mr zed

[font="Calibri"][size="3"][color="#000000"]I left a very good band earlier this year. The other members wanted to be out gigging at least once a week – I didn’t. A couple of times per month is about right for me. I have a family who I really enjoy spending time with, a demanding job (which I’m also fortunate enough to enjoy) and I enjoy taking part in other activities in my social time (motorcycling, camping weekends, cinema, going to gigs, theatre, holidays etc.). Sometimes, I just want to relax with a glass of wine and my feet up at the end of a week. TBH, with all of this going on, I don’t have time to gig more often.[/color][/size][/font] [font="Calibri"][size="3"][color="#000000"]I have found another band who also have other things going on in their life and gigging a couple of times per month is also what they want to do.[/color][/size][/font] [font="Calibri"][size="3"][color="#000000"]I have to say that gigging is the most enjoyable aspect of my social activities. When we play, it is to entertain both ourselves and hopefully the audience. We take it seriously and try to be the best we can be. The band rehearse once a week, we are constantly learning new material to keep the set fresh and when we’re together, we all get on. I wouldn’t choose to spend time with them outside of the band – we have a common interest and that’s where it ends.[/color][/size][/font] [font="Calibri"][size="3"][color="#000000"]I feel that my life is in balance and that suits me just fine. Other guys want to gig more often and that’s great, it suits them. So long as you’re true to yourself in what you want to do, I don’t see a problem. I certainly wouldn’t judge others and I wouldn’t expect to be judged myself for what work for us all individually.[/color][/size][/font] [font="Calibri"][size="3"][color="#000000"]Oh, and the gigging scene in the North West of England is alive & kicking. We have some great venues and some great bands. We also have people who are prepared to come out and listen.[/color][/size][/font]

The Sire V7 gets great reviews on here and is around £300 new from Thomann. That's what I'd be looking at.

Zappa for me too - 1988 final tour. Closest venue to me was the NEC (I'm in Bolton). Pink Floyd were also touring that year (Delicate Sound Of Thunder tour) and tickets came out at around the same time. I'd just got married so money was tight. The choice was Floyd in Manchester or Zappa in Brum (which would also mean adding the price of a coach ticket). I figured that I probably wouldn't get the chance to see Floyd again but I'll see Zappa the next time around. What a numpty I turned out to be The Floyd gig turned out to be one of the best gigs I'd ever been to so not a complete disaster but I still regret no taking the opportunity to see the great man himself. I count myself lucky to have seen AC/DC with Bon Scott (Def Leppard supporting), Thin Lizzy, Iron Maiden (the original line-up supporting Judas Priest), Ted Nugent, Black Sabbath (Ozzy with Van Halen supporting), Queen (with Freddie), Status Quo (classic line-up), Deep Purple (mk2 line-up), Rush, Green Day, Foo Fighters, Fleetwood Mac, Sammy Hagar....oh and of course.....Dumpy's Rusty Nuts

I seem to recall a string manufacturer (Dean Markley?) Cryogenically treating bass strings. Did anyone try them & if so did this process help to keep the twang for longer?

So, now the honeymoon period is over for many of you, anyone got any regrets? I am on the lookout for a 5 string (only a few songs in our set need the low B string so it won't be my main bass). A V7 could be the answer. From what I've read here, the tuners would benefit from an upgrade and maybe the bridge? Is the a direct replacement for the bridge that anyone has carried out? Cheers guys.

Buy a 6 string electric bass. There........better now!

Can I be the first to ask why not a second hand USA standard Jazz? The 2008 - 2012 models are great instruments and from 2012 on they were even better IMHO of course due to the CS pups. Graphite rods in the necks as well. Go for Oly White with the maple board. You know it makes sense. Meets all your requirements and is within budget. Anything else is just a copy lol

[quote name='walbassist' timestamp='1446477891' post='2899642'] I was obviously checking the vocal entry time while you were posting! [/quote] lol

Shine on you crazy diamond goes on for a while. Good though.

