The Last Bass Outpost

Gear Discussion Forums => Fender Basses => Topic started by: Highlander on June 27, 2010, 12:49:49 PM

Title: Oops... now I'm in trouble... haven't done this for 23 years...
Post by: Highlander on June 27, 2010, 12:49:49 PM
Honest... I couldn't help myself... some dark, primeval upwelling occurred and before I knew I was doing it, it was done...

My daughter exclaimed to my wife what I had done and said, "He's done what...?" (we had my inlaws round which probably saved me) to which I tried to explain, but failed...

I made a swift departure and went off to see the results of my sins...

(http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu280/kjrstewart/Jazz/20100626Jazz1.jpg)
hmm... a slight tweek and she'll fit so I can wait on a case...

Well... got myself a black Squier 20th anniversary Jazz for what I consider to be a bargain-basement price (£62/$93)... and took a 90 mile round trip to collect... came with no strings or case, but what do you expect for the price... all looked reasonable... scratchplate (triple sandwich) had obviously had something on it and a white bar is visible centrally, which may polish out...

(http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu280/kjrstewart/Jazz/20100626Jazz2.jpg)
... too late in the evening to run up properly... gonna have to wait for the morning... honest, it's not a grimace, it's teeth holding on to a pick...

Strung her up... initial overview is very positive... the setup was well out - all saddles were well forward of intonation (quickly sorted) and a look at the neck showed a bow, but put up with that for the evening (saved the digging for tools for today) ... the truss-rod nut was easy to move, even loose, and carefully gave a 1/2 turn which has nicely straightened out - relief is quite even now... minor adjustment required to the G saddle and next up was the sound-check...

(http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu280/kjrstewart/Jazz/20100627Jazz.jpg)
... which was very positive...

Not played one for around 27 years; Roshina finds this the nicest bass she's tried, but here's the thing... is this a true bargain and worth playing with...?
I had an idea to do a homage to that (ridiculously priced) '64 gold-sparkle that keeps showing up, also she has the same sized pups (is the pole-lineup that much of an issue) so is it worth considering the smaller neck pup, and a new scratchplate, or just live with it, or a Mudbucker  (a-la-Melvin S) or re-use the neck pup a-la-Berry/Tractor)...

... or do I leave well alone and just play... :vader: :rimshot:

(http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu280/kjrstewart/Jazz/20100627neckplate.jpg) (http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu280/kjrstewart/Jazz/20100627pups.jpg)

Jackie would prefer my (earlier) idea of doing up and selling on, but... :popcorn:
Title: Re: Oops... now I'm in trouble... haven't done this for 23 years...
Post by: Lightyear on June 27, 2010, 01:03:13 PM
Nice score Ken!  For $93 you can't go wrong!  If it plays nice I say keep it - you can cut back on bird seed for a month or two to make up the $$$  I, for one, would upgrade the pots, cap and pickups and play it out.  If you're careful you can do it up for just about a $100 more ;)

And, Ken, please, for the love of God, get some some sun on those legs :o ;D  Maybe a can of spay tan............
Title: Re: Oops... now I'm in trouble... haven't done this for 23 years...
Post by: Highlander on June 27, 2010, 02:23:05 PM
Perhaps Mark can recommend some waxing techniques...?
Title: Re: Oops... now I'm in trouble... haven't done this for 23 years...
Post by: hieronymous on June 27, 2010, 06:46:46 PM
Hope I didn't unduly influence you with my recent pictures of my MIJ Jazz... Have to admit I'm partial to the way it looks right now!  ;)
Title: Re: Oops... now I'm in trouble... haven't done this for 23 years...
Post by: Freuds_Cat on June 28, 2010, 01:20:00 AM
KEN!!  now you will be able to work on those Geddy riffs we were talking about.   :P  ;D

Tort Scratchplate I say!

Good score mate.
Title: Re: Oops... now I'm in trouble... haven't done this for 23 years...
Post by: godofthunder on June 28, 2010, 07:25:09 AM
 That is a very nice score ! For the price you can do whatever you like ;) I have a SX Jazz bass that I like very much I use it in the shop. I put a Dimarzio J in the neck position and it sounds Killer. I only put the one in so you are welcome to the other. As others have said a good idea to change out the pots but nothing you must do right away. Enjoy !
Title: Re: Oops... now I'm in trouble... haven't done this for 23 years...
Post by: Chris P. on June 28, 2010, 09:00:41 AM
Very nice score! Congrats! And a big +1 for a tort guard!
Title: Re: Oops... now I'm in trouble... haven't done this for 23 years...
Post by: Pilgrim on June 28, 2010, 09:14:26 AM
Tort would be nice, and I'm a fan of it...but I'm also a fan of the pearloid variations.

