Paul S

Something I find amusing is that when these pop up they are invariably *not* mentioned on the Shergold forum. Same with other 'specialist' forums, for example the rarer Westone models - often they don't get flagged up on the Westie forum. You can be sure everyone on those forums has spotted them, but maybe the serious collectors are worried they will miss out if they bring the listings to the attention of others! On here there seems to be much more altruism! Says me with a Marathon safely tucked away indoors...

[quote name='police squad' timestamp='1383547840' post='2265603'] they just were not entry level basses. There were many cheaper bass guitars out there. This was Fender taking on Tokai. They needed too. [/quote]This was my understanding, also. I think to dismiss the JVs as simply a cheap copy of the real thing would be a mistake. I have Luke's old JV0 Precision and it is without question the nicest Precision bass I have ever laid hands on. I can't say I have tried all the permutations, but have owned/had loan of/handled quite a few whilst looking for the 'right one'. MIJ, MIA, MIM - all sorts.

[quote name='MB1' timestamp='1383510566' post='2265342'] MB1. ..."Return To Sender!" [/quote]

80s Westones are exceptionally good value and hard to beat for the price. Thunder models, Spectrum and especially Concord get a lot of love.

[quote name='Legion' timestamp='1383480302' post='2264817'] and for those that don't know TC also have some sort of Xmas deal on their website where you can get a free gigbag and RC4 foot controller if you buy a new RH450/750 at the moment. [/quote] Why did you have to post that ?...

My favourite incarnation of the band was Deep Purple mark II - Made in Japan is, for my particular taste in music, a record of some of the greatest performances ever by a heavy rock band. At that point in time Ian Gillan's voice was truly remarkable - one of the finest male singers of his time and up there with Robert Plant, Paul Rodgers etc. I didn't see them during that period but saw them on the 'Burn' tour - powerful stuff and still one of the best gigs I have seen - David Coverdale and Glenn Hughes are not bad subs for Gillan! But Ian Gillan has never been close to those early days - whatever happened to his voice wasn't good and I find it weak and whiny now. I saw them shortly after Steve Morse joined a few years back and they played a load of the early mkII era tracks (and, churlishly, nothing from the post Gillan times)- it just wasn't the same. The music was great, Steve Morse is a great guitar player, but it lacked that special something from those early days.

This all goes to prove that 'tone' and amp recommendations are so very subjective. FWIW I have a TC Classic 450 and am very pleased with it. I like the onboard compressor - I don't have it set high but like what it does. I particularly like the Tubetone, which can add warmth or grit without changing the volume level - it is an easy amp to gig with and change settings on the fly if necessary. For most small pub/club situations I play through a BF Compact and/or Midget and it has never proved wanting for volume. Anywhere bigger and you'd generally take a line out through the pa. For rehearsal even just the Classic 450 into BF Midget could hold its own with a very loud drummer and 2 x guitarists with amps going up to 11. At some point I might get one of the RH models just to get the floorswitch and programmable pre-sets, which I would find useful.

[quote name='warwickhunt' timestamp='1383476552' post='2264750'] He has offered to do an International wire transfer but I have no idea who he is and could sending someone my bank details jeopardise my account security? [/quote] This is perfectly safe. Someone having your sort code and account number doesn't mean they have access to the funds in the account!

This one looks like a good 'un, too so it might fetch a bit more.

Sunburst (or anything burst) paint finishes. There was a time I wouldn't have considered getting a bass in a burst finish. I now have 3. Necks wider than 40mm. I have one now and it isn't the impossible to tame demon I previously thought. Maybe one day, when I am grown up, I will find tort scratchplates attractive, too.

[quote name='Freddie75' timestamp='1383384300' post='2263807'] Same happened to me. Can be repaired under warranty or in my case I asked for the LEDs so I could get them soldered in myself. As you have said, it's purely cosmetic - sound not affected. Quite common from some forums I have found online. [/quote] Happened to mine too. Bought mine secondhand but they still sent out the LEDs for free. Not that I have the skills to solder them in, but at least I have them!

Need vs want. Different things. We don't live in caves any more!

This seems to have regressed into a 'covers vs originals' thing again. I like both - there are good bands and bad bands. I do find the attitude of some of the guys who play in originals bands a teensy bit smug and condescending, though. No need for it, really. If you find yourself in an originals band that flicks your switch then well done you. But 99.99% of originals bands I have seen or heard fall short of the mark as far as my tastes are concerned. I'd rather watch a good covers band like that in the OP than a second rate originals. No question.

On my watch list... thanks for the heads up.

Lovely to see you back, Jon. Wotcha bin doin?

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1382630714' post='2254718'] 10 and a bit pounds, and 41-42mm sounds and feels so so so different to your JV! [/quote] Thank goodness! I've spent enough recently... Edit - I should say - without finding myself looking for more basses to try and buy.

Nice one, Luke. 2 questions from me - how much does it weigh and how wide is the neck?

I am going senile - just found a post from a while back where I asked pretty much the exact same question. Never mind, maybe there are some new people!

I notice there is one for sale on here at the moment. [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/219767-aria-pro-csb-blackngold-made-by-matsumoku-1982/"]http://basschat.co.uk/topic/219767-aria-pro-csb-blackngold-made-by-matsumoku-1982/[/url] I don't know what the protocol is for discussing bass models that are currently for sale so please, mods, delete if I am breaching any kind of rules here. I certainly have no intention of buying this one as it would end up costing more than the bass is worth to me with taxes etc. But - I am very curious about this particular model. Pros and cons. I know Cliff Burton famously used one of the other Black n Gold models, but it is particularly the CSB styling I like the look of. 32" scale, by the spec on the Matsumoku site. Cool colour combo - black with gold hardware. What are they like - anyone have/had one? What do they sound like - anything like a Precision? Neck width? And are they really an 8lb bass? And how would other CSB series vary in terms of quality/weight etc? ta.

Hand size has little to do with it - whatever feels most comfy is what you should go with. try some out in a shop!

Plenty of time left. But it reads as a bog standard Squier, nothing about it being Silver series - might go unnoticed. Well, other than on here. Also worth mentioning they are fairly lightweight. At least, mine is. And, yes, exactly how do you mistake writing 'Chelmsford' for 'Winchester'?