spinynorman

The green-eyed Basschat monster forces me to buy things I don't need. Any one want a large box of Caps Lock keys?

How much shill bidding do you think goes on with eBay? And how do you tell? I've been watching a couple of auctions where there's a zero feedback bidder making small incremental bids, and just on that auction. But I suppose it could be someone new who doesn't understand how the system works.

That actually looks interesting. If the lipstick's no good, you could replace it with one of [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Kent-Armstrong-Split-Tube-Bass-Guitar-Pickup-Chrome-R-/130353448526?pt=UK_Guitar_Accessories&hash=item1e59abc64e"]these[/url]. Maybe it won't go for a vintage price, but won't be holding my breath.

[quote name='paul_5' post='1162164' date='Mar 14 2011, 07:02 PM']It means 'a whale's vagina'.[/quote] Whoa, the elephant in the room was bad enough.

[quote name='Ou7shined' post='1162777' date='Mar 15 2011, 09:41 AM']Go on admit it, you never noticed it was in the states and was cacking it. [/quote] One reason I use Auctionsniper for anything serious, avoids that bowel-emptying realisation you've made a big mistake with no way back.

It's like an elephant in the room. How can you not mention it? [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Bass-Kramer-USA-Pioneer-Imperial-1981-Schaller-Bajo-ESP-/120697451411?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_186&hash=item1c1a20f393"]Moist[/url]

[quote name='hubrad' post='1161238' date='Mar 14 2011, 12:17 AM']Sorry Spiny, but you really do have to budget for this when eyeing up a potential purchase[/quote] And I do, hence the spreadsheet. And hence the dramatic reduction in my purchases from the US. You're not George Osborne, are you? The maddest thing is using the Post Office for anything larger than a bridge.

I saw that and almost started a "Basses with Socks" thread. Another of my pet hates.

[quote name='Ou7shined' post='1160465' date='Mar 13 2011, 01:50 PM']+1 I once had a bass shipped to me in a soft case with a black plastic bag sellotaped over it. Oddly enough one of the safest packaging jobs I've received came without a case at all.... It didn't even look like a bass. It's a pity more folk aren't prepared to do it like this.[/quote] I'm surprised the anti-terror squad didn't want a look at that one.

£48 is the $77 quoted on the listing at the current eBay exchange rate. That reminds me - I need to change my import tax calc to 20% VAT. That means we're going to be paying a 30% premium on the shipped price (including a £15 handling charge). Thank you Mr Osborne

[quote name='thedontcarebear' post='1157618' date='Mar 11 2011, 08:20 AM']I am more worried by the fact someone started a thread about this![/quote] I feel completely vindicated by the number of replies. And the quality of the puns. Also, auction pics 101: clear the floor first, take your notebook out of the case, and any old bits of Kleenex, unless they're included.

I had this - the memorably named Vester OPR1335EQ. It was actually much better than I expected, well made, decent finish and good active electronics. But insanely narrow at the nut for a 5-er, and no resale value. I bought it for £100 and managed to lose money when I sold it.

Nice Jetking, but really -[b] [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Ibanez-Jet-King-Bass-Limited-edition-finish-JTKB09-/180637626510?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item2a0ed7708e"]take your shoes out of the picture[/url][/b]

I like the marketing of this Commodore [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ORIGINAL-VINTAGE-1970s-COMMODORE-ELECTRIC-BASS-GUITAR-/280642226977?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item4157948b21"]Giving Waste a Second Chance[/url]

Never seen one of these, I suppose there's a missing mute mechanism [attachment=74500:kay_eb100_bridge.jpg] You can have quite [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Kay-EB100-Made-Taiwan-60s-70s-/190498492964"]clean one[/url] or a rather [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Kay-EB100-70s-Bass-guitar-Taiwan-/280642285741?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item41579570ad"]dirty one[/url]

Billy Sheehan's favourite [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Matsumoku-Vox-Custom-Bass-Project-Spares-Repair-/320669563833?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item4aa9653bb9"]Vox[/url] A Teisco that might actually be one: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Bass-guitar-Top-Twenty-1970s-Teisco-/280642299111?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item415795a4e7"]Top Twenty[/url] And a proper [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Ibanez-Roadster-Bass-Series-Guitar-/170613815793?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item27b96039f1"]Ibanez Roadster[/url]. Much nicer than the Ibenez copy.

So the black and white Hohner went for £298, which is about right, I guess.

[quote name='mart' post='1155102' date='Mar 9 2011, 11:38 AM']I've found my copy. It's definitely not for sale, but if you can't find one to buy, and you want to borrow mine, I'd be happy to lend it.[/quote] Thanks, I really appreciate the offer. I've just bought the Ashley Hutchings bio, so that should keep me happy for a bit, and if I borrow yours it'll probably only make me want it more, so looks like I'm talking myself into paying some outrageous price for one. Had the first album on in the car on a trip to London - it really was grossly under-rated.

[quote name='wmsheep' post='1154805' date='Mar 9 2011, 01:15 AM']hang on a sec, the neck was sub standard so it wasnt stamped, the body was also sub standard and wasnt stamped, and the pots were also sub standard and weren`t... oh, you know the rest!!! yet they STILL put a serial number on the neckplate?? nothing wrong with that. In fact, as anyone who has ever owned a mid 70`s Leyland car will verify, it`s perfectly normal!![/quote] Took me a while to find the thread this was for, but now I see what you mean.

You don't suppose this could be like an arsonist going back to watch the fire engines? They put the listing up, then lurk around Basschat waiting for the flames ...

For future reference, the [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200582728172&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT"]LP Triumph copy[/url] finished on £240, with no signs of subterfuge. [attachment=74398:Triumph_copy1.jpg]

[quote name='Happy Jack' post='1153969' date='Mar 8 2011, 03:47 PM']Are you sure about that bridge cover? Mine is this way round:[/quote] Glad I'm not the only one who thinks it looks better the "wrong" way round. Got grief for that when I sold my 51 RI. It's cruel that if you're born after 1980 you can get a birth year bass reasonably cheap, but can't justify it due to student debt, mortgage, family, while those of us who are past all that can't afford it because the good ones are so horribly expensive.