BassAgent

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?

Brilliant! Congrats on the win. It looks great!

Veeeery nice! Love those. Here are mine: 2001 BB N5II and 1998 TRB5IIF:

Poah, killer looking bass! Congrats!

Well it's not a SUB neck because they have a black finish. "Sub" in this case might indicate substitute.

I bought a bass in Nürnberg, Germany once, which is around 650 kms from Amsterdam. But I was on tour then and I was already in Nürnberg. Does that still count? Otherwise I think the 255 km ride from Amsterdam to Kortrijk (Belgium) to buy my 1971 Precision was probably the farthest.

Very very nice! Enjoy that. How does it compare to the other two?

Thanks! It was at the Paaspop festival, the unofficial opening of the Dutch festival season.

It's an ABBA cover band, so totally 70's😎

Yeah it was great fun last week. Currently on tour in Germany with a different band. Also great fun.

I really and truly will ever understand why anyone would buy a (ripoff) bass from AliExpress. There are a gazillion arguments against buying from Ali, Temu, Shein and the works, and only one pro:

Someone was wondering if a topic with basses you sold and don't miss would be entertaining. So let's find out, shall we? I'll start. I bought this Guild M85 as a trade with a Lakland Skyline Bob Glaub I didn't really get along with and really really regretted that purchase. The sound, the ergonomics, it just wasn't for me. I almost got tendonitis from playing it (because I wasn't used to this kind of bass) and I sold it very very quickly. I didn't hate it because it was objectively a good bass, but I haven't missed it one second.