Have to buy new, having problems.

[addam360]

[quote name='miles'tone' timestamp='1405449150' post='2502018']
The Fender deluxe P special has a thin Jazz neck BTW.
[/quote]
That seems like an odd decision from Fender. Thanks for the info.

[quote name='hamfist' timestamp='1405449678' post='2502026']
Guitarguitar stock Schecter and seem to have a Newcastle shop
[/quote]
Unfortunately they don't seem to have the Model T or Diamond P on their website. Might have one or the other in store to try out though. I'll keep you posted. Thanks.

[addam360]

So this FSR Deluxe P, likely out of range anyway but I'm confused by it. Descriptions all seem to say it has a Jazz neck which I'm pretty sure is usually 38mm, but specs on all the same sites say it has a 41mm nut. Is this just a common recurring mistake or am I getting something wrong?

[rOB]

[quote name='addam360' timestamp='1405355888' post='2501164']
They do seem pretty good. I just don't know much about Schecter other than complaints about electrical issues. Time for some research. It's a shame but I'm not gonna lie, if either of them said Fender, G&L, Sandberg etc on top I wouldn't hesitate. [/quote]

If it helps at all, I have played a Schecter (diamond series) for 6-7 years, never had any problems with electronics or anything else.

[addam360]

[quote name='rOB' timestamp='1405489967' post='2502284']
If it helps at all, I have played a Schecter (diamond series) for 6-7 years, never had any problems with electronics or anything else.
[/quote]
Yeah it helps. The more I here the better they seem. Hopefully I can find somewhere with at least one of the 2 that interest me in stock. They don't seem too common though. The more modern designs seem easier to get hold of but don't really interest me.

As for the Model T and P, I would assume they sound like P basses with the split neck pickups soloed. Can't see how you could copy something so closely and not sound pretty much the same. That's the hope anyway.

[rOB]

[quote name='addam360' timestamp='1405490717' post='2502287']
Yeah it helps. The more I here the better they seem. Hopefully I can find somewhere with at least one of the 2 that interest me in stock. They don't seem too common though. The more modern designs seem easier to get hold of but don't really interest me.

As for the Model T and P, I would assume they sound like P basses with the split neck pickups soloed. Can't see how you could copy something so closely and not sound pretty much the same. That's the hope anyway. [/quote]

To my unrefined ears I find most basses with a split pickup in that position to sound similar to a Fender P (happy to hear other opinions). I'm afraid I can't comment on the models with P pickups as mine has twin humbuckers but I really enjoy my Schecter. I think it cost abour £450 new in 2006 ish.

All the best with the search.

[addam360]

[quote name='rOB' timestamp='1405492729' post='2502291']
To my unrefined ears I find most basses with a split pickup in that position to sound similar to a Fender P (happy to hear other opinions). I'm afraid I can't comment on the models with P pickups as mine has twin humbuckers but I really enjoy my Schecter. I think it cost abour £450 new in 2006 ish.

All the best with the search.
[/quote]
Thanks for the info. I'm sure the quality is reflected across the range. As for P pickups, oddly I've never owned a bass with one, excluding my first bass, an old Tanglewood which I don't even vaguely remember the sound of, so I'm glad to get some info on whether it really makes much difference to go for the genuine Fender.

[HowieBass]

[quote name='addam360' timestamp='1405487025' post='2502281']
So this FSR Deluxe P, likely out of range anyway but I'm confused by it. Descriptions all seem to say it has a Jazz neck which I'm pretty sure is usually 38mm, but specs on all the same sites say it has a 41mm nut. Is this just a common recurring mistake or am I getting something wrong?
[/quote]

Fender often put intermediate sized necks on their customised basses; a traditional Jazz nut width is 38mm, a traditional Precision nut width is 43mm so the Deluxe P you mention is somewhat inbetween. I've got two Squier models, a Deluxe Jazz Active that sports a 38mm nut and a Vintage Modified Precision that's a 41mm nut (one presumes it's the neck profile and nut width and the Duncan Designed pickup that warrant the VM designation). So, if a Jazz neck feels a little too skinny for you then that Deluxe P might be just right.

