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Post subject: Want to upgrade, need some suggestions
Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2012 1:05 pm
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Hey everyone,

I'm sure these threads are pretty common, but I would like to get some opinions.

Currently I am playing a 98 MIM P bass. Looking to upgrade. I know I want to stick with a P because of the tone, neck, etc.

So far what has caught my eye;

Sting Precision
Steve Harris
Roadworn
AVRI 62.

I would like this purchase to be a good investment(going to last a long time, something I can pass on to the kids).


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Post subject: Re: Want to upgrade, need some suggestions
Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2012 9:34 pm
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I love my RW P bass- I 'm okay with the look of it but the best thing about it is the sound.
Steve Harris model- artist model so ?. I don't know about that bass except it's blue- allot of guys on here like it.
The Sting has a fatter neck a single coil and a two saddle bridge. If you want to get really serious with it you may need to do some mods on it to make it sound better.
An American vintage re-issue 62- that has to be nice. It probably is the most expensive one. So you have that going for you in the long run as far as value ,I would presume.


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Post subject: Re: Want to upgrade, need some suggestions
Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2012 10:10 pm
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I like the AV62RI. Great tone and quality build. Very flat neck profile for comfort.

Try one of each out if possible. The measurenent of nut width might be slightly different among them. See what feels the best to you.

Here are some diffs I have discovered between '50's style basses and the '62 which may or may not matter to you (besides looks):

The '50's style pup vs. the '62 pup, based on my expreience with my '50's style pup (Fender Japanese stock and Fralin version) vs. my '62 split coil:

The sting type pup may be "clackier" as the pole pieces are right under each string. The '62 pole pieces straddle each string, so should be less "clack" (noise upon hitting string if string bangs against frets). This is my opinion based on my single coil '50's pbass vs. my '62 style pup. I replaced my '54 pup with a '62, and now the '54 bass sounds like the '62 - darker, more power, and less clack. Just my experience.

Again, try 'em out if you can and see what feels and sounds best to you.

The '50's style 2-saddle bridge can be harder to intonate than the 4 saddle '62 style bridge. So if, you are a stickler for intonation, that may be a benefit of the 4-piece bridge - intonating every string individually. 'Course, you could just put a 4 saddle bridge on your Sting bass if you wanted (hush of crowd).

Also, maple boards sound brighter than rosewood, they say (and I have heard on mine, too). I think the Harris and Stings are Maple, right? You may like the maple better since your Paisleys have them. I find both to be enjoyable.

Anyway, have a blast checking them out and be sure to post pics!!


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Post subject: Re: Want to upgrade, need some suggestions
Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2012 12:25 am
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62 RI is long term a better one at holding value. There are fewer around for one thing. Stings are pretty common and usually go 2nd hand for about 1/2 of the new price. There are gobs of them on the second hand market. If you want one, I'd consider a stock used one.

The Steve Harris is gorgeous, but in 50 years will anyone still remember Steve Harris or why he had a Fender signature bass? So you have to accept his fame fading in decades to come. That in general is a collectible value concern I have about all artist models. Anyone else notice that Labella no longer markets their 760M flatwound strings as "THE JAMERSON SET" and now calls them the "1954 Original Oldies" set?

I don't see Roadworns as being especially good investments. I don't think Roadworns will appreciate any faster.

No regular production Fender instruments made since 1964 will ever appreciate to the Pre-CBS values even in 75 years. There simply are too many of them.

I think that just maybe in the long-term today's Custom Shop models have a shot at becoming appreciation winners because there are far fewer of them (roughly the same number per year as pre-CBS) and because they are especially well made. While today in a used sale they only bring about 60 to 70% of their cost new, the potential for appreciation is better due their quality and relative scarcity. CS basses, especially used ones, are a much better long term investment than any production bass. Of course I'm only guessing based on the law of supply and demand, but it is an educated guess. I see bargains on stock CS basses often and it is getting harder to pass them up.


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Post subject: Re: Want to upgrade, need some suggestions
Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2012 8:18 am
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Wow, thanks for all the responses.

The only problem is where I live (southern md), makes it a long drive to any larger music store with a good selection of basses. Having a MIM, I dont think getting a RW would be a good choice. Just for the fact it is a MIM also.

I got a chance yesterday to try out a American Special, I could definetly tell a difference as far as the neck and overall feel. Unfortunatley, the store I was in had me play through a guitar amp seeing as how they did not have a bass one available.

The little voice in the back of my head is saying "buy now", but I keep telling myself to be patient. I do however like the 70's Precision Bass.

To be truthful, resale value has not come into my mind yet(only been playing four years). I can't rule out ten years down the road if I would like something new.

Thanks again guys.


