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Freddy V-C · Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2020 10:08 am Post subject: Bronco bass w/Jazz-style covers?

Hey folks! I've been bass-less for a couple of years. I had been borrowing one, but I've had to give it back. I find I tend to write most of my best songs on bass lately, so I'm looking to pick something up for cheap.

I've been scouring Gumtree, and found this Bronco in good nick for Â£100, not a bad deal. But the previous owner has given it these Jazz bass-style covers??? It looks kind of cool, but I've never played a bass with chrome pickup covers before, and I'm a little bit concerned that it's gonna be well cramped, especially on a shortscale bass.

Any thoughts? Before I potentially drive to Manchester on a wasted journey...

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ekwatts · Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2020 10:46 am Post subject:

Just take them off if they get in the way. I remember not being TOO bothered when I had to borrow a bass during a gig that had them on, but I'd have preferred them off rather than on.
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Freddy V-C · Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2020 10:47 am Post subject:

True! Slightly concerned about UGLY holes in that case though.
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ekwatts · Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2020 11:48 am Post subject:

Doog · Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2020 11:51 am Post subject:

Looks like a small child dressed-up as a knight

You can easily "retouch" exposed wood in the body finish with a Sharpie or something, and seems like 2 screwholes in a pickguard isn't a big deal, and it can always replaced?
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plopswagon · Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2020 12:31 pm Post subject:

Just play in front of the middle cover, the 90â€™s are over you donâ€™t have to play at the bridge no more.
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ekwatts · Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2020 12:41 pm Post subject:

Freddy V-C · Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2020 1:23 pm Post subject:

Looking at the state of my other guitars, I probably should concede that I don't actually care that much about a few scratches or holes, lol. And I guess I could potentially sell the chrome covers for a few quid.

The more I think about it, the more I'm tempted to just save up for a couple of months and get one of these bad lads:

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Bacchus · Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2020 1:29 pm Post subject:

I wouldn't worry about the holes, it'll give it character. What do the covers go for on ebay? You'll probably get a bit back flipping them.

NickD · Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2020 1:30 pm Post subject:

Oooh, that's nice.

I'd quite like to get myself another fretless, possibly a Jazz, but not sure what to get without spending a billion Ls

Doog · Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2020 1:35 pm Post subject:

Bacchus · Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2020 1:35 pm Post subject:

The squier jaco-a-like is great.
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NickD · Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2020 1:57 pm Post subject:

benecol · Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2020 2:20 pm Post subject:

ekwatts · Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2020 2:38 pm Post subject:

Fakir Mustache · . Joined: 25 Sep 2013 Posts: 4123

Doog · Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2020 3:29 pm Post subject:

paul_ · . Joined: 27 Jul 2006 Posts: 9788

I prefer them on with a Jazz, and rested my thumb on the neck one when I first started full-time fingerbassing. When I got better I took the front one off once and didn't like it enough to leave that way.

I also added one to my Epi EB-3

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Bacchus · Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2020 9:14 am Post subject:

I've always just rested on the bridge pickup, I think because every bass at least has pickups, but not all have thumb rests or anything else.

One of my pupils recently got an Ibanez Talman bass. It's huge fun. Might be because it's new and the strings are really bright, but it's very slap happy. I was surprised to see how cheap they are.

If you're after cheap, odd shortscale bass, that might be one to look at.
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Freddy V-C · Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2020 9:32 am Post subject:

You're not the first person who's recommended a Talman bass actually, Paul! I'm tempted.

Basically the 3 main factors I'm considering are:

- P basses are obviously the only cool looking bass, anyone who ever plays any other bass automatically looks like a dweeb
- Jazz basses are the easiest to come by for cheap, but they are ugly as sin and I want to burn them with fire
- I am a tiny man, so realistically I should probably play a shortscale

A conundrum!
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