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A happy chappy indeed, the finish is a blood red the above photos look more orange than it actually is to the naked eye, not that my pictures show it any better as is definitely not pink!! I have decided to go back to the original black knobs as they contrast the red finish a better. A big thanks to Andy for all his hard work Rog

Hi all! After a decade craving for one I've finally pulled the trigger on a gorgeous 2011 Star Bass 5 WPS in black (my fave "regular" finish, my absolute fave is the metallic grey with blue racing strips but those only came as a chinese RockBass model and only for a short time). The bass' condition is undistinguishable from one out of a box, virtually new, not the slightest scratch, mark or wear, and it came with a nicely padded gig bag (appropriate for holding it's big body -won't fit in your usual solid body gig bags-). For reference the current chinese RockBass version (which I tried and think is very decent) doesn't come up in ads for less than 700€ used 'round here (Spain). The moment I saw this one for 600€ (handcrafted in Korea, no RockBass) I pulled the trigger. Never been a Warwick fan, not too much into their tones nor playability. But the Star Bass has always been THE exception (sounds nothing like most Warwicks). I also don't care at all for the old Framus Star Bass, hate the tone, the looks, etc. The neck is bit thicker than I'd like (prefer them skinny A/F) but I was expecting that, it's a price I'm willing to pay. Still 20.7mm thick front to back @ fret 1 according to my caliber, less than 1mm deeper than my Stingray5s depth, still feels substantially beefier due to the round, sorta' D profile I guess (the SR5 profile is a very sharp C, real thin, more like a parethesis). Anyway, easier to get used to that than the "Les Paul mark" I get from resting my forearm when playing sitting (it HURTS, but I'll work it out). Now the sound on this is simply AWESOME. I starter re-using some Zoom B1X Four patches I usually have for my Stingrays (mostly preamp -either clean or dirty- plus some compression, boosting lows a little) and I ended up going almost bypass as the sound comes "mastered" to the perfect roundness I like with my amp EQ flat. These MEC pickups are astonishing. Timbre is like a very warm fat Jazz Bass, yet sporting delicate and detailed highs, never hissy or clanky even when seriously digging in. Best passive tone I've had. It also has a very curious and INSANE SUSTAIN, the low end keeps pushing for a LONG time, you can feel it exciting the preamp. Only thing "hollow" about this bass is it's loud when unplugged. Other than that I don't think it'll record nor perform too differently than a solid body Jazz Bass with these pickups on. No microphonics or feedback at all. Setup was easy despite the multiple gadgets. I prefer simple bridges, was skeptical about the 3D bridge, but I really like it. Adjusted spacing to the widest possible setting and it doesn't go any further than 17mm (home enough for me, 17-17.5mm is my zone). And the Just-a-nut III is the nut every bass should come with (I've lowered the nut on probably 80% of basses I've owned, they very often come too high, shouldn't be higher than a fret, I care more about how it ruins playability for me than low register intonation). Seriously considering equipping my Stingray5s with them. All in all a gorgeous high quality bass that's even suitable for some punk/metal duties if need be (used to do it with an Epiphone Viola I just sold, so, this is definitely going there too). I'll follow the rules and drop some photos now... I'll post some samples when I get to record it (still probably not too interesting). Sounds almost exactly like this Andy Irvine vid (this is the current chinese RockBass version pickups are the same)...

The original 24-minute programme is on YouTube as a single file. Here it's been 'upgraded' but split into three ... play the first and it should link on automatically. Yes, this is Hemel Hempstead in 1971. Hemel Hempstead, this is Yes in 1971. https://youtu.be/Ztzx89NvzOM https://youtu.be/htqmstXBByo https://youtu.be/TzVjIOC5FhA

‘Do you do requests?’ - ‘Yeah, sure what do you want?’ ’Do you know Sex on Fire?’ Facepalm🤦‍♂️ Saying that, I’d gladly play just Brightside and Sex on fire all night if it meant I was doing a gig.

Was actually yesterday. Been chatting about a couple of set up tweaks I need to implement on another thread, but I know some people are interested in taking a look. It's a Revelation, fretless, PJ configuration, with a nice chunky neck. I tried to move it on via a local guy who sells for commission from his shop, but the lockdown intervened. Whatever it was I needed to raise funds for has been long forgotten. I nearly sold it last weekend, but potential buyer had second thoughts. And I'm glad. I never really gave it a good go, but having a fretless in the armoury isn't a bad idea. Also, for what they fetch second hand I would be incredibly hard pushed to buy anything nearly as good. It's a solid, well made instrument with great pick ups and a lovely neck. So for now, I'll keep it..

Another gem by Lion Youth!

