hiram.k.hackenbacker

[quote name='BassTractor' timestamp='1455647713' post='2981133'] My last Music Man bass from them was erroneously packaged without protection between bass and Music Man case, leaving the bass to move around inside the case. Also, they had put the case in a much larger Fender corrugated board box without filling the void adequately, allowing the Music Man case to move freely within the Fender box. Thirdly, they'd put on the address sticker in such a way that if one had the sticker in reading position, the bass inside would be standing on its headstock. The obvious result of all of this was that the bass had gotten its volume knob knocked off during transport. ProMusicTools initially would not accept any responsibility for this, and instead meant this was due to stupid consumer error, which got me fuming. When they finally did accept responsibility after I'd thoroughly documented how badly they had packaged this time, it took them [b]more than a year[/b] before they sent me the new pot I would solder in myself (I had offered to do this myself in order to save them the hassle as well as the shipping costs both ways). Several of my polite mails during that year remained unanswered, and my last, very clear and very strict one a whole year later (still polite, mind, just factual and strict) that stated I would complain about them to Music Man, resulted in an enormously butthurt answer and in the pot arriving here within a few days. No apology or anything like it. I remained flabbergasted. I saved them on postage twice and offered to take responsibility for the repair, and all they mustered was being butthurt by me saying their customer service was unacceptable to me. In summing up: in my experience they're very good when there's no problem, but they show their private personal issues very clearly when not everything is perfect anymore. [/quote] Mmm. This presumably wasn't anything top do with the "other" scenario you had regarding the NOS instrument? In the absence of others weighing in, I think I might be prepared to regard the above as an unlucky occurrence which hopefully won't be repeated for me. Could I ask how long ago this was?

[quote name='Mudpup' timestamp='1455646690' post='2981108'] Bought a Stingray off them a few months back. Good as gold - great comms before i bought, tracking info a little slow but bass arrived in a few days. I would use them again without hesitation. [/quote] Aha! Just what I was hoping to hear. Which Stingray did you buy if you don't mind me asking?

Just before I pull the trigger, I just wondered if there were anything other than positive experiences dealing with the above company. I've never purchased from them before, so thought I should probably check before I go all NBD :-) I am aware of the thread started by BassTractor from 2013 which exonerated them from the situation he found himself in.

It seems I've found the answer to my own question.... http://www.andybaxterbass.com/details.php?id=786 I'm a little confused as to how I missed it as I've been looking for a while. I just have to find one that isn't sold now

[quote name='Chiliwailer' timestamp='1454961485' post='2974665'] Not the best of games either unfortunately. [/quote] It was a strange one granted, but it was quite close the majority of the way through. More about which defence would fold first. I think Cam Newton let his side down. He looked defeated before halftime even.

[quote name='Toasted' timestamp='1454968455' post='2974738'] You say predictable. I say the biggest international pop hit of the past year. [/quote] Don't get me wrong, I love the song, but it didn't make it any less predictable

Probably one of the worst openings I've seen for a while, but I didn't really have high expectations from Coldplay. Don't really know what the organisers were thinking booking them. Thought things were on the up when Bruno turned up, but he trotted out the predictable and Beyoncé certainly didn't add anything. Oh good, Coldplay are back on. Yawn.

Another two items added.

I was going to put these on eBay, but they will only go for pennies and I really cannot be arsed. If anyone is interested in any of these, I will post them off to you for cost. Being John Malkovich (DVD) [s]Twin Peaks (Season 1) Special Edition (DVD) - Region 1 so make sure you can play it first![/s] [color=#FF0000]Gone[/color] [s]Twin Peaks (Season 2) (DVD) - Region 1 so make sure you can play it first![/s] [color=#FF0000]Gone[/color] American Pie 2 (DVD) Death Ring (DVD) Mulholland Drive (DVD) - Region 1 so make sure you can play it first! Donnie Darko (DVD) - Region 1 so make sure you can play it first! [s]Taxi Driver (DVD) Collectors' Edition (with loads of extras) - Region 1 so make sure you can play it first![/s] [color=#FF0000]Gone[/color] Batman (DVD) (Tim Burton/Nicholson/Keating) - Region 1 so make sure you can play it first! Magnum Force - DVD - Region 1 so make sure you can play it first! [s]Phil Collins (CD) Hello, I Must Be Going![/s] [color=#ff0000]Gone[/color] [s]Phil Collins (CD) Both Sides[/s] [color=#ff0000]Gone[/color] [s]Phil Collins (CD) ...But Seriously[/s] [color=#ff0000]Gone[/color] [s][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Peter Gabriel (CD) - Us[/font][/color][/s][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] [/font][/color][color=#FF0000]Gone[/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Monsters Inc - Read to Me (Book & CD)[/font][/color]

