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There is a seller who is advertising bass gear for sale (eg. SansAmp pedals on Facebook) and failing to deliver them. They look to get you to pay by bank transfer or PayPal Gift/Friends & Family. (TIP: learn from other people's mistakes and don't agree to pay by an unsecured method!) After receiving payment the seller will promise to send the item, possibly via their daughter. You won't receive the item and after a time to allow it to come through, you'll get back to the seller to ask them about it and (after a few more days delay) they'll respond that the postal service messed up and returned it to them. (NOTE: At this point they have confirmed that they have both your item and your money.) They may give you tracking information; read it carefully and check that it shows a failed delivery attempt to you. (NOTE: We have people who have been given the SAME tracking ID as proof of the "failed delivery".) They may offer to re-send it. If you agree to that, start again from the beginning. (TIP: Learn from other people's mistakes and don't agree to that!) So, you request a refund. They get back to you and ask for your bank details or PayPal, which you give them and they promise to refund you after work. You check next day and there's no refund, so you ask for an update; if you gave them bank details, they may ask for PayPal. Repeat this several times until you begin to wonder if something is not quite right. You then start to do some online checks and the penny drops that you're not the first person who has gone through this. Oh dear, you're being scammed... Your searches may have even turned up a caravan fraud conviction. If you message the seller that you know about this, they may come back and say they took the rap for a dying friend. Whether or not this is true is irrelevant; the point to note is that their claim to make you trust them is that they lied in a court of law and they prevented the actual scammer from being brought to justice. (LINK: https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/local-news/single-mum-pensioners-ingoldmells-caravan-3743529) You then message the seller with a more strident request for your money back and an escalation occurs; they will try and take control of the process and tell you to either "do one", or start saying "do you know who I am?". From this point on, be very careful to plainly, calmly, and politely insist that you want your money back; do not respond in kind to their escalation. If you have chosen to post messages in fora or Facebook groups. You may find that the seller will demand you take them down before they will refund you and may escalate matters further, posting abuse and insults, telling you they will get you removed from Facebook groups who their friends run, threatening to sue you, saying they want to come to your house and sorting it out face-to face. (TIP: Make sure that what you post is true and could not be interpreted as threats or lies, so be sure that they are factually correct statements; there is no point in posting speculation about possible outcomes, the evolutionary maturity of the seller, and suchlike.) Do not respond in kind, but keep insisting they refund you. (TIP: If they do try and intimidate or threaten you, for example saying they want to come to your house and sort it out face-to-face, do not agree, but instead call your local Police and tell them - they may say call 999 if they do turn up.) You've now got to the point where you realise that they are not intending to refund you and would prefer you to just meekly go away. Raise a case with Action Fraud (https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/) detailing the transaction and payment (they have several such cases already logged) and contact your bank's fraud department (if bank transfer). Inform the seller. They may respond with a derisory comment and more threats, etc. They may even try to dig up some dirt, or make false accusations against you to try and frighten you, and will again say they're going to sue you; they have tried this tactic on many of their victims. (TIP: If you found the caravan fraud article, you will see that they are a convicted fraudster and used similar techniques in fobbing off their victims then.) It will at this point likely be a month or more after you initially paid for the item which you haven't received. You may be contacted by an intermediary or proxy who will offer to help get it sorted. They will also try and get you to remove your posts, reiterate how bad it would be for you if the seller decided to sue you, and so-on. Humour this person, as they may help get your money returned. But do not agree to any conditions regarding taking any of your posts down; the rightful refund of your money is not conditional. If the refund is still not forthcoming, the next step is to register a case with Money Claim Online (https://www.gov.uk/make-money-claim); there is a £25 fee associated with this, but it will be added to the seller's debt, and you can also add daily interest on the amount (from the date of payment). It may be the case that they agree to refund before that; if so, it will feel like a small victory, but the reality is that you have got back to the position you were in before the start of the whole sorry process. If they do not refund you at this point, then they are facing the fraud action you have raised, for which there will be plenty of corroborating evidence, and a CCJ (County Court Judgment) and further debt resulting from the Money Claim Online proceedings. Once you do get your money back, consider leaving your posts up to help warn others. (NOTE: You have not entered into any "gentleman's" agreement with the fraudster and are not held by any code they think they have imposed on you.) (TIP: If you need advice, feel free to ask, either in the thread itself, which is publicly viewable, or by messaging members) Relevant links: https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/ https://www.gov.uk/make-money-claim https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/local-news/single-mum-pensioners-ingoldmells-caravan-3743529 https://www.linkedin.com/in/mick-mason-344b21104/?originalSubdomain=uk https://www.facebook.com/everythingchangesshow/ https://twitter.com/FunktionJ https://www.funktionjunction.com/ https://www.facebook.com/thecarpentersexperience/

