b7l4s

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cort-Curbow-5-bass-guitar-unique-airbrush-paint-finish-DR-Neon-strings-Hard-case/323305290482 Not for me, but someone will see this and fall in love (possibly)...

Went to drool over the amp, and stayed for the bass... can't afford either! Buy them both and you have a lovely rig IMO... https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/fayehcarson/m.html

Don't know how I didn't find this thread earlier... I've been thinking just starting work on a few similar mods to my PB-50 since I got it last year - all these really nice finished basses have inspired me to get on with it. I'm planning to start with just a headstock re-shape, and (now I've seen how good it looks) a bit of a vintage tint on the very white neck to go with it. I'm also deciding whether to get a clear scratchplate made up - it was only when I stripped the thing down I realised how much I preferred the look of the body without, but the holes would annoy me too much to leave it as is. I did a quick image search and found this Italian site with a couple of pictures where someone has whipped the scratchplate off - unsurprisingly mine looks exactly like that right now... http://www.suonoelettronico.com/harleybentonPB50SBVintageSeries.htm I've already confirmed what everyone else says - that decent flats are the future for this bass, and I was able to set it up 'acceptably' without changing anything else. The one weakness I've found is the tuners... the ferrules were all loose on mine, so after a while they were all sort of slightly pulled out, if you know what I mean? I think I can secure them by wrapping them in tape before reassembly, but it's an annoyance, and I don't really want to replace them since it held in tune fine. All in all I think that a few simple mods will make this a spot on backup bass for me... although some of the ones people have done here would be #1 basses.

Lots of good comments in this thread, but to chip in my 2p... Definitely go used, and if it were me I would be looking for a combo rather than head and cab(s). The reasoning - your budget will get you something really nice on the second-hand market, and combo's are just less of a faff when you are dealing with a tight space and poor light i.e. the usual conditions in a pub. Arguably using separate amp and cab(s) is more flexible, but I like to rehearse and gig with the same gear, so a one-box-for-everything solution is right for me. Most of the options mentioned already are loud enough for pub gigs, and if you are going to have any kind of PA support then a DI pedal in reserve will get you out of trouble in most circumstances i.e. more volume required or even total amp failure. I'm a TE guy myself so I'm biased, but for over a year I used a 150 watt Trace amp in a classic rock covers band and never needed more - of course it didn't stop me wanting more, and I now use a 250 watter, but really that was more for bragging rights than anything ;-) Absolutely all my gear was bought used by the way, apart from cables. As for weight, yes it's quite heavy, but so is a PA, drum kit, lights and all the other stuff we move. If I had a featherweight rig it wouldn't save me much hard work because we all move all the gear together.

http://www.rf2.rocks This was put together by our multi-talented sound man, who when he isn't doing stuff for us moonlights in IT as a day job. I'm not sure what it is built in, or who hosts it, but it does seem to get us some attention. We distribute a lot of flyers that generate website hits, and sometimes gigs too. It doesn't hurt that our leader works in advertising either, so most of our collateral is well produced. Facebook is better than our own website at getting gigs noticed since people can 'follow' and get notifications, and we are all active on there - sharing band posts etc. but the website doesn't cost much and I think people expect it?

I don't think these have been mentioned here yet, but something a bit special for TE fans - a pair (sort of) of T-Basses being sold by Andy Ewen - ex. of TE himself... [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Trace-Elliot-T-Bass-4-String-1998-Rare-and-in-incredible-condition-/263058258049"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Trace-Elliot-T-Bass-4-String-1998-Rare-and-in-incredible-condition-/263058258049[/url] [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Trace-Elliot-T-Bass-5-String-1998-Rare-and-in-incredible-condition-/263058250859"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Trace-Elliot-T-Bass-5-String-1998-Rare-and-in-incredible-condition-/263058250859[/url] Also a practically mint TA50R acoustic amp: [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Trace-Elliot-TA50R-Acoustic-Guitar-Amplifier-50W-Original-Unused-/263055926288"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Trace-Elliot-TA50R-Acoustic-Guitar-Amplifier-50W-Original-Unused-/263055926288[/url] Lovely - just wish I had the cash :-)

I used to call a supplier regularly and ask for Phil Schofield, which isn't that remarkable. What tickled me was when he wasn't available the other guy I could talk to was Mohammed Ali

I would certainly recommend trying one if you can - shame you don't live even remotely close. I couldn't gig mine - not only because of the usability limitations, I just don't think I could get a usable sound out of it in a band situation. I have seen a video where someone was demo-ing one of these and it did sound OK, but either my rig or my technique can't get there. It just sounds thin and nasal to me when I want fat and punchy (in my bass tone)... I know I'm being hard on this bass, but for ~ £160 (which is what they seem to cost now) I don't think you are getting something all that useful... by comparison one of my favourite 'normal' basses cost me less than that second hand. My Anygig is used purely for learning new material when I'm travelling, and for that purpose it does its job, so despite my criticism I don't hate it - I just think it should be a better bass guitar as well.

I have one of those... didn't pay that much for it though! Some people might get on with it, but I find it quite awkward - when sitting down the little metal 'rest' digs in and I just can't get my right hand in a comfortable position, and when standing it doesn't hang right because there is no bodywork leaning against you. It does serve a purpose though if you are really really short on space just want to something with a 34" scale neck to play (which I often do). Sounds fairly nasty too, but again, sufficient for practice. I never expected a tone machine anyway. I did make some modifications that helped with making it a bit more user friendly, but IMO it is frankly under-developed - especially for the money. I also really dislike that the strap attached to a tuning peg - that just feels like a disaster waiting to happen, although to be fair to the instrument it hasn't happened yet. As with all things, your mileage may vary, but if it got damaged/stolen/whatever I wouldn't even think about buying another, which is the yardstick I use to put a value on my gear. I just feel there must be a better solution out there.

Bought a Gator bass case (posted rather than in person) from Chazz - a gent who made for a nice, smooth transaction. The case was, if anything, in better nick than he described, and he wrapped it up properly for delivery, so even Parcelforce's finest got it to me in the same condition as he sent it. Thanks that man - I commend you to this house!

[quote name='mrtcat' timestamp='1467219595' post='3082060'] I like subtle relic effect if done well and if it's in realistic places. Mark at limelight sent me a picture of my newly built 76 p bass a couple of days ago. Can't wait to get my paws on it. [/quote] That is nice mrtcat - you may be the owner of my dream p-bass... I've always been on the fence about relic'd stuff, but that is both subtle and effective, and in my preferred colours, and a Limelight... I could go on Just what I needed - more GAS.