Blue Guitar

I didn’t just bring home one guitar yesterday - there was also this one. Again, there is a story of things being traded to get to this point. My Fender Mustang bass was my “go to” guitar for gigs, but I didn’t have any great attachment to it. However, on a visit to R&T Music a couple of weeks back I noticed this little beauty. Ostensibly, it is a cheap and cheerful, entry level, Squier Jaguar bass but the neck on it is superb and the single humbucker pickup is a bit different to what you’d normally see on this type of bass. It is also a “mid-scale” bass rather than the short scale I am used to. This is a good thing because it feels familiar, but has a little more room up at the dusty end, which I need for one of the songs in the set. The only evidence of it being built down to a price was the rather cheap and nasty bridge. I didn’t actually need a new bass you understand, but I did need a new speaker cabinet.
And thus a plan was formed. I would trade in the Mustang and get the cab, the Jaguar bass and some upgrades. There might even be a bit of cash left over if things worked out as planned. R&T were happy to supply and fit a decent Fender “Badass” style bridge (direct swap for the original) along with a set of flatwound strings (my personal preference). It only took a few days for the upgrades to be done and the guitar set up. And I was not disappointed. It still feels as nice as it did, but also looks and sounds more of a quality item. I just need to fit a thumb rest and it will be good to go.
What is particularly nice as far as I am concerned is that, like my Squier Bronco, I have had an input into the spec of the guitar so it feels more “personal”. Looking forward now to playing it in anger at our next gig.
We’ve spent most of the day hiding in the lounge today, as the painter has been working in just about every other room in the house. I’m actually quite looking forward to the play dress rehearsal tonight as it will provide a welcome change of scenery (pun intended!).