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Wow, I didn't know there had been so many people scammed by this person! I'm the admin of the Bass Players Market UK. As soon as @ForbiddenWytch contacted me, I removed his Adverts and got in touch with most of the Music equipment Sale groups to warn them about this guy. Their response was amazing and they all remove his Ads and banned him from the group. Now we have a Facebook chat where we can all warn each other when cases similar happen so we can all act quickly. Happy to liaise with Basschat admins so we can all work together.

So my incredible other half surprised me on Christmas morning and gave me this incredible Sandberg that I had been drooling over since it landed at Bass Direct. I feel very very lucky indeed to have a girly that would do this and the fact that it is the best Sandberg I have ever played or owned. My older two (one I sold a while back) were the first generation ones and I had only played one of the second generation ones a few years back and had noticed the improvements they had made. Safe to say this thing has blown me away with how good it is and I love it to bits already. I just thought I would share some porn shots with you. My old TM2 is now hiding scared.

Just a reminder... in your language and content be the Ladies and Gentlemen that form the backbone of Basschat and the wonderful bass playing community. Please do not give the mods any extra work in order to let this thread run. Yea and verily we are blessed with the might and truth of the low end register The machine heads turn slow, yet they grind fine.

More legal threats at 8:30 this morning - Xmas day! He must be rattled. BC office is close until late Jan.

I think that there seem to be apparent stages in this: The scam/theft. Denial and subterfuge (for example lies and attempts to cover up). Escalation to bullying and intimidation directed at the victim (including insults, swearing and threats). Outright aggression and threats (for example fabricating smears against the victim or threatening to come to their house). The bullying & intimidation is where it crosses the line from being a simple scam, whereas the aggression and threats constitute a point of no-return; the idea that the scammer can take it that far and then expect their victim to just be happy and walk away when they return their money is somewhat fanciful.

The only shame with this is that the main body wood was from a pew and has some holes in it that were dowelled. One of the dowels can still be seen on the back of the body. Not a real issue and just part of the story of the wood used. The neck is made from two pieces of wood cut from a piece that @Rich gave me a while back. I glued it so the grain runs mirror image on the two halves of the neck - I quite like how it has turned out so far. I'm also quite please with the contrast of the woods used, especially as this bass is a bit of a wood recycling job. And a rough try out of where the controls will be - just a volume and tone on this one.

Any personal information and/or direct insults will, of course, be deleted, as per previous posts from Mods and Admin. Continue to keep it civil, please; thanks in advance.

I have to say, having played mine almost exclusively since putting the Warman pup in, my bitsa P with the Warmoth neck (that cost over twice as much as the HB on its own) will be going up for sale, possibly parting it out. They are that damn good!

He's 78. I don't expect to live that long, never mind be able to perform. His dues have been overpaid and then some.

A good mate of mine is a "mutual friend" on Facebook. I sent him Ped's link as a heads up. He said that he had been pestered for months to join one of Mason's "many tribute bands" and expressed gratitude for the heads up. I think Ped is doing sterling work and this thread has stopped at least one good guy possibly being ripped off.👍

What I find particularly amusing is that he thinks his penny-ante sense of money will scare people. It mostly indicates that he is utterly out of his depth where legal costs are concerned. It doesn't seem to occur to this chappie that legal action would invite reciprocal civil action. As things stand, he and anyone covering for him have a certain amount of legal exposure should they initiate proceedings against anyone here, or against anyone with a legitimate claim related to deception. And he (and possibly any of his friends or associates who have aided him in any way) would find it hard to avoid giving evidence under oath in a civil matter. Also, he simply doesn't have the means to prevent his identity and criminal history becoming very public indeed should he initiate court proceedings. He would find himself fully exposed in public reporting by facts that he would be unable to suppress. Sometimes, people who are desperate think they have nothing to lose, but that is seldom the case. (I agree with others that his brave words about visiting people "for a chat" are so much noise. That said, any such "suggestion" from him in the future should perhaps be passed onto the local constabulary, just in case there is a pattern of behaviour that warrants police attention. I'm 5000 miles away and very well protected, so he certainly doesn't intimidate me -- but desperate and inept people are inherently unpredictable, and can pose risks to public order and the safety of others. I would hope that anyone reading this would take any possible threats seriously, even though they might be hogwash.) Ped, please let me know if he does ever follow through on his threats of legal action. I might be able to help in some way.

Back in my early teens one thing I did want was long curly hair - I wanted to have hair just like Carlos Santana. So I grew it. Trouble is I just looked like my mum. 🤪

One of themm is me! Thanks Walshy x

I’ve found one!!! In Russia. DAMN! Still, my Drummer is Lithuanian and speaks fluent Russian, so is trying to set up a deal. Will update as I go!

