Marky L

Actually, just jumping on the guitar store banned list subject. As you note, classics like Smoke One The Water or THE classic Stairway To Heaven are songs that must NOT be played on guitar, are there lists of classic bass licks that should never be played? I reckon Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick is on the banned list. Any others?

Yeah, go for green and don't panic. If you get stopped then if I was you I would plead ignorance. Why shoud you know about duty and customs costs? You were in the US on holiday, saw an absolute bargain of a used old bass and couldn't miss out on a great deal. What's so unbelievable about that? I would just add try not to look too much like a stoned frazzled rock n roller though, that may draw more attention than a guitar case and therefore the possibility for a great bust for customs!!

I wonder if you bought it you could make a case of it not being as described... "this bass has LESS damage on it than I was expecting!! I'm not happy!"

Just noticed this on ebay.COM Only a few hours left. It's horribly tatty but from my research the price is OK is, could be a little less maybe. [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280556250789&ssPageName=ADME:B:WNA:GB:1123"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...E:B:WNA:GB:1123[/url] Thing is, in the pics provided, the last one of the headstock.. it's not the bass concerned, that has to be a guitar headstock doesn't it?

Thanks for the replies. USPO (USPS?) don't seem to offer insurance over $650 on international shipments which is not enough. (Unless I'm being daft and missing something). BigRedX. Good point about the tuners, hadn't thought of that one. Agree with packing the case out with bubble wrap, I want to make sure the headstock is thoroughly supported. I'm going to ask for the case to be wrapped with string and securely tied, bubble wrap and a good card outer just as you suggest. If this all goes ahead then I hope to have it in a couple of weeks, just before my birthday!

To save me ploughing through the courier thread, does anyone one have any sage advice on a good courier from the US to UK. It looks like my search for a Ric Blackstar maybe close to conclusion!! Any hints on packaging too? Should the strings be loosened off a turn or so?

My battered '76 P gets an outing every now and again when I'm in the mood.

Nowadays, the drunken "You guys are f****ng awesome, you're great... really..." etc etc for what seems like an age. I must admit, they actually encourage me to go and pack away my gear!

Yes, well I may have tracked down a sensibly priced Rickenbacker Blackstar out in Tampa, Florida. I've encouraged the guy to sell it as he's had it "under the bed" for the past fumfty years gathering dust. It needs a damn good clean but otherwise seems to be in good order. I'm just wary of doing remote deals and of course getting stung on duty. I have looked at flights, but nothing sensible until much later. So I'm trying various angles of seeing if there is an amenable Floridian that could maybe help out!! Or some good hints on ways to make it run smoothly. Some pics to show how grimy it is!! [attachment=58039:Bstar1.jpg][attachment=58040:Bstar2.jpg] [attachment=58041:Bstar4.jpg][attachment=58042:Bstar7.jpg] [attachment=58043:Bstar6.jpg] Thing is, as I'm not earning at the mo, I think I may have to move one of my basses on to help pay for it. Just the thought makes me very sad! But maybe my jinx bass will be mine this time round!

Oh I love the look of them.. just so rude!! Faux crocodile skin and the excess use of "mother of toilet seat" just adds to the delight. Seriously I think they look great.. got a little bit of sleazy glam!! I did pick one up in a store a few years back it it did strike me as being heavy but I liked the feel of it, unfortuneatly I couldn't plug it in to hear it. I'd say if the price is good.. grab it.. if not, share the details

I have an old Dynacord Favoriti (I think that's the name) sat in a shed. I think it maybe a keyboard combo. I think it's a single 15" cone. It had a tremlo control which was fun .. for a while. From it's styling I'm sure it must be earlyish 70's build? Think I'll do some interweb searching!

That, good sir, is very very sexy!!

