BlueMoon

Bernie Goodfellow (GB Guitars) includes a flashing LED in his preamps. It flashes intermittently when the battery is strong and speeds up when it's getting low. I find it quite useful. The LED is visible through a smoked perspex cavity cover on the rear of the bass. A lamp on the front would be preferable, but still a good idea. Not sure I'd retrofit one on a bass unless I was having other surgery carried out on the instrument and could justify adding one then.

21 hours ago, Doctor J said:

After living with it for many months, I recently popped a Sadowsky preamp in there instead and... yeah, this is really bang on now. I am very much smitten.

I did the same thing with my Blade B2. It now has a Sadowsky preamp and pups. The Blade is a very nice bass with some neat design features. I particularly like the truss rod wheel, which has a "Levinson" brand name as a cover on the neck heel.

I've just concluded a totally enjoyable purchase of a bass from @cascanicoff (aka Gorka). The instrument was well described, the communications complete and friendly. Gorka went to great lengths to answer my questions, providing specific addition pics to clarify all points. He even gave me a free Spanish lesson!😀The bass was shipped immediately the next day and the packaging was excellent. Buy or sell your bass gear with confidence when dealing with Gorka.

4 hours ago, bigthumb said:

So what flats are recommended for a Rickenbacker?

I have TI flats on mine. Once you get used to the low tension they are fine, and sound surprisingly  "clanky". Might not suit a player who really "digs in" though.

He's a national icon..........enough said!!

If I think about it too much I can convince myself that switching from DB to a 5 string electric is going to be a problem.

In reality, after the first few notes, it is usually fine for me.

I'm sure you'll be just fine switching between them!!

Speaking as somebody living in continental Europe, I can only say a big thank you to the BC forum and to the great folks who run it ..........and all of those who contribute.

It does feel like a family!! Different opinions are often aired, and the reactions are generally courteous. My dealings in the marketplace section have been overwhelmingly positive, which makes a change from some other online auctions or salerooms!!!

Thanks!!!!

I've bought a few things from Kim over the past year and everytime it was a smooth, transparent and enjoyable process. Good communications, honesty and a general "good feel" factor combine to reassure any potential buyer or seller that Kim is a great person to do business with. Thanks Kim!

3 hours ago, bassfan said:

That’s nice @BlueMoon what model is it?

Thanks. Officially, it's an M245 Plus Custom. It has the Bartolini XTCT + MCT-375.

The JHJ combination gives a huge tonal palette, but tricky to adjust "on the fly" during a gig.

Nope..........secondhand stuff from the UK (same for other 3rd countries) over a threshold (100 euro or thereabouts) is subject to local VAT (currently 21% in Belgium). There is VAT on the shipping and the cost of the item and a service/administrative charge as well. All in all, it adds about 25% to the original price and can take some weeks in customs undergoing clearance. It's a bummer, both ways unfortunately.

Real shame this bass is in the UK ..........and I'm not. Otherwise I would have snapped it up. Cannot justify a 25% Brexit surcharge, sadly. GLWTS @FinnDave

Looks like it's an East J-retro 01 deluxe and a bass made in 97/98, which checks out with John Suhr's tenure at Fender.

The above reflects my experience over the last years. Great service.

When I had one I used LaBella S660 nylon tapewounds on it. No need to mess with changing to conventional strings unless availability of double ball end strings is the problem locally.

I use this supplier, but after Brexit you may prefer a UK-based one.

 https://lordofthestrings.com/en/bass/electric/double-ball

Great seller!! Excellent description, communication, packaging and attention to detail. Trusted B/Cer....deal with confidence.

Thank you, Pete.

28 minutes ago, 4000 said:

the highlight was The Glitter Band

..........and we all know what he was doing as the day job!

2 hours ago, leroydiamond said:

it will not be an option for me and I suspect many others.

Yes, it would need to be a very special s/h item for me to buy from the UK now. Such a shame.

However, in reverse of what the OP posted, I find myself screening-in the EU items and screening-out the UK-based stuff. The BC marketplace still works well irrespective of the change in the status of the UK.

34 minutes ago, Lozz196 said:

Agree, I’m a child of the 60s so the 70s & 80s were my musical eras, when I watch Top of The Pops reruns on TV from the 70s that magical era had more than its fair share of rubbish.

You mean you don't like Lieutenant Pigeon?

Most of the B side of Abbey Road

23 hours ago, ezbass said:

I remember reading somewhere to avoid anything with silicone in it. I have a small bottle ‘guitar polish’ that came with some Fender case candy over 10 years ago. I still have it somewhere, lasts for ages.

Correct. Most domestic polishes will have silicones of some sort in them. Even in very small quantities, these are very difficult to remove if you ever want/need to do paint touch ups or a re-coat. They're just a real pain, causing the new paint to have "fish-eyes" in it and ruining the surface. Most professional auto polishes are silicone-free and most guitar-specific polishes are just re-branded auto polishes in dedicated (small size and very expensive) packaging. Meguiers auto polishes are used by Fender, for example.

Just stay clear of using Armor-All on or near any auto or guitar paintwork/lacquer. It has a high silicone content as do most auto interior dashboard sprays.

8 hours ago, Killed_by_Death said:

I'm far too obsessive-compulsive to get into pedals, it's like a large puzzle with infinite combinations to 'solve'.

Then why not try a stomp pedal?

Ah.......but which one??😀

PM sent

4 minutes ago, TheLowDown said:

There's always a danger of spending more time buying equipment than actually playing it.

That is so true. 

I'd like at least to be in remission with my GAS addiction.

Been there, seen it, done it.............and, bought the T shirt!