That bass is a great example of an instrument that doesn't have to be expensive to sound great and be fun to play!  I am definitely a Fender fan, and that's a nice looking bass for an excellent price.  The J series balances well too...should be a fun player for you.
Title: Re: Oops... now I'm in trouble... haven't done this for 23 years...
Post by: chromium on June 28, 2010, 10:43:52 AM
Quote from: Lightyear on June 27, 2010, 01:03:13 PM
for the love of God, get some some sun on those legs :o ;D 

Ken- I also have a programmer's tan.  No biggie, just make sure to stay away from the blacklights...  ;D

(http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k125/0chromium0/forums/tan-lines-from-typical-summer-activ.jpg)


Great looking bass- congrats!
Title: Re: Oops... now I'm in trouble... haven't done this for 23 years...
Post by: Highlander on June 28, 2010, 12:56:04 PM
Ah Harry... you just never know what might have tipped the balance, but Berry Oakley and Dennis Dunaway were major influences on me, so it was only a matter of time and price... ;)

Bret... I need a maple neck to do a Ged... ;D

Scott - I may take you up on that DM... I'll PM...

Does the larger pup (pole line-up) in the neck slot make that much of a difference...?

I'll have to think about what I go for with this one as we are on an overtime ban, which is seriously making me think... The obvious thing is to out the pots for CTS, I'll bear in mind the refin and the PG as I do like the black fin on this one, and Jackie likes the cost implication of not doing anything... ;)

Joe... brilliant card...! I'm presently suffering from (UK) drivers tan - right forearm...  ;D
Title: Re: Oops... now I'm in trouble... haven't done this for 23 years...
Post by: OldManC on June 28, 2010, 02:08:05 PM
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v47/gcarlston/black%20velvet/small%20velvet/84SquierJazz.jpg)

Good job Kenny. I picked up this '84 Squier six or seven years ago for a song. Not quite the song you got yours for, but I was happy!
Title: Re: Oops... now I'm in trouble... haven't done this for 23 years...
Post by: Highlander on June 28, 2010, 02:13:55 PM
SNAP (almost... ;D)

Looks like Daddarios on there - that's what I slung on mine (admittedly robbed off the PC as I don't have a spare set at the mo')
Title: Re: Oops... now I'm in trouble... haven't done this for 23 years...
Post by: godofthunder on June 28, 2010, 02:53:04 PM
Black with a with guard is a classic look. A b/w/b guard would look great also.
Title: Re: Oops... now I'm in trouble... haven't done this for 23 years...
Post by: Pilgrim on June 28, 2010, 02:59:11 PM
I keep thinking white pearloid or black pearloid....tart it up a bit.
Title: Re: Oops... now I'm in trouble... haven't done this for 23 years...
Post by: Freuds_Cat on June 29, 2010, 12:20:07 AM
Where was it made Ken?
Title: Re: Oops... now I'm in trouble... haven't done this for 23 years...
Post by: Highlander on June 29, 2010, 11:16:03 AM
"Crafted in Indonesia" on the back of the head...

Weighs in at 9lbs/4kg (approx) on our old scales though she feels heavier than my RD...

With some straps I noticed a slight dendency to dive but with my 3" denim Levy's strap she stays put...
Title: Re: Oops... now I'm in trouble... haven't done this for 23 years...
Post by: OldManC on June 29, 2010, 02:49:54 PM
The thing I've noticed with Squires once they started making them all over the place is that some feel really nice and some not so much. I don't know that there's any place left in the world (with any industrial base) that couldn't turn out a nice guitar if they really wanted to. If it feels and sounds half way decent, £62 was a hell of a deal no matter where it was made! :)   
Title: Re: Oops... now I'm in trouble... haven't done this for 23 years...
Post by: exiledarchangel on June 29, 2010, 02:59:49 PM
Nice score! I vote for a mud in the neck, or maybe dual muds, but that's just me...
Title: Re: Oops... now I'm in trouble... haven't done this for 23 years...
Post by: Pilgrim on June 29, 2010, 05:00:40 PM
When it comes to a P or J-style bass, I always vote early and often for bridge and pickup covers!