[addam360]

[quote name='HowieBass' timestamp='1405498017' post='2502340']
Fender often put intermediate sized necks on their customised basses; a traditional Jazz nut width is 38mm, a traditional Precision nut width is 43mm so the Deluxe P you mention is somewhat inbetween. I've got two Squier models, a Deluxe Jazz Active that sports a 38mm nut and a Vintage Modified Precision that's a 41mm nut (one presumes it's the neck profile and nut width and the Duncan Designed pickup that warrant the VM designation). So, if a Jazz neck feels a little too skinny for you then that Deluxe P might be just right.
[/quote]
That's really quite interesting. They've gone to some serious lengths to make that a real PJ hybrid. £683 being the only price I can find on it is well out of reach. Shame, it seems perfect. Maybe I can swing it on the day if there's one in the shop.

[throwoff]

Guitar Guitar newcastle will stock a hell of a lot if it is anything like any other GG branch.

In fact their website has live stock, have a look at what you like and see if they have one.

Edited July 16, 2014 by throwoff

[throwoff]

Also the Hoppus is a monster of a bass.

If I wasn't a lefty it would be the bass I would own without question.

My USA P has a Duncan 1/4 Pounder in it which is the same pickup and I swear by it.

[wingnutkj]

Yeah, Guitar Guitar in Newcastle's got a good selection of stuff. Also in the centre of Newcastle, there's Windows (Central Arcade) and Sounds Live (Dean Street).

Glasgow, the big ones are Guitar Guitar, Merchant City Music, Kenny's Music and CC Music.

[throwoff]

Kennys are good guys, always had good experiences from the supplier perspective and only ever hear good things from a customer point of view.

[Cosmo Valdemar]

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1405295578' post='2500581']
For a decent bass easily within budget, a Yamaha BB424X fits the bill quite nicely: They come in a range of colours, P/J pickups, nice sized neck - tho no specs to say exactly what size. Great working basses the BBs.

[url="http://www.gak.co.uk/en/yamaha-bb424x-black/47057"]http://www.gak.co.uk...24x-black/47057[/url]
[/quote]

This. My 424X very quickly became my main bass. Very versatile, and a very powerful sound.

[addam360]

[quote name='throwoff' timestamp='1405498791' post='2502352']
Also the Hoppus is a monster of a bass.

If I wasn't a lefty it would be the bass I would own without question.

My USA P has a Duncan 1/4 Pounder in it which is the same pickup and I swear by it.
[/quote]
Seems like a love it or hate it bass. I love the look and the whole concept of it. Seems a bit pricey though.

[quote name='wingnutkj' timestamp='1405512827' post='2502551']
Yeah, Guitar Guitar in Newcastle's got a good selection of stuff. Also in the centre of Newcastle, there's Windows (Central Arcade) and Sounds Live (Dean Street).

Glasgow, the big ones are Guitar Guitar, Merchant City Music, Kenny's Music and CC Music.
[/quote]
Thanks. I'll probably end up buying from Newcastle now (used to live there so I was at least aware of Windows), but it's good to know some Glasgow shops just in case.

[quote name='Cosmo Valdemar' timestamp='1405514891' post='2502579']
This. My 424X very quickly became my main bass. Very versatile, and a very powerful sound.
[/quote]
Thanks but I'm not sold on the BB. No offense, I love Yamaha's in general - my SBV500 was great, but the BB series is seriously ugly.

[Matt P]

I've been put off shopping in the Newcastle branch of GuitarGuitar, the customer service has always been pretty poor in my experience, it just seems to be that branch though!

sounds live and windows have always seemed more helpful.

Matt

[addam360]

Just an update, had to cancel the trip over to Newcastle and now buying online is looking quite probable so I'll be after a bass with more reliable QC. From what I've heard this means I should steer clear of MIM Fenders. The current top contenders are the Schecter Model T and Ibanez ATK800 Premium I think.

Also, still interested in hearing about that Jaguar neck pup in series. I've heard only great things about MIJ Fenders.

Any more opinions on the basses mentioned above or any other ideas?

I'm thinking I can be more flexible on the thin neck thing. I've not really had any major problems with the Jazz.
I'll keep you up to date and post pics once I've got whatever I go for.

[LukeFRC]

[quote name='addam360' timestamp='1406474846' post='2511747']
Just an update, had to cancel the trip over to Newcastle and now buying online is looking quite probable so I'll be after a bass with more reliable QC. From what I've heard this means I should steer clear of MIM Fenders. The current top contenders are the Schecter Model T and Ibanez ATK800 Premium I think.

Also, still interested in hearing about that Jaguar neck pup in series. I've heard only great things about MIJ Fenders.

Any more opinions on the basses mentioned above or any other ideas?

