G-bitch

Transaction made very easy by the fact that he works 100 yards away from my office so I could just drop it in to him. I'm sure I've had positive experiences buying stuff from him in the past in his professional capacity too!

The man is a gentleman and a scholar! After prompt efficient payment for a Planet Waves gig bag, he even posted my new earplugs back to me which I'd managed to include in the package. That saved me an embarrassing spend of £160 for losing something. £5 on it's way back to you as beer token thanks.

Higgie pays up quick as promised and all the rest of the good things wot go wiv it. Cheers bud, hope the power supply is sufficient.

I'd agree with all the above (man it's nice that you guys know your sh*t - I remember the first ever incarnation of this forum about 5 years or so ago and there weren't really many people bringing the knowledge!). BTW - Phone around all the shops and check what's in stock because you can take trips to music shops all day long, in all areas and half the time won't find a damn thing you want to try. Although that may just be me on the esoteric end of things. Have him try out the various Fenders and MM etc. and point out that second-hand is best value - plus given the level of QC with MM and (Jap/US) Fenders then you can't really go wrong. Try and establish his preferences in terms of neck profile/finish and sound he's after as well as the look that does it - might help you think of alternatives that no-one will have in stock but can try out via mail order or something.

Stu - kind offer, I'm a hop, skip and a jump away from ordering a Bergantino.

Half of the stuff musicguard cover for (i.e. actual replacement) is covered on home insurance - that includes away from home. You just need to do a little research and speak on the phone to someone from the insurers or someone you know who works in insurance. There's always one! Also remember that there are only 3 (or poss 4) insurance companies in the UK, as in those who acutally underwrite the policies. Even many of the huge players are brokers in reality, despite what the ads tell you. The policies are written slightly differently etc. etc. but there really is not much in it - that's why I think that all these little specialist areas of cover are a rip-off because more often than not they can be listed under a home policy for very little extra or are already included. Professional musicians excepted. I was in a band having about £18k worth of gear insured at a lockup. Speaking to someone at musicguard when we added a load of gear at the same time as renewing the policy, I asked if we needed an alarm at that amount (it was near the threshold) and was told no. It all got nicked, 'nuff said. The slightest i not dotted will result in no payout so it was fair enough - I should've read the small print myself. I honestly believe that the amateur musician (which most of us are) shouldn't bother getting insurance away from home (or maybe ask if your home policy will extend that - things like bicycles are anyway) because you have got to be totally nuts if you leave gear unattended at any point, ever, ever, anywhere but home as there are normally at least three of you in the band so one stays with the gear.....

Well, thanks for keeping the thread alive! I've been put off the line 6 from reviews and comments. The roland is a bit big for my liking but I could give the 30w model a blast, not sure I'm all that keen on modelling shenanigans though. Here's one last thing that I didn't mention, and it's totally fickle - Some of these amps are so friggin' ugly! You know the saying "If it don't look dope, I don't wanna rock it"

Well that's everything gone! Thanks for helping me 'de-clutter' folks.

Mate, don't think I haven't looked into it - there's no distribution here in the UK and I suspect that it would be prohibitively expensive to import one. Ok, time to email bass central

Sorry dude, you'll have to curse your computer again as it went yesterday afternoon!

Yours, and I don't even have to post them!

Now, I'm going to sound like an utter tosser here but seriously, any van that isn't empty should never be left alone - I remember reading about a band a few years back who were touring and had their van stolen at a service station; my first thought was 'WTF were they doing not leaving someone with the van?'. Cars is risky but if it's out of site then it's not an automatic 'go to' vehicle for contents thieves. Also, forget Musicguard - they're a friggin' rip off and you'll only get shafted on the small print after they tell you over the phone that everythings fine. Just find a home insurance policy that covers high value items and who will provide 'off the premises' cover as it is likely to be one hell of a lot cheaper than Musicguard. It does mean phoning up and speaking to a few insurance providers though; I understand that M&S are supposed to be pretty good in this regard. Read every last bit of small print. Twice. Just the lessons I learned after having c.£16k worth of gear ripped off.