TheBlueFalcon

[quote name='waynepunkdude' post='623014' date='Oct 11 2009, 12:27 PM']That and Snatch are my fave films of all time, I've watched them more times than I'd like to admit.[/quote] I watched both of them again earlier this evening.

[quote name='waynepunkdude' post='622862' date='Oct 11 2009, 02:25 AM'] [/quote] I'm glad someone got it. It's been a while since I saw the film, so my wording was slightly off. I need to watch it again.

Does that include the amp?

Just to add, it's the finishes on basses that are available to buy, rather than a DIY finish.

Bump.... to draw attention to the new topic.

I decided to change the topic of a thread that was going nowhere. So, the new question is.... When comparing a natural wood finish to a paint finish, which is most likely to last longer? I've noticed that a lot of basses with a natural wood finish don't seem to have much of a coating over the top of them. Am I right to assume that a paint finish would last longer? I suppose it can depend on the quality of the laquer used, so just wondered in general which tends to be better.

[quote name='bumnote' post='619965' date='Oct 7 2009, 09:05 PM']paypal and e bay dont you have to pay for the return even if the item is faulty[/quote] If you are purchasing an item from a Business selling goods on eBay then the laws still apply.

[quote name='Clarky' post='619744' date='Oct 7 2009, 04:53 PM']I bought a Fender Jazz on-line from Sounds Live a couple of months ago. Although it was in completely as-new condition the neck pocket had a very big gap between body and neck (over 1mm) which I found unacceptable. They took it back and paid postage costs and offered a replacement (which I turned down due to similar neck pocket issue, revealed on photos they sent to me). They then refunded in full. Apparently this is their standard returns policy and I sort of assume (or at least hope) that this applies to many other reputable on-line retailers. If you email your retailer photos I do not see how they can refuse to replace/refund as they have entered into a contract with you to supply a new instrument (which yours palpably is not). The emails can then be used as documentary evidence should a dispute arise (otherwise they could claim disingenuously that you caused the damage/gunk). Good luck[/quote] Thanks Clarky. I've taken photos, but hopefully it'll all be sorted out without any problems. Having bought an Ibanez SR300 last month (for my brother) from Fair Deal Music, I expected to receive my bass in a similar condition. The SR300 was in it's original box with hex wrenches, a manual and a cable. It had been checked and adjusted, but it certainly didn't have grubby fingerprints everywhere, or gunk on the frets, or any marks/dinks. I will most likely return this bass for a refund and buy one from Fair Deal Music, which is what I probably should have done to begin with. The only reason I didn't is because they didn't have it in stock and were a bit more expensive. I'll certainly not think twice about spending that little extra for better service in future.

[quote name='Dubs' post='619765' date='Oct 7 2009, 05:09 PM']Sounds like you know more about this kind of thing than me. Good luck with getting it all sorted - sounds like a pain in the arse.[/quote] Thanks very much. Having worked in a sales environment (in a different industry) I had to have a good knowledge of the laws on such things. I was always very meticulous when handling goods and would never have dreamed of misleading a customer, even the bad ones!!

[quote name='Dubs' post='619706' date='Oct 7 2009, 04:23 PM']Deffo. As well as that, try to get them to pay for the return costs seen as this isn't your fault. I've managed to talk a few online retailers into paying the return postage on items that are either faulty or poorly described - by law they don't have to but it shows goodwill if they do.[/quote] When an item is faulty or not as described, by law they DO have to pay the return postage. It is only if the customer changes their mind within the "cool off" period that they have to pay the return postage. That is the only plus side to this situation at the moment.

[quote name='Dubs' post='619701' date='Oct 7 2009, 04:19 PM']Damn, sounds like you were unlucky. Just out of interest, what retailer are we talking about?[/quote] I won't mention the dealer (yet) as I am trying to get it all sorted out with them.

[quote name='lemmywinks' post='619700' date='Oct 7 2009, 04:19 PM']I'd send that one back! You sure it's new?[/quote] I am assured that it is new, but the condition it has turned up in says otherwise.

I find it bizarre that any dealer would expect a customer to accept an item in the condition that my “brand new” bass has just turned up in. Not only is there some horrible gunk on some of the frets, but there are mucky fingerprints all over it and a number of marks/dinks. It didn’t even come in the original box. I can understand that dealers open up new basses to check and adjust them as “part of the service” but it seems to me that this is being used as a cunning way to sell ex-demo or used/returned goods.

Is it usual in this industry for dealers to mislead customers or am I just good at finding the crap ones?

This thread really puts a downer on me wanting to learn.

If you like Ibanez basses, the 35" scale of the BTB series are supposed to be good for drop tuning.

