HowieBass

Too much relief (that can't be corrected using the truss rod) might cause fret buzz on the higher frets, with or without any neck shim. You might just have been unlucky with the neck on your current P bass and another bass might have plenty of adjustment in the neck, however if you're happy with the La Bellas then maybe consider putting those on the 50's P bass you're considering. Another option is get a shop to put the strings you'd like on an instrument and check it's playing exactly how you like before you part with any cash?

Hello from the UK! Happy to have you here - don't forget to let us know what gear you have

I think one finger per fret is a good technique but it's not the only way you should approach playing, particularly if you have restricted movement. Pivot about the thumb on the back of the neck and get used to stretching but I wouldn't be afraid to move your hand/thumb up and down the neck as required if that's the only way you can get to the notes you're playing. You might find that your hand/fingers will loosen up in time but I don't know enough about your condition to say whether that will definitely happen. It's whatever works for you and doesn't hurt or aggravate an existing condition.

I'd like to have a little flirt with a Stingray some time, no real desire for any other 'classic' bass (Hofner Violin, Rickenbacker 400x, Gibson Tbird/Grabber).

Looks great

Harley Benton is about as German a name as it gets... oh hang on...

The Squier Vintage Modified Fretless Jazz is well regarded (as are most Squiers these days, great instruments, particularly the VM, Classic Vibe and artist series). The Squier's ebonol fingerboard means you can use rounds if you like and not worry about undue wear plus it's lined which will really help with correct intonation.

I reckon the three Vintage models he's selling (those are the only ones I've looked at) are B stock, one has a mark across the top of the headstock and the other two look to have a very slight anticlockwise twist on the neck. That's the only reason anybody would have to buy a job lot of basses and then resell them as far as I can see.

Yeah I thought that decision might save you a fair bit of time! Any idea how much hand finishing you'll need?

Somebody created a listing and let eBay automatically (and incorrectly) categorise the item? Whatever it actually is the seller clearly isn't trying hard to sell it; no description and just one photo of part of the thing (I presume some kind of old marble fireplace).

[quote name='KiOgon' timestamp='1411056847' post='2556069'] [color=#0000ff][b]How do you mean?[/b][/color] [/quote] There seems to be a dark line under the G string right next to the nut. Is it where it's been cut and filed? Lovely looking P bass

Something a little odd where that G string goes over your nut...

Look at that, they've rounded the price down by 78 pence! Very fair!

Is it this one? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bass-I-solo-Soviet-Russian-Legend-Electric-Bass-Guitar-VINTAGE-USSR-/111452115110?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item19f31050a6

[quote name='Lewk' timestamp='1410986850' post='2555421'] so its a fender body with a mighty mite neck? its one of the nicest p basses ive played! i put SD quarter pounders in it aswell so its sounds awesome too! [/quote] ... and you want to sell it?!

I think that's a licensed Fender copy Mighty Mite neck that someone's put their own hardware and badly placed transfer on.

[quote name='fumps' timestamp='1410945187' post='2554838'] Anyway all summer we used to sit in the back garden drinking beer, listening to someone playing a famous jazz tune on clarinet (Dont ask me the name of it, but I could hum it for you) .....all summer it was getting better & better. [/quote] 'Stranger On The Shore' by Acker Bilk?

This reminds me of that Harley Benton Jazz that was being sold (for more than they are new from Thomann) on eBay recently where the guy again claimed that he wasn't an expert on basses but said it was every bit as good as a Fender. One or two BCers contacted him to test his response and that guy was similarly defensive.

It's not clear (to me at least) if you're thinking about loop recording and playback in a live situation or creating sound samples at home for subsequent processing/playback. You mention the Kaoss Pad which suggests to me that you're thinking about live performance for playback and possibly for capture too. From what I've seen of them you need both hands free to record/beat match/process/playback the sounds when using a Kaoss - fine if you've got the role of sound manipulator in a band (like early Eno or Jonny Greenwood) but next to impossible if you're simultaneously playing bass and trying to create sound on sound layers. If you want to capture and playback multiple loops in a live band situation you'd be after something like the Boss RC-300 Loop Station or as you've mentioned the Boomerang Sampler. And now a gratuitous link to a video of Adam Ben Ezra using a Boss RC-50... [media]http://youtu.be/0N2UOxkcs8w[/media]

Saw this about six months ago, so it's still for sale eh? Not as many gullible buyers out there as the seller hopes.

Haven't had to make a repair of this nature but I wonder if Plastic Padding Chemical Metal would be a good solution? Supposed to set in 10 minutes and can be sanded, drilled and tapped.

I think many maple boards are lacquered and yes wear can happen in time but it's not quick. I've seen enough sh*t relic jobs where the lacquer has been worn through to simulate tens of years of playing but it looks ridiculously overdone.

Quite a few BCers have done business with CH Guitars and seem to be very satisfied with his products and service. Just check that the thick baseplate and saddle configuration allows you to get the action you'll need - you might find the saddles bottoming out and the strings are still too high if the bass was designed to take a BBOT style bridge.

... I suppose they assume that most people have got a spare USB cable knocking about somewhere though it's always nice to have a thoughtful addition like that. Now, as for a bass to plug into it...

Many of the high end Ibanez basses are built in Japan (as is this model I believe) so if it's a decent price then I don't think you can go wrong. Go and play it and if it sounds good and you've got the cash then buy it and enjoy it!