Steve Browning

Just taken delivery of a very fine bitsa from Brian. Effortless transaction and delivered super quick and very well packaged. Cheers Brian, you're an absolute star. Steve

I would fully expect that you'll sell to them at full price and you'll buy from them at full price. In general, tax sees transactions independently of each other. VAT and Duty are charged by HMRC and your p/x bass will be subject to import charges in Japan.

No suggestion she actually played but any excuse to post a picture of the goddess Kate Bush.

There is a buffer unit you can install, that affects the level of the piezo pick-up in the bridge. It makes thew thing far more useable. I am not a fan of the Lace Sensor in the 'usual' position and would rather have something else there but have no idea how it is wired into the electrics.

I think a lot depends on circumstances. I have been in both situations. In one, we gigged a lot and we had a bank account and borrowed money to do a recording. We operated on a monthly basis and took out a set amount for all rehearsals and gigs (yes, we got paid to rehearse!). At the end of each month we deducted all the expenses and shared out the months profit. This happened each month. We even had a leased van as well. It worked fine because we had the income to cover it. Now, I own the van, pa and lights. I bought them because (at the time) I was in a position to. I don't charge the band anything for their use, but that's my choice. It's a lot easier and there is no dispute. The other guys use their mics etc. I use the rig for other things I do and I let them use bits if they want something for another gig they have. Having a bunch of people who are good friends share cost is fine but difficulties are almost bound to arise somewhere down the line and what happens if you want to sack someone? As already said, this could be a minefield. Kramer vs Kramer started out as a happy story!!

I actually see a fair few basses advertised as 'free shipping' from Japan. Not quite sure what's going on there, too good to be true usually is.

I have bought from Ishibashi a couple of times. never had an issue. I would, however, think more in terms of 25% rather than just 20. That just covers the VAT but there will be charges around covering the VAT to get it through Customs and any Duty payable. 25% gives you a better approximation to consider the value of the purchase.

When I am using gig bags for the basses I use Reunion Blues Aero series. The cables etc go in a Mesa Boogie cable bag. Similar to the Amazon one you are considering. I have a Wenger aircraft carry on type bag for rehearsals. It's more manageable for carrying the fewer bits I need and is the right size for folders etc.

I have seen a Fender Japan one of these before. I have a Precision one, which is superb.

You'll never fool an expert. The F is the wrong way round. 🙂

You're the goalkeeper in a penalty shoot-out. You can't lose. Go out there and give it your best. Just keep smiling and everyone will think any mistake is someone else. Hope the back stage catering was good!!

Given the fact no-one has one then it's a pretty redundant question. Would being Norman Watt-Roy improve my bass playing would be an equally valid question.

There is a meaning there, that is not familiar in Latvia, I think. If I say it's the orifice through which micturition occurs you may get the answer!! 🙂

If there is a forum version of slap, this is it. 😞

I confess I know jack about that song.

Yes. It's all in the link above. I'm dangerous, me.

A Precision does all I want out of a bass. On a much more shallow level, I can't stand the shape of a Jazz.

Can't say I have a preference. I have 2 on stands and 1 on a wall hanger (and rotate them with my others) and just pick one of those up. They're all Precisions, of course.

Ah, The Birdie Song. I've told the story before of how I killed someone playing that. Portsmouth Radical Club 24/12/78.

At home, I either use a USB powered mixer that has the pc sound going through it (if practising songs) and headphones or, sometimes, an Ampeg Micro-CL stack - mainly bought for its comedic potential. Additionally,. I will often just play acoustically.