juliusmonk

I don't like in-ear ones either... the other day in Amsterdam airport it was virtually impossible to find ones for the iphone that weren't! in the end I got the Apple in ear ones which are dreadful and expensive as hell!! I've had good experiences with Senheiser and AKG - decent enough. My advice would be avoid 'bass-reinforcing' ones, and try to get ones with foam pads, which help with noise reduction, and provide more comfort (at least for me)

For sale a mint Stingray bought two days ago. I still haven't received it, actually, but it looks good. Of course, a previous owner was wearing a torture belt all the time so the finish is completely destroyed on the back and repainted with yellow and purple watercolours. This I believe increases its value, so a firm 5000£. Might trade for a lollipop cash my way.

Fair enough - but there may be things such as action, nut width, string spacing, etc. that are fairly basic for me but are not posted regularly by sellers. Many of the items FS/FT are specialist items, one-offs, high end and custom things... And options are many! Like when people say 'XXX Custom' then don't explain what is custom exactly. If 'Custom' is not the model name, that is. Maybe it'd be good if there was some 'template' for ads as 'pinned' guidelines? You know like Model name Year 4/5/6 string Woods Neck shape Nut width String spacing Hardware Pickups Preamp Strings Condition Price Shipping? Photos Sound clips Etc. A bit detrimental to the freedom to post in any way, but may provide consistency and avoid basic questions... And may be useful for new sellers to know what they should mention Anyhow, just a thought - maybe there are already some guidelines? :/

Fully agree. It costs nothing to drop a note, either way. Then again, the seller has the power here, I think. Possibly the only thing worse than a hesitant buyer is a hesitant seller... I must admit that I never tried to sell though - maybe I'll be back bitching about buyers in due time...

For what it may be worth, I guess annoying people are a constant % of the population, be it buyers or sellers, waiters or customers. But if anything, I think the buyer has more right to be somewhat annoying. I've had quite a few sellers that understood my 'I'm interested' as 'I'll buy it', then felt so frustrated afterwards that didn't bother to respond. I've also noticed that the more questions you ask, the more inclined the seller is to (wrongly) assume that the deal is settled, and frustration escalates. But questions are just questions. The seller's attittude may well put me off. I think selling is hard sometimes, and once you've made the decision then you want to get it out asap. I can understand that. But I am the one paying. Many sellers change their mind. Many play the 'make the decision quickly or I'm selling to someone else' or '... Withdrawing soon' thing. What the... ? it's several thousand quid! Of course I'll think about it! Some point you to the manufacturer website for specs - not the best impression. If you are not prepared to take pictures, answer questions, etc. then you shouldn't be selling, maybe. That said, I always try to be transparent. There's many factors involved in a purchase decision, we all have our own obsessions - some are hard to explain. And, in the end, there will be a time when I've sent the money and I am completely in the hands of the seller - so easy to rip someone off. That leap of faith surely deserves some patience in exchange? It's all ok in the end, I guess we're only human after all, and most of my experiences in BC have been good. Some sellers have been fantastic. It's a delicate alternative marketplace that works quite well, honestly. But I think it is unfair to always criticize hesitating buyers. As mostly a buyer, being treated well (especially in shops, mind you) has been more the exception than the norm. Sadly. And I don't think I deserve it.

Yamaha all the way. Epiphone is cool but their QC is not consistent. Several Yamaha bargains on BC at the moment.

...ridiculously wide fingerboard for my small hands (I hate my iphone)

A high C is the perfect revenge for a guitarist with a baritone. That said, and although I found my transition to 5 strings practically painless (to my surprise), I can't help thinking that all of my bass heroes only needed 4 strings to change the landscape forever... 6-string I still handle with care. I don't know what to do with that range and ridicul

I bought a wonderful Xotic bass from Harry - top seller! Easy comms, absolutely trustworthy, reliable and friendly. Bass came well packaged, exactly as described. No issues at all. Dealing with Harry will restore your faith in the human race... I don't think you will find a better seller. Top marks, and well deserved! Harry, what else are you selling?

In my opinion, there are many ways of slapping - try different positions, intensities. Watch carefully the players that get the sound you're after - the classic Fender-ish slap sound is very different from MK's. Some play with an almost parallel or perpendicular thumb, pop with the index or middle finger, etc. Find what feels more natural for you. The left hand is essential, as it is continuously muting and unmuting the strings, but the overall 'feel' is also key. Do not focus on playing any notes - just get the rhythm first. Try to get a 'bouncing' feeling so that the thumb bounces back a bit after each hit - on or around the end of the fretboard. I don't agree with what others say about EQ or gear being fairly irrelevant. There are bass guitars that make it very difficult to slap, and if you are trying to learn it may be confusing as you will blame it on your technique. String spacing and nut width may make it easier or harder - as you may hit more than one string unwillingly if it's too narrow, or have to move too much if it's too wide. String tension will affect your touch. If you have several basses, try them all. If not, go to a shop and try several - expensive ones. Chances are you'll find a neck profile that'll make it easier, and start learning things about the specs that are good for you. Fresh strings and light gauges will help, low action will allow you hit softer. Scooping the mids may increase your confidence too, as obviously you will hear more of the lows and highs and hear less string 'clank'. A good bass guitar will sound better sooner. There will be a time when you will be able to slap decently on (almost) any bass guitar - not now. Get a drum machine. Most lessons you'll find online will start with alternate slap and pop patterns..But sometimes it is easier to start only slapping: once you get the thumb going, try to do runs and simple phrases on the E or A string only. Progressively incorporate popping on the D or G (octaves is what we all started with) without losing the rhythm. Don't despair - I've found progress sometimes comes unexpectedly overnight - you will be enlightened one day trying this or that and suddenly find that it sounds much better and/or it is easier. Hope it helps.

Thumbs are nice, but I could never get on with the back of the neck texture... Feels rough and somewhat unfinished. It would have to be lacquered (a la Prince's 'eye' bass) for me to consider it.

I bought one bass guitar from Oli. Excellent seller. He was honest, helpful and flexible, offered to record sound samples, take pictures, etc. and everything went smoothly. Bass arrived mint, everything as advertised. Top bloke to deal with, buy with confidence! Thanks Oli!