GreeneKing

Well, it's a bit old, a bit worn, and a bit scratched. If the absolutely identical bass had Cort written on the headstock and was 5 yrs old it'd not fetch a comment in a month of Sundays I accept the interesting storyline behind these basses and without a doubt I love the tone of my P but reality vs fantasy? That's just me though, you lot can swoon away - hehe

What's all the hype about 'custom' anyway? It was the way of things in the past. Mass production, with all the units being pretty much identical is a more modern approach. Yes you get consistency, sometimes that isn't a good thing if it consistent mediocrity. The idea of negotiating with a craftsman (or woman) for a bespoke item that utilises the best practice in terms of construction and the added attention to detail that comes from being hand built from carefully selected materials. It's not new, clever or a process in need of rubbishing as something somehow pretentious. Would you decry having a house built this way? Wal's were hand built, the electrics were chosen because someone decided it was a better approach to the more conventional offerings, choice of woods and a visit to the luthier to discuss the instrument were an option. Wood wise Wal's are as spectacular as many so called 'Custom' basses and just as much open to be labelled 'furniture'. There's not that much of a different between this and the works of Shuker, ACG, Sei, and a whole host of bass builders. Peter

[quote name='acidbass' post='391116' date='Jan 25 2009, 07:59 PM']Wow, that ex-Entwistle bass looks AMAZING! It could have been the only one out of 3 that he had that didn't have the extra tone control added. Where is it now?[/quote] Is it only me that, undoubted rarity value aside, thinks it looks 'okay'? Fascinating tale and I'd love to hear more about your trip Stateside Doc.

[quote name='bilbo230763' post='625106' date='Oct 13 2009, 03:33 PM']That's a flawed argument, GK. If a manufacturer is cutting costs by economies of scale, fine, that applies to all areas of any business. If an independent is not able to do that, you are being charged for every bit of the process (e.g. design, neck profiling etc) so, by definition, they will be making a disproportionately expensive or inferior product, surely. The cost/quality argument is a fragile link to rely on. Of course, a manufacturer will have its budget lines (re: paint covering bad quality wood etc) but, with minimal research, most of us can tell the difference between a Squier and a top fo the range Fender. For me, the quality of an instrument is determined only by what noises it makes. The rest is furniture. If I can't HEAR the quality, it is of no particular importance. And for most of these bespoke custom jobs, I hear nothing that makes me think 'its because its a custom job' or anything that I couldn't hear from a stock Fender etc.[/quote] I think a dose of reality is needed. Come to the lake District and compare my considerably cheaper ACG Harlot to my Fender P 62 re-issue. Not just as furniture either.

I agree, I can't see the point. I mean I can spend my money buying an off the peg bass built from non carefully selected woods, produced on a CNC machine, using materials and in a manner to predominantly save money. A bass designed for Mr Average with in house electronics, again to save cost, a one piece neck for the joy of truss rod use, something the same as the next guy. Painted to cover up the flaws and joins in the wood. So what's the point in wasting the same money getting something crafted to your own personal taste, a stiffer laminated neck and fretboard/neck profile tailored to your preference, pickups and electronics to suit your taste, something unique that you personally had a part in creating, something different that suits your sense of self. Something out of the ordinary, not of the masses. Come on Mr Bilbo, you can do better than that surely

I always use Interparcel online Al. Collection and delivery usually UPS and cheaper than going to them directly. Gets pricy with mega insurance mind.

Perhaps you need a 'V' mask like the one in my avatar?

[quote name='alanbass1' post='623204' date='Oct 11 2009, 04:17 PM']My NS4 is a wondeful instrument - as was the NS5XL I had which I traded to Peter. I have tried a couple of Euro's in Bassdirect but they didn't really have that 'wow' factor that the NS4 and NS5 had.[/quote] Talking Wow factors Alan, nice avatar How's the CS?

Hiya I hope you don't mind me saying but despite some very sound comments you seem a little determined to go down a particular path. There's a lot of great bargains that come up here on BassChat and with most sellers there's a pedigree and some feedback. For that sort of money you'll see some far better instruments, in fact even for a lot less money. Peter

I think you'll find that the vast majority of the necks on eBay, unless stated, will be for a Fender fit. You'll be lucky to find one that'll function well with the Cort I'd guess, at least not without some woodwork. If you want a fretted Cort maybe best to sell yours and buy another.

I gave the strings a good wipe over and no blackening after 2 hrs band practice. perhaps it should have been done in the factory and was omitted for some reason.

I paid just over £1300 for the P, from Promenade Music in Morecambe.

I've used Interparcel many times now both UK and abroad. You can get a quote immediately although if you want to insure the price can go right up (I generally do for the peace of mind). You need a contact number for the recipient too. Peter

I'm thinking about it Al. No

Apols if I'd have read your OP more thoroughly I'd have realised that Does the head have a compressor?

I can't speak for the 62 Jazz but my American Vintage 62 re-issue P (at the risk of droning on about it too much) is beautifully finished in nitro cellulose, a great example of Fenders better work and it sounds absolutely awesome and is an example of a very good Fender. It carries the retro vibe very well. I'm not certain they are all this good though so I'd try before I bought one. Hope that helps a little. Peter

Could the string be too close to the pickup? If it's an active bass I've had the same problem and it was due to a discharged battery.