BlueMoon

Yamaha makes some really tasty instruments. The TRB was a great range, especially the early ones. Enjoy!

Nice! Fender Japan seems to have quite a bit of flexibility to issue “local” models that are both desirable and well screwed together.

This will probably encourage a new thread with a title something like: “They don’t make them like they used to”. Here is a pic (taken today) of a strap that I bought in Hodges & Johnson circa 1975. Still going strong and being used today, some 50 years later. And………not made in China!

Yes. They had several branches locally in Essex during the 1970’s. Not specialists, but at that time they served my need for strings, straps, picks etc. For serious bass stuff I’d often take a trip to Liverpool Street and walk to the Bass Centre in Wapping. Although that was probably in the 80’s or later.

Hodges & Johnson in Southend.

Since the OP mentioned Belgium as the destination I feel obliged to communicate that I am currently pursuing a case of commercial misconduct against FedEx Benelux. I’ll spare everybody the details, but needless to say it involved fraudulent activity on behalf of that courier company and loss/theft of the package. It’s being investigated and it is separately insured. By way of sharing my “Belgian” experience, I have found GLS is sloppy overall, UPS poorly served in Flemish district and BPost (the national equivalent to Royal Mail) is slow, but steady. DPD has a clean sheet with me at present and I have no affiliation or special “fufu” dust to sprinkle to ensure that it stays that way. As others have mentioned, ensure adequate insurance and record every action involved. Having a comprehensive dossier to present to the police, courier investigators etc should assist comprehensive follow up. Good luck whoever you choose.

DPD would be my recommendation.

Just make sure the inserts are plumb in the neck, not at an angle. With careful drilling (best is a drill press) for the inserts it is not that difficult to do. The added advantage is that you can remove the neck for truss rod adjustments etc as many times as you want with no movement due to wear in the neck holes. It’s a good upgrade.

Yes………and it’s a clean and effective method.

An absolute belter! I find the finish definition stunning.

When enlarging headstock tuner holes I’ve used successfully either a hand-held reamer (as suggested by @Hellzero) or a step drill bit with a drill chuck and t-bar handle. Slow and steady by hand………just watch out for chips occurring in the surface coating (poly worse than nitro). If you can locate centrally a washer or coin of the desired final hole size, pre-score around it with a sharp scribe. This will help minimise chips and serve as a guide for the drill/reamer.

As far as I’m aware, Zero Mod will create and sell you one. You probably know that they are in the U.S. and charge a bunch for shipping (plus possible customs etc.). https://www.zero-mod.com/ric-rest-.html I am not aware of anybody in Europe who has one of these in their inventory. Maybe a modified 3D printer file? https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2405790/comments I’m also looking for one and, as a last resort, might be able to sweet-talk my son into creating a file for a stretched version that would fit a V63/V64 series. Stay tooned.

Great stuff! Family first…….they always find ways to reward you and you can forget the sleepless nights.

R. S. comes across as a nice guy with his feet on the ground. Thanks for sharing.

Nerdy pic of my three Goodfellow’s. Quaint basses indeed.

I’ve been in the same situation as you, as have loads of other bass player/singers. The above reinforcement of the need for practice with the band is key. What also worked for me was to not overthink it. In some cases I simplified the bass line and learned the pairing (singing and playing) as a single entity, not as two separate parts stuck together. I did get tripped up, however, when I did a dep gig using sheet music and then singing was really limited to just oohs and arrhs. I found that a really difficult gig. practice, practice, practice!…….you’ll get there.

I’m in this camp. Looks far too risky to investigate further and there will definitely be others that come along that are less questionable.

If I have to work on one and replace it, I would normally choose brass as the substitute nut. Obviously, if its a vintage instrument then probably bone.

I think this says it all. I totally get your decision………it would likely only get worse. Follow those activities where the light shines brightest. Best of luck going forward.

Not sure if you are looking for one? If you are, then there’s one currently on the German equivalent of Basschat (bassic.de): https://www.bassic.de/kleinanzeigen/music-man-stingray-thru-neck-4hs-sunburst.58439/ Posted asking price is €2,250.00 (Not affiliated with the seller)

Some look just like the squiggle used by the lowlife FedEx driver to indicate my package had been delivered and signed for………but he’d nicked it.

Year started playing: 1972 Number of basses: sufficient (but maybe need just one more) Music theory: 7 Technique: 6 Groove:7

I’m in and my deposit is paid. We’ll sort out the details as the project moves forward, I reason.

Colour me interested if a SR4 unlined fretless is a possible consideration.