Sean

[quote name='ead' timestamp='1328602873' post='1529661'] If you need any assistance I can get to Manchester very easily - only 12 miles away. PM me if you require any collection service/short term storage. I work in Warrington a little bit closer for you and would be happy to meet up down the M6 a bit if that would help... [/quote] Thanks for the offer. I've got my eye on a few options at the moment, just waiting. I've also just found out that I might be going to Japan at the end of this month that could be a gamechanger, they have lots of old Japanese instruments available (funnily enough)

[quote name='crez5150' timestamp='1328447728' post='1527023'] Try these guys... they are great Band : Minnie's Chuff [indent=1]Town : Merthyr Tydfil[/indent] [indent=1]Contact : Ruth Crimmings[/indent] [indent=1]Telephone : 07775 824022[/indent] [indent=1]Email Address :[color=#800000] [/color][email="[email protected]"][color=#800000][email protected][/color][/email][/indent] [/quote] Just been checking their stuff on You Tube. Damn, they are fabalas! From my home town too.

[quote name='ead' timestamp='1328393053' post='1526494'] How is the search going? I notice the BB200 is re-listed at £125 now... [/quote] Thanks for the heads up. It's worth the drive at that money.

[quote name='spiderjazz' timestamp='1328320799' post='1525631'] I'm then planning to order the replacement bridge, and I'm thinking of ordering a set of SD Quarter Pounder Jazz 5 set as well. They seem to have a pretty good balance of improvement over stock pickups and price. [/quote] I'd definitely have a look at [url="http://www.wizardpickups.co.uk/shop.asp?category=Bass"]Wizard pickups[/url], it's a company in Wales making custom pickups for very competitive prices, the service is great and if you phone up and speak to Andy, he'll pretty much do whatever kind of pickup you want within the limits of a J shape and the laws of physics. Support is fantastic and it helps keep these small niche businesses going.

[quote name='fxpedal.co.uk' timestamp='1328351900' post='1525795'] Yes, we've still got some left though, the way things are going, they're not going to last long! [/quote]

[quote name='spiderjazz' timestamp='1328119674' post='1522179'] Yeah I was reading about Hexcore strings last night, the DR DDT's look pretty good and seem to stay in tune well. I ended up ordering a .145 d'addario pro steel so I'll see how that goes first. The bridge is the stock mexican bridge. I had thought of replacing it before so that definitely is on the cards now. Those two ideas are very interesting, and neither look like they will break the bank! It currently has a string retainer on the A, D and G strings, would it be okay then to get a separate 2 string retainer for B and E? I see that Sadowdkys and Laklands both have 5 string retainers/tension bars so I imagine it won't do any harm anyway Looking at a Gotoh 201 5 string bridge, works out just less than 50 euro shipped. [/quote] Gotoh ones here much cheaper than £50: [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gotoh-201-5-String-Bass-Guitar-Bridge-Black-/130589433225?pt=UK_Guitar_Accessories&hash=item1e67bc9d89#ht_1105wt_907"]Black[/url] [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gotoh-201-5-String-Bass-Guitar-Bridge-Chrome-/160667287662?pt=UK_Guitar_Accessories&hash=item256884406e#ht_1105wt_907"]Chrome[/url] Or get one the same as I did for less [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5-STRING-BASS-GUITAR-BRIDGE-STRINGS-THROUGH-REAR-BRIDGE-3-COLOURS-CH-BK-GD-/190584091576?pt=UK_Guitar_Accessories&hash=item2c5fb273b8#ht_3764wt_1398"]Same as on my Yam [/url]

Just ordered one. Hopefully there's one there for me I've had a B2.1u that was pretty good and I used it as an interface for over a year, I have an H4 and a Q3HD, zoom stuff is excellent value for money.

