Shambo

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1478199349' post='3167527'] IMO any modern bass that can't handle high tension strings is obviously faulty and should be returned to the shop for a refund as "unfit for purpose". [/quote] Absolutely, but it's pre-loved bass on this occasion... every occasion TBH, when it comes to my instrument purchases. I'm not too worried though, having confirmed others have fitted them to CV and VM basses with no problems. Perhaps I did imagine the issue? Maybe it wouldn't be advisable with an Affinity bass? I'm hoping to make a couple of tweaks and find my high tension/low action happy place.

My old S1 Jazz had overwound pups and Jamerson flats and, in series with a bit of tone rolled off, got me many compliments for a 'proper bass' sound. Not many people would say it sounds just like a Precision... only Fender marketing department said that. It heads in that direction though, but best to think of as another very useable option in your sonic arsenal.

La Bella 760FS on their way.

I like La Bella flatwounds. I love their tone and I like their heavy tension. I've also taken recent delivery of a Classic Vibe 50's Precision, which would seem like an ideal candidate to fit with my favourite strings. I have a hazy memory of reading somewhere on here about someone who had encountered neck issues with a Squier and heavy flats. Something about their pull being too strong for the truss rod to fully compensate for. Did I imagine this? Any words of caution or should I just go for it? I'm thinking about the 'standard' set, (not the heavier 'Jamerson' set), and I've got an allen key and I'm not afraid to use it.

Karl sold me a CV 50's Precision and I couldn't be happier with the transaction. Many thanks Karl, I hope to deal with you again soon.

Has anybody tried one of these yet? I think they're available in the UK now.

[quote name='bubinga5' timestamp='1476535337' post='3155035'] I really would like to play one of the new AV 74 jazz basses though. [/quote] So would I but I think they were discontinued a while back. I wonder why they bothered.

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1476378667' post='3153838'] In that case you need to have a blanket policy of no longer discussing the prices of any musical equipment on the forum, as these day it is completely linked to the current political situation. [/quote] I concur. Also, when you hastened to close the original 'B' word thread, you displaced that discussion and made it spill out in to the other parts of the forum. If it original was still there, you could say, "take it to the B-word thread'. I'd very much like the whole situation to go away, then we could resume discussion of the best bass for metal, but it's going to continue to influence all our lives for years to come.

So far I've tried Fender, Ernie Ball, Status, La Bella and D'Addario flats. My favourite is La Bella's (heavy, tense & great tone) and least favourite Fender (felt cheap & the A string didn't sound right). Just a personal preference. Good luck.

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1474807048' post='3140624'] I don't think owning a Fender is snobbish, in the grand scheme of things they aren't that expensive,most of the alternative versions I'd want instead of my US Jazz V cost quite a bit more. [/quote] I agree. Owning a Fender is about as snobbish as owning a Ford Fiesta. Turning up down the Dog & Duck with a custom singlecut coffee table, to me that smacks more of bass playing master race. I've owned Fenders built from many countries around the world and I don't have a particular preference for a USA one. I do care that they feel comfortable to play and that they keep their resale value.

Try and explain the situation to the engineer as eloquently as you have in the original post. He or she is going to want to be 'on your side' because that's what a professional does, even if they have been sacrificing your bass for the sake of the overall band sound. If they're just being ornery or have a personal problem with you, they should be looking for a new gig. Perhaps there's a technical issue that can be addressed with the PA? Starting an argument with the sound engineer or flouncing off stage like a diva isn't going to help, not that you seem like the sort of person to do either. Have you had this discussion with your band mates? If you can find support amongst them for a group meeting, you can put your needs forward as a matter of fact, without fostering ill feelings or resorting to a war of words.

[quote name='mcnach' timestamp='1472158142' post='3119046'] Justifying the new price? Why do you think any seller needs to justify their price?[/quote] To make a sale. To me. I did just explain my reasoning. Believe it or not but there are people who want to do business with mutual understanding and trust. I'm not begrudging the concept of making a profit, but to me it has to be quantifiable and therefore justifiable. I don't want to feel I'm trading with someone who's looking to milk every last red cent out of me because they feel that's the way it's got to be done. IRL I don't want to associate with socially, nor do business with, anyone who sees me as an opportunity before a person. You don't like it? You can move on to the next sucker. If I was inclined to play the market in such a mercenary way, I wouldn't be best served to expose my intentions to my target audience with such bravado. I'd keep my cards a lot closer to my chest. Seems I'm not inclined to such behavior, I'll say so. I think its a virtue... not one that will make me rich admittedly but hey ho, there's more to life than profit. I'd buy a used bass off me, but after this thread, I would be cautious of buying one off you.

