Thunderpaws

[quote name='noelk27' post='1180347' date='Mar 29 2011, 01:37 AM']Not wanting to add fuel to the fire, but if the email address you've forwarded moneys to is not the email address that the seller has registered on eBay then you may encounter difficulties raising a dispute that PayPal will respond to. Certainly, if you forwarded moneys to an email address using the "gift" facility on PayPal you may well have shot yourself in the foot when it comes to recovering any moneys paid (unless you can prove a link between the eBay sale and the PayPal "gift").[/quote] I did everything by the book. Just off the phone to Paypal again. They have assured me I wont loose a bean and have opened up a case against the seller. Now I can't even get in contact with him. Through some detective work though I found out which football team he plays for and what he does for a living. There's no way I'm coming out of this without either a Decade or my money. Has put me right off using eBay though! Maybe we need a thread for eBay disasters! Back to the binding on my self build now!

[quote name='kingofthestuntmen' post='1178654' date='Mar 27 2011, 07:55 PM']My dad calls me from the local car boot sale this morning to tell me he's found a "Vester Stage Series Guitar", "red and white with 2 pickups". Sounds like a Telecaster so I tell him to snag it there and then. Meet up with him later to be presented with this - A quick tune up tells me it's working OK-ish. I'll order a set of the Legacy strings I've read so much about and give Mark/7String a call, see what he can make of it.[/quote] That's my first bass!! I think I got one in 1987 or there abouts. It actually had a fairly easy playing neck, but the build quality waS AWFUL. tHE BODY IS MADE OF PLYWOOD!

[quote name='warwickhunt' post='1180066' date='Mar 28 2011, 09:17 PM']Thems trade secrets, known only to the ebay Police... However, if you look at the bidding history on his last 'THREE' Decade sales you might see the pattern. [/quote] I see the pattern. bids going up from the same bidder with no competition. Think I'd make a good detective too, found out where he plays football, position and d.o.b. so know where to find him if this goes pearshaped. contacted the bank who told me the money has already gone so can't be stopped. That was on Sunday.

[quote name='warwickhunt' post='1180043' date='Mar 28 2011, 09:08 PM']Not that it matters because you were prepared to bid more than £500 anyway but you do realise that he's been shill bidding his basses up to £500! Those with a good detective's nose (Inspector Beedster ) will be able to find the evidence. [/quote] How can you tell someone has been shill bidding?

[quote name='EssentialTension' post='1178833' date='Mar 27 2011, 09:42 PM']Have you got it yet?[/quote] Nope. Not got it yet. However, I have phoned Paypal again but they are about as much use as a chocolate teapot. No help from them until the 7th day when if I have't got it yet I can raise a claim of some sort. Anyway, apparently he has sorted out his bank account link with Paypal now and once my money makes it to his bank account I can get the guitar. All a bit worrying and I hope to hell it's all ok. The seller is either a con man or he lives on another planet. I hope it's the other planet. If I don't have this by Friday I am taking action to get my money back. Apparently you don't get it all back though as Paypal take an admin fee. Cheers for now. g PS: to help me through this week I have been doing a bit more work on my home made bass. Binding channel on carved top is difficult!

[quote name='Beedster' post='1177098' date='Mar 26 2011, 12:01 PM']That's good news mate Re Paypal, are you saying you've paid someone other than him? That could make things very difficult of you need to make a claim, sorry, but that's the way it is. Anyway, good luck tomorrow and keep us posted.[/quote] It is good news. I have paid him. The only issue he has is that someone messed up with his email address. Either him or them. Looking forward to playing it. g

[quote name='Thunderpaws' post='1177026' date='Mar 26 2011, 11:03 AM']If it is a fake, how do I tell?[/quote] Ok, Just spoke to the seller on the phone and he is working. I got his contact number from Ebay. He seems like a genuine bloke. He bought guitars in from a website in America as he thought he'd sell them on to make a wee bit money as he wants to start trading. He also brought in Fenders and Rickenbackers. He has sold the Laklands at a loss and is a bit gutted about it. I asked him questions about the bass and where he got them, what they were like to play, serial numbers and the like and he seemed straight up. I am meeting him tomorrow to pick it up half way. He brought them in from something like "Funkin Music" or something. I hope and seem to have got a genuine bargain...he said he needed £700 ish to break even. I'll confirm this tomorrow night when everything has gone right. On the Paypal matter, he had used his email address for eBay then tried to register it with Paypal but couldn't for some reason. He has tried sorting it out with Paypal and will try again.

[quote name='EssentialTension' post='1177011' date='Mar 26 2011, 10:48 AM']I've been dubious about that seller too for the same reason - IIRC there was a thread about it. Ah here it is: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=120091&hl=decade"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=...1&hl=decade[/url]. Good luck with it.[/quote] If it is a fake, how do I tell?

