Leaderboard

We got a couple of pro shots from the night before, courtesy of Pacific Curd, so I thought I’d share one. Moving swiftly on to last night, we did a home town “Early Halloween Special” at the Cellar Bar in Devizes. Ahead of our next single, “Gloss”, coming out this Friday, we went all out on the makeup. At the risk of looking like a Temu Pennywise, I liked this pic… We were supporting the fantastic JP Oldfield who does a Johnny Cash type thing. I had my 57Ri P-bass through my board with a Boss IR2. Again, we played well and I enjoyed it. We did £70 in merch sales, which is a record for us. An hour of mostly original music, it rounded off what has been a really great weekend.

Great gig last night. A long long day and all for charity. 7 tribute artists across three back line bands. The event was sold out a couple of hours before doors. Line up was Bon Jovi (Jon Bovi), Alanis Morissette, Elton John, ABBA, Elvis, David Bowie (ChangesTwoBowie) & Queen (Queenage) - plus encores from 4 of them. I played Bowie and Queen plus the encore set. It's nice to get paid, but to have an audience go this nuts for the songs they love, I'd do it again tomorrow. A truly remarkable ensemble who I'm honoured to have as friends. Not sure what the final total is yet, but I'm expecting it to be lots of thousands.

Great dep show last night at the lovely South Hill Park Arts Centre in Bracknell with Duran/Spandau tribute 'From Gold To Rio'. Gear was my usual (with this show) of Spector Dimension HP4, Shure wireless/tuner, Thumpinator, EHX Signal Pad, HAZardlAMPS Pre and HX Stomp (GK head/Ampeg 810 sim), straight to the desk.... then back to my KZs & Sennheiser IEM system. Back up bass was my upgraded Spector Coda 4. Apparently it sounded great out front and the audience was very receptive. A fun night!

We (Weeds) played at a small and rather intimate venue in Chester (G21)... It was our first gig as a full band for nine years so we'd spent a couple of days at my house rehearsing and drinking tequila. We don't really rely on any guitar solos - guitar is mainly rhythmic noise - and our singer uses a vocal synth to make weirdness. After being fine in rehearsal it packed up, so some improvisation was called for. So first song was a false start due to laptop sequence mismanagement, but once we got going it seemed to work reasonably well - cock ups were mainly guitar based which was good as much of the set is drum, bass sequence and vox. And vox coped very well without vocal synth, all was generally groovy and I even managed slap bass plus improvised jazz funk solo. No cans were thrown so we could take down the chicken wire after the first song, and towards the back I could see our own @lurksalot pogoing about. It's possible we may be asked back in the spring to play in a larger venue... Gear was ACG-Helix-BBE& Crown amps- Markbass 4x10 with pedal distortion and autowah. Shoes were zebra creepers.

A busy week so this is a bit late. Last Tuesday Simply Blu (not my idea!) played to packed house of over 120 with extra chairs crammed into the corners and we had a great night. We normally play summer bluegrass festivals that are mostly open air and this was the first time we have played in a hall. Some debate amongst the organizers if this was the biggest crowd they have had since starting monthly concerts in 2017 so we were very happy with the turnout that included some friends and family and a whole bunch of bluegrass fans and some who were just regular attendees. We were up for it and from the opening notes of Freeborn Man until the last chord of our encore we put on a good show. We played a set of about 70 minutes and took a short break before another good hour of energetic bluegrass and the crowd loved it. The band members are scattered over a large area so our only rehearsal was on the Sunday before the gig, first time together since early August but it came together fast. These guys are fantastic musicians and I am lucky to be playing with them, I joined the band almost 4 years ago when the leader saw me playing with a jazz band and asked if I had ever played bluegrass. The answer was "no but I'll give it a go" and it has turned out to be great fun and a good learning experience. Given the setting we decided to abandon the usual laid back festival approach and went with energy and entertainment in mind and it worked. Lots of amazing solos throughout the show but the only bass solo was in I Know What It Means To Be Lonesome where I tossed is nice gliss on the G string and apparently got the most applause of the night for a solo. I'm not a great bass player but sometimes a schticky lick will fool most of the people! A memorable night.😄 Not the best photo but it's all I have now...

A great little gig last night for jagged little Alanis. A fan of ours wanted an extra special birthday… so we played a full gig in their kitchen! great little event. Drum kit was a scaled back cocktail one, the vibe was excellent. my gear was the usual pedalboard plus my stingray HH, which sounded great. I used a little Roland bass cube RX as a monitor at head height, worked quite well but I reckon I’ll use my own in-ears if we do this again 😂

A fun one at The Golden Lion in Bristol last night. Our friends from Motorik Road Trip added us onto the lineup with some other doomy bands, and also brought up our Cornish friends, Tüsk. The main annoyance of the evening was getting across Bristol. With the massive amount of roadworks across the south, one accident combined with the rugby ending had the city backed up for hours. It took about an hour and a quarter to get my band mates and get to the venue. It should have taken about half that. We had a few mistakes, but it was a fun gig nonetheless! Gear was my usual Dingwall Combustion, Boss GX-100, Laney Digbeth head and then into a misc 410 bass cab. The first act was a guy just playing bass and synth into three valve amps (Thunderverb, Matamp 200w hobby, and a big Fender bass tube head in a big cage). Big Sunn((())) vibes. Knackered now after being woken up by my daughter at 5:50 😴

With the Bonnevilles at the Wagon Load of Lime last night - a bit tight for space with the bikes around us (that's a T140V Bonneville behind the guitarist and the front wheel of a pre-unit 650 Triton poking out in front of me). A bit more visible in this shot. Tablet is for the set list and brief notes on a couple of the songs. The all-important glasses. Should be getting more bookings next year, and some for my other band too (if we can negotiate a better fee). Same rig and footwear as last night. More relaxed as I don't do the PA. No pale ales in the pub. Sharp's Doom Bar and Sea Fury only, so resorted to Madri.

