Coldflows Posted June 27, 2015 Share Posted June 27, 2015 There does seem to be a unanimous approval of that particular p. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3below Posted June 27, 2015 Share Posted June 27, 2015 The other 'hidden' push factor to buying and disposing in the USA is the cost of a suitable airline proof (hah) flight case for any instrument of great value. S/H Squire, Peavey, Yamaha or suchlike commodity bass plus pickups of your choice probably cheaper than a good ATA flight case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Badderer Posted June 27, 2015 Author Share Posted June 27, 2015 yeah. My thoughts were, even if i buy it from new, at the end of my first, second or third year (depending how long I go for) I could just sell it on to any bass player who wants it and take a bit of a hit, or I just buy a hard case and take my chances with the airlines. I may take a $50-100 hit on it, but much less of a risk than taking a £500-1000 bass plus all the other stuff I'd put in the case, only to find I've got issues the other end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghost_Bass Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 Wise choice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 (edited) Yep, travel light, buy something over there that can do a reliable steady job. Edited June 29, 2015 by Lozz196 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landwomble Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 I'm planning on buying in the US next month. TBH, I can't see why I can't just take the neck off, wrap body and neck separately with bubble wrap and stick them in my suitcases... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Badderer Posted June 29, 2015 Author Share Posted June 29, 2015 (edited) that is something worth thinking about for my journey home! I don't really see any reason why not. I would probably seek some advice before doing it. I know the bass would need some time to settle back down once put back together. My only thought would be whether in the week or 2 before leaving, you would need to start to slacken off the strings and at the same time loosen off the truss rod so that it wasn't trying to curve the neck against the force of the strings (that are going to be taken off). Otherwise if you just take the strings off and leave it for a few days, the neck might get overly bent. Edited June 29, 2015 by The Badderer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landwomble Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 I dunno, I think it's pretty safe to remove the neck without touching the truss rod. Would welcome someone reassuring me though as if I have to buy a hard case just to ship it'll negate a lot of the savings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landwomble Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 Edit - some opinions here -https://www.gearslutz.com/board/so-many-guitars-so-little-time/752675-loosening-truss-rod-when-flying-fender-bass-guitar.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Badderer Posted June 29, 2015 Author Share Posted June 29, 2015 (edited) his method seems quite sensible. I'd definitely think 2 half turns over the course of a few days (I may go for the period of at least a week) is sensible. The truss rod must need some adjustment if there are no strings to work against. Edited June 29, 2015 by The Badderer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sibob Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 [quote name='landwomble' timestamp='1435601385' post='2810480'] I'm planning on buying in the US next month. TBH, I can't see why I can't just take the neck off, wrap body and neck separately with bubble wrap and stick them in my suitcases... [/quote] This is exactly what I did when I went to Wooten Woods. Removed neck from body, tuners from neck (saves a surprising amount of space), wrapped everything in clothes. Was still a little stressed about it in transit though, because of luggage size restrictions, the neck was still pretty jammed in diagonally across the case.....and they really do just fling those cases about when loading them. I didn't loosen the rod (didn't read into that at all), just made sure that I rebuilt the bass as soon as got to the hotel! Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ben4343 Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 [quote name='landwomble' timestamp='1435601385' post='2810480'] I'm planning on buying in the US next month. TBH, I can't see why I can't just take the neck off, wrap body and neck separately with bubble wrap and stick them in my suitcases... [/quote] I have also done this (albeit with a cheapy play bass). It was dismantled for about 24 hours, and upon reassembly played absolutely the same, as far as I could tell. But, perhaps, more... quality... instruments might be a bit more sensitive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Badderer Posted June 30, 2015 Author Share Posted June 30, 2015 that's good to know cheers guys. i'll be less getting my knickers in a twist about dismantling the bass option now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sibob Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 [quote name='The Badderer' timestamp='1435657783' post='2810971'] that's good to know cheers guys. i'll be less getting my knickers in a twist about dismantling the bass option now! [/quote] Another reason to just buy one out there, and do that for getting it home again. Maybe just check your case with an existing bass before you leave lol Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pukie Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 When you are buying in the US make sure the Bass is one that CAN be shipped abroad, just in case US Customs get[i] funny[/i]. I don't know if this is actually being enforced though...... http://americanorchestras.org/advocacy-government/travel-with-instruments/endangered-species-material/protected-species-travel-tips.html http://www.musiciansunion.org.uk/news/2014/10/04/for-musicians-travelling-overseas-with-their-instrument/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Badderer Posted June 30, 2015 Author Share Posted June 30, 2015 WOW! good tip. Fortunately I don't think a bass I'd be looking at is likely to have Brazilian Rosewood or Ivory in it, but I'd never heard of this. My Cello bow might have given me some issues possibly. I don't know what's in it, but it might have had some shell. I don't think there'll be any issue transporting a Squier, but good to know for future references! