Can't believe how lucky I've been reading this. Just had a bass sent by priority fedex from USA, took only 2 days to arrive, just sent in its musicman hard case and a cardboard box. Arrived absolutely unmarked thank god.
Well with the spare £1000 I had recently I went for a second hand Classic Stingray V in powder blue....it was just bit more than £1000 and will be even more when FedEx send the duty and vat charges through - but worth every penny, wanted one for ages and absolutely love it :-)
You could look at a photoshoot - handy for cd booklets and for promotional stuff.