bassmonk

Sold a hipshot tuner to Tony. He was super easy to deal with - friendly, efficient, good comms - a straightforward sale! Trade with confidence

My first bass (aged 18) was a fretless 5 string. Traded it back in at the shop a couple of years later for a better fretless 5 string (which I still have).. then a decade later, because frets were proving kind of useful, and my friend's 4 string Jazz was virtually on permanent loan (I was forever dropping the E to a D) I ended up buying a 6.. now sold in favour of a new SR5. So I've never actually owned a 4 string!! But I really enjoy playing them.. so at some point I'll need to get one. I think I need one to complete the family.....

I too would suggest keeping the Sandberg.. However if you are intent on trading down to something much cheaper then don't overlook Squire. My daughter wanted to take up bass so I was after a new instrument of decent quailty but without spending over the odds. We got the Squire Affinity PJ and I was very impressed with the finishing of the neck and the playability - for a £200 bass anyway - and the set up was good right out the box. The quality of budget instruments has really increased since I learned over 20 years ago! Although I can only really vouch for the one we got; we didn't try many other Squires/alternatives. All that said... If you keep on with the bass you may later regret parting with the Sandberg..?

My new Stingray 5. Custom pickguard by Jack's Instrument Services in Manchester. It's quite a unique beast!

[quote name='GreeneKing' timestamp='1490020618' post='3261490'] Finally my lovely Sterling. I've owned this bass twice and it has 'done the rounds' with quite a few of the BC community a few years back. She became known as 'Rita'. One piece body and matching headstock. I fitted a Nordstrand pickup the 1st time I owned it and I notice that there is no Nordy motif on it now. Maybe there never was? Did someone swap the Nordy out? (they are rare beasts nowadays, special order only). It still has a huge tone anyway which makes me think it's still the Nordstrand. I also have the pearloid white scratch plate in case anyone is offended. I'm not sure where the original white one went. It lost it's original case along the way too but I replaced it with a new one. Sadly it sits in it's case as I I'm used to 5's now. It's still not for sale though for sentimental reasons [/quote] Oh yes, that is superb! Now I really must post pics of my new Stingray 5 - also with custom pickguard........ Off to take some photos I think...

I took delivery of a new SR5, American made, about 6 weeks ago. I can't fault it, the build quality is top class. And EB are well known for their necks - a reputation that is justified, based on the ones I've played. Couldn't be happier with mine. I went for the maple fretboard - which is sliced off the same block as the neck then perfectly matched up again after the truss rod is inserted. You have to look very hard to find the join...

[quote name='ZilchWoolham' timestamp='1494951893' post='3299916'] Very impressive! Did it have a [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfeyUGZt8nk"]buttery biscuit base[/url]? [/quote] That is the funniest YouTube video I've seen this year. Literally laughed out loud. There's definitely a marketing opportunity there.. "New addition to our spring range - The Buttery Biscuit Bass" - but which manufacturer would be most likely to make it?

[quote name='xgsjx' timestamp='1494913273' post='3299441'] Wonder if the real Stingray will have a "40" on the side? [/quote] Hopefully not! But I see they are doing a 30th anniversary model at the moment - so maybe in 10 years' time..?

Thanks everyone for the kind comments and birthday wishes! Yes - I have wonderful friends. I understand it took many hours to make. But it tasted as good as it looks! All the best to those of you who will be turning the same corner very soon Drop hints now about bass cakes!

So I had a big birthday a couple of weeks ago. Just getting round to posting the pics of the cake my friends made for me. Unfortunately the real thing didn't arrive from Music Man in time.. but I should be seeing it in a few weeks. It probably won't taste as good as this one. [attachment=245329:IMG_5499.jpg] [attachment=245330:IMG_5503.jpg]

Mine was originally fretted when it was in the shop. I was looking for a fretless, but loved this bass, so I had it defretted by the guitar tech at the shop. He did a great job. You can see the lines where he inlaid wood in place of the frets but you have to look closely. It's the best of both worlds: I get the benefit of lines when I need them but it looks unlined and cool to everyone else! Funnily enough, I check visually more than I used to (I've been playing for over 20 years).. In the early days I used to be really confident and just go for it - till I saw a video of me playing and cringed at the intonation of some of the notes. I got more careful! Not sure whether I'd get lined or unlined if buying a new fretless. I too listened to Scott's video with interest; I take his point. But the unlined somehow seems more "right"... Glad I'm not in this dilemma (at the moment! )