Marc S

[quote name='skej21' timestamp='1478004045' post='3165869'] IF the bass did require a refret, the buyer should've taken the following steps. 1) Contacted you in a reasonable time (legally distance selling regulations are only 14 days for items bought online so maybe a grace period of 30 days is fair). 2) Explained what they thought the issue was, backed up by a quote from a luthier. 3) Allowed you to counter his thoughts with the paperwork that gave the bass the all clear from your luthier when it was in for a set-up pre-sale. 4) Discussed a compromise (maybe pay half each etc). By taking no reasonable steps to solve the issue with you and simply pursuing his own idea of an outcome and expecting you to pay, I would feel completely guilt free and point out in your response that you may have been accommodating had you been given an opportunity to independently diagnose and resolve any issues in a timely manner. [/quote] Spot on answer! I really think that the 2 month period between him buying the bass, and then contacting you is way too long. And as others have said, he really should have discussed with you first, before getting the re-fret done. Also, Dave Dearnaley in Cardiff is a top luthier - he wouldn't have charged that much! He may have been scammed by a luthier, but then that would have been avoided if he'd checked with you first, as you'd have asked him to get a 2nd opinion, I'm sure..... I know what you mean when you say this makes you feel bad. I think I'd be the same. I prefer buyers to check instruments or amps over before handing over any cash. That way, the buyer gets to inspect & check the item, and ask any pertinent questions at the time.... Best of luck with this, but in this case, I don't think there's any duty on you to do any more A 2nd opinion closer to purchase date, and a compromise for the cost would have been best action

Sorry to hear of your woes artisan. I've only made minor purchases from GAK. I also selected a bass for my sister, as a present to my nephew. All my transactions have been whilst visiting their shop in Brighton, And I have to say, GAK have always seemed fine to me. Helpful staff etc etc. Hope you get the matter sorted asap and as smoothly as possible. Re Gear4music - I had real problems with them when I had something delivered! The depot was miles away from home, and not open during the hours stated on the depots' delivery docket. The item was not in the condition stated, and they just didn't want to know when the word "refund" was mentioned. I exchanged a couple of emails with them, tried phoning, but service was awful... Best of luck

As FuNkShUi asks; would you be willing to buy second hand? You'll get better value for money that way... Trouble with buying amps & cabs, is that when trying them in a shop, or someone's house you're not really able to asses them very well, particularly at high volume... Keep your eye on the marketplace here, and if you can - see if the seller will let you try the cab(s) in a rehearsal studio somewhere... Some BC'ers seem to store their gear in such places too. Also, maybe try different heads too. Do you need 800W? Also, as said above - could you end up losing money, as the marketplace isn't great atm EDIT: I've got a couple of Epifani 110 cabs, and they are brilliant. Haven't tried the Epifani 1x12 but I'm sure it's great A lot of love on here for Vanderkley cabs too

This is my 2nd spell of playing, following a 20+ year break in playing. During this 8 year spell, I've only broken one string (a "D" string). These days I mainly play finger style, and sometimes with a pick, but in my previous spell of playing it was mainly pick, with occasional finger style Back during my first spell of playing, I played more heavily, due to playing punk & rock. I seem to recall breaking mainly D strings then, funny enough - but certainly one E string too In the 80's Rotosound released a version of their "swing" bass string, which had no windings on the core at the bridge end of the stings. This was apparently to create a more lively sound. Broke 2 of those, and they were quite new strings too - so stopped buying them I'm amazed to hear that some players have never broken a string. I know a couple of guitarists who occasionally play bass, and they've broken bass strings. Again, they play with a pick - so I'd be interested to hear what is the percentage of strings broken by pick players v finger players.

As has already been said, trying out new or different (often other peoples') gear. Also, my tastes have changed as well, and almost come around full circle - I'm back playing Fender basses now; a Jazz and a Precision (P/J). But my amp rig is flexible and I "tweak" it to suit the band I'm playing with and the venue. I also play Double Bass - though these days I don't tend to double up (i.e. swap between DB and BG during a gig) But my main drive to change gear has been to create a flexible rig, with a choice of amp head, a choice of a few different cabs, and most of all, the need to have as lightweight and portable a rig as possible Heads include TC Electronic 550W. Orange Terror 500 Speakers incl Markbass Traveler 102 cab, and two Epifani UL110's

Love the colour & grain on this one. I'm a fan of P/J pickup arrangement too I already have a couple of great Precisions, or I'd be lusting after this..... EDIT: Actually, I AM lusting after this lol

[quote name='Geek99' timestamp='1477408500' post='3162039'] You can buy jazz bodies quite cheaply on eBay - surely a Luthier can spray it up for you for less [/quote] I was going to suggest this. Alternatively, could you spray a body yourself?

