Leaderboard

Happy to report everything's OK. 🙂 The bass was in an old-fashioned wooden-ish hardcase, which really isn't designed to be walked on, but somehow it all got through unscathed. The seller is pretty cross, and is taking it up with Interparcel. (Incidentally, I video'ed the unboxing just in case) Right... Ladies and gentlemen, say hello to Maggie: In what will be a huge surprise to none of you, it's an early 70s P. '71, to be exact. I thought I was done with maple P's, but this one is just over 8lbs so I couldn't resist. Pickguard & wires / pots are replacements. It's been refinned (black over original black, apparently.) Everything else is original. First thing that hits me... it's massively resonant. Feels lovely so far...

I don't know whether to be A} slightly in awe at your sheer brass neck in creating a fake profile purely to try to defend yourself, or B} astonished that you'd be dumb enough to think it would work. I'll go with B, I think

I'm sure if the Police get involved certain people can provide IP addresses to confirm our new and gone friend was the trickster himself. The guy is clearly not going to be paying anyone back unless under threat of real Police or Court action. Time to step up the response from those affected by this chumps festive spirit.

Everything was a bit delayed by - well, it is the UK - the weather Hand marking a board (especially an ebony board) to within 0.1mm needs a decent amount of daylight. And over the day there was an hour where there was just enough. So accurate steel rule double-sided-taped to the board, Stewmac fret calculator printout and a very sharp steel punch to puncture the board with a series of dots along the rule : I've found that the best way to ensure that this is accurate is: - the standard engineering method of always taking measurements from a single datum (so ignoring the fret-to-fret info) to minimise any cumulative errors - once all done, check by reading off the dots and writing down their values and only then comparing with the scale printout (if you check that, say, the 25.65 slot is correct, your mind can convince you that's what you are seeing. If you simply measure cold, then you really do see the actual variances) Then onto the same mitre jig. While I use a template plate - to get a consistent slot depth - this time the little index pin has been removed so the plate can slide freely. I use the radius block as a caul to clamp the board once properly positioned. I use a pull saw, and so orientate the board so that the saw pulls it into the mitre-block side. However, the return stroke can push the board, even when it is clamped, so I use a small piece of scrap to help hold it firmly against correct side : And then it's a case of positioning the dot to the point that the saw kerf hides both sides when clamped: 16 done, 5 to go

I’ve had a lot of dealings with this guy, to be fair never had a problem and everything delivered as normal. I purchased three pedals over different periods never any issues, I’ve learned in life that there are always two sides to every story and see a lot of this bandwagon jumping, anyway that’s my experience of this.

OK... I think I got out of jail free. Phew. More soon...

Please folks, no more comments about what may or may not happen to him if he ends up in jail. Especially given that he's seen this thread and is making legal threats. Polite advice only please.

My first outing tonight with the CTM300 and the 810, it sounded amazing I’m totally converted to valve amps finally!

So, you move to a jazz in 2020 and look what happens. Good to hear that normality has resumed and you're shifting back to a precision, there's hope for 2021 yet! 😂

So it finally arrived today!!! Bought on eBay from a seller on Isle of Man it couldn't be tracked till it landed in the UK...several days watching the, unchanging, tracking info till I was relieved this morning when the info was finally recognised.....HOOORAY!! I've had several attempts at moving onto a 5er in the past - including a Roscoe/ Nanyo - I never really gelled with any of them, finding that whenever I went to practice I'd pick up a 4 string. I'm determined to persevere with it. Initial impressions - I love the shape - there are a number of other basses hinting at this shape including the MK11 Wal and the Enfield so very much "of the moment". Bass has a nice feel to it, well balanced and a very nice neck - slim through the depth making it easy to navigate, even though I'm not used to a 5er. I am having to relearn my right hand technique - is it called "The Floating thumb" where your right thumb changes it's resting point, moving up and down the strings? I remember Scott Devine doing a video on the technique but facked if I can find it!! The Rosewood fretboard sounds warm - preferred over maple which I always feel lacks "something". Check @Lozz196's test at the first Herts Bash for more info. The pick ups on the bass are not the stock ones on a 55-01. Here's what the sellers says: " This bass has been improved by the addition of Bartolini MK6 pickups (MK6 work better than MK5 on this bass, as the pickup area is larger and the volume of the strings is very even as a result). The electronics have been fully upgraded to Bartolini top quality active electronics. There is an additional 3-position toggle switch between the two volume knobs that controls the frequency of the midrange. Controls are: Neck Volume, Bridge Volume, Bass, Mid, Treble and 3-position toggle. It's had about £400 spent just on electronics/pickups." Tonal palette is nice and broad, finding a phat, 80s sound is easy and TBH once I found what I was after I sort of left it alone. The one thing I'm not totally happy with are the D'Addario 45 gauge strings - but anticipating this I ordered a set of Warwick Red 40-130s just after I won the auction. These are still to arrive - hopefully tomorrow. A nice early Xmas/ Birthday present to myself - even though I am a proper Bah Humbug about this time of the year.

