Mr. Foxen

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1376558554' post='2175838'] [size=3]Clearly the handles work fine and no owners have reported failures of any kind with the handles so what we are discussing is a difference of opinion about a purely cosmetic issue. [/size] [/quote] That is definitely not the case, there was a massive thread about a handle failure by a well known BCer, the issue was dealt with, but it also wasn't the only handle failure.

How are people transporting their Barefaceds? Think that might make a difference. Lugging it on the tube or on foot is gonna be a lt more handle wear that van touring in a flightcase. Mine is usually in the back of a car, but its just been on a beardies in a van tour and they've beat the crap out of it. Mostly helpers not knowing its a light thing and expecting heavy when they get hold of it. I think a soft cover would have kept it safer without losing the lightness advantage.

I've not found a residue with purple meths.

I have been curious about them, and waiting for a broken one to come in for repair or come up on ebay. This hasn't happened. Which says something.

Finally got all the wood out so can recast it: [URL=http://s17.photobucket.com/user/Incarante/media/DSCF1613_zps635eb709.jpg.html][IMG]http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/Incarante/DSCF1613_zps635eb709.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

Bugera is their higher end stuff.

Plain swapping power valves sort of works, but the bias won't be set right, which compromises sound or valve life.

What's with the 'I wouldn't expect this from a Chinese bass'? Course you wouldn't, when did you ever see a Chinese bass with major finish flaws? I've turned over dozens of sub £100 basses and not found issues close to that level, its always the US made stuff with the massive finish issues.

[quote name='neepheid' timestamp='1376334694' post='2172402'] I made one suggestion which would certainly improve things from my point of view [/quote] If you have a preference, that is catered for by countless numbers of other instrument makers, why demand someone who occupies a different and far smaller niche accommodate you?

[quote name='apa' timestamp='1376330864' post='2172285'] Thats got nothing to do with style. A badly chiseled Giant Pretzl isnt 'style' [/quote] they don't all look like that one. But in spite of having a very wide variety of shapes, they remain very recogniseable. That is a style.

[quote name='spaners' timestamp='1376331343' post='2172301'] [u]dose it sound any different with the mullards in there ? [/u] [/quote] It will do if it isn't bias right for the other set. Or if any of them are clapped out.

Chances are you'd new speakers for it to work too.

[quote name='apa' timestamp='1376329759' post='2172254'] No style, [/quote] You couldn't pick the Wishbass out of a lineup?

He put his business up for sale a while back, you could put your money where your mouth is and take over, do it your way. While you are at it you could get higher end woods, and better finishing, and hardware. Then you can have fun competing with every other luthier in the world.

[quote name='neepheid' timestamp='1376128636' post='2169947'] I presumed that $50 would cover the extra 30 minutes or so that this individual piece of extra care and attention would take. [/quote] Not a great assumption. Individual custom work interrupting batched jobs costs quite a lot more.

Can you bias it to suit the other valves? Can you test the mullards?

[quote name='baseline9' timestamp='1376310880' post='2171922'] [size=4][color=#222222][font=Arial]I found with setting a starting price over a reserve price is people tend not to bid and they are more likely to bid if it starts at £0.99p, even with a reserve (I think it’s physiological). I studied many similar auctions prior to putting my own on there and came to this conclusion. In this day and age I have found people are not making the luxury big purchases they once were so I was not expecting to get top dollar for the amp, you can factor in the fees but I was worried the auction would fail and the amp would not sell (Eg not reach the reserve), its a fine balance I guess, I kind of factored in half of the fees lol! Thankfully though It sold on Bass chat in the end. [/font][/color][/size] [/quote] The important bit with starting at the right price is you only need one bid. Only needing one person after your item at that price rather than two.

I'd think you don't want to put any sort of structural faith in it, since its horribly inconsistent. Tops are safer.

I've picked up a few of these on ebay/gumtree knowing the hardware will sell easily if I part it out. They've all been nice enough instruments to survive complete.

Thing is, cost way more than £50 to get a handmade bass with that kind of attention to detail. I just sent him a bridge, no holes that way.

Its all optional, but that is his favoured way, usually, the ebay ones get the quick spray finish.

[quote name='Annoying Twit' timestamp='1376078805' post='2169595'] Is there a finish thread concerning this Wishbass on this forum somewhere? [/quote] Not on here, in a reverse order, diffuse sort of way its mostly documented on my blog: http://ampstack.wordpress.com/tag/wishbass/ The oil finish takes a long time to properly mature so it keeps on looking better. fair few BCers have seen it now, since it hangs in my living room and gets lots of curious.

Facebook groups are the new cool.

I did a quick estimate on time and materials, and I'd charge about £250 to do a finish like the one on my Wishbass.

Also, with regards to avoiding the fees, ebay support cancelling any bids and ending the auction early, so list it free for the price you want, and if there is a bid, message them your details (not offering to sell outside ebay, just contact) and end the listing. I confirmed this with them online, and have the transcript. They regard pulling listings with bids as 'nice': [quote] [size=3][b]Lynn Richie [/b][color=#0000FF][font=Arial]20:55:55[/font][/color] [color=#000000][font=Arial]I have carefully checked the transaction and I can see here that the seller has ended the listing before you have won for the item. In this instance, we won't be able to take action against the seller at the moment. What we can take action is that when a buyer won for the item already and they have refused to sell the item with you. Sellers won't be able to end their listing as well if the listing is less than 12 hours remaining on the site, so there is still chance for other bidders to bid.[/font][/color] [b]incarante [/b][color=#FF3300][font=Arial]20:56:37[/font][/color] [color=#000000][font=Arial]to encourage last minute bidding? or to allow avoidance of fees by not having to pay for a reserve?[/font][/color] [b]incarante [/b][color=#FF3300][font=Arial]20:58:24[/font][/color] [color=#000000][font=Arial]cancelling bids because insufficient price has been reach is acceptable practice? Be good to know with the amount of items I list[/font][/color] [b]Lynn Richie [/b][color=#0000FF][font=Arial]20:58:35[/font][/color] [color=#000000][font=Arial]Oliver, please be advised that if the seller will continue the sale to other buyers outside eBay then the transaction will not be recorded and they won't be able to seek help for us regarding their buyers. So it will be their lost.[/font][/color] [b]Lynn Richie [/b][color=#0000FF][font=Arial]21:00:31[/font][/color][/size] [color=#000000][font=Arial][size=1][size=3]Oliver, I do understand your predicament regarding this matter and it is good to know that you are cautious enough regarding this matter. We do not condone sellers breaching our policy however in this situation there is no breach of policy yet as they have no winning buyer yet. You have just bidded for the item.[b] It is nice that they have ended it[/b] rather than you winning for the item and paying for it without you receiving the item[/size].[/size][/font][/color][/quote]