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Post subject: New Bass Brainstorm
Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2013 9:28 am
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Hey everybody, I've been pondering this for a while now and I figured I'd consult the brain trust. Sometime this spring/summer I plan on picking up a new P bass. Before I get into what I'm looking for I'll let you know what I have.

In 2008 some of my best friends played guitar. I was unemployed, so I stole my brother's strat and dedicated a summer to teaching myself how to play. At the end of the summer I could strum a little, but after watching countless old videos of Cream and the Who I realized that I was more interested in what Jack and John were doing. So with meager funds to my name I ordered a Squire Vintage Modified P bass. Olympic White, rosewood board, awesome axe for the money.
Since then I've gotten a hell of alot better, played in a few bands and expanded my knowledge of bass things quite a bit. I don't much care for funk and slapping, but beyond that I'll play most anything people are willing to play.

After a serious Allman Brothers binge the Jazz bass bug bit me, so about a year ago I picked up my first real fender, a Deluxe Active Jass. It plays great, and looks killer (FSR black block inlays, natural clear coat). The issue is that I just can't get into what it sounds like. It sounds like a Jazz bass, nothing too special.

So all of this brings me to my desire to fill out my roster with a real fender P (the squire's great, but you can tell it was made in indonesia and not california). I've played almost everything I can get my hands on, and I have yet to pick one up and say "Yep, this is the one."
My dream bass these days is a pre CBS P in a custom color, but since I need my car more than a bass I'll have to pass on that option. The new AVRI's seem awesome (I know a guy with one of the new Tele's and it's epic) but 2k for a non custom shop bass seems excessive... While 3K for a CS is out of the question these days. To be honest with myself the American Standards probably fit what I'm Looking for best, but I don't care for any of the color options. So what I'm asking I guess is do any of you have any suggestions? Have I left a stone unturned? Is buying a new AMST and having it refinished dumb? Or should I just suck it up and make a parts bass? Should I be looking to Japan? Any opinions are appreciated.

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Post subject: Re: New Bass Brainstorm
Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2013 10:37 pm
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I've made several parts basses and the Jazz I put together with the Fender Precision rosewood neck sounds the best of the ones I've done. Rosewood is not my favorite. I like maple but hey this rosewood sounds pretty snappy on the Jazz bod.. So I'll take the good sound.

Parts basses are hit or miss just like anything else. I can build a new parts bass for less than buying new and have my friend paint it . One can spend a ton on a parts bass too. I think before I would build one again I'd spend some serious time playing a whole bunch of Fender basses and try to find the ones that stand out. If nothing interested me I may just do another build. This time I'd probably go Warmouth or if not--- the real deal Fender parts again. Warmouth seems to have the good stuff and you can get everything done to a neck and body you could ever want.

Buying necks and bodies "in person" seems to be the best thing one can do. Get the tuning fork and go over the body and neck. I'd stick my ear right on the wood . I guess you'd need a quiet place to do that. I think there's something to doing that that just seems right. It's a comparison thing.... test one body then the next at the same time.

Ask Brother Dave- he knows. I kind of depend on him anymore. Plus he can write me off as a dependent on his taxes now. He may have about 20 more dependents on here too. He get's the big bucks!!!!


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Post subject: Re: New Bass Brainstorm
Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2013 12:20 pm
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Joined: Tue Aug 07, 2012 3:08 pm
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I've seen some 1995-1999 American Standard Precision basses for very low prices these days. Since you're looking for "the one"..you really should sit and play the bass before you buy it.

If you buy a Highway 1/Highway One or an American Special you'll want to trade up later on. I'd stay away from those models..even if a custom refinish would be easy with them.


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Post subject: Re: New Bass Brainstorm
Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2013 2:58 pm
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Joined: Wed Dec 05, 2012 3:36 pm
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My kingdom for a shoreline gold precision!!!!!!!!

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