice basses there as workhorses, plus they should hold their value, so the Ricki would certainly be different and a great addition to any 'collection' but you simply won't know if you're going to like it until you pick it up and play it. Even then, you might decide that it's not a gigger but still has investment potential (which they do but not like an old Fender it would appear) and decide to keep it tucked away somewhere. I had to play one on a gig we did in Spain and I hated it, not because it wasn't a great bass but because it was so different from what I was used to and I had to fight all night to play a set I usually breeze through. The neck was thinner, the pup cover was exactly where I'd usually pick on my Jazz, the body balanced differently. Perhaps ask yourself what the Ricki is for.. Is it for THAT sound, or the look, or just cos you're bored with Fenders and fancy a change. If you're still really not sure, buy one second hand so at least you don't lose so much on depreciation. Failing that, go and check out the Italia Rimini. I use one and its pretty close to a Ricki without the price and is certainly a change from a Fender, even for just a few songs..

Happy hunting..

I don't know about this particular bass but I own one of the gold Jive Basses and its totally superb. I wanted something I could travel with without fear of it being trashed and £ for £ IMHO its the best jazz copy I've ever owned. It looks the bees knees with the matching headstock and growls like a Stingray (I kid you not). Most importantly though, it comes out the case, tunes up and plays great all night. Sure, for the price I might replace the pups and the bridge but thats more for the pleasure of customising something. If I left it alone, it would still be a great bass and for the money, what do you want!!??

It just goes to show tat you don't need a vintage collection or custom made bass to get out and gig and a decent level..give one a go if you get a chance, might get a burgundy mist one next!

Hi,

My name is Russ and I play bass for London based soul/pop band Lucky Soul. I'm an Ashdown, Elite String and Italia Bass endorsee and have a new album out in March, entitled 'A Coming of Age'. Our website is being updated for the release but a holding page is at www.luckysoul.co.uk

I've been a reader of various threads for some time now and thought it was time to get involved a bit more. Aside from playing with Lucky Soul, I teach schools workshops and freelance for a couple of other companies to keep the pennies coming in. I still enjoy depping other gigs, although having moved to a new area a few months ago, I'm finding I'm back to the start with networking and the such-like but its fun getting out and meeting new bands and players. I have a real love of blues and have played in a few good line-ups in the past and would love at some point to be involved with a really solid blues band, maybe getting into festivals and a few small tours which would fit around my other commitments.

Anyway, I hope everyone had a good Christmas and that 2010 proves to be successful and prosperous and I look forward to hearing from other players out there and getting to know a few new online friends.

Russ