I see lots of straw men in this thread. Doesn't the OP have the right to question what sort of person they are dealing with? Why wouldn't they be allowed to bring attention to the fact they had recently sold said instrument for a lot less than the new owner is asking for it? There's no moral ambiguity I can see in asking the cause of the new higher asking price, but there might be in justifying the new price. Speaking personally, if I noticed that a bass had [i]quickly [/i]returned to the [i]same [/i]marketplace at a [i]higher price[/i], I would be wondering what the new seller could have done to justify the higher asking price. If they'd spent money couriering it, or repairing it, or setting it up, new strings, train fares, flights, overheads, case, whatever, then I'd expect the new seller to mention it and take that into account. It they'd just given it a polish and taken some new photographs, then I'd think carefully whether or not that person would be an acceptable trading partner for me. Even if I really wanted the bass, I suspect I would be inclined not to buy. The new seller has bought nothing to the table. Their good fortune to spot the bargain early and have the cash to snap it up is not a good enough reason to try and leverage a higher price from the next purchaser. IMO, that person is behaving parasitically and wouldn't deserve my money. You might tell me to go live in communist Russia, compare me to a slow runner, win some lose some, deal with it, man up, back down or any other dodgy analogy to justify your greed, and perhaps you'd be right to think I was being too idealistic, but I think of it as not being a bit of a c**t. I don't want to do business like that and I'm happy to admit it. You can accept it as the way of the jungle if you like, especially if you have a vested interest, but I don't think you can seriously expect everyone not to mention that, "hang on, this a rip off". I don't recall anybody mentioning that they where expecting extra payment if they undervalued their bass, or that the forum should be 'mates rates', just that they're hoping not to jump in to a tank full of sharks. And remember folks, if your in the market for a pre-loved instrument without aggressive sales technique and dodgy valuations, come on down to 'Honest Shambo's Used Bass Emporium', just off junction 7, next door to the moral high ground. Where our motto is, "When you're happy, I'm happy!"

[quote name='Hobbayne' timestamp='1471992284' post='3117587'] There was a topic on here a while back about basschatters buying on here for a good price and then moving them on for a profit. Got rather heated IIRC [/quote] I started a topic about that a few years ago, (there must have been more than one), and was shocked at the voraciousness with which I was shouted down for suggesting that flipping basses for profit on the forum wasn't good for the 'community' spirit. I think the forum was going through an unfriendly cycle at the time. I still maintain that buying low here and selling high somewhere else is fair game, especially to a bricks and mortar establishment with their overheads. The forum marketplace was busier when it was free to advertise and seeing a bass go for a bargain price, only for it to return to the very same market a week later at a higher price was, IMO a dick move. It seemed I was in the minority for expressing such an opinion. It doesn't seem to be an issue these days because the marketplace has slowed down.

If you are a musician you could might, by extension, describe yourself as an artist. Is someone who quietly doodles in biro during a boring meeting an artist? If you compose an irate reply to someones contentious post on an email forum, would you call yourself a writer? If you shuffle around drunkenly with your nan to 'Come on Eileen' at a wedding reception, are you a dancer? I don't know where I'm going with this.

A brilliant album, Cabbage Alley by the Meters. The marketing department literally came up with a picture of a giant cabbage... in an alley. [attachment=225666:The_Meters_-_Cabbage_Alley.jpg]

I've found that stiffer strings allows a lower action, which means less exertion in making the string meet the fret. Swings and roundabouts. ETA popping with heavy Labella flats isn't too easy but you build up to it. Normal fingerstyle I don't find any more difficult than rounds, stiffer flats need more of a caress than a pull...IME.

Like the majestic predator on the plains of the Serengeti, Ian eyeballed his quarry and was ready to spring into immediate action. We had an agreement in minutes and that elevated him above the myriad of tyre kickers I was forced to endure. He paid swiftly to close the deal like a champ and is clearly in possession of an impeccable taste in musical instruments. Thanks Ian.

Was it a member here? If so, you should report it to the mods.