Picking this up on Saturday as an early 50th present to myself. I’ve already ordered a Delano Sonar 3 to go in it as the main gripe seems to be the weak electronics. That was recommended by Mark at Bassdirect as it apparently it’s a very neutral tone to the preamp and not as aggressive as a OBP 3. I’m sure he’s knows what he’s talking about as they seem to be the main dealer for MTD in the UK. I also didn’t want to go the Bartolini route which is what I believe most do with these basses. I’ve yet to play it so hoping that it all gels when I go to pick it up as I’m going on looks and research on the internet due to it being in a shop some hours away. I’ve heard the neck is asymmetrical which will be a first for me. I just need to decide on what strings to use. Has anyone strung one of these with flats and if so, did it cut the mustard as it were? Any opinions gratefully received.

I'm sure...

I've got 7 mutual friends with him on FB - going to post warning about this. Good luck to those trying to get their money back.

Almost finished! I think I'm going to keep the pickguard on 👍🏻

Convicted fraudster clearing attempting to defraud multiple people. Why isn't this with the Police already?

He said he posted it, but it didn't arrive, so I agreed that he could try posting it again; after several days with no confirmation of posting I asked for the refund, which he agreed to. He said it had been returned to him and gave me a screendump of the delivery proof; on looking at the tracking number (PN518894078GB), the track & trace info only shows it being in the Midlands (I'm in Berkshire). He's now threatened me with legal action for slander and I've responded that if he points out anything I have written which is untrue, I will be happy to withdraw or correct it.

This year I’ve been playing - shock horror - Jazzes mostly and was going to move on one of my Precisions. However we’ve just started doing Wayward Son by Kansas in my band and my fingers are falling all over themselves on this song on the Jazz, so took the Precision I was considering selling out of its case today and went through it (I don’t take my fave one out of the house so wanted to try out on a bass I’d use in the band). Decision reversed, that bass ain’t going nowhere. Just got to swap pickups to my fave Custom Shop 62s, and was lucky enough to score a set on here this week, so methinks KiOgon is getting a message re one of his great looms this week. I’d also done the same with my Stingray earlier this week and whilst the playability was easier yet again I was reminded that I just don’t get on with the ‘Ray sound. So I suppose that I really am a confirmed Precision player (though I do now love Jazz basses too).

Once I’ve decided something is going, I put it in its case and don’t even look at it until it’s gone. I’ve certainly wished I hadn’t sold something on occasion, but I’d never have sold anything if I played them before they went!

For the avoidance of doubt, please note that neither of the above two basses are for sale either through the official channels, or otherwise 😁

Joined 20 minutes ago? Lol

I make things out of acrylic every day and know how strong it can be used correctly but I wouldn't hang my bass from one of those without expecting it break at any time.

The answer may shock you!

I am really impressed with the range of tones on offer with the Harley Benton MM 84A body, but the control pots are your typical low cost Chinese variety. So I sent an email to Thomann Service department ( cheekily) asking for a copy of the circuit diagram or parts list for the Bass. Within 24hrs I received a PDF of the circuit with the values of the pots clearly shown. They reminded me that I would invalidate my 3 yrs. warranty if I did proceed to upgrade the pots. I did some Tinterweb searching and discovered that the company supplying the preamp for the MM 84A designs and supplies preamps to C F Martin for their acoustic guitars. Another good endorsement for the quality of the parts used in the some of the Harley Benton basses. I have used Warman Pups of other Bitsa projects and from Jeff @DarkHeart feedback I think I will be replacing the current Pups with Warman.

