sammybee

There are a couple of very good videos from Devon Bradshaw (Burning Spear), who explains/shows you some of the fundamentals. But you really need to live this music to play it. http://youtu.be/zmyplWLwIKA This is the first video which shows technique, and the 'kotch' (space)

Mine cracked around the top right bolt hole. I guess it was just over tightened at some point. They dont actually give you the same serial number, but they update the 'database' with the new serial (ie. map it back to the original bass) so a new potential owner can check the provenance.

I had a very similar experience with the same issue. Full marks to Strings and Things - they replaced the neck plate and I didn't even have to send the old one back (just sent them a photo of the cracked one). 11/10 for customer service. Ernie Ball in the US were very very helpful too. Maybe they have a lot of cracked neck plates go back ?

+1 for the newish Mac Mini - even a used one (2012 say) will only set you back about £300/£350 second hand. You can use generic memory to upgrade if necessary. For me it's a no brainer. Mac wins hands down everytime due to the fact it is really plug and play, very rarely will anything go wrong. And if something does go wrong, you can just call apple and they will talk you through fixing it in a language you understand. Very few 'pros use PCs. Even with modern PC's, there are just too many variables in the chain. Some people will get good results with them, but a lot of people will experience a lot of hair pulling. (just to point out, i made my fortune (onto my second one now!) as a Microsoft centric software developer, I am a Microsoft Partner. Microsoft based systems are good for some things, but as a professional I wouldn't advocate them for music production).

[quote name='Billy Apple' timestamp='1417381304' post='2619853'] I don't mean new goods, but second hand goods from a private seller. They've paid sales tax when they've bought them and the difference is not taken off when they sell. [/quote] Doesn't that happen in the UK too? At least in the USA its only 5/6/7% I think when people advertise a nearly new bass in the UK, they should knock off 20% before they even start making deductions for it being 2nd hand.

[quote name='Bassman Steve' timestamp='1417379085' post='2619802'] Ok, as you were. Just read the Thomann site. They have a pan-EU VAT number and will charge you UK VAT which you claim back. I suspect part of their site hasn't been updated to reflect the pan EU VAT registration. The FAQ seems to refer to the old regime that I describe above. [/quote] Thanks for clarifying - I'm on the flat rate scheme, so this wont help me

Thats what I thought would happen with Thomann - but the price stays the same.

Has anyone here successfully bought anything from Thomann without the VAT added? Their FAQ suggests they will not charge VAT if you supply a GB VAT number. Selected my bass, input my details (including VAT number) and the price stays the same. At what point do they adjust the price? I dont want to complete the payment page in case I get charged (and then I'm not sure if I can claim it back - as it is an EU supplier).

+1 for OBBM Superb service too. Ordered on Tuesday night, arrived Thursday morning. Really well put together, quality cable

Thanks for all the suggestions, I ordered one with Blocks and Bindings from Custom World in the end. The original neck decided to turn into a banana when I changed the strings from 100-45 to 105-45. No amount of coaxing would get it back into shape. The truss rod was exceedingly stiff and just sprang the neck back out of shape when left overnight.

wow - thats...inexpensive thanks

My 70s Classic Jazz (MiM) needs a new neck. I've talked to Fender who recommend a straight replacement - but at £550 it seems a little steep (and I don't think the bass is *that* good that I would spend anything like that on it even when its 100%). Can anybody recommend a supplier of reasonably priced necks (with blocks and binding)? I can remember a thread on here a while ago but cant find it for the life of me. Cheers.

Try a Kala SUB UBass - tiny package, huge sound.