neepheid

I've been that third party in the past and it's happened many times before, not only that but Basschat relays handling the delivery of basses and other items. I don't think it's risky to involve a long standing and well respected member of this community to pick up a bass on your behalf. Fair enough if you don't want to get involved but I think it's a bit rum of you to basically call us all risky. You're entitled to your opinion, of course, but I'm entitled to disagree also.

Yes, that's right - blade switch is pickup selector, mini toggles are single/series for each pickup. Down/away from the pickups == series. Easy to tell by ear though - series is noticeably louder and thicker sound with a big boost to the low mids. It's a really good bass at twice the price, there's a lot to like - and it's a no-brainer if you're too tight (like me) to get an actual Fender Roscoe Beck

Social media is a social cancer. While the perception remains that it's a consequence-free, free-for-all, it won't get any better.

Depressingly predictable

"Dear seller"... instant fail. Genuine communications use your name. That's not a gimme and certainly shouldn't be the only criteria one uses to maintain online safety, but this one falls at the first hurdle...

Drummer gets to sit down, keyboard player gets to sit down, why not you? I wouldn't give a monkeys if the bass player took a pew. Not wishing to take the mick out of your situation but sometimes I do that (as in get a chair and sit down on "stage") for a bit during Highway to Hell given the vast bassless voids in it.

Black and gold never goes out of fashion...

I hope you're having those at home and not giving those welching cockwombles any more money!

Isn't it though?! I really think the big manufacturers are taking the proverbial these days. They think we're stupid, but all they've done is created the perfect environment for the likes of Sire to pop up and provide no-nonsense, decent quality instruments at sensible prices - something they seem to have abandoned or are now incapable of doing through greed or incompetence (probably a bit of both).

Sounds like you need a @KiOgon...

I find the tone knob does weird things (or naff all) when playing at low levels or with headphone amp on most basses. I thought it was just me.

This is the way...

We have a winner

A faultless YEAR? Your aim is high indeed - I don't think many bands will have a faultless gig, singular!

Problem, identified

If you're doing it for the experience, to say you assembled it yourself, as a springboard to getting better at maintaining your other basses, or as a leap off point to doing more adventurous building/restoring then sure, go for it. It'll be like Lego - which is fun. Will it be cost effective vis-a-vis buying an already assembled HB bass? Time is money, so... no. Will it be as objectively "good"? If this is your first time then, sorry, but probably not. Even cheap basses are assembled by a squad of specialists doing one particular aspect of it repeatedly.

I used to own this T-shirt - substitute "cape" for "bass" and "woosh noises" for "low notes"

I think my overly glib reply needs expanding upon. I prefer to get it right. Every time. I do not have a phone it in, "that'll do" approach and never had. Serious bloops need addressed as a band. I think my mistake management has improved. When I started out, I would be very uptight and small mistakes would put me off a lot - my drummer is still mentally scarred by the "death stare of '09" when he had the audacity to miss a snare I was expecting! Nowadays, I am a lot better at recovery when I make a mistake, and see other people's mistakes as an opportunity for humour - a knowing look with a smile tends to get a better performance out of others than a death stare. Looks better from an audience point of view - whether they notice the mistake or not, they see a band having a good time, so they feel predisposed to having a good time. Good vibes transmit way better than a scowl or grimace of "F F F BolloX I made a mistake!" followed by several bars of self flagellation. Forget about it for now, pick up the song ASAP. The time for discussion/review is after the gig, not during.

Beligerence. You are the best bass player in the building at that time playing a bass. Oi, smartarse heckler, come up here and have a go if you think you're good enough - thought not - back in your box then. They could have asked anyone to take the gig on, but they asked you. Don't dwell on mistakes. Accept that they happen - pick the song up again ASAP and forget about it - the time for analysis is after the gig.

Striving for perfection is admirable, but don't let it drag you down. Did the audience have a good night? Then you did a good job, case closed.

Oh yeah, I forgot that I sometimes do lazy boi practice with my Epiphone Jack Casady unplugged. Easily heard over tinny laptop speakers for all the non-bass sounds.

Yes indeed, it is the perfect match for the combo, very happy with it and my rig.

Well, as reported in the "how was your gig last night?" thread, I took the Soloking out for its maiden gig last night. It did great. I have no complaints, it sounded good, held its tuning fine, felt nice to play and despite being on the heavier side, being well balanced it wasn't an issue. These basses are fantastic at twice the new price IMO. If you're put off by the lack of provenance or the stupid name then do yourself a favour, get over it and get one!