Hellzero

Let me tell you a little story that happened to a friend of mine. He ordered last year an F-Bass Alain Caron Replica 6 strings through the official retailer in Paris. His bass along with 4 others were blocked by the French customs because one of them had a rosewood fingerboard, but they didn't know which one it was. UPS France did a terrific job by loosing the official CITES certificate that MUST be original. After 4 months of waiting I wrote to Marcel Furlanetto as my friend doesn't speak English at all and Marcel sorted it all within 2 weeks. My friend got his F-Bass Alain Caron Replica 6 by the end of January 2019 instead of early September 2018... And this just because of the total incompetence in that matter by the French customs which preferred to block 5 basses when only one needed a CITES certificate. I don't think they can really tell the difference between plastic and wood. In the USA, you've got specialised offices; in Europe, we have dumber than dumb customs officers. It's about time that the guys at the CITES realise that the musical instruments are absolutely not endangering the woods of Appendix I, II and III, and focus on the real culprits.

What you are telling about seizing an instrument by the customs (no need for a C capital there) is the American way and the presumption of guilt. Over here in Europe, even if British people pretend not to be Europeans, the presumption of innocence prevails, so the customs have to prove that your wood is in Appendix I, II or III. It's not being smarter (even if it's the case here), it's simply abiding the law.

The only wood used for instrument crafting in Appendix I is Dalbergia Nigra, so as it's a Dalbergia, just say it's rosewood, and everything will be fine. Those bureaucrats are becoming stupider day after day, so don't be afraid. The next victory would be putting the Dalbergia Nigra used in finished musical instruments, finished musical instrument parts and finished musical instrument accessories under the new regulation and also having a clear regulation text about selling, buying and trading these finished items...

So, in 2020, we will be able to travel all over the world with our instruments made with Appendix II woods without needing a CITES certificate. But buying and selling them is still in the total mist. About Dalbergia Nigra, aka Brazilian rosewood, I defy any custom officer to tell me he's 100% sure what wood he's looking at...

Some clarification I got from Madinter today : It has not been easy... but we did it! Since January 2, 2017, several wood species are listed in Appendix II of CITES, with Annotation #15, specifically, all Dalbergias and Bubingas. Since then, a group representing the music industry, to which Madinter belongs, has fought to modify this Annotation, to get an exception for musical instruments. Our work has not been in vain, and finally today, from Geneva, proud of the result obtained, we can announce that these products, among others, will be excluded: Finished musical instruments, finished musical instrument parts and finished musical instrument accessories. However, the exports and imports of these woods will continue to need their corresponding CITES permit as at present. WARNING: This change will come into effect 90 days from today. We will keep you informed!

After recording on a dash, Paul died on the lane, that's obvious.

At last, some people opened the eyes and ears of the bureaucratic people at the CITES. And it was about time. Being a Brazilian rosewood fingerboard lover for my fretless basses, it became a real hassle to buy basses fitted with this wood... And I'm not even talking of selling some of them. Hope this will really take place at the soonest.

Soon, only £4.000.000 GBP. Hurry up.

Reverse polarity on one of the split coil by simply inverting the two wires. It sounds like they are out of phase.

Bought an Audere JZ3 Pro from Chris. Great communication all along, fast shipping, item as described and fully working. By the way, it's a great 4 bands preamp. 😉 Chris a highly recommended seller. Bye bye 'til the next time.

This is pure Chinese usual crap, so no Di Marzio inside, but Di Pshit instead...

I've owned around 300 basses over the last 30 years, here is a non exhaustive list made last year : https://www.basschat.co.uk/topic/329699-bldy-gas/?do=findComment&comment=3585197 In the last 12 months, I've been a very compulsive buyer/seller/trader and urm, urm, around 100 basses have come in and out. It's been a crazy year, I must admit, but being a BC active member doesn't help... Now, I try to have not more than 11 basses at home. I mainly play 6 strings fretless basses and almost only luthier or custom models. I'm also a Leduc basses fan as some of you know. I don't think it's a kind of illness at all, but more the will to try as many different basses as I want. I'm buying, selling and trading high end basses and I must say that even if it's a niche market, I've never lost money, on the contrary.

After looking for another wide strap like the SlapStrap by Gerald Reese, my wife offered me this one : It's the perfect match for my yellow Leduc MP628SF and it's as comfortable as the Slapstrap without being stupidly black (and out of stock for years). There are also vegan models and Motörhead signature straps !!! Here is the link to mine : https://www.richterstraps.com/screen/product/guitar-strap-1336 I also got the Loxx strap lock system which is simply the best one to date (no metal noise when moving the strap and only needing one hand to be put on/off the bass when attached to the strap, of course) and very cleverly thought : https://www.richterstraps.com/screen/product/loxx-1429 Now I've got this Loxx system on the Slapstrap too and the end pins on my 3 main basses. The Loxx system is also available with the double anchoring system for those who always forget the strap at home when gigging or rehearsing. Look here for what they are proposing : https://www.loxx-products.com/live/musical-instruments-guitar-strap-strap-locks/music.aspx PS : I'm not affiliated at all to any of the above mentioned brands.