Nice Project Kert. I usually carry a backup bass (for paying gigs) and sometimes I end up playing in a jam session - so sometimes need to travel very light. So IMO, it's handy to keep a small-ish, lightweight bass in the stable for such occasions I've heard good things about the quality of Encore basses, or at least the earlier Indian made models of their P bass. Not heard any in depth reports about their short scale basses though, so I'd be interested to hear your thoughts once this has been fully upgraded. A bit of sparkle could be nice on a budget project like this, but I have to say, I do like sunburst - especially on a fender shaped bass Good luck with this project, and keep us posted Marc

I too have a Roadworn Jazz, and I love it. I wasn't particularly unhappy with the pickups in it, but an old set of 2nd hand DiMarzio's came up for sale, quite cheap, and local to me. The young guy had bought them for a project, and I don't think he ever fitted them. I didn't try to look for a serial number, or date on them. I just fitted them, and I was mightily impressed with the result! They sound a lot beefier, and have much higher output, and all round tonal output is better too. The lows are incredibly well defined, and the mids & highs quite punchy As for sounding like a P, well, it sort of does, but it also still sounds like a Jazz, as it still has some of that "burble" that a Jazz seems to have. Sorry if this hasn't helped hugely, but if you do happen upon an old set of these pickups, it may well be worth a punt, just to try one of them in the neck position - you can always sell them if you don't like them, but I'm not taking mine out of the Jazz for any reason EDIT: Could you even try a Bridge J pickup in the neck position? Isn't the output higher / different?

Oddly enough, I'm not normally a fan of natural finish. I like to see grain through a colour, but not usually natural & glossy.. However, this does look really good. Lovely grain, and it does look good with the pearloid scratchplate. i like the neck with blocks too. I've not had chance to play one of these, but I do like the look of them. Just out of interest, where did you buy yours from? Cheers, and happy NBD to you

How about using a wireless system? Anyone use one on DB?

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1477343510' post='3161653'] Yes, when you listen to the bass in the oldest Stones recordings yu can hear hos lines were very inovative for the era. [/quote] Indeed. Under-rated, as others have said. Some of those early Stones records were brilliant, and the bass on them is an integral part of the tracks - some great playing, which sits perfectly with the overall sound, sat nice in the mix too Happy Birthday BW

NBD x2 ??? That's just not fair! How did you manage 2 NBD's in one? Nice. Two lovely looking basses there

[quote name='CaptainBlackarm16' timestamp='1477259400' post='3161000'] I met him at Coventry so nope [/quote] There's a mobile number on the ebay ad - so why not get a mate to arrange to meet him.... At least then ask him to explain himself & get his registration number... I'd be gutted if I were you Don't suppose you got anything in writing re the temporary exchange? Hope you can get it back

Was this track also on Whistle Test? I've seen PJ Harvey doing this somewhere else too.... sure it was OGWT? Worth a search, I think... I like PJ Harvey, I must say. Not sure whether the guy on fretless appears on much of her material. Yes, I quite like the sound he gets on this track too. Perhaps it's also worth checking out other live stuff from around that same time. I tried a couple of Sterling SUB basses, and must say, I liked them Good luck in your search / quest

If you like playing the bass, why not keep it & upgrade those pickups? Sometimes, a bass can just feel comfortable to play and feel "just right" I don't know about those pickups per-se, but I got a second hand set of DiMarzio pickups for my Jazz, And they were old & fairly cheap, but they are incredible! Big sound, big output, full range of solid tones. You could also try Entwistle PBXN pickups. They're cheap, and brilliant. Mind you, you may need to deepen the cavity under the magnets a bit - as the magnets are slightly deeper than most other pups. But hey, this produces a heck of an output Good luck & let us know what you decide

Bought an Epifani bass cab from Keith. Great communication throughout process, Friendly, reasonable guy to deal with. A top, trustworthy BC'er Deal with confidence folks Thanks again Mr Bassman