Ignore the ugly mug above the mug and look at the mug below the ugly mug above the mug ! ! ! The lower mug was an Xmas present from our guitarist - a man of impeccable taste and unarguable musical appreciation.

more victims popping up on Bass Players Market UK FB https://www.facebook.com/groups/BassPlayersMarketUK/permalink/3876293265715606/?comment_id=3876694009008865

Regarding defamation cases, the Defamation Act 2013 (https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2013/26/section/2/enacted) states: There is further advice on a number of sites: https://www.channel4.com/producers-handbook/media-law/defamation/the-defences https://www.daslaw.co.uk/blog/defending-against-defamation-claims https://www.carruthers-law.co.uk/our-services/defamation/defamation-defences/ https://www.blakemorgan.co.uk/a-brief-guide-to-the-tort-of-defamation/ https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/privileges-defenses-defamation-cases.html The fact that there are multiple people who have come forward detailing how they have undergone the same experience, plus several more anecdotal/background stories, would suggest that all three points of Truth, Honest Opinion, and Public Interest can clearly be proven. (Note to self: you can't just precede anything by "IMHO" or "Some might say" as a get-out, though.)

From the other half, a bow clip so I can quickly switch between sounding bad and very bad.

Understated but with soul. Nice guitar playing too.

So this bass came up on marketplace today, a 1994 special edition 'Ltd 83' Encore P bass copy. I know these are generally at the bottom of the food chain but at £20 and 15 min down the road it was a no brainer so I'm taking it on as a project bass. It's actually turned out better than I expected, it's got loads of bite and I'm quite fond of the obvious mileage wear it has accumulated. I'm not sure what's special about it per se apart from the gold hardware and generally impressive build quality, but I'm guessing this may have been a response to Fender's limited edition Strats in 1993 that featured gold hardware. Sound clips attached (raw & processed) for whoever's intrigued. I've already got a '73 P with flats that covers that area for me but I've been wanting a second P I can have rounds on for a slightly more modern sound so I've decided to mod this one and see if I can get it to occupy that role! Past the obvious maintenance (string change, setup etc) and upgrading pups I'm wondering what mods would have the most impact on improving the sound and playability? I'm also looking for recommendations for which pickups to upgrade to. I'd like a sound that has a little bump in the low mids but retains a nice smooth high end too. I've got Fralin over-wounds in one of my other Jazz basses which I quite like, but I know there are many other options out there. P.S. If anyone owns one of these or has some information about them I'd love to hear that! Thanks Encore P Processed.wav Encore P Raw.wav

Decided to go for an EMG MM pickup so next job was to route the pocket for that as usual starting off by removing the bulk with a Forstner bit (there is a plastic film on this to save the veneer on the from from getting scratched which can be seen in the picture): Once the bulk is removed then the router can be used to tidy everything up using a template to get some nice sharp edges to the pocket. After that I started rounding the edges which clearly shows the maple veneer layer producing a light coloured line around the shape if the bass. More rounding: I've decided I'm not going to have a forearm carve on this as it will take away from the veneer line I think but it will have a tummy carve. Out with the Shinto and other rasps to remove the bulk and to shape - something really satisfying about this.

This early Christmas present landed on my doorstep on Christmas Eve....a Spector Euro4 Classic ( lefty ). I'm usually a Fender guy, but loving the Spector, i haven't put it down since it arrived. Think it could become my new main gigging bass when we're allowed to get back out there 👍

Rufus Wainwright's own albums are well worth checking out and I did post one or two numbers earlier in this thread. But he's also done some excellent covers (including the Sting number posted above). Here's his version of this classic Fairport Convention song.

He claimed he was an admin/friends with many on FB; one group removed my warning a week or so ago.

...be grown up. Now I'm (supposedly) grown up, I want to be a kid...

Nope - it is Japanese...

I expect he may appear intimidating, but there is no value in a physical confrontation; that would serve no purpose and help nobody. The danger in physical confrontation is that you don’t know if the other person has skills, is carrying a weapon, or is just plain more of a nutter than you.

I finally caved in to my shortscale curiosity. I'd had a Bronco staying with me for a week and couldn't put it down, so I went for a limited edition Mustang PJ from @jezzaboy of this very parish. I absolutely love an ebony fingerboard! Other purchases have been the ubiquitous BC straplocks (a bit too tight for my taste tbh ) and 48 bottles of Coral beer, from Madeira, as it reminds me of my holidays there most years!

The Which page (https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/advice/how-to-report-a-scam) gives advice on support for the victims of scams: I would suggest that this thread (and ones on other sites) provide a valuable service to the victims of the particular scam in question; I have certainly found the support and corroborating information to be an immense help.

