ikay

I've had one. It played well enough but I'd rate build quality as pretty average for a budget bass - body cavity had some sawdust and loose bits that needed shaking out, pickup height adjustment was a bit wonky. All fine after a bit of dismantling and tweaking. Main reason I sold it was the sound was a bit woolly and lacking in mids for me with the pickups in those positions. Fun litte bass though if that's the sound you're after.

Pic attached showing the wiring on the screw terminal block. Great and very flexible preamp, I have a custom version on my ACG Just realised the text in the pic is hardly readable so, from left to right the screw terminals are: - pickup COLD - pickup HOT - ground (0V) - output (to jack) - battery +ve (9V/18V)

Not that I've noticed, although I haven't done any A/B tests with and without grounding plate. If it was a steel plate it might change the magnetic field which could then have an affect on the sound. But as it's non-ferrous I can't see it having any effect on the sound.

"What am I missing please?" Royal Mail charge a flat £8 fee for processing customs cleared mail from the US (on top of VAT and duty)

I find that using a really fat B string can accentuate the difference in timbre and volume over the other strings. I use a 125 gauge B on both my 5ers (TRB5 and SR5) , the tension is fine and the string balance sounds good. To my ears anyway! As with all these things YMMV. How you setup (relief/action) and how you play can make a big difference.

It's 295mm from 12th fret to centreline between the two pickups.

This looks like a good example of a signature bass that doesn't offer any improvements over the standard version then! The only 'special' features I can see are different fretboard inlays and a new body colour. Don't really get this sort of signature malarky myself but I guess there are others who do.

Just sold my Ren 5 to Dirk. Pleasure to do business with. Good communications throughout and straightforward transaction. Many thanks Dirk and enjoy the bass!

The style of the 'Fender' logo on the case is a good clue for dating - see details here [url="http://home.provide.net/~cfh/fender.html#cases"]http://home.provide.net/~cfh/fender.html#cases[/url]

[quote name='hamfist' timestamp='1401310879' post='2462422'] I'd be interested in knowing the exact measurement (12th fret to middle of the two pickup pieces). [/quote] Estimating it from this pic I'd say a bit over 3cm closer to the neck than a regular P [attachment=163863:Hoppus pup position.jpg]

http://www.pickguardian.com/pickguardian/Images/Pickguardian%20Neck%20Radius%20Gauges.pdf And yes 7.25"

I spent an hour there a couple of weeks ago trying out some of thier vintage basses and was very well looked after by Derek and his staff. I rang them before going over which might have helped. They have a good range of basses including custom shop and vintage.