Indeed. I've been shipping basses and other items all over the world for years, but you have to admit that, in the UK, you have a very bad habit of complicating the addressee. I mean a correct address only needs this : Name and Surname Company name, if there's one Street (or anything that's close to this) and Number Zip Code and City. There's absolutely no need for the county, the ancient county name, the big city nearby or the neighbourhood name !?! Yes, each and every time I get an address in the UK, it's a nice game to put it the right way without all useless data you like to add. 🤨

Truth. This was about 5 years ago and I still own the bass to this day . I emailed Sandberg customer support (their general support email address) some time in the early evening, got a personal reply from Hölger himself at around 3am simply asking for my address. No platitudes, just “Send me your shipping address, I will sort this out” or words to that effect. A week later I have a brand new identical tuner postmarked from Germany, free of charge. All this for a used bass which I admitted was damaged as a result of my own incompetence - not a failure of the product itself. I insisted upon paying for the tuner but Hölger was having none of it. That’s a masterclass in customer service if you ask me.

In the absence of a full glossary: "clown whore" -- one former member's now-legendary description of any bassist/musician who does not think of themselves as an 'artist' first and foremost. The rest of his argument was similarly ridiculous. I think he thought of himself as Van Gogh with flatwounds. He was quite rightly ridiculed for his ludicrous pseudointellectual posturing, and stamped off in a fairly spectacular flounce. "a waste of TIM" -- another former member who failed to sell any of his tat in the Marketplace and, rather than perhaps review his pricing or sales technique, announced that the whole marketplace was 'a complete waste of TIM' (sic) and and stamped off in another fairly spectacular flounce. "is Mark King better than Flea?" -- from a thread many many moons ago which posed the question "Who is better at slap, Mark King or Flea?". A lot of people felt that this was a bit like comparing apples to oranges as their approaches are so very different, provoking a fair bit of good-natured jocularity. IIRC the member who asked the question did not stamp off in any sort of flounce, spectacular or otherwise. The question has become a bit like a Basschat version of 'what would Jesus do?'. "is that bass any good for playing metal" -- similar to the King/Flea one above. The question was asked, "what's the best bass for metal?" (to which of course the answer is, you can play metal on absolutely any bass and 'best' is entirely subjective). Again, it provoked much witty japery and the member who posed the query did not put on their flouncing frock. If I've got any of the above wrong, please correct.

It would be helpful for any newbie if you could explain at least the outline of what they’re about ? Kind of like “showing him/her where the toilets are”? figuring out some of “the darker magic” of basschat could take quite a bit of thread archeology. I’ve been here ten years and I still don’t know the reference behind “a waste of TIM”. @ped could we consider adding a glossary? We are getting to a point of jargon-load where there are too many references to obscure things that no newbie can expect to unpick and so integrate ?

I am currently using a peavey tko 75 watt amp

If anyone is looking for a new plate for their PB50 this chap Brian https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Harley-Benton-PB-50-Bass-Pickguard-PB-50-scratchplate-many-colours/114233957501?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&var=414488422081&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649 Does them, he does the old shape and the new shape in all colours. This one is for mine. £25

This looks interesting. Wouldn't mind one myself. https://www.mesaboogie.com/amplifiers/bass/subway-series/subway-tt-800/index.html?utm_source=Mesa%2FBoogie+Amplitudes+Newsletter+List&utm_campaign=ff789e1e8d-subway-tt-800&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_bf726eb5e2-ff789e1e8d-2022481&mc_cid=ff789e1e8d&mc_eid=7a0620dcf2

Okay, so I didn't expect to find one of these so soon but thanks to @gareth it's New Vintage Squier Bullet Bass Day! I used to have a USA Fender Bullet Bass Deluxe which, although a bit niche, was a great bass to play and was on some great records. When I had to sell it I was gutted, but on this forum I managed to score a MIJ Squier Bullet Bass. Which is even more niche, but I'm into the niche gear. So this little oddball beauty arrived this afternoon. I tore into the package and unwrapped it, and... it's blowing me away! I'm fully aware that most folks wouldn't have these on their radar because why would they? Who's gonna get excited by the combination of a cut-down Precision body with Mustang pickups and a fat AF Tele bass neck? Well, me. Yeah, I'm that weirdo First impressions: much lighter than my old USA Bullet bass but still feels super solid. The neck is a dead ringer for the USA Bullet neck and feels the same as my old one. Win! 👍 The tug bar is on the wrong side of the strings for me 'cause I pluck with the side of my thumb, but that's an easy move. Overall, I'm getting a great vibe off this already. Straight away I had to take off the roundwound strings and get some flats on there. Thought I'd experiment with a set of Fender 45-100 flats, they only cost me £14 so why not? Seemingly within a few minutes the stiffer string tension and higher action that I'm used to was there. Plugged it into the only amp I have (1970s Fender Vibro Champ) and started playing some Afrobeat and dub basslines. Lost a couple of hours, easy. Bonded with it instantly. Properly enjoyed meself. I'm looking forward to recording with it and eventually gigging it. Absolutely chuffed with it. So, big thanks to Gareth for hooking me up with this one, I flipping love it. Great bass + nice price + pro packaging + hassle free delivery = happy Meterman. Cheers Gareth 🙏