Over the years, I've commissioned nine custom instruments, and not all were perfect on arrival. Those that were not, were quickly resolved by the builder, becuase thier reputation IS their business, and they know, meeting expectations is half the game. The amount of money you've paid here is a reasonable sum for any mid-very good Luthier and not an amount of money to be taken lightly. For that cost, you are you paying for a finish that far outstrips an off-the-shelf bass from a mass market maker (Ibanez, Yamaha - with a few exceptions). The finish you have here is in no way something a reputable Luthier should be happy to send out, and I'm pretty shocked that they sent it, let alone tried to argue that those scratches, marks and finish issues were in any way acceptable. The edges of that scratch plate as well - looks like they did that with a hacksaw and forgot to sand it. If this was me, I'd be telling them how disappointed I am, and asking them to make this right, or for a refund if they can't. That looks like amateur hour work.

On a slightly more constructive note, rather than naming & shaming at this stage or threatening legal action, why don't you politely email him with a link to this thread on Basschat and ask him how he thinks you should proceed?

Nice little gig at a wmc just outside Barnsley last night. Nice audience but numbers were a bit down, this was our first visit so hopefully it’ll be higher on a return next year based on the favourable comments. That’s it for 4 weeks as we always take a break at this time of year to recharge and get ready for the pre silly season stuff. Normal gear set up, Markbass with the EBMM shorty Ray which I’m now managing to tame sound wise with a few eq adjustments. Footwear - silver converse.

Live from the bass bash, a photo of the gear while everyone's at lunch...

@neepheid and I have just arrived back at Chez Clapham. 278 miles, one stop. Four hours and 30 mins. Thanks to all. Great day out. More thanks to follow when brain is working properly.

Many thanks to @scrumpymike for organising and also for lunch. Also to @Sean for giving me a lift to and from the train station as well as letting me play his Laney amp and Spectors which were brilliant. I might have to try and find myself an Epiphone Les Paul bass after playing @neepheid's. It was fantastic. I think that after properly playing through @stevie's Lfsys cabs with a bass setup that I've recorded a lot, I think if one were to be in the market for new cabs his would be top of the list. Sonic fidelity in spades and frankly beyond any insane definition of "lightweight" you might have. Ultimately, it was good to see familiar and new faces. If anyone is going to the SE Bash, you may have to put up with me again. I was disappointed at the cab shootout replacing the cage fighting. I felt this was a missed opportunity for the community as a whole.

Some photos, while topping up the car with electrons. @rwillett 3D printed bass My gear. Everyone who played the V-bass enjoyed it, so worth bringing. @Stub Mandrel , playing heavy metal guitar Classic!! The second iteration of the Roland V-Bass system, plugged into @derreybass's beautiful handmade bass. @Phil Starr's cab shootout. 8" speakers rule. (IMHO) Idiot with Lego bass Part of the National Scottish Collection of Bass Guitars, of which @neepheid is the custodian. @Mottlefeeder's cricket bat. Very comfy with the strap button moved.

Can't help but agree with the above. If the builder has pushed back - which assuming the photos and description are reliable is pretty much indefensible - it might be worth naming them, it not only puts pressure on them but allows them to state their case here should they wish to do so..... But looking at the photos on my desktop as opposed to on my phone earlier, even if that was a £250 Squier I'd have sent it back, when you pay for a new instrument at any price point it should be exactly that, new

@neepheid at the Bash

What a brilliant day. My first ever bass bash. A big thanks to @scrumpymike and family for pulling it all together and also the rest of the team locally. Great to see so many basschatters from far and wide (Scotland to SE London) all coming in for the day. @Phil Starr thanks for the demo with the cabinets/drivers. Lots of food for thought.

The awesome Grainger Hades going through a Laney Nexus Tube 400 (8XKT88) + LFSys Monaco. I'm a big fan of a Spector through a GK + LFSys but this was next level. Look closely, there are 3 LFSys Monaco cabs and a Monza in this pic.

There were some other league raffle prizes indeed - not often you can get a bass in a raffle! So many interesting things there, as I said surveying the scene at lunchtime, I doubt there is a shop in the UK you could go in and see the same range of basses as at the bass bash! Great to meet everyone new and old, it was another fine bash and this one just a little bit busier than the last few, so we had to get more tables

I've bought and/or ordered dozens of luthier made instruments that have always been top notch quality and the thing you received is not even to the standard of nowadays low end Chinese made instruments... 🤦🏻😳 So stop that Teletubbies reaction @N64Lover, name that pseudo luthier (whoever he is, he doesn't deserve to be called that way), send the bass back and ask for a full refund. Period.

