BassAgent

This would be my advice too.

Just to have choice, I've also ordered the Richter Ultra Comfort Ergo strap. That should arrive tomorrow.

I'm not surprised. If Fender's goal was to acquire Leo's workplace and his name and likeness, it's not more than logical that they don't "need" the G&L stock. They won't sell Fender-branded basses with G&L branded bridges and MDF pickups, anyway. It's a lot cheaper to sell or dispose of that stuff than to try to re-purpose it.

But if it includes 40s RnB and jazz it's double weird. Ska and blue beat evolved from RnB and mento being squashed together. I bought the book anyway🙃

It was probably originally sunburst. CAR was a custom colour in those years AFAIK, which would have meant it had a white pickguard. But it looks amazing! Love the wear on the neck, and the fact you have photos of the original owner add to its mojo. Enjoy that beautiful instrument.

Took both my USA Lakies for a swing last weekend with my ABBA tribute. Still can't get over how incredible these two basses are.

Found it! It's Johnny Heartsman. Bay Area blues artist.

Well, best gear is an ex aequo between a childhood dream and a vintage gem. First off a bass I've wanted to own since I was 12 (which is over 20 years ago): a walnut JB5 Custom by André van der End, a Dutch luthier. It popped up on a Belgian website and shortly after New Year I drove there to pick it up. It's heavy, it doesn't play as smoothly as my Lakland JO5 but I love it. Amazing feeling to own that bass now. I've replaced the black hardware with chrome since buying it. The other one is the 1973 Mustang I bought from the original owner. Excellent condition, excellent sound. Took it on tour to Germany in May and it fit perfectly into the Northern soul band sound. I don't think I've bought bad gear this year. Maybe the Optogate that I still haven't figured out how to use yet.

That guy with the Strat...I know that photo. At first I thought it might be Buddy Guy, but it isn't. It also isn't BB King. I have to google this extensively.

Thanks for the idea David I have considered that; the seams are slightly off and I can feel the pressure of the strap on my collarbone. I've ordered a Gruvgear today, also because of the availability and length. Very curious.

I broke my collarbone recently and although it's healed (yay!) and I can play again (yay!) I still struggle with straps. I used a regular strap on a rehearsal yesterday and it doesn't feel great. The metal plate is still in my left shoulder and it presse a bit against the skin. I'm looking for a soft, comfortable strap. I have a Mono Betty, but the ends of that aren't at all durable so I don't want another one I need padding, but I don't need stretch. I was looking at the Levy Comfort Strap, the GruvGear Solo and the classic Comfort Strapp. Any experiences? Am I missing one?

If you ask me, the JMJ is peak Mustang. But this is pretty too. The logo is a bit too small for me, but the dakota red one looks very tasty.

Yep, agreed. The original colour is still visible under the control plate:

Proud owner of my all original Mustang from 1973. Bought it from the first owner and sounds the absolute business.

Trying one might turn out to be difficult: USA Laklands are not widely in stock in music shops. I know of about 2 or 3 shops in Europe that have them. And yes, you can see the differences (but you have to know what to look for): the USA Osborns have stacked knobs, the Skylines have 3 black knobs (like a "regular" Jazz). The Skylines have the skyline logo on the headstock: These are my current JO5 and my ex-55-60 next to each other:

Well, if it's some consolation: the bass he's playing is a USA Joe Osborn. I've owned both the Skyline 55-60 and the USA JO5 (still own that) and although they're both great basses, the USA is something else. It might be the best 5 string Jazz I've ever played, and I've played dozens. The Skyline is véry very good, especially for the price. But it's not a USA.

Yeah that's what I'm also considering but playing a set of Green Day covers on a bar stool... Meh.

Yesterday I broke my left collarbone. I'm having surgery in a few days and would like to start playing again as soon as it's possible, but the bone itself might still be fragile for a while. So I was thinking to carry my bass on my right shoulder. Is there such a contraption, preferably one that is available in Europe? I found the Sling Strap which looks great but has to be imported from the States. Does anyone here have other tips?

Yeah I've been looking into non-EU basses and it all looks nice, but adding import and VAT usually doesn't make the actual price lower than e.g. a German one. Well, I already have 4 vintage basses ('66, '70, '71 and '73) so I'm pretty well set. I'll have to wait for the right one. Ah thanks! I've been checking Bassic and Zikinf already, of course

I was researching the prices of pre-CBS Jazzes as I have quite a budget built up for music stuff. However, it seems to be impossible to find one under €10K... The 64 refin at Andy Baxter is lovely but it's almost €8K plus shipping and VAT. That hurts.

IIRC that goes for both S8 and S9 serials.

Jazz numberrrrrr nine? I think? I've stopped counting.

Last Sunday, this bass appeared on the Dutch marketplace website. Within an hour, I was driving an hour and a half to pick it up for a ridiculous price. The owner didn't really know what it was, I guess. He said he got higher bids when I was on my way, but as I was already on my way and was the first, I got it for my original bid. When I arrived, it looked less mint than on the photos. It was mainly dirty and had been in a case for years and years. The strings were ancient, too, and the neck pickup didn't seem to work. So I even got a bit off the price and took it home. It just felt right. Cleaned it today, gave it some new strings, a good setup and it's a great bass. The neck pickup does work, but the pot is a bit wonky. Might replace that, might not. I might sell it, might not. It has a great Jaco vibe to it. The first sunburst Jazz I've ever owned that I really like (not a fan of sunburst in general). I have one question: I understand the date of course, but what does the stamp on the heel mean?