For those who would like to spend 36 minutes letting their mind wander this is another longform improvisation. At the heart of the effects as always is the Helix Floor. #ambient,#ambientbass,#ambientmusic,#spaceambient,#andyothling,#perryfrank,#line6,#line6helix,#strymonstrymonbigsky,#bigsky, #reverb,#delay,#pitch,#pitchfork,#pog,#electroharmonix,#kmi,#keithmcmillen,#softstepii,#midi,#cubasis,#ambientbassimprovisation, #ambientimprovisation,#improvisation,#fripp,#robertfripp,#soundscape,#ambientsoundscape

I'm missing packing the car, the travel, setting up, the challenge of making an audience like you enough to get them to come back next time, packing up, the travel home and unloading the car. IMO inane and nonsensical rubbish from drunk punters is par for the course and no more than water off a ducks back. I couldn't care less what they are asking for if I'm gigging.

My Desert Gold with matching headstock 2004 SR4

Hi all Has anyone tried the EHX pink torpedo Fight or pink torpedo Fight Plus? I quite like the fixed filter effect with fuzz and just wondered how these stack up in the real world? Cheers

Thanks RB, I have ordered the Ultra Jazz in the Texas Tea colour. I will let you know what I think later in the week. Cheers.

I am currently sitting on an Aeron.

When I was looking for a bass a couple of months ago, I considered various factors, and the main reason to go for a brand name would have been resale value. That would also have restricted my options when it came to modification, and I ended up deciding against it, going for a Harley Benton which had I no compunction about totally rewiring to suit myself. But there might still be a brand name bass in my future, with resale value in mind.

If you're interested (and I understand if you're not!) there's another one here, better quality pics from different angles - genuinely hard to see any differences from mine, including the neck/body joint position: https://www.richtonemusic.co.uk/product/tokai-breezysound-thinline-telecaster-butterscotch-w-hard-case-2nd-hand-ytokai88700/ The scratchplate is interesting - when I first got Tele GAS I spotted a lovely SX Thinline someone had up on Ebay for about £100, natural finish with a pearl scratchplate. Missed out on that, and weighed up a new SX (£200) against the J&D, which was £113 but with a tort plate that I wasn't too keen on. Anyway, I put the detail aside & pulled the trigger, thinking I could pick up a pearl plate later for a few quid. Having got the guitar & looked into it, it turns out the proportions are quite different from a standard Fender fit plate - and the screw position & count is also different. The Fender plate (and the SX copy) have 4 screws along the top, between the front of the bridge/pickup surround & the neck pocket. The J&D - and the Tokai - both only have 3. Combine that with the very yellowy butterscotch finish, identical detailing and near-identical hardware, and to me they do look too similar for coincidence. My "thing" is old 70s/80s Japanese guitars, often Fender & Gibson copies & I'm aware how Japanese factories made generic instruments for various overseas importers/distributors, sometimes with slight variations but usually identical, and those instruments were sold with different names and often with vastly different prices. I have every expectation modern Chinese factories are just the same & I'm pretty confident the J&D Teles come from the same factory, if not the same production line, as the Tokai. Hope you'll excuse my banging on like this, but I do find this sort of thing unhealthily interesting! I suppose it only matters because the same guitar (if it is) being sold for 3x more makes the J&D seem even more of a bargain!

I’ve got some some rips of some of their live gigs which are well worth seeking out.

Heres some photos of the holoflash legend. Without light on it and with. Now re strung with exl170s.

You and me both 👍

OK, you've already seen the basics online and that's where I would direct you. I must have been soldering stuff for 45 odd years. I started with a 15 w iron, pretty much back in the day that's all you got other than an industrial piece of kit ... I probably got away with that for 30 odd years, it's fine for small stuff, nonsence on soldering to pots, but somehow I managed ... A few years ago, I bought A Hakko solder station clone on Ebay, wow I wish I those were available back in the day. So what should you buy? Hmmm, If you're working on PCB's a 12-15w iron is all you need, but if you're working on bigger stuff like pots, you'll need a lot more power. It's a balancing act, to many watts and you risk damaging stuff, to little watts and you won't achieve a good bond. That's why I opted for a solder station, it covers all my needs and should last a lifetime. If you can budget for a solder station go for it, you won't regret it. Temperature, well that's down to the type of solder used. I use the old fashioned 60/40 cored lead solder. Works at a lower temp and flows nicely. That solder is banned in a lot of commercial manufacturing on H&S grounds. The modern replacement is silver solder I've not tried it, but it needs a higher temp and apparently doesn't flow as well with an iron. There's another advantage to a solder station, you just dial in the correct temp for the nedium you are using. Working with pots, cleanliness and a good key goes a long way to make a successful joint. I use a glass fibre pen to lightly key the pot surface and wipe over with a drop of naptha to clean and degrease. Maybe overkill, but it makes me happy. Rewired a Tele last week and tried a new toy. Came across something called liquid flux, just put a little drop on the cleaned pot and then did the soldering. Seemed to help the flow. My 10ml bottle will probably last a lifetime. A third hand tool is really useful for holding stuff in place and heat shrink tubing has a multitude of uses. The real key is practice, get some wire and a few old pots and go for it. You can clean the pots and reuse them. Once you're happy with the results, go for the real thing and good luck.

