Annoying Twit

Yes, I know that this isn't that newsworthy. But, I've seen these go for real bargain prices even though they are said to be decent. So, with the £25 starting price and no reserve that I can see, this might be a bargain for someone. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Yamaha-RBX-A2-4-String-Bass-Guitar-/171381400809?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item27e720a4e9

Even without a car, there's quite a lot of the country that I can reach through public transport. I've bought pickup only items in both Coventry and Peterborough. I've worked out what the fares would be, and if I added on the train ticket prices to what those basses sold for, it would still be worthwhile getting them. I predict that at some point I'm going to take a big trip across the country for some bargain.

I like the idea of a bass like this, and have enough budget to increase my bid to a plausible amount if I want to. (I've seen two of them sell, one on ebay, one on here). But, particularly up the fret board, isn't there a problem of the fret positions being quite close together? You do say that they're easy to play, so I presume that isn't a problem. If I had one of these, I'd play it unplugged as well. A bit of sound would be important on a fretless, so that I can identify intonation fails, I would guess. But if I increase my bid, this would be instead of a more 'normal' fretless bass, rather than in addition to one.

I think that the sum total they sold for would still be a good price for either of them.

These are sold, not starting, prices. £64!!! http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121368697558?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT £73!!! For a five string. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121368695270?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

8/10. I didn't know the bands I got wrong, so don't feel too bad about that. Edit: BTW: I got Oasis right by observing that the guy in the picture didn't look very intelligent.

If anyone wants another one, this has the Fender style headstock and the square string tree. £10 starting price, collection only in Nottingham. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Encore-Bass-Guitar-/131236547935?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item1e8e4ecd5f

While I'm waiting for my fretless bass buying budget to increase again, I'm lowballing this. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Electro-Acoustic-fretless-Travel-Bass-Guitar-ex-demo-half-size-bass-with-tuner-/171380224548?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item27e70eb224&autorefresh=true

Please bid loads, he needs the money. (THoJC's £16 purchase may be a bit ominous for how much this bass will fetch however). [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/encore-bass-guitar-/281380050848?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item41838ed7a0"]http://www.ebay.co.u...=item41838ed7a0[/url]

[quote name='Rumple' timestamp='1404745842' post='2495321'] I've got one that I've strung BEAD, works a treat [/quote] Did you have to file the nut a bit?

Questions and answers are interesting. [quote] Q: Hello, I am Marty Humphman from the Jaco Pastorius Institute of Gifted Bass Players. I have reason to believe that this is indeed fake. Please remove this joke, unless you can provide irrefutable proof it was his. As you other responses to questions have basically said " don't believe me if you don't want to", I have to explain, this is not how the game works or is played. If you wan't to sell this item you must proove, hence making people believe it was Jacos bass. Either way he does not appeared to have played this one, rendering it valueless, even further with modifications. We find it hard to believe the original neck would have been disposed off. 06-Jul-14 A: Mr. Humphman, No one tells me what to do except my Creator. Have you even met Jaco? You are in the UK. Next I do not worship anyone, including Jaco. To all due respect, he was a friend and colleague. I admire him and his ability, but I am a viable bassist and artist myself. My students are touring Europe and the world with and as major artist. You probably listen to my music. I lecture at universities worldwide. I am degreed from the most respect universities in America. I am American born and bred. I do not have to prove anything to you or anyone. As bad I want to refer to you am educated fool, will refrain. My recording is most sampled bass line in the UK and Europe. You have no respect sir! Do your homework, because you teaching minds you need to know what you are talking about. You do not. I pity a fool. [/quote]

I found a link (now lost) that suggests that the new price was £799.

