BB2000

Clarky, I don't know if your Wizzy is still for the chop, but FWIW when I had the cab I used it with a GB Neopak (500W/2ohm). I also had (still have) an EA MLine, which is a Wizzy with a bit deeper response. With the pair of cabs this was capable of producing volumes that I'd never need (both these EA cabs are very efficient) which is why I sold the Wizzy. Now for electric bass I think the Neopak and Wizzy is a great sounding rig (and it's very light, small and modular). The Neopak has a tube preamp allowing you to dial in a bit of dirt, a very nice compressor which can be switched out of circuit (unlike the more recent GB offerings) and a parametric mid range control. It is based on a linear power amp and a switching power supply. They were only produced for a short while before the [s]shittles[/s] (shuttles - a freudian slip) came out with their switching amp stages, and second hand they go for peanuts. But the reason I'm mentioning it is that one of the local double bass players is always borrowing this amp when he gigs in preference to his own EA one (an ia500 I think) so I guess it's up to the job for upright as well. If you ever come across one it's maybe worth a punt.

[quote name='bluejay' timestamp='1326823294' post='1502462'] I made a point of asking them first thing in my email above, as they mentioned at least four weeks' wait in their previous messages - that is, they collect the bass from me, they send it back to Warwick, they wrangle a bit about getting a refund themselves etc. and THEN and only then do they send me a new one. That wouldn't be good enough. I hope they'll clarify. [/quote] Yes, they're not very clear - but I think the 30 day requirement is only if a repair is required. Anytime they've collected damaged kit from me the replacement has been sent out immediately. They're probably one of the best online places re. customer service. I had three Promethean combo's from them in a row, and sent each one back becaulse I wasn't happy with the noise level - and they were quite happy to send a replacement each time, no questions asked.

Halfords sell packs of assorted paper for a couple of quid. The finest grade will be in the region of 1500 or 2000 which will be fine for the final sanding. There's a lot of information on the stewmac site on using superglue for guitar repairs.

I think Thomman are being perfectly reasonable. They're offering to send a replacement as soon as the original bass is returned to them (having been picked up from you at their expense). From experience they normally send out the replacement the day the faulty item is received. It's pretty unlikely that they will refund you a percentage of the purchase cost instead of replacing the bass, as their internal procedures probably don't have that as an option.

Use ethyl cyanoacrylate, build up in layers until just proud of the surface, then sand/polish level. Using steam to bring up dents is a pretty skilled job.

Lovely ...

[quote name='Bill Fitzmaurice' timestamp='1326214893' post='1493941'] Demand already has disappeared. The music industry alone uses tubes, and it's a very small industry in the grand scope. The largest consumer of tubes was the military, and the reason former Eastern Bloc countries continued to produce tubes long after the West stopped was that their militaries still employed them. Once all the Soviet era military hardware using tubes has been retired so will the tube, as few musicians would be willing to pay the 50 pounds each that a 12AX7 will eventually go for. Eventually the tube will go the way of photographic film. [/quote] Valves are used in current NATO and US defence equipment, and are still designed in to new equipment. I would think the same applies to China.

Most basses copy either the Fender A (1-1/2"), B (1-5/8") or C (1-3/4") nut width. Try all three to see what neck type you are most comfortable with. Having decided that set a budget and see what comes up in the for sale section here (you'll get more for your money buying used). FWIW 3 of the players you mentioned above play Precision type basses (perhaps the other 2 do too - I'm not familiar with them) so perhaps that would be a good starting point. For an entry P type bass look for a Yamaha BB414 - mint ones go for about £150 here (JJ and Hook have used Yamaha BB's at some point).

[quote name='cocco' timestamp='1325803230' post='1488175'] Okay thanks BB2000, so to sum up, if I want a nice, passive and preferably bolt on BB for less than £700 models to look out for are? [/quote] The old jap ones, pretty much any of the PB, SB or BB series. You'll hardly ever see PB or SB basses for sale, so bolt on BB ones to look out for are BB1000 (ebony fingerboard Precision type - Phil Lynnot used one for a while) or BB1100 (PJ type). Personaly I prefer the BB1200 or BB2000 but they are neck through. The BB2000 has a reversed P pup which put's the pickups on the D,G strings at about the same spacing as on a Jazz bass - with the normal orientation as on the BB3000 or BB1100 popping on the D,G strings sounds a bit "off".If you ever see a SB (for example SB1200) they are worth a try (Louis Johnson used one for a long time) - great basses.

I'm sure these John Player Specials were in production for quite a long time - as Aria's of that era there are certainly rarer models. Give Noelk27 a shout and he'll probably be able to look up the production years in his catalogue archive.

[quote name='cocco' timestamp='1325786554' post='1487739'] Really? Do you perchance have a spare one? Is the 1024 not great then? [/quote] There's a BB3000 for sale on the forum (albeit modified) - it will have been built in the Yamaha Music Craft shop in Japan, like the BB2024 range. BB2000 models don't come onto the market very often. I bought an ex show demonstration BB1024 just after they were released, and for a bass that was supposed to demonstrate how good these instruments were I was very dissapointed. I'd expect the BB2024 ones to be a different kettle of fish.

[quote name='cocco' timestamp='1325758193' post='1487053'] Having sold my stingray I have a space in my stable, I've always fancied a BB and I think the new ones with the scratch plates look amazing, only problem is I've never played a modern one. From what I can tell theres not much to go wrong, bolt on, string thru, p/j pickups out of the 2024 tick all the right boxes for me as a rock player but better safe than sorry. Anyone got a 1024? How do they handle? Would anyone recommend anything else for similar money (about £725 shipped) [/quote] Buy a BB2000 or BB3000 instead - far better basses for the same money.

[quote name='noelk27' timestamp='1325382413' post='1482747'] It happens here, on Basschat, also. Twice I've received basses from sellers which have arrived damaged. Both times I informed the sellers as soon as the basses were received. On both occasions, after discussions, the sellers agreed to pay for repair cost (in one case £240, and the other £35). On both occasions the works were undertaken by know luthiers/repairers, and all photographic evidence and invoices/receipts provided to the sellers. On both occasions, after that point, nothing was ever heard from those sellers again leaving me out of pocket. You'll meet dishonest people wherever you go, eBay or Basschat. [/quote] Who were they?

I used a Clarus with a SABBDI for a while, I think the SABBDI was the weak link in that setup. Changed the SABBDI for a tube preamp (some cheapo think intended for vocalists) and it was a nice little rig. Had a couple of AI SA's and a Yamaha PB-1 later on and it was fantastic. Big fan of AI, their amps are very well designed and are honestly specced.