With a few days to run I'm sure the price will shoot up, but with no reserve and a collect only from Sunderland, this might be worth a punt for someone. [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Rickenbacker-4001-Bass-1981-/250668727933?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item3a5d053e7d"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Rickenbacker-4001-Ba...=item3a5d053e7d[/url]

I can't stay still on stage for long. I need to sort of settle in I suppose and then as the gig goes on I get busier. The singer and guitarist in my band are in no way shrinking violets and I'm certainly not going to let them steal all the limelight! But I'm not exactly running around all over the place, more busting some rock n roll stances and that sort of thing. If I stood still then yes I could play a bit better and drop a few less howlers, but our style is sloppy-tight and the amateur enthusiasm sits well with it. Our aim is to entertain.

I've emailed him and had some response (not the most literate!) and he has intimated he would arrange an invoice for the duty cost. I made note that I had seen a couple of Blackstars earlier in the year that went for better prices, closer to the Blue Book guides. His response was to say they were rather battered examples.. which is bu****it, one of them was equally as good as his! Oh well, I'll email him back and point that out and see what happens. I certainly don't think this one will come my way though.

[quote name='razze06' post='897578' date='Jul 17 2010, 08:34 PM']According to the blue book (2009), it's worth around $2200 at 90% condition. Hope it helps[/quote] That's fantastic, thanks very much. Even if I was to add a bit for another year and the fact he has the certificate, it is horribly over priced. I'll try negotiaiting but I can't see it going anywhere. Ah well, I guess my search will go on....

Yeah I know he is seriously top heavy with that price, but I was hoping to get a realistic value that I could have a go at battering him with! And we are slowly crawling back up against the USD currently, but not quick enough. Alas.. Clarky sir, it has to be black!

Does anyone here have access to any of the latest collectors price books, like Blue Book? I'd be indebted if you could give the current value of the Ricky Blackstar that I'm hankering after. I have found one on ebay in the States but I think the guy has rather over priced it even though he rates it as a 9/10. That and the damned duty costs of course. Unfortunately I usually have more sense than money!! [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320561085060&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...e=STRK:MEWAX:IT[/url]

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' post='896129' date='Jul 15 2010, 11:59 PM']Were they brought out to compete with SWRs Goliath cabs?[/quote] Badum tish!

Well, here's something I didn't expect to see, Lemmy with a T'bird. [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaFcx09BII4&feature=related"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaFcx09BII4...feature=related[/url] (Uhm..how do I embed the actual youtube clip here?)

Wow, I totaly missed this thread somehow! Yup I have a Gibson T'bird and I do love it, warts and all. Saying that I hadn't gigged it for a long time until a month or so back and thoroughly enjoyed doing so. The neck dive is a pain but you get used to it and I suppose my appaling right hand pick technique works well with the T'bird as I don't really have any issues there. I like the slim yet chunky neck though playing up the dusty end can be a bit of a challenge. And yes it should be hanging around your knees! Tonally I do think it is a wee bit limited but then I am a bit of an "it's either on or off" type guy. I find it has a big fat sound that lacks a little brightness maybe but has yards of sustain. I've never had issues through my Ashdown gear either, but maybe I like what others would see as a ropey sound? I dunno. It does of course absolutely scream RAAAAAAAAAAWK!!! at you, I love the look but maybe the body is the tiniest bit small. Could it take another centimetre all the way round? Oh and I think the headstock is delightful. If they're good enough for Paul Grey (ex Damned, UFO etc) and what he can wring out of them then they're good enough for me.

Surely, what goes on tour stays on tour???? You never know who could be reading this!

What a great fun afternoon! Thanks to John for the organisation and thanks to those who let me have a go on their gear. Especially Martin for setting up the "rig of doom!!! I have to get a valve head now!! Small world too. Ben being aware of the covers band I'm in thanks to the singer in one of the bands he is in and also both Ian and I knowing we knew each other from somewhere but just couldn't figure it out! Loved his 8 becomes 6 bass and what incerdible playing too. Thanks again, it was great meeting all of you.