Best wishes Pete - we've never met but I've missed your posts here (and your avatar ). Good luck for the future.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1445641889' post='2893138'] $500.00 sounds off and very low for a 62. Blue [/quote] When you take into account the exchange rate from £ to $ - £500 becomes around $765. I'm not well up on vintage Hofner prices. Does this still seem too low, about right or too high?

Sold my 2012 USA Standard Jazz to fund a Stingray HH. Didn't regret getting the Stingray as it is a fantastic bass but regretted getting rid of the Jazz almost immediately (as I was packing it up to send off to its new owner). 12 months later - gassing like mad for a Jazz. Looking around at Jazzes for sale in the basses for sale section on here and ebay. Looking at new. Never really used Gumtree but one evening I had a quick look on there and there was a bass that was finished in the same colour scheme as the bass I had sold (Oly white, maple, tort). Had a quick look at the serial no, checked it against old photos from when I sold the bass and....yep - same bass. Contacted the seller, bought my old Jazz back. Happy happy happy

[quote name='LewisK1975' timestamp='1442495960' post='2867355'] I've always fancied an ASAT bass - do they qualify as single cuts? [attachment=200877:Capture.JPG] [/quote] I would say yes, they do qualify as singlecuts however probably not what the bass community now interprets a single cut to look like i.e. it is not fugly

[quote name='Nicko' timestamp='1442405671' post='2866687'] We have a gig on Saturday. LL has asked us to start after the last match. That's an 11pm start. Some of the punters might have been in there since noon. Sounds like it might get messy. [/quote] problem is that when the rugby finishes the majority will leave just as you're about to come on. Not trying to be grumpy - just experienced this before. You're thinking we've got a great crowd here then there they were - gone.

Congratulations - as an owner of a 2012 USA standard Jazz with the cs pups I can vouch for just how good these are. I'm chuffed to bits for you. Nice one!

If you like Jazz basses but prefer a smaller body it may be well worth you considering one of the older (pre 2010) USA Jazz Deluxe's. Smaller body and Hipshot ultra lite tuners means it balances very well. 18 volt 3 band active pre-amp gives plenty of versatility. They don't go for silly money either. Well worth a look!

[quote name='Billy Apple' timestamp='1441983354' post='2863541'] I'm surprised at the comments about his poor tone. Is this not EQ'd for a band mix and not meant to be heard in isolation? [/quote] Couldn't agree more! How many threads have we had discussing tone when noodling at home and tone to cut through in a band situation. The tone JE has here will cut through like a hot knife through butter. Wonderful.

I met up with Adam and his lovely wife last night when I bought his Fender Jazz American Standard. Had a great chat about basses, bands & gigging. Very easy person to deal with. He even took the time to meet up with me half way between where we both live to save me from a 200 mile round trip. Communication was perfect and the bass was exactly as described. I wouldn't hesitate in dealing with Adam again. Thanks mate - it was an absolute pleasure.

[quote name='TheButler' timestamp='1441376700' post='2858457'] So Thomann have made 'arrangements' with eBay to minimise the reselling of these items; it should make things more difficult for our friend. Not to mention they're giving me free stuff for 'grassing' on him! [/quote] Result - well played sir.

[quote name='bigsmokebass' timestamp='1441095884' post='2855922'] Wouldn't have mind a passive Big Al 5 string but the colours don't bother me..... If anything, if they focus on fewer finishes, I'm hoping it will drive the price down somewhat (less finishes, time saved, more basses coming off the production line...) [/quote] I suspect that they'll keep the same prices but make a greater profit due to increased efficiencies.

You could of course go the other way - get a Stingray HH. Set to the rear humbucker gives you the Stingray (position 1 on the 5 way selector switch) whilst position 4 gets very close to a Jazz sound (outer coils on both pickups).

[quote name='bassmachine2112' timestamp='1441139673' post='2856456'] Dinnae be silly get a USA Stingray - job done [/quote] Fixed it for you!

Nice bass but the feet are a bit off putting.