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Badderer Posted June 30, 2015 Author Share Posted June 30, 2015 and yeah Sibob I will be carefully measuring bass bodies and suitcase dimensions! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghost_Bass Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 Don't be affraid to dismantle your (future) bass and bring it in a suitcase. I find that most people tend to worry too much about truss rod tension on a unstringed neck. Wood has a fairly amount of resistance and won't snap or bend overnight. When you remove the neck of the bass, if you can notice a very considerable amount of back bow (you need to be using very high gauge stings for that IMO) just slowly reduce the truss tension. There will probably be an angry mob forming by now to come and get me but i never did that "1/4 turn and overnight to rest" thing. I've setup basses that required more than 2 full turns on the rod and not a single neck snapped - just be sure to turn the key very slowly and take your time with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Badderer Posted July 17, 2015 Author Share Posted July 17, 2015 well..... having put this topic to bed and definitely, absolutely 100% decided on buying a bass when I get there... even went as far as trying 2 squires in Wunjos.... we got really cheap flights to San Fransisco with BA in their sale today. So it now turns out it'll be far cheaper for me to take a bass and I trust BA to transport it fine (and if it gets damaged I'm sure i'll be able to get compensation for the damage... famous last words). So.... update to my thoughts.... Warwick is a no go... amazing bass and getting some incredible tones out of it... it does a P Bass tone better than a P Bass (just found out how to get it). The neck is just to chunky for my playing style for me to play it over long periods of time. I'm sure i could get used to it, but I'm not 100% comfortable. Lakland... I'm not taking this. When I get back from America I want to try putting a new Pre-Amp in it and seeing how it sounds then. I don't want to take it in case I get the chance to record out there. So down to ACG or Fender. I'm currently just playing my Fender as I was getting my fingers ready for playing on a Squier CV Jazz, and I'm starting to feel comfortable on it. I've also been adjusting truss rod etc. to get used to setting it up so feeling a bit more comfortable with it even if the set up needed sorting in a very cold US winter. ACG I still feel that it would be great to have this with me and knowing I'm going and coming back with BA makes me a lot more comfortable taking it. Well there we go. Dilemma is slowly sorting itself, but still no closer to making a decision yet.... AAARGH!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Badderer Posted August 30, 2015 Author Share Posted August 30, 2015 (edited) After all of the above, BA (to the best of my knowledge) changed their baggage policy. Initially on multiple readings I am 99% sure it said, they will take Musical instruments for free in the hold, as well as your 23KG baggage allowance. Now they are saying, that was never the case and the instrument was always part of the baggage allowance and they never allow instruments in the cabin (unless something small that will fit in the overhead lockers) unless I wanted to buy an extra seat for it.... yeah because the spare ticket is probably twice the price of this bass below So I will be going to the US with no bass, and buying..... [url="http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/JBassJJLPB"]http://www.sweetwate...tail/JBassJJLPB[/url] Edited August 30, 2015 by The Badderer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted August 31, 2015 Share Posted August 31, 2015 Think that makes a lot of sense - less to carry about, and looks to be a nice bass. Always nice to buy shiny new basses as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JapanAxe Posted August 31, 2015 Share Posted August 31, 2015 [quote name='The Badderer' timestamp='1440975784' post='2855111'] After all of the above, BA (to the best of my knowledge) changed their baggage policy. Initially on multiple readings I am 99% sure it said, they will take Musical instruments for free in the hold, as well as your 23KG baggage allowance. Now they are saying, that was never the case and the instrument was always part of the baggage allowance and they never allow instruments in the cabin (unless something small that will fit in the overhead lockers) unless I wanted to buy an extra seat for it.... yeah because the spare ticket is probably twice the price of this bass below So I will be going to the US with no bass, and buying..... [url="http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/JBassJJLPB"]http://www.sweetwate...tail/JBassJJLPB[/url] [/quote] Fwiw I think that's a good call. No worries on the way out, and if you get to love this bass you can always bring it back disassembled or invest in an ATA case for future flying-with-bass adventures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest gazzatriumph Posted October 2, 2015 Share Posted October 2, 2015 What year is your Warwick? I have a 2009 and a 2010 Corvette $$ and the necks are fine, not chunky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gsgbass Posted October 3, 2015 Share Posted October 3, 2015 I'd say the Jazz. If you have a parts problem occur, Fender parts are all over the place also. More people work on Fenders as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Badderer Posted January 2, 2016 Author Share Posted January 2, 2016 Well I'm here and have time to check on bass chat for the 1st time since september! I got the Squier James Johnston Sig. Jazz bass.... and WOW what a great bass. cost me £265 from new (USA prices), and there is barely any difference between that and a USA Fender. Great build quality. Great tone. Job done. When I get home I will be having a serious clear out of some of my basses. In answer to above questions. My Warwick is a 2004. The neck's not mega chunky, but just noticeable enough to make playing for 2-3 hours at a time quite tiring on the left hand in comparison to a Jazz bass. I can still play totally fine with it, but it's just not as comfy for long plays needing stamina. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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