The Burpster

Proper gent and great prices to boot. A1+

+1 to Neep's suggestions but I'd use match sticks rather than coctail sticks which maybe too small. Matches are slightly softer wood too so if you get a good fit in the holes you wont need to redrill. The proper way would be to plug all teh holes with the correct wood for the headstock and start again.

Sounds like you need a Roland Cube 30 practice amp. Has MP3 input and headphone out jack, loads of useful effcets. an use it for group practice as long as your drummer isnt Animal (from the Muppets). Can picked up 2ndhand for 60-90squid. IMO Denmark Street could put you off, I dont like the place. I definately dont like the Bass Cellar. Have a look there by all means but make sure you visit the Gallery after you've been to D. St. Having read your last comment the Ibanez is growing stronger by the minute. Yes you will take a hit in value once its no longer new, but if you dont use it as an ashtray or toilet (or both) if you dont keep up playing you will at least be able to sell it. The others in your list (possibly with the exception of the Yamaha) will be much harder to sell.

Thats one extreme of the wallet section.... Gamble - Yep the top Maple one! Looks a peach!

J, get this book .... [url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Guitar-Player-Repair-Guide-Electrics/dp/0879302917/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1211912782&sr=8-3"]http://www.amazon.co.uk/Guitar-Player-Repa...2782&sr=8-3[/url] I guarantee it'll be the best £11 you ever spend, if you continue working on them yourself!

GAK are OK but look at thomann too..... [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/index.html"]http://www.thomann.de/gb/index.html[/url] Of your list, I'd prioritise them as:- 1 Ibanez 2 Squire = Yamaha 3 Peavey close behind..... Altough in reality its not quite that easy, as you could get a Lemon from any one of them and/or an absolute Peach the likes of which you'll never find again. There is subtle differences bewteen them in neck shape and width..... FWIW you'll be hard pushed to beat teh Ibanez in that group as they always play and feel way above their cost. (and with a bit of time effort and knowledge this is teh kinda thing you can do to them.... [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=4324&hl=teaser"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=4324&hl=teaser[/url] ) Thats why more expensive basses are more expensive- You narrow down the chances of huge variations in quality.

Hugh, A trip to ALL the local stores is really useful as it gives you a hands on approach to assessing what you want. You dont necassarily have to buy the ones they have but go and do some 'tire kicking' (its a phrase from car buyers who have a damn good look at what your selling but never really have any intention of buying it!) What you may find out is that, i) they have something in that you wouldnt have even looked at, that is JUST what you want OR ii) you get to look at some and touch them and can definately say "I dont like that" e.g you could come back after your trip saying stuff like. " I have tried a Fender Precsion and the neck feels very wide, and the Jazz feels eaier but its too expensive..." With that we can advise you MUCH MUCH better. At the moment you are like a blank canvass.... My one piece to advice is DONT RUSH! You wnat your 1st bass to be one you cant put down rather than one you dont want to pick up...

Read this post above..... which should give you an idea about parts you should aim to get. [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=8009"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=8009[/url] The Yamahas make very good beginner basses and quite competant instruments. I started with one and I'm sure there are quite a few that have on here. The 414 is just as competant as the 614 and very nice to play.

Be jeezus, what speakers were they?

I've grown up with a dad who loves Boxcar Willy, Wille Nelson and Jim Reeves so yep I'm a closet fan.... Although as I've developed I've gone more hardcore Blues.....

Theres some nice looking basses on there.... Thy're well cheap too!

BF, no there not. I've been on teh Speer webby. The 5 neck laminates are the same for all models. The fret boards differ and the laminates that make up the wings are the options, these are the options that the OP is asking `bout.

Gamble; of your choices I'd go for the top one, as it seems in harmony with the neck. TBH it will be complete lottery ordering a wood laminate body, as it depends on the density of each individual PIECE of each wood if you want to get completely anal about it.... eg. one piece of Walnut could be less dense than a piece of Ash or Maple cut from different parts of a tree.. Generally the darker the wood the more dense, but this is open to variables.....

If its a Neutrik (are you sure at that price?) then it will be every bit as good as a Swithcraft.... get it use it.. PS good luck with th PC repair -- I had a forced on Friday when my pertner spilt a cup of coffee on this keyboard..... Being a Mac I was forced to strip it dry and clean ad put it back together rather than shell out another £40 !!!!!

[quote name='LukeFRC' post='205777' date='May 25 2008, 12:48 AM']my advice to you and other new players (and myself) is turn off basschat and your computer with all the talk of better bass. And turn on your bass amp and record player.[/quote] Thats some sound advice.... BUT Record player, Record player? You sound like you're from the Dansette era....

+another 1 I shouldve added that rather than teh Maplins one, I'd rather have the reliabiltiy of Switchcraft.

Off to tech section.

Nope no missed trick. Certainly cant think of any spesh order sizes..... It wont have 'Warwick mojo" tho'

For longevity, popularity and numbers sold..... It is undoubtedly the best..... Tonally, looks, tech spec, and versatility...... then others are at least as good and probably better.... HOWEVER .... Watch any music programme and or video, and you'll see P basses.... 'nuff said!

get this .... [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Hohner-HAB-40N-4-Band-EQ-Semi-Accoustic-Bass-Guitar-GWO_W0QQitemZ110253525522QQihZ001QQcategoryZ4713QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Hohner-HAB-40N-4-Ban...1QQcmdZViewItem[/url] And a roll of gaffer tape.

[quote name='aceuggy' post='205703' date='May 24 2008, 09:16 PM']I'm new to the bass and didn't spend too much cash on gear, just in case it wasn't for me. I have to say now though that I love it and will no doubt want to upgrade to better equipment in the future. I would like your opinion. Do get what you pay for? Would a Fender P bass, for example, be worth the extra cash than my Squier P bass, will it sound, play better do you think? Any feedback will be welcome. Thanks.[/quote] Yes and no depending on how much you spend. If you get a US or Jap P, then you will definately notice a difference. Teh quality of components will be better and teh wood will be better. You should be able to get a 1/2 decent sound out of your Squire and it should be capable of being set up properly....but is it worth the extra money? only you know that... What you ought to be thinking rather than straight squire fo Fender upgrade, is:- "is there a better bass out there for my kind of music and tehcnique" There are literally hundreds of different types of bass.....

Hummmmmn Blu-tac parties..... Do you snort, toke or mainline.....!?

I guess it depends on condition and spec... do you know more than that ? if not, only ball park figures are all youre gonna get....