I'm thinking I can be more flexible on the thin neck thing. I've not really had any major problems with the Jazz.
I'll keep you up to date and post pics once I've got whatever I go for.
[/quote] buying online... this is in your price reach http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/OW_Tangle_Asp_elite_Fless_1.html

[AttitudeCastle]

[quote name='wingnutkj' timestamp='1405512827' post='2502551']
Yeah, Guitar Guitar in Newcastle's got a good selection of stuff. Also in the centre of Newcastle, there's Windows (Central Arcade) and Sounds Live (Dean Street).

Glasgow, the big ones are Guitar Guitar, Merchant City Music, Kenny's Music and CC Music.
[/quote]

Sweet!

I'm moving to Glesgae this time next month over a couple weeks, live roughly near these and need a new bass. Woohoo! Haha!

[addam360]

That's a great price and all but it's not even remotely the type of thing I'm looking for. If it wasn't fretless I'd have more of a look but it's really not what I'm after.

Thanks.

[JamesBass]

[quote name='addam360' timestamp='1406474846' post='2511747']
Just an update, had to cancel the trip over to Newcastle and now buying online is looking quite probable so I'll be after a bass with more reliable QC. From what I've heard this means I should steer clear of MIM Fenders. The current top contenders are the Schecter Model T and Ibanez ATK800 Premium I think.

Also, still interested in hearing about that Jaguar neck pup in series. I've heard only great things about MIJ Fenders.

Any more opinions on the basses mentioned above or any other ideas?

I'm thinking I can be more flexible on the thin neck thing. I've not really had any major problems with the Jazz.
I'll keep you up to date and post pics once I've got whatever I go for.
[/quote]
Mexican Fenders are very good in my experience, you just need to find the correct one for you, sometimes that means sitting in a shop for hours and hours trying all the Mex ones they have, I wouldn't dis-regard them personally.

If you're looking to mod and change things easily in the future then you can't go wrong with a Fender.

[addam360]

[quote name='JamesBass' timestamp='1406479376' post='2511794']
Mexican Fenders are very good in my experience, you just need to find the correct one for you, sometimes that means sitting in a shop for hours and hours trying all the Mex ones they have, I wouldn't dis-regard them personally.

If you're looking to mod and change things easily in the future then you can't go wrong with a Fender.
[/quote]

Yeah that's why I'm trying to avoid MIM. It looks like I'm not gonna get the chance to go try them all out this time and I really don't want to have to mod anything.

Thanks.

[kerley]

If you are fussy then buying online may not be for you. How do you know that the Schecter or Ibanez you receive will be perfect? How many times would you send it back before getting tired of doing it?

If you are the sort of person who sees QC issues that would not bother someone else then you really need to go to a shop. If you are not then fine.
I am not fussy at all but I had to send back a new bass last week that was finished to a very high level all around but the volume/active pot was dodgy and the bass cut out if shaken about or sometimes when the knob was turned/pulled out.
I didn't bother getting a replacement as already bored with that and just got another used bass that I will just fix myself.

[addam360]

Ahh sorry I don't mean to come off as too fussy. To be honest I won't notice the majority of QC issues as long as it all works I don't care about most of it. I've just heard a lot about the problems with MIM basses and assumed they were particularly bad with consistency. Also, I've heard the exact opposite from the other two, especially the Schechter.

Odds are that I'd be perfectly happy with the first Standard Fender I picked up.

[JamesBass]

[quote name='addam360' timestamp='1406561474' post='2512449']
Ahh sorry I don't mean to come off as too fussy. To be honest I won't notice the majority of QC issues as long as it all works I don't care about most of it. I've just heard a lot about the problems with MIM basses and assumed they were particularly bad with consistency. Also, I've heard the exact opposite from the other two, especially the Schechter.

Odds are that I'd be perfectly happy with the first Standard Fender I picked up.
[/quote]
The truth is there aren't many issues, not from what I've encountered, of course the electronics and pickups COULD be better, hence the easy of upgrading a Fender bass, BUT there really aren't all that many issues with the series of basses, currently across all lines, Fender are arguably at their best consistency ever! What issues have you heard about out of curiosity?

[addam360]

I'm not even entirely sure. Most posts against them stop at words like "unplayable" which is pretty hard to believe. A couple have mentioned twisted necks but usually they don't say what was so bad about them beyond the usual sharp frets or uneven paint (not exactly serious problems).

I think it was more to do with some just sounding or feeling noticeably better or worse than others.