I concur, Sandberg are right up there with Spector in terms of customer service.

Why aren't different types of finish available? What happens if we want a mattery, or a satinary, or an eggshellary?

@Reggaebass 's posting of Pablo Gad's "Hard Times" takes me back! I only have one of his 12" singles, "Trafalgar Square" which is good (see pic). Burning Rockers! Red vinyl! Yessss!!! But if you flip it over there's an absolute gem by Chereene - "To You Natty Dread" - 9 minutes of lovers rock vibes with some great spacy psychedelic dub touches 😎 which as far as I know hasn't been reissued or made available on any digital platform. It's a shame when great tunes slip through the net. But it's a great one to play along with and get lost in... Fill yer boots, dub fans : )

Buy it, try it, if you don't like it, send it back. Job done.

The latest offering from Totally Toto: Enjoy!

That looks very nice. I had a Gold -coloured Korean 5 String a few years ago, bought from Thomann when they were selling them off for around £750 and kept it for a couple of years then traded it. Obviously with hindsight being 100% I lusted after another one, but in going back to 4 strings they were far and few between. After a clear-out of 3 non essential to me Basses a few weeks ago I spotted another Korean 2012 Sunburst 4 string on ebay and got it for a little more than yours. Incidentally there have been a couple in the classifieds here recently but Chinese ones. Note the Chinese 4 strings are 32" scale, the 5's are 34" but the Lee Sklar signature Rockbass is 34". I was tempted but £940 for a Chinese Bass seemed excessive? I had been watching a lot of Lee Sklar's daily Bass slots and whenever he pulled out his German Custom Star Bass it seemed to sound lush and my Korean also does not disappoint. MIne is the same as the one above ( but with 4 strings) and like you I've found it has the sound I've been searching for, since buying a Chowny semi last year (not quite the feel of a Warwick) and a Gretsch Electromatic ( too big a body). The Star feels really well built and I did not realise until you mentioned it above the sideways adjustment in the bridge, I must look into that although I have big hands and it all seems fine. MIne has had a brass Just-a-nut III added too, not sure how it adjusts but like the string spacing I'm happy with it the way it is. Meant to mention it came with Flats, unsure which brand and my last one was on Flats too.

Love the mandoliny stuff. Real eye opener how nice Bach sounds on ‘modern’ instruments. Surprised more musicians don’t do this. Goes to show how deep the lacuna is between the classical community and most of us is. It also raises the question of what musical excellence is. I’m a competent blues bassist. But listening to this am I a musician at all?

Hi Ben, Thanks for posting this. It's simply beautiful, so musical. Your phrasing is wonderful. Importantly for me it shows how JS Bach's music transcends so many barriers. Have you come across the amazing American musician Chris Thile? He's a mandolinist with roots in authentic American Folk/country music. In case you haven't here are two links to playing Bach. In one instance a Brandenburg Concerto using Double bass, Mandolin, Guitar and Banjo etc imo it works beautifully also a solo piece for violin played on mandolin. It only goes to show that great music can be performed on instruments that weren't originally meant for as long as it's the hands of a great and sensitive musician. That's certainly what you are. Great playing and fab video. Here are the links to C Thile.

As I have to remind my wife when she looks at me, fabulous does not just happen.

Who needs face LEDs when you have those beautifully inlaid numbers there?

One of my favourite Yes tracks, Chris Squire referencing Leonard Bernstein in the intro is inspired.

I've cut the fretboard to its final shape and marked it up ready for drilling to fit the side LEDs. Always good to mark it up and double check before drilling. Next was a few test holes to determine the correct positioning of the markers using one of the offcuts from the side of the board. That way I can ensure my drilling guide is correct and all of the holes will be in the same place; as soon as you have two contrasting materials such as the markers and the ebony, anything that is even slightly out of line stands out in a bad way!! Next task is to route the slot on the inside of the fretboard that the LEDs will sit in. Fitting LEDs really is quite a faff......but they are bright and shiny! (I'm actually thinking they might be a bit too bright so a three position off-dim-bright switch might be required).

This one will take you back a bit, it was a massive tune in my youth ☝️