Story 1:
So I was down at the usual guitar haven with the PRS SE Kestrel($900) and G&L SB2($600) in mind. I tried the SB2 for awhile. It was nice but it felt a bit rough as I played and the pbass sound didn’t come through. Just did not feel the connection too. Then, I went over to try the Kingfisher and the Kestrel. I liked the Kestrel more. Its finish is PRS-nice but the sound was too modern to my liking. Not convinced to get it. The two targets did not quite fit.
Disappointed, I walked over to a smaller place where there were only a few basses around. I tried the Fender PJ MIJ and it felt really smooth. The pbass sound was quite attractive(not 100%) and the guitar looked class. However, it was priced out of my range. Then, I tried the Yamaha modern 5-string. It sounded great and it looked good too. But the pbass sound was lacking. The salesperson asked me to try their house brand MIC (less than $200) pbass. Shockingly, it had that pbass sound I had been searching for. For awhile, I thought I would get it on the spot, yet something told me to move on.
But move on to where? I was quite sian liao. I was prepared to leave the place empty-handed. However, I decided to walk to the other section where I didn’t go to the last time. I went into one shop and asked for a pbass. They didn’t have one with passive pickups. Can’t remember the one they were prepared to give me. Then, I crossed over to another shop where there was a huge collection of guitars, all used. It was a mini guitarist heaven! I knew this guy from carousell. I knew he had many guitars.
After waiting patiently for the owner to finish with a customer, I asked him if he had a bass under a thousand. He said he only had two and he showed me a 1980s Fender Precision Bass MIJ and a 1980s Tokai Jazz Bass MIJ. Both were not listed on his carousell page. I was pleasantly surprised. I sat down with the Fender. The moment I played on her, the connection surfaced itself. She played smoothly and the pbass sound was to the point(of course, she’s a pbass!). She looked vintage and classic. I did not have to try the tokai. I put my money on the Fender and walked out a happy man.
And I knew I must go back to the same place to explore the next time.