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Post subject: Re: Want to upgrade, need some suggestions
Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2012 10:24 am
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I can understand someone not wanting a RW bass BUT the build and wood and everything on mine puts a 98 MIM to shame. I was jaded against the MIM for a long time. I had a 98 Jazz sunburst MIM that I poured a couple hundred or more into and nothing I could do made it sound better. It had a basswood body. It just blew. Fast forward to my 2009 RW Sunburst MIM P bass- wow- a big difference. I replaced the pickups and it sounds like an old vintage bass-- sweet. Great build and great sound- better than my USA's for the most part. The Classic 50's I have sounds, plays, etc on par with USA. The MIMs I agree do not have the value in the future idea to them like USA's do.

I agree that if you want to buy a bass to keep and play forever and leave it to the family, and want it to be something that is worth some bucks then USA is the way to go IMO.


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Post subject: Re: Want to upgrade, need some suggestions
Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2012 12:59 pm
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Bill's music in Catonsville had a Harris, last time I was in there. If you are going to be in the Baltimore area you could check it out there.

I don't think you could ever go wrong with a AM'62RI though. That is what I would get. But that's what I like.

If you are willing to go to Wheaton, MD, you could talk to Carlos at Chuck Levin's Washington Music Center.

He usually beats everyone by a couple hundred bucks on stuff that I have bought from him over the last 11 years.


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Post subject: Re: Want to upgrade, need some suggestions
Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2012 12:59 pm
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Personally, I would go for an American Standard Precision. The artists models don't seem to hold their value as well because there are fewer potential buyers. Look at it this way, unless someone is into Sting or Steve Harris, they probable won't be interested in a signature model. You said you want to be able to pass the bass down to your kids someday. How relevant will Sting or Steve Harris be when that time comes? There are also a lot of players who do not care for the road worn or reissue basses because they feel like they are just copies and not true to the original. The American Standard Precision and Jazz basses always seem to hold their value better than any other bass on the market.


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Post subject: Re: Want to upgrade, need some suggestions
Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2012 1:18 pm
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stroker vance has a Road Worn and loves it. Considering he's a working musician and has a large stable of bass guitars, I, consider his advice, (I know I have.) The best advice is, play them all before you buy, I realize that's hard in your location.

Brother Dave's advice about a Custom Shop bass is good, if you have that kind of money. The RI Precision is a great bass, I have had the pleasure of playing two on different occasions.

Buying is a rough decision considering all the different one's that have caught your ee.

The best thing to do is, have all the money in your hand, the amount being as much as the most expensive one you want. Take the time to play them, then sleep on it. You're making an investment you're going to have to live with.

Good luck.


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Post subject: Re: Want to upgrade, need some suggestions
Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2012 10:52 am
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I do think brotherdave covered all the basses. :wink:

I really dig the AVRI 62. Tone = nailed. Function...you have to slightly remove the neck to adjust the truss rod. Granted that big P-neck will not fluctuate as much, but if your not keen about doing this or you want a quick fix before a gig, this is not a fast easy fix. Also this procedure is the same deal with the Road Worn.

:idea: MIA P-bass is not an investment, just an excellent tone tool.


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Post subject: Re: Want to upgrade, need some suggestions
Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2012 12:36 pm
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Thanks Ox for backin me up.

One thing.... I personally don't have an attitude about any bass going in when it's time to check one out. I don't view a bass by the name on it. It could be Geddy, Sting, Harris, the one guy who runs down the street naked, a Roscoe, a Jaco--- color doesn't matter either, wether I want to leave it to my offspring- whatever..... We don't want to hear all about me either BUT the one most important thing and the thing I single mindedly have in my melon when I check out a bass is = SOUND !!!!! Sound. Simple.


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Post subject: Re: Want to upgrade, need some suggestions
Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2012 10:52 pm
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stroker,

having known you as long as I have and having been fortunate to read a whole lot of your advice and opinions, I know the sound you seek. Your goal is a good honk, numero uno. That sound that says, FENDER. I agree that no two basses are created equal, but having had hands on experience, especially ownig numerous basses gives you the right to a good opinion.

'Nuff said!

Image


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Post subject: Re: Want to upgrade, need some suggestions
Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2012 10:40 pm
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I think Brother Dave pretty much summed up what I said. Steve Harris will probably be forgotten before too long. Signature basses have a limited market. They appeal to fans of the band that the bassist played with. The Standard Precision will always hold it's value. There is a reason why Precisions and Jazz basses are the most used basses in the world. The Reissue basses are nice but there are many players including myself who frown upon them as nothing more than cheap knock off copies. (yes, I know that make me a snob). I have been playing for 34 years. You can't go wrong with a standard or deluxe Fender.


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