tonewheels Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 Rationalising all my gear to concentrate on the best gigging setup I can. I've already retired the '70s SVT stack in favour of GK MB Fusion 500 and a Barefaced Super Twin with which I'm absolutely delighted. I've used a Stingray for 20 years but have come to realise that it's too big a sound for my style these days. A jazz is far more suited. Heroes are Jaco, Norman and Bernard. So I'll have up to around two and a half grand to get a reasonable quality instrument. That's enough to get a SuperJazz like a Sadowsky, a nice custom shop job or a '70s vintage. I did wonder about the Bass Collection Blockhead - if it's good enough for Norman... Obviously I'll get out and try a few but opinions are welcome on where I'd start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeFRC Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 in bass direct or bass gear or the gallery trying everything they have in stock. See what speaks to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeFRC Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 that wasn't me being facetious by the way - it was a "go and play stuff and see" Do you want it to be traditional looking or with a few modern turns? passive sound or active super jazz? 4 or 5 strings? 60's or 70's jazz sound? - Not strictly a Jazz but I would recommend trying out the Yamaha BB series. this might just be in budget if you ask nice http://www.bassgear.co.uk/product/sadowsky-nyc-5-2/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonewheels Posted May 27, 2015 Author Share Posted May 27, 2015 [quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1432764134' post='2784847'] in bass direct or bass gear or the gallery trying everything they have in stock. See what speaks to you. [/quote] I was in bass gear a couple of weeks ago. Nice custom shop guitar in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonewheels Posted May 27, 2015 Author Share Posted May 27, 2015 [quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1432764607' post='2784853'] passive sound or active super jazz? 4 or 5 strings? 60's or 70's jazz sound? [/quote] I'm easy on active or passive but I suspect that I have active tendencies for the added punch. 4 strings definitely Probably more of a 70s sound Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeFRC Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 [quote name='tonewheels' timestamp='1432764816' post='2784859'] I'm easy on active or passive but I suspect that I have active tendencies for the added punch. 4 strings definitely Probably more of a 70s sound [/quote] the older '75ri is one of the nicest Fender jazzes I've ever played. Bass direct have two secondhand at the mo. http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Fender_Jazz_75_RI_NAT_Maple_03.html Won't do added punch but you'll have change for a nice precision too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peteb Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 If you fancy an active jazz, you might want to try out an Xotic. Bass Direct generally have them in stock. You can find loads of clips of them online. They are really well put together, very solid and sound great - my favourite of the 'super jazz' basses on the market... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonewheels Posted May 27, 2015 Author Share Posted May 27, 2015 (edited) Thanks chaps. I'm Jonesing a bit for an Overwater. Mainly because I can specify with 16.5mm string spacing. I'm prone to muscle cramps because of a vitamin D problem and because of that I play with a very relaxed right hand which isn't anchored to the pickup covers and just hovers over the strings. To be honest, I also find that this gives me a lot more control and speed than my old, rather Neanderthal, technique which kept my hand in permanent tension. A close string spacing further economises on movement. Need to try one I guess. Edited May 27, 2015 by tonewheels Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artisan Posted May 28, 2015 Share Posted May 28, 2015 Absolutely loving my Overwater Jazz so I can highly recommend them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uncle psychosis Posted May 28, 2015 Share Posted May 28, 2015 Pretty much anything in that price range will be a great instrument. Make a day trip of it and head to a specialist bass shop and try lots. It'll be fun (and probably expensive). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted May 28, 2015 Share Posted May 28, 2015 70s sounding Jazz, I`d be looking at this beauty being sold by our very own Gary Mac: http://basschat.co.uk/topic/262795-1973-fender-jazz-sunburstrosewood/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
louisthebass Posted May 30, 2015 Share Posted May 30, 2015 [quote name='artisan' timestamp='1432800117' post='2785024'] Absolutely loving my Overwater Jazz so I can highly recommend them. [/quote] +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conan Posted June 1, 2015 Share Posted June 1, 2015 [quote name='tonewheels' timestamp='1432764816' post='2784859'] I'm easy on active or passive but I suspect that I have active tendencies for the added punch. 4 strings definitely Probably more of a 70s sound [/quote] Try getting your hands on a CIJ Marcus Miller signature Jazz. Then add a John East Retro preamp. That would certainly tick all of your boxes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonewheels Posted June 1, 2015 Author Share Posted June 1, 2015 [quote name='Conan' timestamp='1433141825' post='2788102'] Try getting your hands on a CIJ Marcus Miller signature Jazz. Then add a John East Retro preamp. That would certainly tick all of your boxes! [/quote] Odlly enough, I've just taken delivery of one of the Sire Marcus Millers. Fantastic finish for an El Cheapo, not so good setup but easily fixed. May be all the bass I need but I'll have to play it in over a few weeks. Controls are a bit busy for my tastes but sounding pretty good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_bass5 Posted June 3, 2015 Share Posted June 3, 2015 As i was reading down this thread i was going to suggest a V7, but wasnt sure of the string spacing or availability. My 5 string version is one of the nicest, most comfortable jazz basses ive ever played. Not too keen on active basses but luckily this sounds good with moderate use of the knobs, and just as good in passive mode. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ern500evo Posted June 3, 2015 Share Posted June 3, 2015 I've used my Sire V7 for all my recent gigs, while my MusicMan Bongo, Stingray and my German Warwick have all stayed in their cases or been taken along as a spare. If it were me I'd maybe set the Sire up to your tastes and give it a few gigs to see how it performs, you may already have what you're looking for! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonewheels Posted June 3, 2015 Author Share Posted June 3, 2015 [quote name='ern500evo' timestamp='1433347369' post='2790341'] you may already have what you're looking for! [/quote] Feels like cheating though! All that gain for no financial pain. Got a black rosewood. May add a maple 'burst when they come in to stock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ern500evo Posted June 4, 2015 Share Posted June 4, 2015 I know where you're coming from! I was loading the car for a gig Saturday night and first bass in was the Sire, knowing that's the one I'd actually use, then stood back looking at about £4k's worth of other basses for a spare to take with me, thinking 'I'm sure I've got this the wrong way around'! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassbiscuits Posted June 5, 2015 Share Posted June 5, 2015 I've just picked up a Sandberg TT4 - basically their version of a passive jazz, which seems to have a lot more poke and volume than the USA jazz i traded in for it. really lightweight on the shoulders too. gigging it tomorrow so i'll find out first hand how it performs... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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