[quote name='sk8' post='1176977' date='Mar 26 2011, 10:11 AM']Maybe call her 'Dispute'? [/quote] I am hoping to call her something positive! I really hope the seller isn't at it, I hope the negative messages don't turn out to be true. g

I previously posted asking advice between a G&L L2000, a Skyline 44-01, a Fender Jazz Highway One and Schecter Model T. After searching and looking on Ebay, narrowly missing a Fender Marcus Miller and Lakland Joe signiture I turned my attention to a listing on Ebay for a new Decade. I just won it. Yes. I just won a Skyline Decade on Ebay and am over the moon, hopefully the seller gets back to me within the next minute so I can pick her up....What should I call her? Garry

Well, the search continues. I AM GUTTED. Phoned Absolute Music today to buy the Lakland Joe Osborn they had in desond hand. Looked beautiful in the photo's they sent through. I agreed to buy it, gave my credit card details and smiled for the rest of the afternoon, only to find they have sold it to someone else. "Deflated" is a word I could use right now. Anyone got a Darryl Jones or Joe Osborn they want to sell? Tonight I will do some work on my self build to take my mind of "what if" g

[quote name='Lozz196' post='1161611' date='Mar 14 2011, 12:00 PM']Without my natural bias towards all things Precision, from the comments made, I would ask the shop to set up both the Highway One Precision, and the Lakland properly, and try them again. I think re the Schecter - the gloss may reduce within time, but the question is, how long. Spending that amount of money you don`t want to have to wait for 3 years for your bass to become to your liking. Never tried a G&L but they get very favourable views on here, so it has to be worth adding in.[/quote] Thanks all for your help. I am going to go to Guitar Guitar in Edinburgh where I hope to try some more Lakland and G&L. They may have some Fender worth trying too. Another shop has suggested I try a Cort GB4 I think.....any views on these? g

[quote name='TRBboy' post='1160916' date='Mar 13 2011, 07:52 PM']I guess that the G&L or Lakland are gonna be the most versatile choices, but they're all decent basses. Personally, I wouldn't go for the MIM P because I don't think the Mexican Fenders are particularly good for the money. I would say it's definitely a step down in quality from all the others. A Jazz has been my mainstay for the last 14 years, despite many other basses coming and going, so I guess I would recommend that although I do really like the Laklands. The neck on the G&L feels a little too clumsy for me, despite being a well built and great sounding bass. If the neck is the only thing holding you back with the Schecter, just take some 1200 grit sandpaper to it and it'll be silky smooth! Hope this helps.[/quote] I would hate buy a new bass and have to take sandpaper to it to make it work for me. Schecter seem to have a wonderful custom build department but waaaay out of my league. I am going to try another Highway One and a G&L and another Lakland this week. The only thing about the Lakland is the aesthetics don't really do it for me, though the necks seem lovely.

[quote name='Ou7shined' post='1160647' date='Mar 13 2011, 04:20 PM']As much as I rate G&L, having listened to your tunes I think the second hand Stingray is the way to go too... plus no shiny neck. [/quote] Hello and thanks for your feedback. I forgot to say that I don't play on all those tracks, only half of them. Anotonia's Party is fairly typical of what I get up to, though I am getting better. I think we should start gigging but we need a drummer and a singer! I will have alook and see if there are any second hand Stingrays kicking about...I'd not even given them a thought as I thought they'd be out my bracket. I did like the Schecter Model T, Bassline pickups sounded great. Cheers, Garry

Hello all, I am about to splash a lot (for me) of cash on a new bass. My budget is at most £700. Has anyone done a good comparison of this lot? So far I have tried these: Fender Highway One Jazz Black: Loved the sound and feel of the neck though the action was much too high in the shop so hard to play. Schecter Model T: Liked the finish, the quality, the sound and neck shape. Didn't quite like the gloss finish on the neck as I found my hand sticking a bit...would this reduce with time Lakland 44 02: Liked the neck, though action was too low so fret buzz lots on the one in shop making it hard to get true appreciation. Fender Mexican P: Thought is felt a little light and volume dropped of significantly with tone low. Neck was nice shape though finishing not brilliant Am going to try: G&L L2000 custom sunburst Any thoughts? I play mostly in the house, recording with some friends, see www.myspace.com/sunjunkiesmusic Cheers for any suggestions or help. g

[quote name='MoonBassAlpha' post='989804' date='Oct 15 2010, 11:29 PM']wood looks like maple.[/quote] Hello, It does look like maple doesn't it. You could make a Gibson Ripper bass clone! I am about 3/4 of the way through my first build, from scratch, and it is a challenge. Stalled for a while over the summer, but back on track now. Just bough a purfling cutter from America on Ebay so waiting for that to come so I can make the body look cooler. Good luck to you. Go careful with the tools there. I just levelled my frets with my stone and it took off way more than I thought it would in a only a couple of strokes. g

[quote name='EdwardHimself' post='985758' date='Oct 12 2010, 02:21 PM']It really depends what finish you're going for. If you want a nice finish then mask off the board and spray the rest of the neck. Otherwise oil will do but you'll need to remember to keep doing it so it doesn't end up getting buggered.[/quote] Thanks for that....I'll spray then, just wasn't sure as the book I have has didley squat on finishing! g

