Sean

I bought Pete's Ibanez 5. Super experience all round. Top Basschatter. Highly recommended. 😊

I bought an absolutely pristine BF cab from Rob. Great price, fabulous comms, above and beyond packing and just all round Basschat top customer service. It's members like Rob that keep our forum the best online bass gear marketplace. Many thanks. ⭐

Do we know what aftermarket 4 string bridges can take a 130 string? I've tried Gotoh and Schaller but they're too small. Does anyone have any experience with Babicz or Hipshot 4 string bridges taking the 130? I've asked Bass Direct but haven't been able to get an answer yet. Thanks

I've just got back from my first rehearsal using BEAD tuning. Our guitarist uses drop Db, Eb standard and E standard tunings and I was getting frustrated changing instruments and remembering to flick the D-tuner. I wouldn't go back to 5 string again so decided to try BEAD and after relearning the fingerings of our songs it's been a revelation. I don't miss the G, don't need it and the lower notes give us a fatter sound. I'm using the low B and C that I didn't have with my other basses so it's all good. The G&L Tribute JB2 copes with the Elites Detroit flats 130 string really well, like it was meant to be. I'd be interested in other people's experiences with BEAD, there's not a lot out there on it from what I can see. I fluffed a few bits and pieces just with the newness of it all but that's nothing that can't be committed to muscle memory. The drummer and guitarist liked the change in tone and the lower register sections that weren't previously possible. It's like a "nothing to see here" post for those that play 5 strings but this has been a great experience so far 😊

I bought a Squier 40th Jazz from Jamie and it was a great experience, his packing is as good as or better than any shop. Communications were very prompt and he really goes the extra mile. The condition of the instrument is absolutely pristine. I just can't believe how good an instrument this is and that no one bought it before I did. I'm so impressed I'll probably do a post on this gem.

I've got: Laney Tube 400 - It's heavy and complicated, has a million buttons, sliders, knobs and a footswitch but when you eventually remember how to get it set up right, it's fantastic. It's actually way over the top and is like having a Type 45 Destroyer for going lake fishing. Mesa 400+ - Awesome. This is "the one". Good enough for Macca and more than enough for me. Bought it from Beedster many many years ago and I even still have the Mesa mug he gave me to go with it. Cheers, Mate. It's my keeper and is the only amp that people ever comment on how good it sounds. It's been serviced and re valved a couple of times since I've had it. Mesa Walkabout Scout 12" combo.- A very well used combo and probably the most practical rig I own. Sounds absolutely huge. MJW Taranis 200w- A custom built monster that is essentially a Matamp 200 design but with custom preamp circuits and all sorts of clever switching for splitting valve and power combinations and it has 3 preamp circuits. I struggle to get it to sound how I want it most of the time and it's nowhere near as loud as I want but when it rocks it's a peach. Markbass small thing (can't remember the model but it's like half of a Little Mark. - Carried as emergency backup when I'm packing one of the big valve heads. Had it for years and has saved the day a few times. Has a very characteristic and useable tone. Cabs are BFs. I also have a Line 6 Helix Stomp FX box that can be run through a PA when traveling light but it never feels the same even though the Mesa 400+ model in it is incredibly good.

I just bought a bass from John yesterday. Marvellous experience all round, just a pity the weather was so vile when we met up but hey ho. Highly recommended, another Basschat win.

Another great basschat.co.uk transaction. No fuss. Great buyer.

I bought some flats from Lozz. Excellent service and great condition. Brilliant 😀

A very renowned builder in Derbyshire that fitted the preamp and did the wiring said that the quality is way beyond what we could expect for the price.

They're made with good cuts of wood, mine is two piece light Ash with fabulous patterns in the wood. The neck is plain but no more so than a standard US Fender. The quality control at that Indonesian factory is very good. With upgrades, mods and fettling they are every bit as good as mass produced high end basses at 30-40% of the price. Pups are US in G&L tributes anyway and if you make the obvious mods then you get a fantastic instrument but without the pedigree. The people dancing to my basslines have never questioned the pedigree of any of my instruments including some very early hand-built US Spectors and custom shop Fenders 😉 The G&L mongrel is still here, the others are not. I do have an old Valenti and a Jap Yam BB and they are definitely a step up but all get used equally.

I've got a 2010 second hand G&L Tribute L2000 that cost £200. It has a John East SR preamp (£100) and has used US hardware that cost £50. I fitted a Tusk nut and it's had a lot of TLC on the frets and the neck is rolled. It has some custom switching that gives it single coil options. It's effectively a custom bass that is perfect for me. It's been a keeper for the last ten years for me. There are some good instruments out there for peanuts and they can be turned into amazing instruments for very little money without the risk of a custom. You just need to kiss a lot of frogs and have some basic luthier skills. We have choices.