Look what was awaiting me for dinner. Red wine and More crumble! Sometimes life is good.

We're back home safely. Huge thanks to @scrumpymike and team for putting on a fantastic event! Everyone was very friendly, the lunchtime buffet was top notch, Phil put on an interesting blind-listening speaker demo, and there were some great raffle prizes too.

This is what I was thinking, are they honestly expecting any customer to not raise these issues, and why send it knowing the imperfections

I don't think that "Sorry: prototype!" is a valid excuse for poor finishing; even if that disclaimer was provided by the builder before any work started. It's not like nitro finishes, neck pockets or neck binding are uncharted territory unique to this instrument. For what it's worth, I bought a prototype from Alan at ACG [which he very clearly stated was a prototype] for similar money, and it was immaculately finished to the same standards as his non-prototype custom basses. I also recently commissioned a custom bass with a nitro finish from 42nd Street / Guitar Angel. The nitro finish was perfect. No checking, stress cracks or anything. Exactly as I'd expect from a custom hand-made build. There should be no need for disclaimers; it's kind of a given that finishing on a custom build needs to be flawless.

Back home safely after a great day. Thanks to @scrumpymike and team for the organising and the food, and thanks to all the fellow basschatters with whom I basschatted. David

And because people had asked, and my wife promised to get it posted, here are some public service announcements regarding food! Spanakopita recipe https://domesticgothess.com/blog/2020/01/11/vegan-spanakopita/ Vegan lardy cake is based on this recipe except I soak the fruit in boiling water with a teabag, then drain and let dry as much as possible. I then mix them in the fat/sugar/spice mix and laminate the dough, so I roll the dough out as a rectangle, cover the left 2/3 with some of the filling, fold the right side over then the left, roll out again and repeat until no mix is left. And I bake it as a loaf rather than 4 small cakes. https://www.sweeterthanoats.com/vegan-lardy-cake/

I add my congratulations and thanks to @scrumpymike, Mrs Scrumpy and the Scrumpettes, and Graham on the door. Your hard work and dedication is much appreciated by us lowdowners. Thanks also to my fellow bottom dwellers for being good company, innovative (3D printing a bass body??) and prepared to share your toys with the rest of us. A great day. 4th October 2026 is already in the diary.

