Jean-Luc Pickguard

It was relisted and someone actually bought it

yes they are: https://hipshotproducts.com/products/hb3-bass-tuning-machine You'd need to check there's room on the headstock for the large footprint of these though, I think the HB1s are more like the ones usually used by EBMM: https://hipshotproducts.com/collections/bass-tuning/products/hb1-bass-tuning-machine-1

Kebab sticks sound like a very good idea - I'll have to try using some next time.

I just use cocktail sticks - cut off the pointy end and jam in as many lengths of the stick as possible in without using glue. Not sure whether its better or worse than any other methods but I've never had a bridge fall off.

Janet Kay - Silly Games

... and the ones with the palm leaves look like they'd be ideal for my ubass

I've used this to get rid of sharp ends when the temperature & humidity caused fret-sprout: https://www.superdrug.com/Make-Up/Nails/Manicure-%26-Pedicure-Tools/Nail-Files-and-Buffers/Superdrug-Poka-Dot-Emery-Board/p/720751 Protect around the area with masking tape so you don't attack the wood/finish & it should be a straightforward job

That really is a thing of beauty, it looks to be in great condition for the age.

You only live once, and you don't know when you might see another for sale. go for it.

Nice!

I had a hipshot BT2 extender/detuner installed on my '81 precision (not currently installed on a bass so I *could* probably be persuaded to part with it.) When installed alongside the original Fender-branded schaller BMF tuners, the extender lined up with the original tuners perfectly. There doesn't seem to be a way to dismantle the Hipshot to remove the key, however I have had success with 'peek' metal polish to shine up nickel-plated tuners that had a fair amount of patina , So if you want them all to match, getting rid of the patina might be an option.

How the hell do you lose a himalaya? To lose more than one is just careless.

SCAM! - see other thread

Definitely a scam: The URL to 'buy it now' is NOT on ebay.com but is on the "item-3422824924.online" domain so there is no buyer protection and multiple would-be buyers could in theory send £2000 (or other currency equivalent) and lose it. Reported!

Seems like he who must not be named has a rival

In my experience some basses need more adjustments than others. My Jazz bass always needed regular adjustment and I have adjusted my Thunderbird vintage pros this week (which have a slim neck that feels much like a Jazz). My chunky '81 precision and JMJ mustang have not needed any adjustment this year so far. The orange-handled allen tool described and shown in the photo of the first post is made of Chrome Vanadium steel which I believe is a step up from the manufacturer-supplied allen keys. Also the truss rod tool Fender supply with USA-made instruments has a ball end like this one and I never had any problems with that for adjusting with my Jazz.

Yep: mustangs, thunderbirds, Precisions, u-basses, flatwounds, NS uprights, lightweight cabs, long suede straps, cmnfort strapps, lollypop tuners, lightweight tuners with traditional looking keys, daphne blue, sunburst (inc cherry) aged white pearl pickguards, passive controls, nickel hardware, trussrod adjustment at the headstock, vintage gear in good condition Not Yep: Roundwounds, Jazz basses(sorry!), ricks, heavy cabs, short or slippy straps, reverse winding tuners, black or gold hardware, 5 (or 6) string basses, active controls, tuners with 'Y' shaped keys, lined fretless, having to unscrew the neck to adjust the trussrod, skunk stripes on back of neck, bright white pearl pickguards, filthy/smelly gear

The 4mm allen key that comes with a lot of non-US basses including Epiphones & Squiers is OK, but easily lost. I've found an alternative which works much better and costs less than £2 from various ebay sellers in China. Seach for 'T handle allen hex key wrench spanner 4mm'

They're £175 new and there aren't many alternatives.

The starcaster guitars are listed on the Fender site, but there's no mention of a bass version. I'd take that as a 'no' or perhaps a 'not yet' https://shop.fender.com/en-GB/search?q=starcaster&lang=en_GB

Probably for the best - some daft punters would turn up expecting to see a performing donkey. For one of my previous bands I used different british comedy icons for the posters to give a bit of variety. One of them featured the great Les Dawson in his Ada persona. The landlord told us he had received a phone call from a punter asking if Les Dawson was really appearing at his pub. He replied 'No mate, he's been dead ten years!'

The tag says "Do not connect two or more extension leads together in a chain" I might have to pretend I didn't see that. 🤔

Thanks for the heads-up on this, I've just got back from lidl with a bag full of biscuits, crisps, and one of these very handy looking cables

The seller will probably stand a chance of getting a better price if they could have spent half an hour removing the stickers and cleaning it up.

"made by a gentleman that makes violins in good condition" I dread to think what his violins look like "Good luck" - if anyone buys it they'll need it