Just received this...........

I have just read this thread, it does make for unbelievable reading, that someone could be so brazen and cack-handed with their crimes. The real takeaway for me is the way @ped has handled it. I think anyone with half a brain cell could see that legal threats on this would be absolutely baseless, but most website owners would be falling over themselves to protect the (alleged) perpetrator in such a situation, lest they find themselves on the legal chopping block. Thankfully that has not been the case here and the shabby conduct of this individual has been laid bare for all to see.

What I would note, and I say this having had experience dealing with matters involving fraud, this thread contains useful evidence that would help a court to understand the breadth of the alleged fraud, the chronology of the events that led to them coming to light and the tactics employed by the person against whom the allegations have been made. When you consider the motivations for wanting this thread to be locked or removed, it is reasonable to conclude that the accused might want that done to destroy evidence or to limit the potential for further victims to come to light. As an aside, scammers are effective because their victims are usually not connected. The fraudster can operate the same scam with little variation over and over to great effect, so long as the victims never get to know of one another or make contact. Soon, a plausible sounding excuse can be exposed as the simple modus operandi of a fraudster. This is why things like Watchdog have been an enduring success, because they connect victims and allow strong cases to be built.

Thanks for that, it does mean a lot. It’s been a pretty awful time, the support from everyone on here, the Admin guys and chatting with @prowla helped loads, that’s why we are a strong community that sticks together. It was never about the money, I don’t ‘need’ it but it’s the principle of it all, it’s something I was brought up to believe in, what’s right and wrong! Im not gonna say too much for obvious reasons but a huge thanks to everyone on here ( nice to actually chat with @ped for about 40 mins today) and people on FB who reached out and backed up everything I’d already found out and who are/will be going through the same thing. I would imagine that this is going to run for some time and I’m sure there will be a resolution. Anyone has any questions feel free to PM me, let’s keep this clear for people who are in the same boat. I’m happy to help if I can. Please let it be known I don’t condone any physical harm or threats towards him, his friends or his family, that’s not what we are all about, we are all better than that. Please remember this is thread available to one and all on the inter webs 🤘 Happy Xmas all

*** UPDATE*** I have received my money in FULL this morning. I have been asked to speak to the ADMIN about having the thread removed/frozen, which I have done. Thanks All

For future reference, The Musician’s Union has a pro-active legal department who invite communications regarding the behaviour of musicians and acts. https://musiciansunion.org.uk/contact

I would like to say that I wish no harm on the fraudster, nor his friends, and most certainly not to his family; further, I would say that I don't believe that anybody on this site genuinely does either, either in posts on the thread, nor in private messages. However, I was genuinely fearful that he would come to my house and attempt a confrontation and my local police advised me to call 999 if he did turn up. I do however want him to be brought to account for his deeds, according to the law of the land, and also to warn other potential victims of the risks in dealing with this particular fraudster and others of that ilk. As far as outcomes go, I have learned a lesson and for one, will never pay for an item via unsecured means again (ie. bank transfer, PayPal Gift/F&F), and will also research buyers details before proceeding with a purchase.