[quote name='spiderjazz' timestamp='1328044934' post='1520967'] I got a Fender Mexican Jazz 5 string at the weekend, and I put a set of Dean Markley Blue Steel 45-128 gauge strings on it (they were the only one's available in the shop) and I'm not a fan on them overall, but the Low B in particular is really floppy and has no definition at all to it. I was reading there that Fender's have a 34" scale, so that makes them a bit looser, so what can I do to get the B string nice and tight? I'm going to go up in gauge, but is there any particular strings that have a tighter tension? I was looking at picking up a set of D'addario Prosteels that go from 0.45 - 0.135. What other brands of strings have people used with success on Fender 5 strings? [/quote] What kind of bridge is on it? You could replace the bridge with something like a Gotoh, which will effectively give you a bit more tension as the anchor points are a few millimeters further back. You could also fit some Hipshot string trees, these too will make a difference. I did both these mods to my Yamaha BB415 and it changed the instrument completely and for the better. I got the idea about the string trees from reading something that Hugh MacDonald said about why he insists on these Hipshot retainers for all his Sadowsky basses. You can see the bridge change in this thread [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/78057-yamaha-bb415/page__p__934898__hl__yamaha%20bb415__fromsearch__1#entry934898"]here[/url] and the string trees are [url="http://store.hipshotproducts.com/cart.php?m=product_list&c=26"]here[/url] and available from eBay and other online places. You will have a much more robust and less temperamental instrumental that isn't fussy about strings if you do these mods and in total, the bridge (a Gotoh copy that cost me £12) and the retainers (less than a tenner for two to cover all 5 strings) cost less than a set of strings and enhanced the look of the bass.

[quote name='leftyhook' timestamp='1327769132' post='1516537'] This bass, that configuration, this measurement.......haha! for goodness sake man, grab a bass and make it play for you!!! [/quote] If we all took that attitude, there would be no one on this forum!

[quote name='ead' timestamp='1327765317' post='1516477'] Are you still going to bid for the BB200? [/quote] PMed

[quote name='jonmohajer1' timestamp='1327761732' post='1516386'] [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Wasburn-80s-Wing-Series-Raven-Bass-/190631977536?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item2c628d2240#ht_500wt_1413"]http://www.ebay.co.u...0#ht_500wt_1413[/url] <-- I've always fancied one of these and pretty sure it'd fit your criteria. You'd probably get it with at least £50 to spare too. I have an Aria Pro II CSB 300 that I've played to death which is similar and is just a wonderful, straight up, great bass to play. [/quote] They look great but it's that upper horn, when the strap is on it fret 1 is too far away for my comfort. That's going to be a bargain for someone.

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1327757495' post='1516312'] could you not sell the ibanez to yourself for £50 then spend £150 on upgrades? [/quote] There's nothing in the rules about that and it does meet all the criteria laid down other than the fact that I don't really get on with it which is a shame cos it's so gorgeous, it's an old 90's Jap Custom Made SR1300 with an East U-Retro and PJ Barts. Once I've fitted the Bart P it's going up for sale.

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1327754374' post='1516249'] see my great idea was to find a decent PJ setup bass in need of a pickup change and point out the very nice young man selling a lovely pJ set of barts.... but it didn't work as this already has upgraded pups... very different sound but I quite like SD's too [/quote] I have that exact same Bart combo on an Ibanez I'm going to sell soon.

[quote name='MikanHannille' timestamp='1327734655' post='1515960'] [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/162266-mim-jazz-fs-price-drop-new-pics-and-info-added/"]http://basschat.co.u...and-info-added/[/url] Your rule number 7 is on the way. XD [/quote] Ha Ha, that's as Mexican as tequila! [quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1327747832' post='1516096'] Jap BB300 - 150 on gumtree... [url="http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/yamaha-bass/95454545"]http://www.gumtree.c...a-bass/95454545[/url] [/quote] Thanks! I've messaged him! The extra pickup and switch look interesting, doesn't look original and the J looks to be an SD Basslines.