(http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j306/apowell1/Electric%20Basses/P8270406.jpg)

(http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j306/apowell1/Electric%20Basses/P3120045.jpg)
Title: Re: Oops... now I'm in trouble... haven't done this for 23 years...
Post by: Dave W on June 29, 2010, 07:25:15 PM
There have been different levels of Squiers for years now, I think the Affinity is the cheapest and the examples I've seen aren't good. OTOH there are others that are well made and play well for the price. If yours does, then you got it for a good price with room to spend a little improving it.
Title: Re: Oops... now I'm in trouble... haven't done this for 23 years...
Post by: Lightyear on June 29, 2010, 08:53:37 PM
Quote from: Kenny's 51st State on June 29, 2010, 11:16:03 AM

Weighs in at 9lbs/4kg (approx) on our old scales though she feels heavier than my RD

Well, the RD, having been maimed and abused, at the hands of one of the Butcher Brothers, would naturally be just a bit on the light side ;D :P
Title: Re: Oops... now I'm in trouble... haven't done this for 23 years...
Post by: Highlander on June 30, 2010, 10:21:13 AM
Im considering "chambering" the RD to lose all that empty space on the inside - either that or a brick...

and Al... love that blue... ;)
Title: Re: Oops... now I'm in trouble... haven't done this for 23 years...
Post by: Pilgrim on June 30, 2010, 06:30:56 PM
Quote from: Kenny's 51st State on June 30, 2010, 10:21:13 AM
Im considering "chambering" the RD to lose all that empty space on the inside - either that or a brick...

and Al... love that blue... ;)

BLUE!!  He confirmed it's blue!!  Thank you!!!!  ;D
Title: Re: Oops... now I'm in trouble... haven't done this for 23 years...
Post by: Freuds_Cat on June 30, 2010, 08:17:42 PM
Looks purple to me.  8)
Title: Re: Oops... now I'm in trouble... haven't done this for 23 years...
Post by: Pilgrim on June 30, 2010, 08:19:48 PM
Quote from: Freuds_Cat on June 30, 2010, 08:17:42 PM
Looks purple to me.  8)

That was mean....... :-[

Now I can't show this thread to my wife.  ;)
Title: Re: Oops... now I'm in trouble... haven't done this for 23 years...
Post by: Dave W on June 30, 2010, 09:30:03 PM
It's blue. No need to get upset.
Title: Re: Oops... now I'm in trouble... haven't done this for 23 years...
Post by: Freuds_Cat on June 30, 2010, 09:35:38 PM
kind of ...purpley blue?  ;)
Title: Re: Oops... now I'm in trouble... haven't done this for 23 years...
Post by: Dave W on June 30, 2010, 09:42:27 PM
Quote from: Freuds_Cat on June 30, 2010, 09:35:38 PM
kind of ...purpley blue?  ;)

Troublemaker!  :mrgreen:
Title: Re: Oops... now I'm in trouble... haven't done this for 23 years...
Post by: Lightyear on June 30, 2010, 09:57:11 PM
Quote from: Freuds_Cat on June 30, 2010, 08:17:42 PM
Looks purple to me.  8)

Ditto to me here too.  ;D  Color is very subjective and everyone sees colors differently.  I spend a good bit of my life trying, in vain, to explain this to people - between people, monitors, printers, light, the phase of the moon and such it's a no win situation.
Title: Re: Oops... now I'm in trouble... haven't done this for 23 years...
Post by: Dave W on June 30, 2010, 10:01:15 PM
IIRC it's Midnight Blue according to Fender. So if Pilgrim sees any purple on his monitor he can blame the monitor, adjust his color settings and rest easy.  8)
Title: Re: Oops... now I'm in trouble... haven't done this for 23 years...
Post by: exiledarchangel on July 01, 2010, 01:29:24 AM
It is blue. But I must let you know that I'm just a little color blind, so...
Title: Re: Oops... now I'm in trouble... haven't done this for 23 years...
Post by: Freuds_Cat on July 01, 2010, 04:39:43 AM
Quote from: exiledarchangel on July 01, 2010, 01:29:24 AM
It is blue. But I must let you know that I'm just a little color blind, so...


More proof for the purple lobby  ;D
Title: Re: Oops... now I'm in trouble... haven't done this for 23 years...
Post by: Pilgrim on July 01, 2010, 11:35:15 AM
Quote from: Dave W on June 30, 2010, 10:01:15 PM
IIRC it's Midnight Blue according to Fender. So if Pilgrim sees any purple on his monitor he can blame the monitor, adjust his color settings and rest easy.  8)

You, sir, are a gentlemen, scholar, and all-about fine fellow.   8)

Quote from: Freuds_Cat on July 01, 2010, 04:39:43 AM

More proof for the purple lobby  ;D

That lobby meets in Seattle.....elsewhere, it is not always received well.