Sorry if my earlier post came across the wrong way. Like I said, I wasn't referring to anyone on here, it was mainly on another forum that seems to worship Fenders. I don't have anything against Fenders and I really didn't mean to offend anyone.

Why does no one question the amount being spent on a first bass when it's a Fender in question? (I don't mean you Clarky, I've just noticed it in general - and on other forums as well) Although the OP didn't actually state that it is his first bass.

[quote name='Alien' post='614959' date='Oct 2 2009, 04:39 PM']I'd go along with some of the previous posts and say get a decent amp too. You're less likely to get disheartened if you're getting a decent sound, as opposed to sounding like somebody farting in a jar. A cheap bass through a decent amp will always sound better than a good bass through a cheap amp. I'd say look for something with no less than 100 Watts, and a single 12" or 15" speaker or a pair of 10" speakers. In the sort of price range you're looking at, Hartke, Peavey, Ashdown or Laney would be a good start, a Roland Cube 100 would be one to look out for too. There are plenty of other good amps out there, so don't limit yourself to these. Oh, and spend a few quid on a decent lead too, don't just go for a cheap one. Talk to our own OBBM - top quality stuff at very reasonable prices. A[/quote] "farting in a jar" I got the Studio 110 as the smallest and one of the best for up to £200. I had to keep it small (for now) and it has more than enough volume for my current situation. I will be looking to upgrade it when my circumstances change though. I was offered an Ashdown Amp and Cab for a very tempting price but the cab was just too big, which was a little unfortunate. My decent lead is also waiting to be used.

Thanks to all of you. I appreciate all the help and advice everyone has offered. I've been to have a look and feel of some today. The sales guy demonstrated a few of them for me as well. I've got the price down a bit on the one I was looking at, so I think I'm just going to go for it. Although I haven't held or heard it, I can safely compare it to the ones I have held/heard today and know that it will be a good choice. I really don't intend to ever sell it, which is why I am willing to pay out a bit more for a better one. I'm not saying it will be the only bass I will ever own, as I might buy another bass (or two) at some point in the future, but I will be buying something with the intention of keeping it. I already have a Studio 110 for practicing on, but will be considering a Promethean P5110 when they are available and if we get them at a sensible price in the UK. I've also got pretty much everything else I need, just have to order a couple of books and find someone local for a few lessons at some point. So I am pretty much set, just need to make my final decision on the bass.

[quote name='Lfalex v1.1' post='614367' date='Oct 1 2009, 11:23 PM']You may not be able to play, but you do have to [i]wear[/i] it, balance it, and make a "noise" with it. I'd assert that weight, balance and comfortable neck dimensions are most important. The tone could be phenomenal, but that's no good if the ergonomics are wrong. It's bad practice to play a bass that's uncomfortable.[/quote] I am set on an Ibanez, but I'm just trying to work out which model. As far as everyone suggests, the Ibanez basses are all very well balanced and weight isn't an issue. After trying an SR300 and an SR900, the Ibanez SR neck seems fine to me and the BTB necks aren't much different. Erganomics shouldn't be a problem at all.

[quote name='Rayman' post='614057' date='Oct 1 2009, 06:09 PM']Go and try a pile of basses, as many as you can, and take your time, because if you spend 500 quid and end up with a bass you're not happy with, you're goosed. Second hand, £500 will buy you an excellent bass, starter or not. A nice Precision or Jazz would be top of [i]my[/i] list, and used you could find a nice MIA model. No one could ask for anything better.[/quote] The problem I have at the moment is that I'm relatively inexperienced. After buying a so called "new" bass from a dealer and it turned out to be a "Friday afternoon bass", I have now been put off anything that has been out of the box, other than to be checked and set up. So, after that palaver, I'm not going to consider 2nd hand until I can safely and competently evaluate the condition for myself. I'm planning to go and look at some tomorrow. I can't play, so I can't try them for myself, so I already know that I am going to feel like a complete prat, but I have to hear some and get closer to a decision.

[quote name='bh2' post='614047' date='Oct 1 2009, 06:02 PM']I've heard that it's a good idea to buy the best and then you can play up to it... it's a good motivator to learning and it's always a good thing to pay as much as you can afford. You should be able to find a good used Fender Precision or Jazz for that sort of cash. Good luck and let us know what you've settled on.[/quote] Buying the best I can afford is somethng I was advised to do by someone else, so I value your input. I have to say that I am not really a big fan of Fender. I don't think I would buy one, but also I am not the kind of person that would say anything negative about them just because I don't particularly like them. I see a lot of bickering and don't want to get involved in all of that. But thank you for your comments.