Paul S

I can only say that the pic of my black bass does not do it justice, despite my ugly mug reflected on the back. Think 'deep, glossy piano finish' and you are getting nearer.

This is a simple 'theft/receiving stolen goods' issue. The key point here is the original owner - estranged father - says he didn't give anyone the right to sell it (so it was effectively 'stolen') and so he legally retains ownership of it no matter what anyone else says or does, albeit in good faith as far as you and the shop are concerned. You will have to return it (as it is 'stolen property') and get a refund. Then perhaps consider approaching the owner directly who would appear to be using the situation as some sort of leverage and may not actually want it.

Countless musical instruments get moved safely from country of manufacture to the rest of the world each week. Obviously there is always a risk but if you want to open up your market to more buyers beyond collection/meet half way you have to mitigate that risk and I think adequate packaging is the key. To my shame I have bought and sold a lot of basses - check my feedback - sent 4 to European countries, imported 3 from Japan, all the rest within the UK. Only once was a bass damaged and that was my own stupid fault for not packing it properly. The only time I haven't had the confidence to sent a bass via courier was a Danelectro as I am not sure it was intrinsically rugged enough given the packaging materials I had available. Ideally: bass > bubblewrap > hard case > bubblewrap > sturdy box. If no hard case then a second sturdy box to replace the hard case, packing out the empty bits so it can't move and with extra wadding top and tail. It takes time, effort and care but is worth it.

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1453307861' post='2958316'] I always use UPS via Interparcel, never had any problems, items always delivered on time, sometimes early. [/quote] +1

Westone Thunder 1A fretless, starting at £20. One original knob missing. These are fab, sound really great, on the heavy side. Might end up a bargain if anyone wants to dabble with unlined fretless. [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Westone-Thunder-1A-Bass-Guitar-Gloss-Black-/151956744099?hash=item236153e7a3:g:WMUAAOSwpRRWn4oW"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Westone-Thunder-1A-Bass-Guitar-Gloss-Black-/151956744099?hash=item236153e7a3:g:WMUAAOSwpRRWn4oW[/url]

Excellent - thanks for being the guinea pig!

I think I may invest in one for my Musicmaster as it does rattle around in everything else I have got. So thanks for the heads up!

[url="https://www.absolutemusic.co.uk/fender-urban-short-scale-bass-gig-bag.html"]https://www.absolutemusic.co.uk/fender-urban-short-scale-bass-gig-bag.html[/url] Says overall length is 110.

Moonage daydream, for all sorts of reasons.

How about playing it on a stand? That would keep it steady. It is what i do. Stagg make one especially for their EUB that is a bit clumsy IMO but I adapted something to make one that looks far more elegant. [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/6749-stagg/page__view__findpost__p__2727377"]http://basschat.co.uk/topic/6749-stagg/page__view__findpost__p__2727377[/url]

[quote name='pete.young' timestamp='1452502077' post='2950420'] That would be "into a toilet without hitting the seat". [/quote] That is a much better version, now filed And a very kind offer. I may well take you up on that!

Just listed, low start. Be interesting to see what this fetches. [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fender-made-in-Japan-Squier-Precision-Bass-1982-/351626203800?hash=item51de8e1298:g:Wv4AAOSwT~9WkqZz"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fender-made-in-Japan-Squier-Precision-Bass-1982-/351626203800?hash=item51de8e1298:g:Wv4AAOSwT~9WkqZz[/url]

I think 7 of the tunes have some merit. Assuming this is supposed to be funny, I don't really understand the humour. The insults and rants aren't even clever - which would help - just random horrible things to say. Whatever the guy is being paid it is too much.

What is the best way to tune a banjo? Tighten the top string until it snaps, repeat with the rest What is the best sound you can get from a banjo? Splash. What is perfect pitch with a banjo? Throwing it in the bin without it hitting the sides. I adore banjo. Wish I knew more about it and will check out the suggestions. I had assumed it took decades to get a reasonable sound.

Shocking news, hard to believe. RIP.

No it isn't. Consider that the 12th fret is exactly half the scale length. So one half is nut to 12th fret, second half is 12th fret to bridge. Shortscale is 30", so each 'half' is 15". Long scale is 34", so each half is 17". Which means your bridge would need to be moved forward by approx. 2". Assuming the shorter neck fits in the pocket in the exact same way. I think that may be a bit simplistic, but the principle applies. Maybe someone with some science can come along and explain it properly. There are plenty of good, cheap shortscale basses out there - with plenty of discussion on here if you use the search facility - no need to destroy your existing bass.

Try Status Graphite. They do a range of double ball end strings and are much cheaper. Follow the links via the online shop menu on the left.

I've had similar things. I spent a couple of years waiting for a Westone X790 deluxe - flagship Westone bass. Just didn't ever get on with it once I finally got one - didn't like the tone. Same story with a medium scale Aria CSB 450 Black n Gold in museum condition that I imported from Japan. Looked absolutely amazing but just sounded honky to me.

Just put a black scratch plate on it. [attachment=209145:JV01.jpg] [attachment=209146:JV02.jpg] I'm having trouble putting this down at the moment. Sounds beautiful, really sings. I am lucky enough to own a Fender logo JV0 '57 RI Precision in tobacco burst. So far as I can tell the build quality of this is about the same. But this is lighter and has a nicer tone. And cost considerably less! Edit - just noticed I've put the new strings on a bit wonky! I must shift them over a groove.

[quote name='Truckstop' timestamp='1452093396' post='2946317'] Yamaha BB424!! Around £200 second hand and really good basses. I've had mine for coming up 3 years, I haven't bought anything else since and it's done nearly 200 gigs and countless rehearsals with no signs of knackering out. Even cheaper still are the BB414's. Slight lower quality build construction but sound and behave the same. [/quote] There is one in the classifieds here at the moment for £200.

[quote name='Chienmortbb' timestamp='1452168845' post='2947163'] I am still struggling to see/hear your points unless you are a Barefaced Troll. [/quote] We have a winner!

That's how I read it. Although primarily a pick player, I've been working on my fingerstyle for the last couple of years and now I switch between the two from song to song all through the sets and sometimes if required in the same song in louder passages - I just moderate the volume by varying the attack. The trick is palming the pick without dropping it, then magically producing it again when needed - a touch of the Paul Daniels required. Actually, I am not sure I want to think of a touch of Paul Daniels.

Presumably described as 'aqua' as the pictures were taken underwater [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Danelectro-56-Aqua-Bass-Guitar-/131694302058?hash=item1ea997936a:g:YgQAAOSwwPhWjUZu"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Danelectro-56-Aqua-Bass-Guitar-/131694302058?hash=item1ea997936a:g:YgQAAOSwwPhWjUZu[/url]