anzoid

Yeah... don't bother with the latest version XT25 - low quality is an understatement. Pickups are weak, body shape is just wrong compared to the B2, and fit and finish is laughable. I bought a four string Spirit XT online and it went back the same day it arrived. Complete rubbish. That's the current batch. If you can get a slightly older XT25 then it might be worth it - you'd need to look for something the same vintage as the Spirit XZ series of bodied/headless basses so, I guess around 2012-13 (maybe even earlier... can't quite find a reliable date at the moment...). I think the pickups tended to be squarer, and may or may not be branded. You won't find one with EMGs that's for sure, pickups might be branded "Spirit" in their script style lettering, if it's "Steinberger" then that probably indicates a later model (to be avoided). They also used quite rounded off pickups for a while... they're kind of low output but not too bad. As you can tell, going by the pickups is a bit difficult. You really need to look at the body shape - the latest ones are just more squared off, slightly broader "shoulders" compared to older XTs and the B2s. The transition from the neck to the body is also rougher, not quite so refined on the latest versions - just doesn't look (or feel) as good. Personally I would absolutely hold out for a Hohner B2V as it will be head(less) and shoulders above the Spirit, particularly if you can get an active with EMGs in it.

bartelby - I ended up emailing the vendor of the Gotohs I'm interested in he said that 3L+2R was correct - so the eBay one looks like it's wrong. T-Bay - think I'll probably go for the Gotohs, the ones currently on the Hudson are... OK, not great on tuning stability for an otherwise very nice bass, and considering the price I got for, putting £50 into it for tuners isn't so bad. I put Gotohs on a Bass Collection SB100 a while back and was very pleased with the result... so probably worth the investment.

Thank you! This is what had got me confused: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2L3R-Black-String-Tuning-Pegs-Tuner-Machine-Head-for-5-String-Bass-Accessory/282820547793 3R+2L that's the same way round as the Schaller set (and the ones on the Hudson). But I've read (somewhere...) that you just look at the front of the headstock - count the ones on the left, count the ones on the right and that's what you order. Maybe I should stick to 4-string...

I recently picked up a black Hudson PB5 (kinda Cort Curbow style thing) and it's crying out for a bit of an "all black" stealth look. I've managed to find the exact same bridge in black and now I'm trying to work out what to do about machine heads. It's 3 + 2 but I don't know whether I should be getting 3L+2R or 2L+3R. So, can someone tell me, based on the attached pictures, what I should be going for? Thank you! And are those £10 sets of machine heads off eBay any good, or should I put on some Gotoh 707s?

Met up with Pat in Southall, Tesco's car park, to conclude the sale of an MB NY121 cab. Pat was there ahead of schedule and the exchange was swift and easy - only shame was that neither of us had more time to stand around chatting. Pat's an excellent bloke to deal with - great communication and a man of his word.

Still looking like an Ibanez (and JimBobTTD, your comment pushes me even more in that direction ), but Schecter basses have just come onto the radar and they look as though they have similarly slim necks... and look like they're a lot of bass for the money. Particularly drawn to the Stiletto Stage 5 which is neck-thru with MM style humbuckers. Any thoughts?

Met with Brendon Sunday to trade my SGC Nanyo fretless for his Cort Curbow. A real pleasure! Got to see his bass collection, try out a nice Spector 5-string and have a good natter about bass guitars - altogether an excellent outing! Brendon is friendly and easy going

Thank you both for the comments. After much experimenting with 5-strings (expensive hobby...) the Ibanez I tried is the only one that works due to a very weird shoulder problem I have. Much as I like the look of the Spectors, if the neck is chunkier than the Ibanez (even though nut and string spacing seem to be about the same) then it won't work out. So, looks like it'll be an Ibanez - l'll survive

That is gorgeous! Nowt else to say really

I'm on the verge of buying an Ibanez 5-string, had one to try out for a few days a couple of weeks ago and the neck fits... I found I really got on nicely with the 16.5mm string spacing at the bridge, 45mm nut, and slim neck profile. But... I'm wondering... how do Spector 5-string necks compare to Ibanez ones? I believe the Legend series (and Rebop?) have 16.5mm spacing at the bridge too, not sure what the nut is, but is the neck similar in profile to an Ibanez? There's no way I'm going to be able to try out a Spector anytime in the near future. Any thoughts welcome on quality comparisons between, say one of the new Ibanez SR875s (or the SRMS805 fan fret) and either a Legend 5 Classic (or Custom) or Rebop 5. Thanks!

Looks lovely, but are the controls a bit closer to the edge of the body than on a "standard" jazz?

Greek symbol and very light - what's not to like... I presume it's the Greek symbol for "Up yours"... or "Dis Dafuq"

Then there's this one: Looks like she has a bass saw leaning up against the table!!!

OK, that is just awesome... I think I want one, and the price has dropped to nearer £30. Still wonder why it ended up under "Bass Guitars" - way too high pitched

Sold (and bought) a load of stuff over the last three years, my only regret (weirdly...) was the Cort C4H I sold. It wasn't the most expensive but the double MM style humbuckers just gave it an awesome tone. It was also really light and comfortable to play... so why did I sell it... no idea...

Really? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Feldmann-s-Singing-Saw-Musical-Instruments-Germany/362303083782 And it's in the bass section too...

Seconding Stylon! Thanks Happy Jack. This kind of stuff is why I only play at home anymore... or maybe I'd be the one the other band members started a blog about... whatever

Well done Yeah, saw there was no real mention in the description but the title is nicely confusing...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fender-Vintage-Style-Bass-Guitar-Neck/332614379986 Um, yeah, don't think that's Fender, vintage or otherwise - though it probably is Vintage.

Yeah, just going to go out and sand down the car... The refin I had done a couple of years ago was on a body I'd already striped down (not very well apparently...) and was done by Jack's Instruments Services in Manchester - was very pleased with the quality of the work done - then promptly sold the bass anyway as I realised it wasn't working out for me anyway Was a good lookin' bass though.

So, worth about £450 realistically now... ouch - I recently got a quote from someone I've used before who did a very good refin for me and body only would be about £200, and as you say - some off for inconvenience like having to ship it for the refin, etc. etc. Amazing how a bit of sandpaper can kill the value of a bass.

Some people really are stupid... isn't it worth far less than the £750 he's hoping for now??

Thank you

I bought this bass from the TheGreek a while back but realised it's not really for me (maybe I've just not found a fretless that works for me... but I'm beginning to think I'm just rubbish on fretless :D). Condition is as it came from Mick, only thing I've done is change the strings. I had someone look at the cracking round the fingerboard but the conclusion was it was very minor and a bit of glue would solve any issue - having said that, it still plays beautifully and seems stable and I've not had time (or inclination) to sort it out... Anyway, yeah, it's on Gumtree, local pickup only as I would prefer the buyer to look it over and be happy with what they're seeing. And the Hohner B2B is also mine - got to clear out some basses...