warwickhunt

Not sure where you got the info from re. serial numbers but that bass is absolutely kosher (no idea about the seller, simply commenting on the bass as seen in the photographs). If you feel more comfortable dealing with a BC member and don't trust ebay (sellers) then I'd go with your instincts.

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1333535868' post='1602971'] Question I have is why wouldn't you just sell your musicman and buy a jazz? [/quote] The original owner who had it modded may well have had a sponsorship (though I can't see EB being impressed at one of his basses being converted to a J*zz), so devaluing the bass etc wouldn't matter. I can see the sense in as much if you have a neck/body combo (as in prefer a Ray over a Jazz) you love the feel of but don't like the pup then the question is 'why not'?

[quote name='Ou7shined' timestamp='1333536872' post='1603006'] It's well documented John that a 'ray in not original condish is worth less than one that is. In it's current state it has all the benefits of a J with the looks of a MM. As a 'ray it will always be imperfect with that hole under the pg. [/quote] Sorry, I misunderstood. I thought you meant reverting it back to a Ray would devalue it further than it's present price; whereas the damage is done so whether it is a Ray config or a Jazz config makes no difference from here on in.

[quote name='Ou7shined' timestamp='1333532616' post='1602882'] Oddly enough that would probably devalue it. As it is, it's an oddity... reverted it's a 'ray with an undesirable f*ck-up under the pg. [/quote] Not really as you could just as quickly revert back if you had a new pick-guard as no mod needed for the MM pup as it is already routed. Wonder if it still has the MM preamp (not sure if that would work with other pups).

Ever wondered what a Ray would sound like with Jazz pups in... [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/140717439415?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649#ht_500wt_1202"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/140717439415?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649#ht_500wt_1202[/url]

I realise a lot of folk are recommending some form of 'uber' Jazz but to my mind you've had some very good basses of that ilk and they aren't doing it for you; I'd look outside of the Fender (clone) camp! I'm NOT going to suggest alternatives as it may seem like I am biased and pushing you away from Fenders but tbh you could essentially get your enigmatic bass by spending even less than £1000 never mind x3 (expensive) basses + £1000! Good luck.

Hasn't a snowball's chance in Hell!

[quote name='Ou7shined' timestamp='1333455764' post='1601889'] Out of interest, which countries do you have on your sh*t list? It might be helpful to let others know your experiences. I heard Italy can be especially dodgy but I've never found out why. [/quote] I had lots of first hand experience with sh*t happening when I dealt with Italy. I used to do a lot on ebay and shipping small, inexpensive items all over Europe and I can say that after a 75% failure rate for items to be delivered in Italy, I knocked all sales to Italy on the head. Items dispatched via RM first class delivery with proof of postage (tracked delivery would generally cost £6-£8 as opposed to the 75p that buyers were paying for 1st class) would invariably go missing with the likely culprit the Italian side of the delivery; identical items to Holland and Germany NEVER went missing despite my posting about x10 the number of items to Holland/Germany than I did Italy. France wasn't great (the occasional 'lost' item) but nowhere near as bad as Italy. On one occasion (after my Italy blockade) I did agree to send to Italy so long as the buyer agreed to International insured/tracked postage (expensive)... it went missing!

By all accounts the preamp is integral (when combined with the ray pup) to the Ray tone... not sure if you need the body and neck then! Let me go find the tinopener for this can of worms I have in the cupboard.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1332963848' post='1595666'] True, but with the pain of potentially having up to seven buyers, seven lots of postage, and seven times the risk of deadbeat bidders compared with just one buyer for the complete bass, he'd have to be making a [i]lot[/i] more to make it worthwhile, surely? [/quote] I wouldn't disagree but if it were a whole bass and he wanted £2000 for it he'd have a VERY limited audience. However, if he sells the parts he has a much wider audience... though I personally think he's going to be pushing it to find a buyer for the bridge/Preamp/pup at those prices!

[quote name='Johnston' timestamp='1332961189' post='1595623'] Why would anyone do that. [/quote] I suppose IF (and it is a big 'if') his BIN auctions go and he gets decent prices for his neck and body he could potentially make more than it is worth as a whole!

That's right £875 via BIN auctions will get you a Musicman Stingray from 1977... unfortunately you will have to take a punt and place bids for several of the 'extra' bits... Oh and do a bit of self assembly! [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/kevfits/m.html?hash=item3373dfa65b&item=220987369051&pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&_trksid=p4340.l2562"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/kevfits/m.html?hash=item3373dfa65b&item=220987369051&pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&_trksid=p4340.l2562[/url]

It may well be a genuine sale, just because he/she has cut and pasted generic info into their thread and they are a brand new user doesn't make it a dodgy bass but... nobody, not ever... should ever wind the G string that way on a Stingray bass! [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/musicman-stingray-/180850711959?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item2a1b8add97#ht_982wt_1396"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/musicman-stingray-/180850711959?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item2a1b8add97#ht_982wt_1396[/url]

The worst bit is he can't even leave negative feedback for this guy!

[quote name='Rick's Fine '52' timestamp='1332693796' post='1591726'] Whenever i come across sellers not offering postage, i just ask them if they will put bubble wrap and a box round it, and i'll have a courier pick it up (Arranged by me for collection at a time to suit them.....usually their work address), so far, i've [i]never[/i] had that option refused by a seller. I pay £12 for a courier to collect a bass from anywhere in the UK, and bring it to my door. Well worth considering guys, dont be put off from a potential bargain because buyer wants collection only!!! [/quote] I regularly do that and actually did it with this guy but it was a none starter! Some people can't be bothered with waiting in for couriers to turn up and/or they fear that breakages (or if on ebay 'alleged' breakages) will give them more grief than it is worth. HOWEVER, worst case scenario happened to a friend; he sold a remote control car on ebay and the buyer paid via paypal and phoned my mate asking if he could organise a courier. Not a problem so my mate duly packed it and it was collected next day... just over a week later the buyer demands a refund for none delivery of item! My mate doesn't have a leg to stand on as he has no 'proof' that he sent the item, as the buyer did all of the booking etc. A cautionary tale.

My whippet ate one of my fingers so I can ownly coont tu three!

Had this guy offered carriage I reckon he'd have received a good deal more for his Ltd Ed Stingray! [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/190657584569?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649#ht_500wt_1202"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/190657584569?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649#ht_500wt_1202[/url] I sent a message and got nowt back but I'd have bumped his bidding up to about £700.