tazza1

[quote name='hubrad' post='769496' date='Mar 9 2010, 05:53 PM']Why do we, as a country, insist on still importing the cheap cr*p just because the factories still make it? You can get decent inexpensive which won't put beginners off so WHY? [/quote] Yes you're right there is no excuse these days with a good choice of decent quality inexpensive instruments - there are even schemes to help young kids or their parents buy them. I well remember when I started playing the awful guitars & basses that were the only ones we could afford (even then we relied on a friendly shop owner to allow us illegal credit - if it wasn't for him I wouldn't be playing now!). Things like Jedsons & Zentas where you used to cut your fingers on the bridge adjustment screws & the fret ends & you could never set the intonation on them or keep them in tune. Now those same Jedsons & Zentas are increasing in price - madness. If you were lucky you eventually got hold of a third or fouth hand Antoria or Kimbara. Wish I still had my Antoria SG!!

[quote name='Annoying Twit' post='769355' date='Mar 9 2010, 04:03 PM']As the owner of a "Shine" bass, can I point out that this is a "Swift" bass, distributed by "Swift Music of London". It clearly says Swift on the headstock. Shine basses get better reviews than Swifts, and I think my Shine six string is well worth the £60 I paid for it. It's the same bass as has been sold as the Harley Benton six string.[/quote] I was recently watching a Shine Telecaster style bass on the Bay which sold really cheaply - it looked really nice & I wish I'd had a punt on it now. I was given a Swift fretless electro-accoustic bass by someone who had bought it for their lad as a starter bass & the "setup" was truly awful. It's been sitting in my garage with a heavy weight on it to get the horrific bow out of the neck but I'm not holding out much hope (I don't think the truss rod works!).

How about this then - anyone tempted? [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Bass-guitar-Fretless_W0QQitemZ180476896473QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV?hash=item2a0542e4d9"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Bass-guitar-Fretless...=item2a0542e4d9[/url] Must be a steal considering how rare three string basses are. To add to the rarity it's fretless too!! "The guitar comes with three strings as the fourth string is optionally used. The seller is not responsible for any damages that may occur during postage. None refundable." - I think he's covering all bases (sorry for the pun) just in case the postman re-strings it with a full set on his rounds.

Just found this forum & thought I'd add a list of some of the basses I've owned. I've been playing for 35 years now on & off. I started as a guitarist but wasn't very good at playing chords. Life changed when I walked into the local music shop & spotted a big black bass on the wall!! It turned out to be a Columbus Grabber copy (& was pretty awful I discovered afterwards but as I'd never even touched a bass I didn't know any different). It was fitted with black strings which totally sold it to me. And so began my dalliance with the dark side....... Following this in as near chronological order as I can remember: 1972 Gibson EB3 1975 No Name Jap Jazz copy* Hohner Steinberger headless copy 1987 Aria SB1000 Early 90's Encore Precision copy* (Solid Ash body + EMG's) 80's Jap Squier Precision Jap Fender Jazz 1975 re-issue Vester 5 string Early 90's Dean 5 string* Late 90's Epiphone EB0 1989 Signature Jazz Bass Export model (home built using NOS Signature body & neck from the States) Early 70's Jap Kasuga EB3 copy 2007 Adam Black Titan prototype 2007 Swift Fretless Electro Acoustic* 2008 Acepro Electro Acoustic 2009 Dean EVO XM short scale* 2007 Wesley (not sure which model but has Prec/Jazz configuration)* *= still owned Think there are probably others I've forgotten!! - I'm barred from entering music shops unless accompanied by my better half (doesn't stop me though - I just buy off Ebay haha)