rodney72a

A recent experience with the Ebay Global Shipping programme regarding CITES:

A few months ago, I bought a bass on Ebay from a seller in the States. It was advertised under the Ebay Global Shipping Programme, meaning you pay all shipping and import costs upfront.

Because the bass had a rosewood fingerboard, I got in touch with the UK CITES Management Authority in Bristol prior to shipping. They explained that the seller has to apply for an export permit first, then mail me a copy so I can apply for the import permit over here. I passed the info on to the seller and advised he should get in touch with the people of the Ebay Global Shipping Programme for guidance, thinking they would deal with this kind of stuff all the time.

The seller said he did and apparently they told him they would take care of everything. He shipped the bass via USPS, it was quite slow, took almost three weeks to arrive. There was no CITES documentation/paperwork at all with the package.

Make of that what you will. I haven't looked into it further but should I still apply for the relevant import certificate in retrospect?

12 hours ago, GarethFlatlands said:

Not sure we needed 50 pages on the Jazz bass alone but the pictures are amazing.

Yes, we do! Agreed on the pictures.

Have tried out the Pure Blues strings (40-120) recently. Less tension than the Nickel Lo Riders, for example. Very comfortable, sound great. Will try the Victor Wooten gauge next (40-55-75-95).

Mid '80s to early '90s.

Gloss necks, mute bridges, chrome battery covers, all on a contoured body. The 6-bolt necks with the capstan wheel may be more practical but I'm particularly fond of the 4-bolts (on the SR4) with the adjuster at the headstock. Many necks had amazing figuring, too. Very playable, slim profiles.

Great colours like Blueburst, Trans Red or Sunburst plus my all-time favourite EBMM finish - Peach.

Post in this thread and someone from EBMM Customer Service will be along with the information.

http://forums.ernieball.com/ernie-ball-music-man-basses/1254-music-serial-database-975.html

45 minutes ago, onehandclapping said:

#1

Fiesta, nice! (Same year.)

Because!

Good weight too! Looks to be in fabulous condition indeed, original case is real bonus for those years, not many still have them.

These are great basses, excellent era for EBMM!

Very nice! Lacquered neck?

13 hours ago, Musicman20 said:

8.7 lbs is crazy for a Ray 5! 

I think it's not unusual for the Specials anymore. The guide weight on the EBMM website for the SR5 Special is 9 lbs 2 oz, which is about halfway between mine. 

14 hours ago, CameronJ said:

@rodney72a you got 2 at the same time??

Yes, the idea was to get one traditional finish and one that's a bit more flamboyant. Since all my other SR5s have rosewood boards, I wanted to go maple and ebony on these. (Also CITES induced, to a degree.)

20 hours ago, Chiliwailer said:

That’s a nice pair. Grain on the burst is gorgeous.

is there much tonal difference between them? 

Don't know, haven't plugged them in yet. They're in a queue.

Finally joined the club!

Top class offering from EBMM. The Chocolate Burst finish looks fantastic, very difficult to do it justice in a pic!

Nordy vM5 prototype. Not sure how many vM5s they made altogether but it can't be many.

Have you considered an Old Smoothie? They're essentially a Classic (slab body, 2-band EQ, mute bridge) but with a different pickup.

There was one in the Classifieds recently, looks like the seller has just withdrawn it. Maybe try to tempt him - they're gorgeous basses!

4 hours ago, gjones said:

Is that a mistake by Paul at 1.12? Or was it just Jazz.

Neither. He plays the minor third (A) on the downbeat of the F#m chord. Nice choice!

13 minutes ago, drTStingray said:

You ought to try some SRSs  Rodney 72a - they really are impressive in many ways. 

I'm sure they are! Two SRS5s on order. December/January arrival was the latest estimate. 

The lighter hardware makes a (big) difference but there will still be variations in the weight of the wood. I think it's safe to say that - on average - the new StingRay Specials are lighter than their predecessors. (The guide weight on the EBMM website for the SR4S is now 8 lbs 8 oz, it was 9 lbs 5 oz for the old ones.)

It's always been possible to find light(-ish) StingRays, although you had to search a bit. My 'regular' (agricultural) SR4s go from 8.2 lbs to well over 10 lbs, several are under 9 lbs. No SRSs in the stable so far.

Try tautology.

20 hours ago, Chiliwailer said:

No need to despair Rodney,... if a company actually wants to be nice to their customers then surely it should bring hope? 

I think it’s nice to see positives in the little things. YMMV  

Agreed. Strings & Things are good. It wasn't that though.

On 08/10/2018 at 17:36, Chiliwailer said:

Today I received the free gift below for registering my Stingray Special 

I despair.

Try this:

https://www.reddit.com/r/MusicalTheatreScores/search?q=little+shop+of+horrors&restrict_sr=on

I wouldn't worry about it. It happens. Here's a pic from my '63 Jazz, it must have been played some during its life. Just put on the strings you like and enjoy it.

Great version of a great song.