@pantherairsoft Thanks for setting this up. Hopefully it will be a helpful resource for finding some insights into how people like (or dislike) certain pedals. I've included my list below. I've asterisked a few pedals which at the time of writing which I've ordered but I'm waiting to test and I've not flagged which I still do and don't have. I've also not included my boards or power supplies but I usually use Warwick Rockboards and Cioks or Strymon power supplies. As a shameless plug, I've posted my thoughts on some of my pedals on my Instagram account: https://www.instagram.com/admiralchew/ [sfx] Micro Thumpinator v2 0xEAE Bass Driver 0xEAE Boost 0xEAE Fuzz 3 Leaf Audio Chromatron 3 Leaf Audio Doom 3 Leaf Audio Doom 2 3 Leaf Audio Doom 2 - High Gain 3 Leaf Audio Doom 2 - Revoiced 3 Leaf Audio Doom 2 - Revoiced High Gain 3 Leaf Audio Enabler 3 Leaf Audio GR2 3 Leaf Audio Little Black Box 3 Leaf Audio Octabvre Mk3 3 Leaf Audio Octabvre Mk3.33 3 Leaf Audio Octabvre Mk2 3 Leaf Audio Proton Mk4 3 Leaf Audio Proton Mk2 3 Leaf Audio PWNZOR 3 Leaf Audio Wonderlove 3 Leaf Audio You're Doom A/DA Amplification PBF Flanger Abominable Electronics Throne Torcher Aitken Audio Bear Ampeg Scrambler Ampeg SGT-DI Analog Music Company SHSL Ashdown Stuart Zender Funk Face Asheville Music Tools ACV-1 Time Warper Asheville Music Tools ADG-1 Analog Delay Asheville Music Tools ADG-1 Special Edition Asheville Music Tools AFG-1 Dynamic Analogue Flanger Asheville Music Tools APH-12 12-stage Phaser Audio Cultivation Project Fourth Backburner Noise Big Booty Judy Baltimore Sonic Research Institute Retrofuturism Bananana Matryoshka Barefaced Audio Machinist Bear Amps Heavier Metal BECOS CompIQ MINI Pro Beetronics FX Harmochorus Beetronics FX Royal Jelly Benson Amps x Non-Human Audio Florist Blackstone Mosfet Overdrive Bleak District Sun? Never Blue Colander Tremond Boss BF-3 Flanger Boss DD3-T Digital Delay Boss ES-8 Effects Switching System Boss GE-7 Equalizer Boss HM-2W Heavy Metal Distortion Pedal Boss LS-2 Line Selector Boss OC-2 Octave Boss RC-3 Loop Station Boss RC-5 Loop Station Boss TU-3 Chromatic Tuner Broughton Audio Always on HPF Broughton Audio Azure Drive Broughton Audio Buffer Bandwidth Amplifier Broughton Audio Calamity Broughton Audio Calypso Broughton Audio Carina Broughton Audio Chimera Broughton Audio Dystopia Broughton Audio Fantasm Modulated Delay Broughton Audio Filter FX Loop Broughton Audio Fliptop Broughton Audio Gladius Broughton Audio Josh Wah Envelope Filter Broughton Audio Locust Star Broughton Audio Low + High Pass Filter Broughton Audio Maestro Broughton Audio Messenger DI v2 Broughton Audio Omnicomp Broughton Audio Para EQ Broughton Audio Phase Locked Loop Broughton Audio Proto DI Broughton Audio Resonant Filter Equalizer Broughton Audio Resound Broughton Audio Scorpion Broughton Audio Sentinel Broughton Audio Silver Deluxe Broughton Audio State Variable Filter Broughton Audio Studio Boost Mini Broughton Audio Studio One Broughton Audio Subsonic Broughton Audio Super Stack Broughton Audio SV-Pre Broughton Audio Synth Voice Deluxe Broughton Audio Synth Voice* Caroline Guitar Co Arigato Caroline Guitar Co Meteore Caroline Guitar Co Shigeharu Ge Caroline Guitar Co Wave Cannon Zero Caveman Audio BC1 Caveman Audio BP1 Caveman Audio BP1-C Celebrity Pedals Custom Taylor Shift with HPF Chase Bliss Audio Blooper Chase Bliss Audio Habit Chase Bliss Audio Lossy CMC Audio BFF* CMC Audio Proto Type v2* Cog Effects "Bearfist" Custom Blender Cog Effects "Blue Harvest" Custom Reverb Cog Effects "CADe00" Custom Dirt Box Cog Effects "CMM00" Custom Dual Fuzz Overdrive Cog Effects "Colonel Richter" Custom Cog Effects "Hellraiser" Custom Bass Multi-Effects Cog Effects "Red Three" Custom T-65 Octave Cog Effects "Robot Camel" Custom Dual Knightfall Distortion Cog Effects "Stormtrooper" Custom Grand Tarkin for the 2015 CTCC Charity Auction Cog Effects "Tarkinfall" Custom Distortion/Fuzz Cog Effects "Waves" Custom Grand Tarkin Bass Fuzz Cog Effects "Zig Zag" Custom Dual Knightfall 66 Distortion Cog Effects Custom F-2 HPF Cog Effects Grand Tarkin Cog Effects Knightfall 66 Bass Overdrive Cog Effects Mini 66 Bass Overdrive Cog Effects R-1 Fuzz Octave Cog Effects Solid Snake Custom Blender Cog Effects T-16 Octave Cog Effects T-47 Dual Octave Cog Effects T-65 Octave v.1 Cog Effects T-65 Octave v.2 Cog Effects T-70 v.1 Cog Effects Tarkin Fuzz Cog Effects Tarkin Mini Cog Effects Tarkin Mini v2 Cog Effects TK-421 Cog Effects TK-421 Mini Cog Effects TK-421-X Bass Distortion with HPF Comodoro Audio Rat Bass Copilot FX Orbit Cosmodio Instruments Gravity Well Crazy Tube Circuits Locomotive Crowther Audio Prunes & Custard Damnation Audio BIG Damnation Audio DirtFixer Damnation Audio MBD2 Mosfet Bass Overdrive Damnation Audio MBD3 Darkglass ADAM Darkglass Alpha Omicron Darkglass B7K Ultra v.2 Aux In Darkglass Element Darkglass Harmonic Booster v.2 Darkglass Hyper Luminal Darkglass Microtubes X Darkglass Vintage Microtubes Deep Space Devices Boomburst Deep Space Devices Resurrector Diamond Pedals Bass Comp/EQ Diamond Pedals Dark Cloud Digitech Bass Wah Dirge Electronics Power Chungus Dirge Electronics Slowly Melting Disaster Area Micro Pro Doc Lloyd Audio DLA-2A Doc Lloyd Audio Photon Death Ray Does It Doom Elder God Does It Doom Giza Parallel Overdrive Distortion Preamp Does It Doom Walpurgis Iommic Overdrive Preamp DopeFX Boba Fuzz DroloFX Giant Hogweed DroloFX Moon Rabbit Dunwich Amps Fuzz Throne Dunwich Amps Olde Dirty Bass Dunwich Amps Volt Thrower Dunwich Amps Volt Thrower 125b Dunwich Amps Witchfinder Dunwich Amps Wizard (Big Box) Earthbound Audio Iron Pig Earthbound Audio Throat Locust EarthQuaker Devices Sunn O))) Life Pedal v3 Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi Electro-Harmonix HOG2 Polyphonic Octvave Generator Electro-Harmonix Next Step Electro-Harmonix POG2 Electrofoods Ultd