If I correctly remember a thread on here from some years ago, the Encores that were made in India are said to be good. If this is ten years old, it might be one of them. Edit: I can't find the thread I was thinking of, but this thread might be interesting. [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/172899-anyone-got-any-history-on-encores/"]http://basschat.co.u...ory-on-encores/[/url] Edit2: Yours has a Fender style headstock and a square string tree. That means it could easily be an Indian built bass, which appears to be the most desirable Encores. I haven't played any Encores, but from what I read, it'll probably be a decent bass. However, you might want to hit the gym to build muscle to help you adjust to the weight

It doesn't look as if it would be comfortable to play. £1000? Is it really worth that? It is in position 5 out of 9 of musicradar's '9 scary looking guitars'. http://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/9-scary-looking-guitars-588476/5

It says 'Free Local Pickup', in Annan. BTW: I think that £190 is touch high for a second hand VM Fretless, though they have been selling for a bit more lately. If you're interested in buying a VM fretless, we risk entering into a bidding war against each other. Edit: Whoops! I have misinterpreted your post. I thought that there must be something in the details that created ambiguity concerning whether or not it's pickup only. I've just read the listing, including the stuff all in red

[quote name='Hobbayne' timestamp='1404556220' post='2493674'] Was it this time last year when these were so popular they ran out of them? [/quote] I thought that they ran out of them because they decided to clear out their stock, and they sold them for £60. If I remember correctly.

[quote name='Thunderbird' timestamp='1404555656' post='2493664'] Me too but I think they look awful Sorry [/quote] I like the look of the natural finished through neck Grinds.

Ive heard a lot of good things about the Grinds. I must try one some day (if I ever see one).

This Peavey Grind bass has quite an unusual grain pattern. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Peavey-Grind-Bass-5-NTB-5-String-Electric-Bass-Guitar-Very-good-Condition-/221484885994?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item33918727ea

[quote name='skej21' timestamp='1404403132' post='2492356'] After paypal and ebay take their cut, they can only be making £20 on that bass. What's the point?! Especially if someone claims it hasn't turned up and gets the item and their money back. Surely not worth the hassle or risk for the sake of such small amounts? [/quote] £20 can be worth having if enough people buy. They may be running a number of virtual businesses Thomann will, I assume, send the instrument by signed for delivery. If the ebay seller can supply a tracking number that shows delivery, then that seller will win an item not received case.

There's a trick that some people do on ebay. You find an item on amazon, and then list it on ebay for a higher price. If anyone doesn't check prices and buys from ebay, then you buy the item from amazon and have it sent to the buyer. It seems that someone is doing this on ebay, with some Harley Benton products. Mainly guitars, but here are two basses that look suspiciously familiar: [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_b_550fl_bk_progressive_series.htm?sid=3f11ce696b0faa265bf7c93860b1fd06"]http://www.thomann.d...bf7c93860b1fd06[/url] vs: [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FL-PROGRESSIVE-SERIES-BASS-GUITAR-BLACK-/390877152305"]http://www.ebay.co.u...K-/390877152305[/url] And: [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_jb_75_sb_vintage_serie.htm"]http://www.thomann.d...ntage_serie.htm[/url] vs: [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/JB-ELECTRIC-BASS-GUITAR-WE-ALSO-SELL-FENDER-GUITARS-/390875042839"]http://www.ebay.co.u...S-/390875042839[/url] There are guitars that are probably Harley Bentons as well. The seller appears to be using the Thomann photos. Not only are the BIN prices quite a bit higher than Thomann's, but the ebay seller is charging more for the postage than Thomann charges (AFAIK). Looking at their feedback, they haven't sold many. But every one they sell is pure profit unless buyers start returning under the DSRs.

The seller tells us 'No time wasters'. I feel my time was wasted reading the listing.

[quote name='pete.young' timestamp='1404209350' post='2490240'] I'd look out for a Bass Collection SGC Nanyo - should be able to pick up a fretless for less than £150. [/quote] Is there anyone out there prepared to sell me a SGC Nanyo fretless for £150?

The dilemma is pretty much solved. I have tried the Squier, and prefer the ebanol fretboard to the generic rosewood feel that I'd guess the HB would have. (Not that a generic feel is unreasonable at that price). However, it's now been mentioned that a Rockbass Corvette fretless has an ebony board. If the electronics on it make a decent sound, that's an option.

Hmmm.... The kayak appears to be a bargain, but I was semi-joking about the bass as I'd have to carry it back on trains and things. And, today I finally have the (self-limited) budget to buy a brand new Harley Benton fretless if I wanted to, or if I borrow a month's personal budget from myself most of the Squier VMJs I see on ebay. I thought about it, but I must ... resit ... temptation