So after quite a while, back to the body and neck I first starting building 18 months ago!! They've been sat in a box doing nothing other that getting looked at occasionally and put away again. There are a couple of holes in the original wood that I filled with dowels but I wasn't happy that one was on the front of the bass which is probably why I lost a bit of interest as I do like things to be perfect. I was going through the veneers I have and found a couple of pieces of cherry that would be big enough to cover the body. I glued these together to make one sheet (only 0.6mm thick but you can still join it and it's quite strong) and, once dry, glued this and a contrasting maple veneer to the front of the body. I used another piece of veneer for the face of the headstock too. I've got a big block of sycamore in the garage that I cut a slice off and thicknessed to be used for the fretboard. I originally though of fitting a peizo but in the end I've opted for an EMG MM and chrome hardware as I've got those going spare. I'm also thinking of making this bass with a set neck rather than bolt on for no other reason than I haven't tried that before. Might still change my mind but we'll see how it goes! Slotted the fretboard using the Stewmac jig I bought off here a while ago (and one of the best things I have ever bought). Lined everything up with the neck ready for gluing Neck glued and put next to the body to get some idea what this will look like I've used the same template as for the other mini basses so cut neck and bridge pockets. I've also used the neck template and trimmed that to size. The neck fits nice and snugly in the pocket and the strings align nicely with the bridge. Next task will be routing the pickup pocket then shaping and sanding (lots of...). Cheers.

If anyone has his address and phone number, they are welcome to PM with the information, I am happy to report my suspicions to HMRC. I have no qualms about 'snitching' as I don't actually understand anyone's reluctance to report criminal wrongdoing.

Interviewed him three times and found him very humble and communicative. He saw 9-11 unfold from his apartment window which as you’d expect affected him profoundly. A big Anglophile. Great guitarist too!

Great news Walshy but i'd leave this thread running until everyone is refunded. Dave

I think it’s safe to say he’s shi77ing himself at the moment. 25 pages of evidence brought against him. I’ll be phoning Leicestershire Police and giving them the details to add to the crime ref number I had opened when he scammed me. I hope you’re reading this Mick, happy Christmas,m.

I’m proud to be part of this community - well done to all those involved in exposing this ‘person’ and his activities. I hope Walshy and anyone else owed a refund gets reimbursed soon. Top work guys!

Another glamour shot.

A fellow Riedel signature owner I spy

I suppose everyone needs a hobby. Perhaps it is worth noting at this juncture that "Jason Lear" might be aggravating any offences that might have been committed. Should any of this get to court, that might bode ill for a defendant. This is becoming very serious indeed. It is well past time to stop playing games with people online, or by any other means, if the purpose of doing so could in any way be construed as intimidation of potential witnesses. Also, I recall from my days as a snot-nosed legal lackey in Britain that judges and magistrates really dislike people who hurl around nonsense threats about libel, especially when those threats appear to be designed to conceal culpable behaviour. Still, tant pis.

Rip. Lucky to see him at knebworth in '85. Great day out . Ironically, due to my similar stature , hair style and love of all things stu Hamm , my guitarist friend named me West Ham . Some things just stick ..

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Don’t worry, provided that no one takes things too far with their comments, this thread isn’t going anywhere.

I have received an email asking for the thread to be taken down on grounds of it inciting hate (email from Mick obviously). It would be much obliged if everyone would check their posts and change any remotely offensive language to something like ‘silly Billy’ or ‘naughty man’ ASAP - I’ll try and do some later if I get a chance. Cheers

Absolutely agree 100% A lot of sites would’ve just blanketed it and not allowed comments for potential ramifications but @ped has played a blinder. Kudos to him

To finish off this morning, here's the finish I used on the Surf Green PPJ5. It's old school Nitro colour, plus slighly yellow tinted clear-coat. Then it gets a "cryo-relic" by apllication of heat followed by rapid and deep cooling. Not for everyone I know, but I think she's pretty sweet!

Aww... I was interested in one of his pedals on Reverb, but he's just switched off his messages. Now I'll never know 😞

I'm joining the club. Very good first impressions for my Thinline Custom, it sounds great and is really nice to play. There isn't much written or filmed on these on the web. I feel like Sandberg, in a way, are one of the best kept secrets of the bass world.