Oprichniki Electronic Audio Experiments Halberd v2 Electronic Audio Experiments Hypersleep v2 Electronic Audio Experiments Longsword Electronic Audio Experiments Model FeT Electronic Audio Experiments Prismatic Wall Electronic Audio Experiments Sending v2 Electronic Audio Experiments The Bard Emanating Fist Dope Priest DP-93 Emanating Fist Dope Priest DP-93K Emma Electronics Discumbobulator v2 Emma Electronics Discumbobulator v3 Empress Effects Bass Compressor Empress Effects Echosystem Dual Engine Delay Empress Effects Nebulus Empress Effects Reverb Ezhi&Aka Brom FEA Labs Opti-FET Flattley Guitar Pedals Bass Chief Bass Overdrive Flattley Guitar Pedals Darth Fazer Fox Pedals Killface v2 Bass Transparent Drive Foxrox Electronics Octron 3 Frederic Effects Green Russian Frost Giant Electronics Architect of Reality Frost Giant Electronics Bass Mountain Ftelettronica Amianto Bass Distortion Ftelettronica Envelope Follower/Triggered Filter Ftelettronica Schumann PLL Ftelettronica Subversive Propaganda Fuzzrocious Heliotropic Fuzzrocious Tyrannochorus Gojira FX Ants in my Eyes Johnson Gojira FX Fry 808 Gojira FX Mr Sparkle Tubescreamer 808 Gojira FX Noise Ensemble Fuzz Ground_FX Burning Sunn Guptech A(((Ole))) Hamstead Soundworks Subspace Hello Sailor Effects RebelRebel Delay Hiero B.E.A.D. Fuzz v3 Horrothia Effects Lutz Horrothia Effects Type One Horrothia Effects Type One X Horrothia Effects Type Two Hudson Electronics Motorcycle Overdrive Idiot Box Effects Blower Box Bass Distortion Idiot Box Effects Blower Box Deluxe Idiot Box Effects Destroyer Bass Fuzz Idiot Box Effects Han Taun Overdrive Idiot Box Effects Hobo Santa Idiot Box Effects Hyperspace Bass Chorus Idiot Box Effects No Moon Idiot Box Effects WTF Iron Ether Arcing Prisms Iron Ether Divaricator Iron Ether Dubterranea Iron Ether FMeron Iron Ether FrantaBit v2 Iron Ether Nimbus SE Iron Ether Oxide Iron Ether Polytope Iron Ether Subterranea Iron Ether Xerograph Deluxe Jad Freer Capo Jam Pedals Delay Llama Xtreme Jam Pedals EXP1 Jam Pedals Harmonious Monk Jam Pedals Lucy Dreamer Bass Jam Pedals Rattler Bass Jam Pedals Red Muck Bass Jam Pedals Ripply Fall Bass Jim Dunlop Cry Baby Bass Mini Wah Jim Dunlop Justin Chancellor Signature Fuzz Wah JPTR Bass Jive JPTR Jive Kink Pedals Dozer KMA Machines Wurm II Krozz Devices Airborn Lauren Audio B100 Lichtlaerm Audio Medusa Lightningboy Audio 2020S Transformer Line 6 HX Stomp Lone Wolf Audio Left Hand Wrath v.2.5 Lovetone Meatball LukeFRC The Iron Man Lusithand Devices Alma Mk3 Lusithand Devices Alma MkII Lusithand Devices Ground & Pound MKI (top-jacks) Lusithand Devices Ground & Pound MkII Magic Pedals Conan Signature Fuzz Throne Magic Pedals Cthulhu Magic Pedals Cthulhu (Three-knob) Magic Pedals DA-120 Magic Pedals Fuzz Throne Magic Pedals Magick Fuzz Magic Pedals Modded HM-2 Magic Pedals Solomons Thrall Magic Pedals Wizard Malaise Forever A Constant Ache Behind the Eyes Malaise Forever No Spine Malekko Heavy Industry E.Filter Mask Audio Electronics Black Math Mask Audio Electronics NO Minotaur Sonic Terrors Mud Giant MKIII Mission EQD-1 Montreal Assembley PurPLL Montreal Assembly Count-to-5 Moog EP-3 Moose Electronics Armada Custom Moose Electronics Cosmic Trigger Moose Electronics Dobsky Moose Electronics Electric Elk Moose Electronics HMT23 Moose Electronics Nomad Rev.2 Moose Electronics Nomad Rev.3 Moose Electronics Sledge Hammer Moose Electronics Sundrive Morningstar ML10X Mountainking Electronics Megalith Mr Black Mini Flanger Mr Black Mini Vintage Chorus MXR CSP038 Brown Acid Fuzz MXR M101 Phase 90 MXR M280 Vintage Bass Octave MXR M288 Bass Octave Deluxe MXR M299 Carbon Copy Mini Analogue Delay MXR M300 Reverb MXR M82 Bass Envelope Filter MXR M83 Bass Chorus Deluxe MXR M87 Bass Compressor MXR MB301 Bass Synth MXR M290 Phase 95 Mini Nightowl Industries Parabellum v.2 Nine of Swords Altar Bass Fuzz Noble Amps Dual Vacuum Tube Preamp Direct Box Noise Space Audio Brass Space Non-Human Audio Cave Bear Non-Human Audio King Bear Non-Human Audio Mocking Blur Non-Human Audio Night Creatures Non-Human Audio Slow Loris Non-Human Audio Water Bear NRG Effects Gnawer NRG Effects Purrer Old Blood Noise Endeavors Dark Star Stereo Old Blood Noise Endeavors Procession Origin Effects Bass Compressor Origin Effects BassRIG '64 Black Panel Origin Effects BassRIG Super Vintage Origin Effects Cali 76 TX Origin Effects Cali 76 TX-L Origin Effects Cali 76 TX-P Origin Effects Cali76 Compact Bass Origin Effects DCX Bass Origin Effects RevivalDrive Panda Audio Future Impact v3 Peterson Strobostomp Mini Peterson StrobostompHD Pike Amplification Vulcan Bass Pike Amplification Vulcan Bass XL Pladask Electrisk Baklengs Pladask Electrisk Draume v2 Pladask Electrisk Fabrikat Pladask Electrisk Feber Prescription Electronics Depth Charge Providence Anadime Bass Chorus ABC-1 RambleFX Twin Bender Salt Box Workshop Spite Box Sanford & Sonny Bluebeard Fuzz Science Amps Mother Preamp Shift Line A+ Cabzone Bass Shift Line Buzz V.2 Shift Line Olympic MKIIIS Singular Sound Beat Buddy Smallsound/Bigsound Mini Smallsound/Bigsound Team Awesome Fuzz Machine Sonic Research ST-300 Mini Strobe Tuner Source Audio C4 Synth Source Audio Reflex Southampton Pedals Utility Knife Strymon BigSky Strymon NightSky Strymon TimeLine Multidimensional Delay SushiBox FX Fluffy Kitten SushiBox FX London Underground X (w/PA mod) SushiBox FX SBVT SushiBox FX Slampegg Bee Pre X HW SushiBox FX Space Heater HW Tech21 Bass Driver DI v.2 Tech21 MP40 Geddy Lee Signature SansAmp Tech21 YYZ Shapeshifter The Zero Fret Fatamp GT120 Preamp The Zero Fret Rival ThorpyFX Camoflange ThorpyFX Camoflange MKII Triungulo Lab Barbanera Triungulo Lab Barbanera (with internal control) Triungulo Lab Black Pearl Triungulo Lab Malombra VVco Pedals Dark Father Walrus Audio Eras Way Huge Pork & Pickle Wrought Iron Effects Kaiburr Fuzz ZeroFive Audio Lowrider