Hello, Long time no post, but I've not done much on the bass for a while. Anyway, I've fretted and sanded. Now I've finished the fretboard with Beeswax. What do I do for the rest of the neck? Do I spray the whole thing (including fretboard) with NitroCellulose, or will it not stick because of the fretboard being waxed?! Do I mask off the fretboard and spray the maple part of the neck? Do I oil the maple part? anything else? Cheers. g

[quote name='henry norton' post='892767' date='Jul 12 2010, 01:36 PM']Lookin' good! If the router has dug in around the horns you could always re-profile them a bit with a sander - they're fairly chunky so could take some slimming down without any ill effects to the looks or the structure. The other way to deal with it could be to give a bit of relic treatment if that's your kind of thing. Keep us posted whatever you do [/quote] Cheers, I've already come to the conclusion that I'll be reshaping the horns. Shouldn't take too much. I still want to do binding around the top though, so the top should stay pretty much the same, just a bit more carving to do once I have my pup cavities routed. Not doing that til they arrive though. As for the binding channel, I want to cut the rebate by hand as I have a carved/curved top. However, have you seen how much a purfling tool is?! Just about as much as nut files. Those are the two tools I really need. Unless there's another way of cutting the rebate, maybe just with a marking gauge and a chisel! g

[quote name='Al Heeley' post='892582' date='Jul 12 2010, 10:20 AM']Looking great so far. You can get wiring kits from Axes'r'Us online, or go to Bobs bitsbox and order the separate pots, caps , etc. and do your own, following one of the schematics from the Seymour Duncan Schematics pages.[/quote] Thanks. Top tip. I have never done anything with circuits and never really done much soldering so this should be fun. I think I need to sit down and work out what each bit actually does. cheers g

3 things. Firstly, I just bought some pups for my bass. Wizard PJ combo BIG....can't wait. Hopefully this thing will fill me with pleasure. Secondly, who knows where I can get a good quality wiring kit with one volume and one blend control? Thirdly, my bass needs a name....I was going with Thunderpaws Bass Guitars, open for others. g

[quote name='Longmayyourun' post='889886' date='Jul 8 2010, 09:26 PM']I really like that. Nicely done! Just finished my own self build - 'P' shape too (in Walnut) but I've fitted a pair of Wizard 84s and the sound is astonishing - low E really like a piano, amazing note definition, I'm very very happy with them. I look forward to watching your build progress. In my experience Oak doesn't take colour stains too reliably - why not oil it and celebrate the wood for what it is?[/quote] Hello It's been fun, but slow, and I actually used the oak by mistake as it looked nice. It's not book matched but looks close. It was just the way the grain was growing either side of a knot. Tomorrow I will sand my fingerboard, fit the frets and dress them. Since it sounds like you have worked with Oak before, what steps would you take to finish it? I have some grain filler coming from Tonetech. Would I apply that before any colour. May still go natural though. g

Here is a photo of my first build from scratch. No where near finished yet, but most major components in place. Need to reshape the headstock as it's too thick and to much wood above the machine head. [attachment=53784:IMG_7885.JPG] Getting Wizard pups, either PJ combo or their Stealth model. Any preferences? Big question is though, the finish. I was thinking, black binding and blue dye/stain on top, with natural underside. The underside is ash, the top is oak. The top is also being carved, though I have halted that until I have the pickup cavity routed so I have a flat surface to work with. One last question. The heel of my neck is a bit too thick, at 31mm. I only just compared it to other basses. I can either make the neck pocket route deeper or take some off the neck. The latter would be quite difficult as I have already curved the fingerboard. Any suggestions? Cheers. g

Cut my fret wire and ground the ends to length yesterday. Next I do the nut. Put what I have together to get a picture of what it will look like. Next is the pup choice. I was going to go with Wizard PJ, however I am open to suggestions. I've added a picture of yesterdays action! g [attachment=53732:IMG_7885.JPG]

[quote name='eightball' post='876972' date='Jun 24 2010, 11:01 PM']actually, just had another look; if the top horn is already rounded over, it might be a bit problematic - that's pretty deep. same still applys for what i said though. there's always the body filler-solid colour last resort if all else fails. it would be a shame for that piece of wood though.[/quote] Well, I know what "that piece of wood" is now. It's Oak. So, I have a body of European Ash with an Oak top. It does look cool, but it's heavy. I have started to put a radius over the body (like a Fender Aerodyne Jazz) to try and make it lighter by loosing some oak, and I'll put some weight relief/chamber the back. I've never seen a bass, or guitar, with an Oak top so will need to find someone who can tell me the best way to finish it. I am looking at a blue stain or dye....what's the difference? Might bind it too if I can work out how with the curved top....any suggestions? Right, away to practise...and I just bought a Boss Micro BR which is great fun. g