Ou7shined

[quote name='dave_bass5' timestamp='1318868347' post='1407152'] Just like Fenders MIA, MM are probably made in the USA by Mexicans (not knocking the Mexicans) [/quote] It's true, they are.

You've made my day man.

What's the spec? I've been looking at 10's lately and have it on very good authority that the Eminence Deltalite II 2510's are very good.

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1318853186' post='1406816'] Lol Yep, its normal. No one can do a Jaco unless you pay more money! Or, don't mind huge routing holes. [/quote] I wonder if that's the sneaky real reason why they've done it.

[quote name='dave_bass5' timestamp='1318853459' post='1406824'] That was based on waiting for 7 months, If it was a case of send it back and receive another in a few days then i certainly wouldn't give up on it. To be honest ive seen just how well made much, much cheaper basses are so i personally wouldn't spend £1500 on a bass now. I see no need to, my Squier (with large neck pocket gap now it has a smaller neck on it) is doing just fine. Im happy to put up with the poor neck pocket because this bass wasn't brought for its looks. As some know i had 3 MIA's last year and each had poorly cut out pickup holes. Not all the same but each was worse than any bass i have owned. All were very playable and i do regret sending the last one back. I felt that spending £900 should get me something better. Its only a few pieces of wood that come of a production line but £900 is a lot of money, irrelevant of how much more i could spend. To spend £1500 i think your right to expect perfection, and not settle for less. We've had a few analogies so i wont bother with one here, but do feel that almost any bass (within reason) will be playable with a good set up, its the workmanship and quality of materials we pay a lot more for, and when its this area thats lacking then i think its justified to send it back if your not happy. [/quote] Good post. I myself can't see the point of buying decent basses of any price anymore as whatever I see I know I can build... I miss bass GAS. I remember your Fender debacle and that really was out of order but somehow I'm not seeing this on the same scale. I'm sorry.

[quote name='Clarky' timestamp='1318852788' post='1406800'] IIRC I have had US and Japanese Fenders with below-scratchplate holes (not 100% sure on the latter but defo on the US) [/quote] Cheers man. You live and learn.

It is used as an anchor point for the CNC machines during milling. I thought only MIM basses had this.

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1318851831' post='1406774'] Oh no, totally agreed, its not 'unplayable', apart from the fact the nut doesn't appear to be cut deep enough and the E string saddle is right near the bottom, and the action is really high. Its playable, and as much as it may need a SLIGHT tweak on the truss rod, (obviously I wont do this as its packed to go back) i still don't think it will ever get a lowish action. Nothing like my H 2011 Ray which plays like a dream! The sound, from my brief test before I started investigating the issues, is great. So, thats not an issue. However, as seems to be the general consensus, when you get to certain price, the build quality has to be to a high level. [/quote] Ah I didn't know about the nut - I don't think you mentioned it to start with. Again though, this could be sorted in a blink of an eye if you were willing... as it would have been, had it been identified professionally at source.

[quote name='dave_bass5' timestamp='1318849339' post='1406735'] Personally i would kick up a stink and go elsewhere. No matter how far MM bend over backwards... [/quote] Diff'rent folks, diff'rent strokes. [quote name='dave_bass5' timestamp='1318849339' post='1406735']Personally i dont think its unplayable at all. I do think its sub par for the money ...[/quote] I'm glad I'm not the only one seeing this from a player's point of view then. [b]I agree 100% that if the customer is not happy with the product (for whatever reason) then they should by all means return it [/b]but "sub par for the money" is subjective, it function's as it should and the "problem" appears to be easily rectified... but this, it seems would not to be an option for Gareth or yourself. £1500 is not a lot to spend on a big brand bass when you are seeking perfection. How much is a decent CS Fender these days?

[quote name='dave_bass5' timestamp='1318845588' post='1406672']No argument there, this one has been put together in the dark, that's not acceptable. I was talking more about the principal of taking a body and neck from stock and putting them together to create a bass to the customers spec. I dont think it matters if the neck was made a year before the body, both at the same time etc, as long as the end result is a perfect working bass. I do understand Gareth's issues though, and yes, it sounds like S&T are to blame for this one.[/quote]Taking your points in order... I agree. But then you are faced with the decision of trying again with the lights on or kicking up a stink. I know which I'd opt for. Is this bass unplayable? Again I agree which us why I don't understand why MM are getting pilloried. Ok they've not waved their international magic wand instantly on this (although who knows what's going on behind the scenes between them and S&T) but this may come as a surprise to some, Gareth is not the only customer they have on their books right now having issues with their product.

Yep it's sweat reacting with the frets and a bit of finger ming for good measure.

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1318833869' post='1406538']Think long and hard. What seems an idea now might be one you go off later or OTT.[/quote]A big +1 to this. I've had guys change their minds 3 or 4 times in a single day over choices that they've not put enough thought into first. It's so tempting when you have endless possibilities to take things a little too far without thinking about the practicalities. A problem with having a bass built that's too personalized is that it makes it very hard to sell it on later.

[quote name='billyapple' timestamp='1318780043' post='1406099']Hang on! what's happened? last I looked it was at £275. Now it's Starting at £50! Mr Foxen, you know more about everything than everyone, what gives?[/quote] And now it's been pulled.

I think the silks are there to deaden the contact of the strings to the body outside of the nut and saddle.

[quote name='billyapple' timestamp='1318773638' post='1406005']Why do people sell things for their 'friends'? Why don't their 'friends' sell it for themselves?[/quote]

You will get a second hand 3D for around £30. Most of the expensive bridges offer no real word difference over the cheaper options apart from tougher materials and better adjustment at best. Neither of those 2 you linked to have lateral adjustment which I personally would insist on having.

Maybe your transformer only puts out 15v (when it's working properly) but a discharged capacitor can give you a massive kick. Also don't forget you have 240v going in so it could be that the problem comes before/at the transformer.

Yep persevere with Ashdown. Stay courteous and friendly and you never know what might happen.

The bridge looks a helluva lot muckier than the finish damage. Is it a bitsa? There's nothing in the description to say it's not.

Not particularly, although he'd be a bit miffed at being asked to share his snare and cymbals.