Noisyjon

I would not pay to try an instrument, but... I like the idea of dedicated demo guitars/basses available to try in a shop supplied by the manufacturers marketing departments. Then when your chosen model is selected it would be in a new/unused coming out for you to buy. You would of course be given a perfectly balanced & weighted, superbly playing, sounding and looking demo instrument and guess this could only be done for more mainstream models to be cost effective to manufacturers.

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1390167230' post='2342293'] But there's the problem Jon, there are some very average FCS basses out there too. IMHO a good Bravewood is at least as good as a good FCS, and better than a poor FCS. If you're unfortunate enough to end up with a poor Bravewood (yes, I know) then a good FCS will beat it of course. Once you get out of the mass-produced market and into boutique stuff (and I reckon you know this better than me anyway ) it's not down to the name on the headstock or the value on the price tag, it's down to the individual instrument. [/quote] +1 to all of that Jack and sage advice for sblueplanet

My 2p worth is go for a nice Fender CS bass. A good FCS bass blows a Bravewood away IMO.

A post '57 shaped/spec Fender Precision bass would be my suggestion. Look at and try some 2nd hand ones and buy the one that 'talks' to you. You will know when that happens

I once turned a band down a long time ago because of distance/travel issues [i]before[/i] an audition and got this back: " Don't worry about sending the demo back,it's only a cheap sh*tty tape copy anyway,I don't need it. Can't say I'm too surprised that you're not up for it, I didn't think you really would be after the first e-mail I got from you when you were fretting about travelling arrangements - too concerned with trivial matters for my liking (sorry, but I have to be honest). At the end of the day we need someone who lives,eats, shits, sleeps and breathes Rock'n'Roll as opposed to it just being a "weekend" distraction,this comes before everything else in our lives! Good luck in your search for a band but, just a word of advice, think carefully how you approach people in the future, I think you're really looking for something to fit in round your life for fun and maybe you should state that in your ad. Hope you don't take that the wrong way, just being honest..."

[quote name='BigBassBob' timestamp='1389816183' post='2338306'] I'm a big fan of Bare Knuckle Pickups (the guitar pickups at least.) I've heard nothing but good things about the Mississippi Queens although I've not used them. Currently have a set of Rebel Yells which I'm trading in for some lower gain Mules. [/quote] Thanks for the info Bob. I have a Les Paul with a set of Stormy Monday humbuckers in it and they are just great sounding units. They are the lowest gain 'buckers BKP do and with a high gain amp that guitar is something else! Once payday rolls around I will be ordering a Black covered bridge position MQ I think

The moment I 'got it' was hearing an old P-90 loaded Gibson LP Junior plugged straight into a Vox AC-30 and just turned up.... Stunning sound for a Rock band!

[quote name='rapscallion' timestamp='1389212499' post='2331526'] I'm looking at a Tonerider Rebel 90 for my Telemaster build. Will let you know how it sounds, the demos sound good, and cheap too [/quote] Please do keep us updated Rapscallion. Thanks, NJ

I bought some valves off Geoff and it was a quick, smooth transaction. Many thanks, Jon

Thanks for the info Guys. After a think I am going to convert my SG Jr to have a single P-90 in it, not the LP. I think the BKP MQ will be the winner but the suitably expensive Lindy Fralin P-92 has also caught my eye for something a bit more obscure

I have 2 Fender CS basses and they are just sublime to play and hear. They are also immaculately made from the best woods, etc. My perspective and opinion on them is try and buy a good used one and you won't lose out financially if you happen to not like it and want to shift it on. They're quite rare in terms of coming up for sale 2nd hand but that to me is a testament to how good they are! Good luck and I know you're dilemma well. Look where it got me

Just sold an amp to Flex/Pete in a classic BassChat clandestine meet up in a car park just off the M1 All went well and it was a pleasure dealing with Pete. Cheers, Jon

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1387547261' post='2313219'] ... and to be honest the prices aren't that different for new vs used anyway... [/quote] +1 [url="http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Wal_MKI_Fretted_1990.html"]http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Wal_MKI_Fretted_1990.html[/url]

The Ampeg SVT2-Pro does great grit/grind/distortion sounds really well and fabulous deep cleans too. They are 32Kg's in weight and can be picked up for a good price second hand

Another wannabe Wal owner here! I'm hankering after a fretted Mk.1 real bad

There was also Sky's 'Must Be The Music' which was based on original acts. That had one series in 2010 but that was it. It consisted of audition rounds done at Theatres around the country and then a few live studio finals weeks with the 4th week final live at Wembley Arena (which was the 1st time an arena final was done on this type of show) [url="https://www.youtube.com/user/mustbethemusic/videos"]https://www.youtube.com/user/mustbethemusic/videos[/url]