Thank you for your opinions so far...I am too easy going with such things sometimes and the validation is appreciated. I have not named the builder yet because I did a lot of research before pulling the trigger and have only heard good things about his work, so this really seems to be an anomaly. Once all is resolved I will consider sharing the details. On the positive side it does play well and sounds good despite the issues.

That's totally unacceptable at even a £300 level and looks like it's been made by the Saturday lad. You need to send it back for a refund and reconsider your options unless they offer it to you at a silly cheap price. You'll never be able to love it because it'll leave a bad taste. Name the builder and keep the thread updated with progress. If the builder responds positively and you reach a happy outcome it's not the end of the world for them but if it goes wrong people should be aware.

I wouldn't accept a brand new custom made bass with any of these issues. As the builder is pushing back and making excuses I'd name and shame.

Just my opinion, That’s quite a chunk of money for a finish like that, I don’t think that’s acceptable for a new bass and I’d be in talks about getting a refund and going elsewhere , sorry to hear that this has happened on your birthday treat and I hope you get it sorted

It was a most excellent performance , absolutely brilliant , a great room and you made a superb sound in it, fantastic grooves meant that no-one could stand still. recommended ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I was idly perusing the Gear pages of 'No Treble' yesterday morning and stumbled on this very different creation by Chris Seldon, a Toronto-based Luthier. What caught my eye was the Scout 434's absolutely mahoosive Gordo Single Coil pickup, which he says produces a either a clean bell-like tone if played subtly, or an 'aggressive grind' when digging in, rather like a Rickenbacker. As for looks, I like instruments that deliberately look a little different, and the seemingly cut-off headstock just says, "we're not Fender, okay?!" to me. I have made contact with Chris to see what one of these would potentially set me back. (Prepared for a large Canadian Dollar number in response...) https://www.chrisseldon.com

Oh, and thanks @scrumpymike for organising as usual. And a very big thanks to the scrumpettes for the food! It was really nice catching up with people. @Sean, I think I preferred your ebony boarded Spector! Both lovely basses though. I forget the username, but the MTD I tried was also great. I'd happily have one of those! If you see this, what model was it?

I'd never accept that. The scratches are in themselves beyond any level of acceptability for a new instrument. I don't care if it cost 3 grand or 400 quid, that'd be going back if it was like that. No ifs, no buts. The fact the Luthier has tried to justify this is really properly poor behaviour. Rectified with no shipping costs paid by yourself and a discount for the fact that they shipped a below par instrument to you or full refund. That's the way I'd go.

Yes indeed, but not before a refund is given. I wouldn't trust the bar-steward to lacquer my plectrum (if I had one).

Or would happily stick on social media as an example of their skills. Send the thing back.

Like everyone else that has commented on the post that is not acceptable work for a custom built instrument, they should either fix, give a hefty discount or offer a full refund, let us know how it works out for you, good luck You should name the luthier in case anyone else uses the in the near future John 😎

I'm in the hefty discount/return camp here. The marking you have shown, and your description of the electrics are indicative of an instrument that should never have been sent out. Maybe send a link to this thread with your next response. For me, and many others here, good customer service is proven when things go wrong. An acceptable outcome here can enhance the luthier's standing. Not doing so would pretty much certainly lead to a (virtual) boycott of their business. Good luck.