Aww...festive 😂

He's played all over the world, has he? Well, thanks in part to the prominence of this thread (and the inflammatory behaviour by Mason that seems to have led to it), he is much more likely to be barred from entry into the United States than he was even two weeks ago if he is indeed the individual identified in the Leicester Mercury article. Convicted fraudsters and their ilk are inadmissible (we have plenty of our own), and US authorities welcome information about anyone planning to enter improperly. Worthless threats of defamation action are even more worthless if the supposed defamation has legitimate law enforcement value. Happy Christmas Mick. Happy Christmas everyone.

We’re climbing the rankings on Google for any terms related to Mick. Mick Mason scam - #1 Mick Mason Bass - #3 (but new thread name not indexed yet) Mick Mason Sansamp - #1 All good stuff

Went for the classic Sea Foam Green P-Classic w/Jazz neck and tortoise pickguard: US$2299 Matching headstock +$100 Extra mint pickguard +$50 Total cost (case and shipping included): US$2449 Pics attached was surf green with matching headstock. Just paid deposit Can't wait to have the bass in a year or so time 12-13 months

Wonderful man. So long Les

Stuff of my youth. Leslie West master of the power chord and great blues phrasing. Some standouts for me are: Mississippi Queen, Never in my life, and a great cover of Theme for an imaginary western. Play loud in the car

Just a one off then by the look of it! Re the lack of a neck pickup rout, I just found this pic of a Hofner Artist in the process of being restored. The Artist was the Selmer version of the 185. Most of them didn't have the slider switches and ... drumroll ... it looks like the neck pickup was mounted to the pickguard as there's no rout.

So it’s not totally flush to compensate for the curve, and the single (middle) post ferrule is flush.

I am sure no one means him any true harm, I’m sure everyone just wants to make sure that as many people as possible know what he has done, and help those who he has taken money from, which is a number sadly increasing all the time it seems. Try not to be personal, folks, the facts are damning enough 👍🏻

I have long thought that, whatever bass I play, I sound remarkably similar. I don't think the make or model of bass makes much difference.

Latest iteration. I have another one on the way and I'm going to move the wah pedal over but we're nearly there.

It is.

Must be a pain walking behind with an old pink torpedo linnet!

I spoke to them last night. They are awaiting contact from Action Fraud before they continue.

Ah, I just noticed my access to selling pages on FB has been restored after he reported me (probably for outing him publicly on FB, the post that's been getting shared everywhere the last couple of days). Winner!

I bought a sansamp off Mick on Facebook Had the same stories about him being in hospital and Royal Mail accidentally delivering the sansamp back to him . After two bounced refunds (one an echeque) I ended up reporting him to action fraud. His last message before he stopped replying stated I was ridiculous and he would be happy to speak to the police. Hopefully he will get a chance to do that soon

More people messaging me about this on FB who are also victims of this , seems like we are way into double figures now.

Good morning Bass fans! A few more insights for you. This is the rear detail of the body nearly complete. having just had it's electronics cavity put in. It's optimised for John East's UNI Pre, 4 knob 3 band EQ, but can accommodate other brands.

Nut sure if the just a nut is any better or not (it’s quite expensive) and probably still needs sanding to fit in and I am not a fan of a bone/ivory nut - good simple graphtec TUSQ nut, take time on your set up and file judiciously - and then it’s done and all you need.

He really is something special.

Did you try the Peterson StroboClip HD ? It's dead accurate, even better than some rack tuners like the legendary Korg. Or the TC Electronic PolyTune Clip. These are the two best clip on tuners : forget all the others.

My WL-20Ls arrived last night. Only had about 20 mins with them due to cleaning up some very unwelcome floodwaters in the TV room, but so far living up to my hopes.

I've done a little more on the 5 string and am hoping to really progress with it over Christmas. The postie has just delivered the 5 string set I ordered from Newtone Strings - delivered for Christmas just as Neil said. Superb strings and great service. As you can see from the pack, the plan is to string this E to C. I'll post the updates a little later.