Do I get a prize? ;-) You've reminded me of Bubinga's thread though which no-one will apparently let die.

[quote name='such' timestamp='1454586895' post='2971040'] I know both Wunjo and Bass Gallery have early (dot&bound) 66 Jazzes (one each afaik) right now, might be worth it to ask. [/quote] Yes, I had seen the one that Wunjo has up at the moment, but it has a few non-original parts. CAR with MH though. Does look nice. Hadn't seen the BG one. Thanks for the heads up.

[quote name='ambient' timestamp='1454586741' post='2971035'] Just found this. http://fenderbassplayer.com/properly-dating-a-fender-bass [/quote] Quote "One exception is that most Fender pots from 1966 to 1969 are dated to 1966. Pickups were only date stamped from 1964 to about 1979 but can be really useful in helping pin down the year." Translation = everything went wonky as soon as CBS got hold of it!

[quote name='ambient' timestamp='1454585776' post='2971012'] I'm most definitely not an expert, but don't the body and neck have date stamps ? If so you could have a December neck and a January the following year body. What year would that bass then be ? [/quote] Didn't some of the really early ones have a body date written in pencil in the pocket? I don't think I've heard of body date stamps though.

[quote name='BassTractor' timestamp='1454584993' post='2970998'] Beautiful long/short-haired blonde/brunette demanding the darn thing out of the house before he will be allowed near her again, so he desperately sees no other option than a quick handing it in to a shop? [/quote] Now that does makes sense!

[quote name='gary mac' timestamp='1454583741' post='2970977'] Maybe you should widen your search to the whole of 66. You could miss out on so many good ones being that specific. Plus the neck might be dated Feb but the bass might well have been put together a month or so later I've had a fair few J's over the years but always ended up moving them on as I just preferred P basses. Have to say though that the 66 J is just brilliant, it has the flattest neck in terms of relief and the lowest buzz free action that I have experienced. [/quote] Again, spot on. For the sake of a few months, or a year even (earlier obviously LOL), if I happened across "the one", that's job done. It was just out of curiosity more than anything as I haven't seen one myself. I would love to say I get on with Precisions, but sadly they don't do it for me :-(

Your'e right of course. The only things that matter is how it plays and sounds. Ultimately, whatever the neck says, the pots won't be anywhere near it :-)

Another Mar 66.... http://www.andybaxterbass.com/details.php?id=989

[quote name='neepheid' timestamp='1454578884' post='2970899'] "Almost excusable"? Have a listen to yourself! Did I miss the memo when you were appointed judge, jury and executioner? [/quote] Apologies. Poor choice of word. Understandable would have been better.

[quote name='gary mac' timestamp='1454568130' post='2970831'] Not sure about that. Just been checking my pics, the one I have now has a Sep stamp and one that I sold last year, had a January stamp. Sorry not much help. [/quote] Aha! So you've owned a Jan 66 and I've seen a Mar 66.

So, I have a big birthday looming this month and have been looking around, as I have been for some time, for a month and year correct Fender Jazz. Leaving aside the fact that I could spend my money better elsewhere, has anyone ever seen a 66 Jazz with a Feb neck stamp? I was chatting another BC'er regarding this and he suggested that it's possible that no necks were stamped during that particular month. 66 was a strange old year in the history of Fender, so are there any Fender experts that know for sure?

[quote name='leftybassman392' timestamp='1454527280' post='2970578'] While I'm here (and without wishing to cause offence) I must confess to being a bit confused as to what exactly the issue is here. My view would be that anybody with an expensive instrument (or even an inexpensive one for that matter) is at liberty to sell it how and where they like. Surely... [/quote] Saving around £1k seems fairly attractive to me.