kodiakblair

The Oregon is too wide in the middle I think and the 6'er neck doesn't help matters. I've had a look at veneers and they're not cheap typically £65/75 so that probably adds £100. The Vintage are listed discontinued at some places, out of stock others and the price blew it right out of the thread the one place I found it £400.

Bassassin that is nice, very nice. And Mornats your Hillsboro is braw, I've a wee Dean Evo myself so I know the quality and the Hillsboro is on the possible buy list.

At £360 so well over the budget there is this Truly Beautiful Vintage V1004SP It would be the Vintage for me.

I agree with you on the angled pickups and squaring them off by routing and adding bigger pickups ain't an option, volume knob is too close and defeats the purpose of Great Looks. Can't help with Spalted tops but I just saw this on Gear4Music http://images.gear4music.com/media/8574/600/preview.jpg Maple,Mahogany thru neck Ash body 24 frets Active £178 oh and you get a Hard Case with it. Can't vouch for the Bass but it sure is pretty http://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Oregon-Neck-Thru-Bass-Guitar-and-Case-by-Gear4music-Natural/8FM What's your thoughts ? [attachment=161897:preview.jpg]

That sure is brawl. I think we're spoilt for choice in the £300 price range. There's just that much variety, £300 getting you 5 strings,fretless, etc. I keep looking at those thru neck Bentons, since I got that one last month I've no qualms about another Benton. Same goes for the Retrovibes. Great basses on all counts, looks,sound,build and playing. More than happy with my Evo and Zygote.

Go a bit different.The Retrovibes go for round the £300 mark. Both of mines are quality and a joy to play. Mind you same can be said for my Washburns,Westones and Ibanez, The 30 year old Bass Collection still stands out, if you see one try it you won't be disappointed. The Harley Bentons sold by Thomann are good and half your budget. A thru neck 5 string for £177 or the JB 20 for £80 http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_mb222t.htm £200 will get you a Cort Curbow or £50/60 a Peavey Milestone III.Mines get played at least twice a week. Whatever you go for you can't really miss. Damn! time to get £300 together and go bass buying.

Hey Chris I know what you mean about build quality. I've a couple of Retros, an Evo and the Zygote both very good basses. Slimmer neck on the Zygote. Just wondering about your pickups though, the ones on mines Damn they're loud. Are you finding the same ? I'm gonna lower them and see if it helps,mind you it's easier just to roll the volume back. Braw looking Bass, Dave from Probass certainly did his homework when desigining them. Enjoy your Bass

BigRedX has the right of it the Tanglewood is wood. I've never had any bother playing my Cort sitting either.

I'm with TheGreek on that. Got my Bass Collection 20 odd years back still a cracking Bass.

That Dingwall is stunning.

Ape what Pre amp system are you after ? I don't know if you've looked at Thomann http://www.thomann.de/gb/emg_electronics_for_basses.html They're not that cheap but no import tax or that.

Hey Weststarx is Gig Gear the old Machinehead Music shop in Harlow under a new name ? Been about 27 year since I was last down that way. Braw Bass Ye Got There

I'd saw these Retrovibe basses on Ebay last week and kept an eye on them. [url="http://www.probass.co.uk/Home.html"]http://www.probass.co.uk/Home.html[/url] Picked up The Zygote in Trans Red and the Evo in White. [url="http://s1205.photobucket.com/user/kodiakblair/media/Retrovibes.jpg.html"][/url] Out the boxes both were very well built and finished.The necks had a good Fret job and were smooth. The action on the Evo was perfect, I'm used to playing thinner necks but had no problem getting used to the thicker neck on the Evo, the Zygote being thinner of the two. No chance these necks are moving. [url="http://s1205.photobucket.com/user/kodiakblair/media/RetroBacks.jpg.html"][/url] Got about an Hour playing them tonight, 1st impression Damn those pickups are loud ! The pair of them were strung with D'addario roundwounds, very crunchy sound. Started playing Nirvana and I've never done that before and not the bass part, With the volume rolled back and less attack with the fingers the Evo was sounding great so I think maybe lowering the pickup might be for me.Those pickups are really sensitive,catch everything you do. Dave from ProBass is doing these basses with 24 hr delivery,a great set up,eye catching looks certainly they're not pretending to be something else all at a really good price. Another thing I just noticed sizewise they're quite small, about the same as my Dean EVO XM and it's a short scale. Worth checking out.

It's always a problem Ape. I just found out today Butler Music in the US is doing Washburn Stu Hamm 5er's for $450 inc shipping and import tax,about £300 to us. This being the same week I shelled out for a Curbow and a Couple of Retrovibes. Ain't that the way of things.

TalkBass has a few reviews posted. All positive. Got a soft spot for Washburns myself. Good prices to be had for buyers too.

Thanks Howie. I saw the pots on the back.Pretty good set-up on this so I don't think I'll be playing with the neck. The bit half hour I got with it ;last night tells me I'm gonna enjoy this one. Cheers K.B

Ok so it's not new but I just got this today from Nevada Music. A day early that's always good, Packed well but didn't kill a forest to do it and only £6 for delivery. Out of the box came this [url="http://s1205.photobucket.com/user/kodiakblair/media/Curbow1.jpg.html"][/url] Light weight, good action, no buzz, looks absolutely brilliant. Roll on the weekend and I get some time with this.

The guys recommending the Ibanez Mikro are bang on the button. I've one myself and they're good with really nice slim necks I've also got a Dean Evo XM which is 30" yet another nice bass though a wider neck. Both are very light weight so ideal for an 11 year old.

Steve my first bass was the £50 Kay out the catalogue 30 odd year back. [URL=http://s1205.photobucket.com/user/kodiakblair/media/KayEB100.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/bb424/kodiakblair/th_KayEB100.jpg[/IMG][/URL] When I think what £50 was worth back then ( 1st wage £16 ) what's available now is great and a damn sight cheaper.

I'd been looking for a cheap short scale and was looking at the Thomann site for the Mikro ( great wee bass BTW), anyway looking at the other basses available the Benton PB-50 SB Vintage took my fancy. Listened to the sound-clips and thought Yep like that. Ordered Tuesday night, text and email on Wednesday to say order confirmed and shipped.Arrived on Friday, box within a box packed in airbags, so fast delivery and safe packaging plus point. Out the box came a gorgeous looking Bass [url="http://s1205.photobucket.com/user/kodiakblair/media/Benton.jpg.html"][/url] Good neck,Well built and well balanced,shipped with Wilkinson Alnico single coil and D'ddario strings. Quick easy set-up and away we go,good range of sounds. All in all a good sound bass. At a cost of £87 First time dealing with Thomann and first Benton and I'm well happy.No hassles,fast delivery and a good bass.I'd consider another Benton and deal with Thomann again Just my tuppence worth. K.B