[quote name='pbass67' timestamp='1327692671' post='1515591'] I'd say that Fernandez is a mighty good buy. My fave in this thread so far. . . [/quote] If the BBs on eBay go over £200 it could well be the one. The neck is stunning :-)

And this [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ARIA-PRO-RSB-PERFORMER-BASS-GUITAR-1986-JAPAN-/260942972559?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item3cc169c68f#ht_521wt_1398"]Aria Pro II RSB Performer[/url] is absolutely delicious Starting bid is top of my budget though

So what's the difference between [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-1970s-Cimar-Electric-Bass-Guitar-Japanese-Ibanez-/330675852992?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item4cfdd116c0#ht_500wt_1413"]this Cimar[/url] and an Ibanez Blazer or Roadster? Cheaper hardware? Cheaper pickups? Body construction?

[quote name='ead' timestamp='1327687413' post='1515473'] We should go for a 50/50 ownership thing. Your need appears to be the greater so I will refrain from bidding (I promise)! Oh yes, sorry. Not to my taste either. [/quote] I'll be maxing out at £200 on that BB. The DX would be perfect if I played in a comedy hair metal tribute band called Spam Dagger but fortunately I haven't sunk that low yet. Maybe next year ;-)

Does he have similar lessons for plectrum technique and fingerstyle, [i]I'm like seriously interested, Dude! [/i][i] [/i]

[quote name='ead' timestamp='1327669032' post='1515059'] This one? [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1985-Westone-Spectrum-DX-Bass-Guitar-Made-Japan-Matsumoku-Roadworn-/260939569658?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item3cc135d9fa"]http://www.ebay.co.u...=item3cc135d9fa[/url] [/quote] That's the one I mentioned in my first post - ugh!

[quote name='ead' timestamp='1327674431' post='1515198'] Here's one of those BB200s mentioned above. Looks quite tidy this one... ...so much so it's on my Watch list now...BAD BOY, BAD BOY NO MORE BASSES [/quote] On my watch list too

[quote name='leftyhook' timestamp='1327655304' post='1514714'] that is your dilemma. people can suggest basses ( I have never heard of most of them) but you could wait months until one came up. was there a deadline? also, if you are picky, as you say, you need to try it out. Squire. acceptable weight, a shape you know, waiting for a set up and pick ups. [/quote] There wasn't a deadline in the discussion but a quick phonecall and chat and we've agreed 1st March. [quote name='charic' timestamp='1327656391' post='1514733'] Sell your favourite bass to me for £10, I'll then promptly sell it back for £10. Then you have £190 to upgrade it [/quote] Nice one! Tramples over the rules too! [quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1327658250' post='1514773'] What are you playing at the moment? If you have to be happy with your challenge bass then knowing what you're currently playing is going to be a factor. Also does you budget include a decent set up and time taken to make any mods? [/quote] See sig for current basses - two four strings are used most in this covers band. Any set up and mods would be done by me so parts would be the only cost. [quote name='Nibody' timestamp='1327662460' post='1514862'] Westfield B1000. Simples.£90 from ebay. Nice basses for a budget [/quote] Breaches way too many rules! Read the first post! [quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1327665297' post='1514957'] I imagine this is pretty good, and fits the task [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/160385-for-sale-fernandes-apb-4/"]http://basschat.co.u...ernandes-apb-4/[/url] [/quote] That looks promising

[quote name='hrc_la' timestamp='1327656746' post='1514746'] I don't know if it break any rule but maybe a ibanez gsr 190 or 200. [/quote] Loads of breaches of the rules with these ;-)

I've just edited rule 1 so it covers import duty/charges and also clarifies that delivery is not included in the £200 :-)

[quote name='Bigwan' timestamp='1327651225' post='1514643'] I bought a well used/damaged but playable Ibanez ATK700 for £150 a couple of years back. I Intended to refinish it and keep it as my MM sound bas, but i haven't touched it more than twice - if it fits the bill you can have it at that money + postage... [/quote] Thanks for the offer. I had an ATK400 for a while and it sounded glorious but the neck was way too chunky for me :-(