That's a good point about intimidation there. Also, it should be noted that the cases raised with Action Fraud do not automatically terminate on repayment; the attempted fraud is still a criminal activity. Which (https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/advice/how-to-report-a-scam) gives this advice: The Which advice also includes these statements:

Teach them songs that they like.

Having got enough basses, this was next. A really nice surprise from me.

Be a Smurf. Apparently when I was very young my grandparents gave my brother and I a coin each to throw in a wishing well. I wished I was a Smurf while my brother kept the money as it was a waste throwing it in a well. Roll on nearly half a century and I'm not a Smurf and he's got more money than me. There's a lesson in there boys and girls.

Summary from 1 Jan 2021 We should see no difference when buying from EU VAT registered retailers e.g. Thomann But private purchases from EU will require a Customs declaration (and handling charges) plus VAT of 20% i.e. the same as when buying from US or Jersey / Guernsey To prevent any of us UK based BC'ers coming in for a nasty surprise in 5 days' time: Prepare to import goods from the EU to Great Britain from 1 January 2021 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk): "From 1 January 2021, you'll need to make customs declarations when you import goods from the EU. These rules currently apply to importing goods from the rest of the world..." "You need to pay VAT [and custom duty] on all imports." Steve - is a bit of an expert when it comes to VAT matters so worth heeding this! @ped I think it may be worth alerting folk with a notice on the Sales Forums that they may well have to pay 20% VAT on imports of goods from the EU from 1 Jan 2021, at least so that they are prepared / it does not come as a nasty surprise particularly if they are buying an already expensive bass!

I've banged this drum for a little while now. I've stopped doing it for two reasons. 1: The growing number of like minded people provides a community of which I can be a part. I'm not an outsider any more. 2: The folk who've invested their hard earned in expensive instruments, quite understandably, don't want to hear it. Why would they? So rather than, on the one hand, pi§§ people off, or on the other hand preach to the converted, I contribute to threads like this. Oh, and enjoy my Harley's!

Stingray best and Fodera worst?

Two great purchases off here, a full lighting rig including cases and everything else needed to make it all work bought from beautiful Biggar in Scotland courtesy of well known BCr @dmccombe7 And second, a superb Cliff Bordwell fretless bass, bought from top seller @Clarky which was a retirement present for me bought by my wife 👌🏼 She gave me the choice of a new watch or a bass - no brainer really 😆 I did have a one and only time duff experience with a purchase that arrived broken and had to get one of the mods involved ☹️ And for Christmas, Santa brought two Kliq Aircell straps and a duel stand 👍🏼 Who knows when any of it will see any gig action though ☹️

I think @Stingray5 of this parish knows a fair bit about Tune basses 🙂

Hi all, it’s sad to see that even more victims have come forward. Can I just check what, if any, action has been started to raise this with two relevant authorities as I would be pleased to assist by providing evidence. If it has been reported to The Police or any other body please can someone provide the relevant contact details and reference number(s) etc. Thanks!

Absolutely right. We are no longer charged VAT by the EU business but pay UK VAT on importation.

My best purchase by far a few weeks ago from @Deedee(absolute gent) is a RM500 it really does pack some punch and does everything I want and more , a quick pic here as I’m changing my bass room around 🙂 I also bought a sansamp vt bass pedal , I don’t normally do pedals but I’m throughly enjoying this.

And the costs escalate drastically once research for a case gets under way. Not only that, but a lot depends on who is paying the bill. I write for a living, so I maintain healthy liability insurance that covers relevant risks. I think I'm insured for about $5 million or something like that. If someone were to bring an unjustified defamation action against me, for example, my insurance company would underwite the costs of my case. It would be in their interests to shut down any frivolous claims very firmly, not least as a deterrent. Insurers sometimes settle nuisance suits out of expediency, but woe betide the plaintiff who brings a weak case against a defendent with a robust backline of professionals. People who play games with defamation law very often regret it. Remember David Irving? His libel action ended up costing him his Mayfair flat and bankrupting him. And the 2013 Defamation Act has changed conditions in the UK a great deal. I also wonder if issuing repeated threats to sue might be construed as harrassment in some circumstances, such as a situation where an action would constitute abuse of process? I wouldn't like to take my chances with that possible vulnerability. At £250 an hour, or even £25 an hour, answering these questions gets very expensive very quickly. Even the least disciplined gambler might conclude that the odds are well and truly against him in this complex area of civil law.

Man, those are some funky slippers right there

I loved this woman Maria Elisabeth Ender, better known as Mariska Veres.

Another favourite female voice.