Kex

Sam, you make a good point and am sure any sane and sensible person would do just that. Sadly I am neither and tend to obsess once i get something into my mind. But you never know....

I can feel a trip to B&Q coming on (believe it or not I have done that once before to an old 1976 PB, took no time to strip paint off with Nitromores, some sealer and a can of car paint and was perfect.
I was 17 at the time and the bass cost me £170 then, I am weeping as I type.......

Thanks for that, yes was Guitar Angle i spoke to, nice lady but not really a one stop shop so to speak, also surprising expensive (£450) given its relatively simple finish, will try the other two now and see how i get on - thanks again :-)

Update, bloke in Abergavenny said he tried not to get involved as he can never charge what it takes in time (least thats honest) and people in Blackwood not answering phone so will try again later

I have a really really nice Alembic Essence but I simply don't like the colour (natural flame maple) am in the process of adverting it on 'a well known auction site' as they say on TV, but in reality if i could only get it repainted in black I would keep it for ever. I am based in the south west between Cardiff and Bristol but can not find anyone locally willing to help. Did speak to a person in the Forest of Dean but she wanted me to strip off the hardware and electrics, and even if i could do that ( I cant) she could not look at it until October (boy am I in the wrong business) .

So, any recommendations / advice welcome, as it is the auction ends Sunday so really need to make my mind up before then, as even if I get a half reasonable price (which does not look likely) I would not have enough to then buy another in black - catch 22 !