An * in my post represents a pedal that I still own. I’ve included a couple of pedals that I’ve purchased and are not yet with me, just to save me needing to update the list next week when they arrive. I also included power supplies and pedalboards, but I’m not sure they’re as useful (or interesting!). Pedals 3Leaf Groove Regulator 3Leaf Groove Regulator 2 Aguilar Octamizer *Aguilar Octamizer V2 Akai Deep Impact Ampeg SCR-DI Ampeg Scrambler *Aotearoa Intermodulator Aphex 1402 Bass Xciter Aphex 1404 Punch Factory Bananana Effects Matryoshka Bass Synth Boss BF-2B Bass Flanger Boss BF-3 Flanger Boss CEB-3 Bass Chorus Boss DD-3 Digital Delay Boss DD-7 Digital Delay Boss DD-20 Giga Delay Boss GEB-7 Bass Equaliser Boss GR-55S Guitar Synthesiser Boss LS-2 Line Selector Boss MD-200 Modulation Boss NS-2 Noise Suppressor Boss OC-2 Octave Boss OC-2 Octave (modded by sfx) Boss OC-3 Super Octave *Boss OC-5 Octave Boss ODB-3 Bass Overdrive Boss PH-3 Phase Shifter Boss PN-2 Tremolo Pan Boss RC-30 Loop Station Boss RC-300 Loop Station Boss SD-2 Dual Overdrive *Boss SL-2 Slicer *Boss SL-20 Slicer Boss SYB-5 Bass Synthesiser Boss TU-2 Tuner Boss TU-3 Tuner Bright Onion 6-Way Looper Bright Onion 8-Way Looper Bright Onion Master Tap2 Broughton Josh Wah Catalinbread CSIDMAN Chunk Systems Agent 00Funk Chunk Systems Brown Dog COG Custom Bad Mamma Stamma Jamma COG Custom Charlie Foxtrot COG Custom Meat Grinder COG Custom Switch Point *COG Custom ‘Solid Snake’ Blender COG Custom Zohar’s Phase Shift COG Knightfall Copilot FX Molecule Copilot FX Orbit *Copilot FX Orbit (2025 version) Damnation Audio MBD *Darkglass Alpha Omega Darkglass Alpha Omicron Darkglass B3K Darkglass Element Darkglass Vintage Microtubes Devi Ever Soda Meiser Devi Ever Super Massive Black Hole DOD FX25B Envelope Filter DOD FX64 Ice Box DOD FX32 Meatbox *DOD FX32 Meatbox Reissue Digitech Jamman Stereo Digitech Whammy DT Digitech Whammy IV Digitech Whammy Ricochet *Dr Scientist BitQuest (blackout) *Dr Scientist Dust (regular and blackout) *Dr Scientist Frazz Dazzler V2 *Dr Scientist Phreak *Dr Scientist Tremolessence V3 *Dunlop DVP4 Volume X Mini EBS DPhaser EBS Microbass II EBS MultiComp EBS OctaBass EBS UniChorus EHX Bassballs Nano EHX Bass Blogger EHX Bass Microsynth (original) EHX Bass Microsynth EHX Nano Dr Q EHX Nano Small Stone EMMA Electronics Discumbobulator (modded by sfx) *EMMA Electronics Discumbobulator V2 EMMA Electronics Okto Nøjs Ernie Ball VP JR Expression Pedal Eventide ModFactor Eventide PitchFactor *Frederic Effects BugCrusher Fulltone Bass-Drive Mosfet Fuzzhugger AB-Synth Fuzzrocious BDPG Fuzzrocious Croak Fuzzrocious Grey Stache Fuzzrocious Li’L Fella Fuzzrocious LunaReclipse Fuzzrocious M.O.T.H. Fuzzrocious Ram The Manparts GigRig QuarterMaster 4 GigRig QuarterMaster 6 GFI System Synesthesia GFI System Triple Switch Gojira Mangler Fuzz Guyatone PS3 Phaser Shifter *Hiero B.E.A.D. v3 Hologram Electronics Dream Sequence Hologram Electronics Microcosm *Horrothia Teeth *Horrorhia Type One Idiotbox Whores Iron Ether FMeron Iron Ether Frantabit Iron Ether Nimbus Iron Ether Oxide Iron Ether Xerograph Iron Ether Custom Xerograph Joyo Orange Juice *Keeley Bassist Limiting Amplifier Lekato Loop Station Life Is Unfair Pineal Gland Line 6 EX1 Expression Pedal Line 6 M9 Line 6 M13 Lusithand Ground & Pound *Lusithand Ground & Pound Mk.II Mantic Density Hulk Mantic Proverb Markbass Super Synth M-Audio EX-P Universal Expression Pedal *Mission Engineering Expressionator Mojo Hand Analogue Filter 442 Montreal Assembly PURPLL Mooer E7 Synth Mooer Pitchbox Mooer Shim Verb Moog EP-2 Expression Pedal *Moog EP-3 Expression Pedal Moog MF-101 Low Pass Filter Moog MF-102 Ring Modulator Moog MF-103 12-Stage Phaser Moog MF-107 Freqbox Moog MF-108 Cluster Flux Moog MP-201 Multi Pedal Morley Power Wah Mr Black Fwonk Beta *Mr Black Gilamondo Throwback Edition MXR M82 Bass Envelope Filter MXR M288 Bass Octave Deluxe Myrtle Effects Corvid Fuzz Nektar NX-P Expression Pedal Nemphasis Steam Bass Neunaber Immerse Reverberator *Neunaber Wet V4 Reverb (Mono) *Oscillator Devices Trash Panda Dual *Oscillator Devices Trash Panda Quad *PastFX PC-251 Control Processor *PastFX PX-101 Lowpass Filter Peterson StroboStomp Mini ProCo Rat ProCo Turbo Rat (modded by sfx) *Red Panda Bitmap2 Rocktek Distortion Rocktek Flanger Roland EV-5 Expression Pedal sfx Custom Loops Mixer Source Audio Aftershock *Source Audio Collider Delay + Reverb Source Audio Hot Hand *Source Audio Nemesis Delay Source Audio Reflex Source Audio Soundblox Bass Envelope Filter Source Audio Soundblox Bass Envelope Filter Pro *Source Audio Tap Switch Subdecay Echobox *Subdecay Harmonic Antagonizer *Subdecay Prometheus Subdecay Noisebox TC Electronic 3rd Dimension Chorus TC Electronic Corona Chorus TC Electronic Ditto Looper TC Electronic Flashback TC Electronic Flashback 2 TC Electronic Flashback X4 TC Electronic Nova Delay iB Modified TC Electronic Nova Dynamics TC Electronic Polytune TC Electronic Polytune2 TC Electronic Polytune2 Mini Noir TC Electronic Nova System *TC Electronic SCF Gold Limited Edition TC Electronic The Prophet Digital Delay Tech 21 Red Ripper Tech 21 VT Bass Tech 21 XXL Bass The Really Good Pedal Co Funky Puppy Tone Factor FuzzSaw TRAPCO Buffer/Pedalboard Interface Triungolo Lab Barbanera *Walrus Audio Canvass Stereo DI/LI Walrus Audio Julia *Walrus Audio Polychrome Walrus Audio Slo Walrus Audio Terraform WMD Geiger Counter WMD Geiger Counter Civilian Issue *WMD Geiger Counter Pro WMD Super Fatman *ZVEX Mastotron Power Supplies *Cioks DC7 *Cioks 8 Expander *Cioks Sol Diago Powerstation GigRig Generator (plus all the various adapters… oh soooo many adapters) One Spot (daisy chain style) Voodoo Labs Pedal Power (original version) Boards Diago Gigman Diago Showman Diago Tourman *GOKKO Guitar Pedalboard (this needs a new home!) Huge custom flight case board (can’t recall the maker, I think it was Castle Cases) Monkey Dream Board (can’t recall model) *Pedaltrain Classic 1 Pedaltrain Classic 2 Pedaltrain Classic Jr Pedaltrain Classic Pro *Pedaltrain Jr Max Pedaltrain Metro 16 Pedaltrain Metro 25 *Pedaltrain Nano TRAPCO Custom Pedalboard (three versions)

