CokeyW

Mine's a RW Jazz in fiesta red and, just like everyone else, it's the best jazz I've ever owned. Easily. I wouldn't change the reverse tuners as they're rock solid and give very stable tuning.

Back in May I decided I wanted a small combo to sit behind the sofa that I could use quickly if I wanted to play along to something or have a quick practice without my full Markbass rig. After research I went for the EBS Session 30 and it's really good. Tiny, and my basses sound like basses. All was well until a PJB Double Four came up for sale here last week at a sensible price and I couldn't resist. It really is just as good as people say, how that sound comes from that tiny box is black magic. And I can just throw it over my shoulder in a small bag. That's going to really open up my options as it's going to be so easy to pitch up and jam with people, and pretty much anywhere if I buy a laptop battery to power it. My lovely Everson fretless weighs next to nothing too. Very highly recommended.

Are you still happy with the MIJ Jazz?

Recently acquired from a fellow BCer and owned previously by one or two more. It's simply the best playing and sounding fretless I've ever laid my hands on, by a long way. Thin and light too. Everything I could ask for and has taken my playing to a completely new level. What were you thinking of when you sold it?

Just do it.....x10. Whatever happens you'll have some great experiences to look back on, they don't come from a small office based life. If it doesn't work out go back to just earning a living but in your mind you'll know you tried. Don't die wondering what if. Opportunities in life only come your way if you're doing something that puts you in the way of them. It's what the cautious enviously call luck.

Get out, but don't fall out. It's easier than you think. The alternative is you'll be telling the same story for years. Seen it too many times.

Entirely self taught, mainly by playing along to the chart show on Radio One in the 70's and learning from my albums. My technique only gets me so far and I wish I'd had a few lessons early on, especially on fretting hand technique. However, my knowledge of bass has only really developed due to Scott Devine's lessons. He explains everything in a way that just means something to me.

I wondered how you'd got on since I benefitted from your saga and bought the magnificent Everson fretless a couple of weeks ago. As I also had your two Markbass NY 4x8" cabs last year make sure you let me know if you ever suffer from indecision again! Seriously, I'm pleased you've found your 'the one'. Colin

Keeping with the current BCers mantra where the weight of a bass is more important it's sound and playability I'd go for the lightest pickguard you can find. 😀 Joking aside, I hope you get back to full playing fitness soon.

Thanks to all the great tips and advice you've sent I've taken my Lakland to JayDee today for a full setup to see if that does the job. That's the first step. Of course trying new basses is a lot of fun and I'm going to be doing that once the Lakland is back and I can make a valid comparison with it being set up the best it can be. I briefly tried a Fender Jazz Deluxe this afternoon just to see how it felt and it made me realise the Lakky is too 'stiff' even with light strings. I think I need a bass with a bit of give.

I find FretWraps more flexible than a foam mute as you can adjust the amount of mute more precisely.

Interesting thoughts. I'm definitely going to try out a lot of basses before selling anything. If I find my dream bass then I'm able to buy it before I sell (but have to remember to actually do the 'sell' bit!!). I don't think I'm going to go down the custom build route but I am interested in trying the basses from such makers that are in stock at somewhere like Bass Direct to see if their better playability strikes me. BTW I would like to try a RW Jazz as they get such good press here but I do appreciate the comment that you sometimes think it could sound better as a PJ.

Thanks Tauzero

Good stuff, thanks. I think my eyes are more open going into it now? Something's going to have to blow me away when I play it. Does anyone know of a quality bass magician/luthier working in the West Mids area?

This is very helpful, thanks. Rather than custom order I think I'm going to try some 'name' off the shelf basses such as Roscoe, Mike Lull etc and then decide whether the playability/tone/flexibility is worth the extra over what I already have, particularly the cough Lakland cough! I'm starting to suspect the difference may be minimal, especially if I can find decent local luthier for setups. Aesthetics wise I think there any number of fabulous looking basses out there for sale anyway.

I was expecting lots of people to reply that expensive basses were well worth the extra but, as Machines said, you do see a lot of them for sale here on BC.