Musicman20

Thinking locally, I've been in PMT, Forsyths and Dawsons, (Manc area). The Dawsons store unfortunately seems to be plagued by younger players just picking gear up without thinking about marking the instruments or asking; I've seen a few examples of basses being sold new that are really pushing even ex-demo condition. There is also a Dawsons nearby to my home. Much calmer and nicer environment. I have asked them for quotes a few times. I had a fairly larger Roland/Boss order to make and they couldn't move on the prices, despite it being picked up by me, so I went elsewhere and saved a fair amount and had it sent to my house. There are probably a few other smaller stores I've missed around here, but to be honest, the fun of guitar shops has worn off and I just buy online now.

I think some of the super high end guitar shops probably do quite well. World Guitars as an example. Bass alone is such a niche market, whereas involving bass with a larger selection of high end guitars attracts those willing to spend considerable money who want more of a personal service. I think the main stores I would use now would be Andertons, Sound Affects (who also have a high end store) and Bass Direct for more bass niche specific gear.

£299! I am sayin' nowt.

[quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1486120678' post='3229364'] That's what they are supposed to sound like! [/quote] That must be why I don't like it hahaha! Sounds like a low tuned guitar to me. It almost doesn't sound organic, it sounds very digital like a keyboard. Dirt and fuzz on bass can be the icing on the cake, but there is a point where it becomes....too much.

[quote name='radiophonic' timestamp='1486196482' post='3229927'] I think the prices for boutique [i]dirt [/i]pedals (I'll include anything smaller than people like MXR/TC, I guess) has become silly. I woouldn't pay new prices for Darkglass or similar. A B7K costs more than my Hartke head. Beyond setting the eq points and including a blend (why did [i]that[/i] take so long), it can't be rocket science (not disparaging anyone, but this isn't new tech - just better implementation aided by the availability of simulation software, surely). I sometimes wonder how much of the USP is down to really cool graphics on the cases. Hell, I don't even need another dirt pedal and I'm tempted by the Fuzzrocious gear! OTOH, historically, a good boring compressor has always been pricier than a dirt pedal and the move towards multiband does represent a step change in tech, but you can still be in that market at way less than 200 quid. There may be better squeezes than the Boss BCX1, but it does everything I need. It just comes in a boring case, with no fancy paintwork. The MXR Phase 90 is [i]still[/i] a great phaser (boost notwithstanding - actually I find that useful) for < 100 quid. Just my 2c. [/quote] Agreed. Dirt pedals are becoming like Apple products....for a DIRT pedal...!?

Oh, and to give Amazon credit, they have pedals that are £50-100 for free shipping whereas most stores don't. I know there is a lot of anti-Amazon gear heads out there, but for pedals, strings etc, they are great. No fuss delivery, no fuss returns.....always VERY polite. So, I've skipped using stores for the other things I wanted this month and gone to Amazon, again!

Another update - tested the pedal anyway - it is definitely not new. The factory presets were nothing like they should be (they can be changed via App - luckily I have products from this brand so I have some cables it needs), so I had no idea what the pedal actually sounds like. Factory reset, sounds great, so I still definitely want one but I want a new one!

I have no grudge against young musicians; I'm only 35 myself, but I've noticed they tend to have very young staff just ripping metal in their demos....and none of them seem very professional in terms of 'we are a business'. Manners and customer service can ruin a business if not used properly.

[quote name='joeystrange' timestamp='1486237607' post='3230308'] Did you try calling them? They're generally pretty good over the phone. The only odd thing they do is if you order over the phone you can only speak to the person that took your order about returns. Which isn't helpful if it's their day off or they're on holiday. [/quote] Tried and they said use the online returns form...which I had already done. One update is they have now reserved a replacement.

[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1486215148' post='3230090'] LOL @ Fender pt. 2: [url="http://www.pmtonline.co.uk/fender-fsr-limited-edition-59-american-vintage-stratocaster-natural"]http://www.pmtonline...ocaster-natural[/url] They're trippin' big time. [/quote] Hideous! Seriously. WHY?!

