discreet

Yes, they're wänkers. The OP has been involved in the band equivalent of a zero-hours contract. Not surprising though really, in a gig economy. Wakka! Wakka!

Have to admit I'm disappointed. Was it because I said 'testicles'..?

Agreed. Unless you're hung up about having an F-decal on your headstock there's really no need to spend Fender money on a Fender-type bass.

Wow! Very, very nice indeed. I think I'm becoming a Vintage fanboi. I'm sure you wouldn't regret a VJ74. But now I have serious Vintage P GAS...

Took the bass to rehearsal this evening, it absolutely rocks. The epitome of what a Jazz Bass should sound like and it plays very nicely. Even got comments from the band, who usually wouldn't notice if I turned up with a bright pink ukulele. I'm really surprised at how good this is. On the strength of it I'll definitely be looking at a Vintage brand P Bass at some point (a white one, so I don't have to paint it). You really don't need to spend a lot of money to get a very playable, good-sounding instrument these days. What a great time it is to be a bass player!

Thanks, sounds great here at home so I'm hopeful. I'll buy more clear and work the headstock. My OCD won't allow it to stand now you've mentioned it.

Absolutely agree, I should have worked it to a glass-like finish. But I really wanted to take it to rehearsal tonight and see how it sounds!

Yes, I do.

No, I am, very much so. She's just lost her marbles, is all. And I'm not playing less bass just because someone thinks it's a good idea. Sounds like an excuse to me.

That's what I thought. Interesting from a technical point of view, but give me a drummer who can play inventively and in time using just a kick, a snare and a hi-hat. Maybe ONE cymbal too, if he's pushing the boat out.

I'm not taking any notice of that! She can't even bloody remember which songs she played on! If she's right, then James Jamerson and Bob Babbit must have been redundant and they certainly were not!

Been watching this too, fascinating. I wonder if they all turned up for their interviews on time..?

You DID do quite a bit of work cleaning and oiling before I got it, for which many thanks. Made it a lot easier for me in the long run.

As said, if 'learning' bass becomes a chore it will be counter-productive. I don't think of it in terms of what I 'must' do. I'm one of those people who will go out of my way to avoid what I 'must' do, and over the years have become very good at that! 'Targets' are for people who work in offices. I'm not a 'target' person and I'm not a 'box-ticking' person. As far as bass guitar goes, if a day passes when I don't pick up a bass and play it, that's a very bad day. I'll usually play for around three hours a day at least, some days I'll play for five or six hours if left to my own devices. I have been known to stay up all night playing bass. But the key is that I don't imagine I'm improving myself in any way - I just really, really like playing bass and can't imagine anything more worth doing. When I'm not playing the bass I'm thinking about it and trying to engineer a situation where I can be playing again. Non-bass time is just wasted time, as far as I'm concerned.

NBD: Vintage VJ74 Jazz - Refurbished! I’ve had low-level GAS for a Vintage brand V4 P Bass for some years, but for whatever reason had never considered their Jazz offerings. But when I saw a Vintage VJ74 Reissue Jazz for sale here on BC at a very reasonable price, I took a punt - on a whim. However, the bass had one or two problems: Firstly, it was black - and secondly, it didn’t have its original ‘Vintage VJ74’ decal, which had been replaced with a ‘Moon Bass’ decal (see pics). The pickguard is tort, but considering it’s not what I call ‘proper’ tort, it’s actually not too bad. These are the ‘before’ pics: I refinished the bass in Heritage White, with matching headstock. Then I made a ‘Vintage VJ74’ decal in PhotoShop and printed it onto inkjet waterslide decal paper - my first DIY decal. The rosewood fretboard was a bit chalky and quite dry, so I treated it to a drop of oil, which made it much darker. Result. Other modifications were minimal, as I’m perfectly happy with the electrics, pickups and hardware which are all Wilkinson as standard, Vintage being one of Trevor Wilkinson’s brands. The 'refurbishment' isn't absolutely to stock - as far as I know Vintage don't produce a matching-headstock Jazz in their range, so I allowed myself a little leeway - it's a bit 'custom'... It plays really nicely and sound-wise it’s right up there with the competition. I’ve owned and played Fender Jazzes and various Jazz clones from other makers and the VJ74 absolutely holds its own. The Wilkinson pickups are strong and clear with a big, yet tight and controlled low end, punchy mids and a ringing, almost piano-like tone with a new set of rounds. Very intoxicating and quite addictive. My original intention was to titivate the bass and move it on, but it has immediately become my number one go-to instrument. Obviously 'Vintage' brand basses are way underrated! I’m totally chuffed with it, and it will have its first outing at rehearsal this evening. I’m also chuffed with the cost. As I already had the paint, the amber tint and the waterslide decal paper, and as it wasn’t necessary to upgrade the pickups, tuners or bridge, all it took to get this where I wanted it was a little time and effort. Well worth it - and I’m now a happy bunny. Well... until P-Bass GAS comes around again of course, but as usual I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it. Note - the tort guard looks red on black; and much darker on white. Juxtaposition! It's the same guard. Anyway in conclusion, it's obviously possible to pick up a bass for little money that's already a decent, solid player and have it become your main squeeze with a bit of cosmetic work. Result. These are the ‘after’ pics: I thank you! And many thanks to Basschatter Aidan63.

Good Lord, don't get me going. I'll start on about clag and goit next.

Yes! It's only Ovaltine... ...with a spoonful of heroin in it.

It really is. If you're unfortunate enough to be playing with a belligerent shed-builder, you have few options.

Because the people who run these places lack imagination and do everything half-àssed, as their main purpose is to turn a profit for the owner.

Ah, 56HJBC - how are you? Bleep!

Nobody cares about those - it's the post count that's important. And I only have a fraction of Dood's total...

Like the idea, but I'm rarely on here - so it's unlikely I'll be contributing to any record-breaking number attempt.

It should definitely be an Olympic sport. I'd rather watch that than watch layabout hippes 'snowboarding'.