Annoying Twit

It costs £50 to get a written valuation from Harris Hire. http://www.harris-hire.co.uk/valuations.php The letter mentions a Fender P-Bass, but of course it doesn't mean that Harris Hire has actually seen the bass. They also do telephone valuations, where I presume they'd accept any descriptions (such as that's a real Custom Shop bass) at face value. Anyone want to email [email protected] and ask what they think? They are 'always happy to discuss any aspect of [their] business'.

I wouldn't buy a second hand Fender unless it came from someone very reliable. I tried to use this example to research on how to tell a genuine fender from a fake (e.g. relabelled Squier). Unlike, e.g., identifying fake Gibson LPs, there is much less information available. And the actual Fender forum seems to be fill of people also saying that they wouldn't buy (e.g.) a Fender Custom shop except from a reliable source. One thread I saw had a supposed genuine Fender with the neck removed. In the pocket the body said 'Allparts', and the neck said 'Mighty Mite'. I note that the gumtree fender seems to have the 'fat' Squier headstock. And no stamped serial number that I can see, just a number as part of the decal. Are these the differences you see, or is there more?

[quote name='KiOgon' timestamp='1382972195' post='2258621'] + 1 to all the above & Needle files are great but the small string slots may need some careful attention with something smaller - like welding tip cleaners - [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tip-Cleaner-Needle-file-set-guitar-nut-files-/170996340430?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item27d02d16ce"]http://www.ebay.co.u...=item27d02d16ce[/url] When/if you get a proper set of nut files it all becomes so much easier [/quote] I have both needle files and welding tip cleaners. My first attempt at filing a nut was successful, and improved the bass no end. I used the welding tip cleaners on a guitar too, and that also was a success. I second the recommendation above to take things slowly. My needle files came from Aldi, the welding tip cleaners from ebay.

[quote name='Thunderbird' timestamp='1383163155' post='2261118'] Its not your eye it is a high action but in all fairness a 2 grand bass can have a high action if it has been poorly set up I am guessing that is whats up with the bass in your picture? [/quote] My Shine SB26 had an action like that before I shimmed the neck and attacked the nut with files. Relevance: The Harley Benton six string is a rebadged Shine, though I notice that the current model is different from mine in that it has a separate battery compartment.

Given that Thomann has been selling inexpensive basses under the Harley Benton name for a long while (there's a 2007 thread on here), it's surprising that there aren't more on ebay. There's one of their cheaper Jazz basses on ebay as well: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Harley-Benton-Bass-/190947023622?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item2c75545b06 It may be my eye, but isn't that a fairly high action?

I made a mistake - the four string through neck is available new. It's under Jazz basses. (?) [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_hbz2004.htm"]http://www.thomann.d...ton_hbz2004.htm[/url] It seems very cheap for an active through neck for £161, but not having played one, I've no idea what it's like. Even with the case, that makes the £155 starting bid on the one on ebay look a bit high. Or, is that a better earlier model. The wood doesn't look like mahogany to me. I've always been curious about their bass that looks like a Vintage-Modified-a-like. It's cheap as chips at just over £104 new + postage. [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_hbb1975_na.htm"]http://www.thomann.d..._hbb1975_na.htm[/url] Some interesting opinions on Harley Benton here: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/186956-harley-benton-opinions-please/"]http://basschat.co.u...pinions-please/[/url] Though, instruments on ebay might be older models which may or may not be better or worse. I've been looking for a cheap unlined fretless. I'm bloody tempted to go for this: [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_b_400fl_tbk_modern_ser_b_stock.htm"]http://www.thomann.d...ser_b_stock.htm[/url] But, perhaps I should hold out for something better.

[quote name='GregBass' timestamp='1383129861' post='2260467'] I have just sold one for £150. [/quote] Was it a streamer standard, or one of the better models? Did it have a case?

[quote name='waynepunkdude' timestamp='1383030062' post='2259199'] I'm heading down the m4 on Saturday if you want me to pick it up and send it to you. [/quote] Thanks for the offer. The listing has ended now. I was thinking about this, and as I thought, it disappeared. If it needed to be sent through the post that would add a layer of complexity to the comparative simplicity of picking it up locally. But I very much appreciate your offer, and I'd like to ask that should I see something up your way in the future, would it be appropriate to send a PM asking if anything can be worked out in any way.

I have one. It cost me £115 collected, and is in very good nick.

If it was local to me, I'd have bought it instead of posting it here.

If this is in good working order, isn't this a good price for a Roland Bass Microcube? I'm a bit confused as to why it's described as a 'speaker' however. [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/amp-speaker-/291005413704?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item43c1463948"]http://www.ebay.co.u...=item43c1463948[/url]

And back again. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DP-CUSTOM-FRETLESS-7-STRING-BASS-/111201387505?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item19e41e83f1 Maybe if he keeps it on for a year, he'll get what he wants for it.

Red cardinal bass. Low starting bid. Free delivery. Very blue lined hard case. What is there not to like? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-1981-Aria-Pro-II-Cardinal-series-bass-guitar-Matsumoku-made-CSB-450-/141102323585?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item20da5a9781

[quote name='FinnDave' timestamp='1382956007' post='2258307'] Worse than that, it has no brakes - once you start playing you'll never stop. [/quote]

Both of these look quite interesting. Neither are in Thomann's current range, though there is still a five string version of the through neck bass. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HARLEY-BENTON-THOMANN-4-STRING-BASS-WITH-HARDCASE-R-H-LOOK-/111200675187?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item19e413a573 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Harley-Benton-Electro-Acoustic-Bass-Guitar-Great-Sound-4-String-Solid-Case-/390686713520?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item5af6be26b0

When I first saw the listing, I thought it would be one of the bass synths that they made using factories such as Fujigen. But, it wasn't

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ROLAND-3-4-BASS-GUITAR-/321237144196?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item4acb39d284 I have a vague suspicion that the 'Roland' logo may have been applied at a time significantly after purchase.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Westfield-electric-Bass-Guitar-long-scale-music-man-design-/390687906122?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item5af6d0594a The bass equivalent of a eunuch?

Welcome back Bassassin! In this forum, you shine out like a shaft of gold when all around is dark.

I've been accused of hacking away at my Shine six-string, and the name of a well known ebay seller was mentioned. And it looks pretty bad at present. But if my plans come to fruition and I make a new pickguard for it, I think it'll look OK. Personally I don't think there's anything wrong with modding cheap instruments.

Claimed to be a defretted Japanese p-bass. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fretless-Japanese-P-Bass-/321236874973?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item4acb35b6dd

The bid has been retracted.

I try not to tell people my ebay account name after I've spent time poking fun at them on forums.

He's still trying to sell it. For a £450 starting bid. [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DP-CUSTOM-FRETLESS-7-STRING-BASS-/111197447371?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item19e3e264cb"]http://www.ebay.co.u...=item19e3e264cb[/url] Even though he previously sold it for £540. [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DP-CUSTOM-FRETLESS-7-STRING-BASS-/111171840015?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item19e25ba80f"]http://www.ebay.co.u...=item19e25ba80f[/url]