http://www.seattlepi.com/huskies/292743_voices17.html
Title: Re: Oops... now I'm in trouble... haven't done this for 23 years...
Post by: Highlander on July 01, 2010, 11:54:02 AM
You have to forgive Bret, being in the Southern Hemisphere, water spinning down the plug 'ole the other way, and stuff... the electrical frequency of his monitor is reversed so it's highly likely he just does not see colour in the same light... ;D

Mind you, I'm sure Mark would be willing to put it up... err, sorry... put him up for a night or two if he ever fancied a trip to the convention... ;)
Title: Re: Oops... now I'm in trouble... haven't done this for 23 years...
Post by: Pilgrim on July 01, 2010, 12:03:19 PM
Mark understands the clash of colors involved.

I'm just happy that the bass is Midnight Blue.  It's not a color that Fender offers on basses very often, and I think it's nice to have a bass that doesn't look like every other Fender J.
Title: Re: Oops... now I'm in trouble... haven't done this for 23 years...
Post by: Freuds_Cat on July 01, 2010, 09:43:59 PM
Damn, these brand new just calibrated Samsung monitors, must just be my eyes...  :P ;)

A holiday in Seattle? sounds interesting.
Title: Re: Oops... now I'm in trouble... haven't done this for 23 years...
Post by: FlatEric on September 13, 2010, 12:54:25 AM
Nice one Ken.  ;)

Take it from me, finish the PC and the RD first!!
Leave this as it is, enjoy it, gig it and then if you really have to
then fiddle about with it. ;D
If it was left as stock, you could easily get your money back
and then some.

On a different note. . . . .
I have found another Axis owner!!
He no longer has it, sold it many years ago - looks like the one
PC and JE are holding.
I also understand the XLR connection.
I shall explain another time.

Cheers. :)
Title: Re: Oops... now I'm in trouble... haven't done this for 23 years...
Post by: Pilgrim on September 13, 2010, 09:03:10 AM
Quote from: Freuds_Cat on July 01, 2010, 09:43:59 PM
Damn, these brand new just calibrated Samsung monitors, must just be my eyes...  :P ;)

A holiday in Seattle? sounds interesting.

Seattle is one of the great places in the US to visit and vacation.  HIGHLY recommended.  And with all those electronics stores in town, someone might clue you in on how to adjust your monitor.   ;)  ;)  ;)
Title: Re: Oops... now I'm in trouble... haven't done this for 23 years...
Post by: Highlander on September 14, 2010, 01:50:08 PM
Re AXIS - Someone on Jules' site has one (search will find user name)

Contemplating selling my project '68 Marshall  to fund essentials - I need a second fretless and a reliable back-up rig...
Title: Re: Oops... now I'm in trouble... haven't done this for 23 years...
Post by: FlatEric on September 15, 2010, 12:53:21 AM
Quote from: Kenny's 51st State on September 14, 2010, 01:50:08 PM
Re AXIS - Someone on Jules' site has one (search will find user name)

Contemplating selling my project '68 Marshall  to fund essentials - I need a second fretless and a reliable back-up rig...

Kenny, Hi. Yep, I have tracked that one down as well!

As to the gear requirement . . . . .  I'll have a rumage around and see what I can find! :)

Cheers. :)
Title: Re: Oops... now I'm in trouble... haven't done this for 23 years...
Post by: lowend1 on September 25, 2010, 10:29:03 AM
Got this at Guitar Sphincter a few years back. Since it was just a "used Squier" (1984 MIJ), I got it for $95. ;D
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/lowend1/P6139080b.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/lowend1/P6139078b.jpg)
Title: Re: Oops... now I'm in trouble... haven't done this for 23 years...
Post by: Highlander on September 25, 2010, 12:50:06 PM
Bargain...!
Title: Re: Oops... now I'm in trouble... haven't done this for 23 years...
Post by: Freuds_Cat on September 25, 2010, 07:35:38 PM
What are the first 2 letters on the neck plate Billy?  Just looking at the grain in that Sen tells me its an MIJ Fender/Squier. Looks like a really nice player too.
Title: Re: Oops... now I'm in trouble... haven't done this for 23 years...
Post by: Pilgrim on September 26, 2010, 09:10:56 AM
Niiiice!
Title: Re: Oops... now I'm in trouble... haven't done this for 23 years...
Post by: Hornisse on September 26, 2010, 09:53:51 AM
Nice.  Looks like an SQ series by the tuners.  I had a JV Precision many years ago.  Very nice slab board and reverse tuners on them.

(http://i54.tinypic.com/10ej05y.jpg)