I don't have an absolute favourite but I will post some that are up there. There are a few, the last one is the one that made me want to play bass. I don't know specifically what it was about that track when I first heard it but listening with more musically educated ears, it may have been that it is more melodic nature and the way it flows with the lyrics without ever losing the groove and still sounds like a reggae bass line. I have met Aston a few times over the years and thanked him for bringing me to music.

@prowla, he’s a chancer. He’s said he’d refund you tonight, but apparently delivery has been attempted...but logically only one of these could be the case, surely? If he actually had posted it then he wouldn’t be offering a refund as he’d no longer have the goods in his possession. It simply doesn’t add up. He’s just frantically adding lies on top of lies to try and get you off his back.

Facebook Marketplace. Complete free for all - some great folks but millions of complete wasters. “pay peanuts, get monkeys” Since introducing a fee to sell here I can count the number of problem sellers on one hand. Only use PayPal, NEVER gift, unless you’re giving an actual gift.

More work done to the custom "roasted Maple/Purple heart" neck for Marks Zoot ZB-1000 custom build. Mark asked me to do a soft 'V' profile at the nut end of the neck running into a flattened 'C' profile at the heal end. Sort of like a vintage Wal feel at the nut end morphing into a modern 'C' at the body end. I have now done the basic shaping to achieve this, and I'm pleased to report that it all went swimmingly well, a good result all round.

No, and it's not the end of the road for you either. Just another challenge you will meet, just like the endless challenges you have already surpassed in your life. Learning how to walk, how to read and write, all significant challenges you face, conquer and move on to the next. In the sphere of music alone you can learn perseverance and adaptability from the likes of Tony Iommi , sawing off the ends of his fingers in his teens, Django Reinhardt losing two fingers, Pete Townshend impaling a tremolo arm all the way through his hand and in later years just about being able to hold a pic. Rick Allen drumming with only one arm, Beethoven composing whilst being deaf, Jeff Healey playing guitar whilst being blind. That's just off the top of my head. I have no doubt if you keep fighting and adapting, you will find a way.

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I see the point but think best not - we don't want our feedback section being about people and/or deals off site. To the casual observer it may not be obvious and make BC look terrible, too.

I know he's not operating directly on here but is there a case for starting a feedback thread?

Absolutely. He still adamant he's done no wrong. To be fair to him he hasn't blocked me on FB but has led me on since 16th Nov. bad form. Im going to speak to the bank this afternoon and go from there

Thanks everyone for your suggestions! Really appreciate it! looks like I'll be getting in touch with Dave Wilson and Walshy

+1 for Dave Wilson. His work is great and I’ve see a lot of it over the last 20 years. Used by many people I know and respect - including @walshy. 👍

Remembering Deke on his birthday! https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0639j15

If the guy has a gambling problem it’s likely the cash is gone and he’s desperately trying to find some way to replace it. This is how things escalate, I’ve seen it happen and it’s desperately sad. The likelihood is that more people will lose out to pay you back. I’m not saying you shouldn’t persevere, but a chat with someone more official might be wise as others are likely to be affected too.

+1 for a David Wilson. Click the build link in my sig for photos.

David Wilson is heroic. Ask @walshy

Yeah not bad places to sell if you’re a trustworthy basschatter - but be extra careful when buying from someone who might not be! @LukeFRC yes drastically - we didnt have a huge problem before but we did have one or two that I can remember. And since FB marketplace/groups took off its actually been good for us because it motivates people to sell, and once you’ve decided to try a free platform I think people are more likely to go the paid route too. It means more gear floating around and that’s all good as far as I’m concerned. BC is more concerned about the quality of our marketplace than quantity of adverts.

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Take this bit as you find it ...

Putting the inlays in was normal method. Started with a pencilled outline of the inlay and then my Dremel with a 1mm bit in the precision router base, plenty of light, frequent vacuuming and a very steady hand Then mixed a generous amount of collected ebony sanding dust with some Z-poxy epoxy resin and filled the chambers with the mix: Then pressed the inlays , forcing the black epoxy out, and hence gluing them in and sealing and filling any gaps at the same time: And when that's fully cured they will be sanded flat at the same time as the pre-fretting sanding of the board itself. Nickel silver fretwire is on its way and, while all the fretboard stuff is out, I'll get on with a similar process with @Jus Lukin 's headless build