Speaking as someone who finishes instruments in a plastic greenhouse in my garden, using spray cans I buy from the local DIY shop – that's not an acceptable standard of fit and finish for a pro-level instrument. The discoloration on the binding isn't great, but forgivable, likewise even the light chipping around the neck pocket, but those tool marks in the finish? No. Even making an instrument for myself, I think would have probably been a do-over.

Yeah, there is no way, if that person does this for a living, that they have not thought, "I really can't be arsed with this bass anymore. I'll just send it and hope the customer doesn't say anything because they're British and might be too polite." I'm pretty sure if you showed that to a truly reputable bass builder they'd cry for you.

Ah well - sorry to hear about the disappointment (it is pretty shabby), but not sharing the name neither (a) helps the community nor (b) puts pressure on them to sort it out.

Wanted a Dream Bass, not a Nightmare! Nope... But how does it feel neck wise,and play un plugged, action etc. Whats the wording on the agreement, are you able to return/refund? If it feels good and likely to play well with the 'lectrics fixed, would you be willing to send it back for a fix? (Don't think i'd trust 'em to have it back. Thats a lot of €£$ to be unhappy with on something special. If it's likely you need to be keeping it, it will need to be at a hefty discount, it's not like its a Scratched Squier or a Harley 'B Stock' Benton. If it can't go back for a full refund, and the issue is mainly the finish,.. Min of £500 off for a Full Strip, Refinish, Reassembly? But i think a sore eye would remain.

I have the chance to be able to play at minimum one hour per week day, often an hour and half. And a little more on the weekend. I've no kids, my wife ones are long gone to live their life, and she understand that my needs are good for my mental health. In fact she's supporting me in all that i do, as i do my best to support all that is good for her. She's my precious.

This is mine - an early 1960s Philips 4-track. 3 speeds, magic eye etc. I have several tapes of my grandfather playing guitar. I tracked down the exact same model they were recorded on, to give me the best chance of getting a decent playback. It feels very strange plugging it into an audio interface and recording into Logic Pro. It is working right now - I bought it from a YouTuber who'd serviced it, but for how long I don't know, so I don't use it for anything.