DarkHeart

Love that colour and if anyone thinks gold hardware looks tacky on a bass.....think again!

Mine also says hi [URL=http://s80.photobucket.com/user/jeffhop/media/IMG_5527_zps8krrdyxe.jpg.html][IMG]http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j186/jeffhop/IMG_5527_zps8krrdyxe.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

[quote name='Kev' timestamp='1485033635' post='3220660'] I will second a vote for Alpher Instruments. Not as well known as others, but they build exceptional instruments. I have been through most British built instruments and nothing surpasses Alpher for build quality and choice of woods in my opinion, there is no-one like them. They only build two different model basses and restrict a few options for customisation, simply because they believe the design they have is the best instrument they can make. They give each instrument they build the proper time and dedication it needs. Some of the builders named in this thread churn basses out at an alarming rate, Alpher's output is much smaller (my bass was only the 30-something instrument they had built) and that is incredibly reassuring to me. Me and Chris have become friends following my commission and the guy honestly couldn't be any better customer service wise. Immediate response to emails and Facebook chat messages before, during and most importantly after the build. They are a joy to work with. Check them out, you won't regret it [/quote] I can vouch for every word of this.

check out Alpher, cracking lads to deal with.

Bought a strap off Martyn, no problems at all, quick delivery and as described. Cheers Jeff

[quote name='NJE' timestamp='1484518901' post='3216103'] Is that the singlecut bass? Looks really good!! [/quote] It certainly is, I can honestly say that apart from the cheap tuners I cant fault it, finish is good, it sounds good, for a cheap 5er its got a really nice neck and the neck pocket is better than a lot of the fenders ive looked at and theres more of it!

Im quite impressed with my fan fret HB admittedly its not perfect but hey it was cheap and not nasty.

Took me 10 months from ordering to picking up my Alpher for my 50th and its everything and more i dreamed it would be.

Coming Home from Come Taste The Band

Noooooo! haha

[quote name='Kev' timestamp='1484410198' post='3215305'] Oof I really like the idea of this as a backup for the Dingwall. Hmmmmm! [/quote] Ive just stoned the end of the frets and now it plays lovely and doesnt rip you to bits, the bow in the neck has straightened itself now its acclimatised and it really is a joy to play, I may change the tuners it stays in tune but one or two feel a bit notchy but thats all ive got to complain about, its well worth the money, obviously its no Dingwall but for the money its a great way to try fanned frets or be back up for a more expensive model.

[quote name='yorks5stringer' timestamp='1484319419' post='3214668'] Typical HB quality issues, the pickups are not in straight..... [/quote] Bugger never noticed, i`ll just hold it on an angle

[quote name='kodiakblair' timestamp='1484276835' post='3214309'] Excellent news that DarkHeart. I heard from a fella who'd pre-ordered his and he was over the moon. Main issue he had was the factory forgot to drill for through body stringing Congratulations on the new bass and for taking the plunge. [/quote] Mine doesnt have through body stringing either and funnily enough neither does the one they used in the gallery on the sale listing....how strange, not a problem for me as I will be fitting flats shortly. Here are the obligatory new bass `pics or it didnt happen pics`. [URL=http://s80.photobucket.com/user/jeffhop/media/IMG_5551_zpssgxdaur9.jpg.html][IMG]http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j186/jeffhop/IMG_5551_zpssgxdaur9.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s80.photobucket.com/user/jeffhop/media/IMG_5552_zpskb4uy5pg.jpg.html][IMG]http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j186/jeffhop/IMG_5552_zpskb4uy5pg.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s80.photobucket.com/user/jeffhop/media/IMG_5553_zps01pfqqvl.jpg.html][IMG]http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j186/jeffhop/IMG_5553_zps01pfqqvl.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s80.photobucket.com/user/jeffhop/media/IMG_5559_zpskqn5gf8j.jpg.html][IMG]http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j186/jeffhop/IMG_5559_zpskqn5gf8j.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s80.photobucket.com/user/jeffhop/media/IMG_5554_zpskeumnref.jpg.html][IMG]http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j186/jeffhop/IMG_5554_zpskeumnref.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Pic with my Yamaha to show similarities with the neck and funnily enough the headstocks. [URL=http://s80.photobucket.com/user/jeffhop/media/IMG_5555_zpsxx41b3y1.jpg.html][IMG]http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j186/jeffhop/IMG_5555_zpsxx41b3y1.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s80.photobucket.com/user/jeffhop/media/IMG_5557_zps9sr5pyw9.jpg.html][IMG]http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j186/jeffhop/IMG_5557_zps9sr5pyw9.jpg[/IMG][/URL] If you have a back or shoulder problem be wary of these, theyre chuffin heavy bits of wood!

Well it arrived this afternoon just before work so I got a chance to open the box and have a quick look and an even quicker play, action is a bit high due to a small amount of bow in the neck but as its been sat in a cold truck travelling from Germany with only a few refugees keeping it warm for the last 4 days its not suprising, visually it is very nice on the eye, the body looks as good in the flesh as it does on the website, well pleased with that. The neck not only looks like the one on my Yam RBX405 it feels like it as well with only the sharp fret ends reminding me that it isnt my Yam and theyre easily remedied with a whetstone and a small amount of elbow grease. I didnt have too much time to try all the various tone controls but it seems to have a fairly wide pallet of sounds. Overall so far im impressed, its comfortable, got a pretty nice neck and the fan frets arent as daunting as I thought they would be, in fact after about 5 mins I barely noticed, is it a keeper......yes, is it perfect out of the box.......no, is it worth just over £300 ........definitely, a little work possibly even a couple of upgrades and its a killer deal for anyone who wants to dip their toe into the fan fret kerfuffle!

[quote name='Bassassin' timestamp='1483908174' post='3211085'] So - the reviewer returned the bass - and DarkHeart's just bought a B-stock... Hmmm. However - none of these issues exactly sound terminal to me, pretty easy fix if you have a screwdriver and a file. [/quote] See what its like when it gets here, I like a bit fettle, certainly not shy of either a screwdriver of a file, its worth a shot, the worst that can happen is its too bad and I send it back as well, would that make it `C` stock

Really cant wait asa it looks like an awesome bit of kit

Yeah!! someone had to buy one.............im stupid!!

I still think this will be an awesome bass, regardless.......end of the day its the 1st into the uik

erm, cant really comment till i get it....sorry................

I give up that was sh*t!