Unfortunately, after giving the online store another chance, I've been let down again. I'm giving them a chance to rectify it, and I'll happily give them a good rating, but they are not helping themselves here. Item arrived quickly. Packaged well. Just an effects pedal. Nothing super expensive. I could have gone to Andertons but GAK seemed to have them in. Pedal arrived, box looked fine, opened it up, it's obviously been used - minor scratch. Power cable unraveled, missing manual, missing rubber feet, missing cable (links to iPhone)....I've bought a pedal from this series before and they've always come with these accessories and the online manual confirms it. Immediately start return process. They are open all day. They are posting on social media etc. No response. I try twitter. No response. I try their online chat - no manners from the online team, then they leave before I've asked them to reserve another for me whilst we wait for the returns people to deal with it. It's 2017. Why on earth they can't just say 'sorry, we messed up, I'll get this picked up immediately on Monday and have another with you with the courier?' No apology, no nothing. I've not tried to return an item I don't like. I want it! But, I paid new so I want new and I want to use the accessories it is meant to come with. I very much doubt I will give them a chance again. It's like a lottery.

Looks solid to me. Seems bizarrely cheap!

[quote name='andydye' timestamp='1486028430' post='3228579'] Thanks matey, beauty ain't she As I recall, I pushed the button in December and received the completed bass in early April? Just had another built very similar and that one started November and I collected yesterday [/quote] Wow, that is quick! Shuker sure know a good P bass! In these times of Fender prices being sky high, a hand made beauty lie this is appealing. Enjoy them!

Great amps! Drop the bass, boost the mids...voila...lovely!

To me, some of the heavier DG sounds go too far and just sound SUPER scooped and almost not like a bass...!

Those limited Musicman basses are far nicer than I imagined. They've really nailed the interesting finishes to the necks.

Sorry for lack of updates from me, but I doubt I can make it to this as the car will be being used by my partner...enjoy the day!

This is stunning. If you don't mind me asking, what was the total build time as an estimate?

[quote name='njr911' timestamp='1485962727' post='3228053'] it's 3/4 length which might explain the cost ? [/quote] Ahhh....aimed at younger players?

I'm certain the majority of these signatures basses are actually better than the American Standards....time will tell re the latest American Professional Series.

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1485957364' post='3227999'] Finally Fender come up with some great sounding and playing basses and all anyone can do now is gripe about the colours!! [/quote] Why not enjoy life in style? In addition, the 2008- onwards changes were significant to the American Standards. I have an 09' P and an 11' J. Both are superb. I have played many P basses and I would not in any way want to 'upgrade' to these latest models.

I'm sure you can just order online and have a returns policy. You tend to find a lot of the usual general music stores won't concentrate on what is still a little bit of a niche product. No idea why as they are so small and light, they take up no room! Plus, imagine being a 13/14 year old lad/lass, walking into a store to try an amp that might be good enough to do small gigs with, and you find one that size. Parent's won't moan about helping you to gigs or storing your gear, (I've been there before, you can tell....when I had a huge Trace amp and cabs in my parents house).

I don't dig black guitar and basses, but that is kinda cool. I wonder what the deal is with the price? Is it MIM?

I totally understand that prices are higher with boutique gear, especially Darkglass (are they boutique now though? Becoming very popular now...) and high end compressors. This applies to the entire world. But, what we are saying above is that NOT ONLY are pedals increasingly expensive (I mean, £350 for a bass drive pedal is expensive, let's face it), the price has ALSO been increased here in the UK due to such a poor £, which is a direct result of you know what. The value dropped BECAUSE of that vote. There is no way you can say otherwise. So, the combination of normal manufacturer price increases, along with the fact pedals CAN be expensive, added to the fact we are paying more in the UK now....(e.g. Strymon pedals have gone up £40-50 due to the weak £) means it is, in reality, getting out of hand.

They just need to have a few exciting colours in the range. Like, every year, introduce one off the wall colour and one classic pastel. E.g. Off the wall - Purple metalflake Classic - Sea Foam Green or Sonic Blue (non metallic) I agree that the latest colours are just dull. I personally like Sunburst and White, but they NEED that tort guard they used for the American Standards. I don't own any black basses and I doubt I will. The new green and blue/grey and ok, but....meh....not exciting. Probably the most boring lineup I've ever seen them release. Good job because right now the last thing I need is more basses.