mcnach

[quote name='machinehead' timestamp='1472162182' post='3119104'] Not just when selling musical equipment, but when selling anything, the question I hate the most is "What's the least you'll take for it?" Why would a seller answer that question? If you want to buy it, make an offer. If your offer is acceptable, you've got a deal. If it's too low, the seller will tell you that, and he/she might tell you what he'd accept. And the negotiation can continue from there. When someone asks me "What's the least you'll take for it?" I know they're not a serious buyer - just a tyre kicker. Maybe it's just me though? Anyone else get pissed off by this question? Frank. [/quote] Yeah, you're not alone. If you want to haggle, that's good, I'm prepare for it, but do it properly: make me an offer and let's talk from there Typical gumtree. At one point I put a few things on there, and I got an email for every single one either offering exactly half the amount or asking that question. They were all from the same person. I guess some people just blanket lowball and hope to get lucky at some point, to sell for profit... which is absolutely fine, I only have issues with their approach to me.

[quote name='Shambo' timestamp='1472151399' post='3118965'] I see lots of straw men in this thread. Doesn't the OP have the right to question what sort of person they are dealing with? Why wouldn't they be allowed to bring attention to the fact they had recently sold said instrument for a lot less than the new owner is asking for it? There's no moral ambiguity I can see in asking the cause of the new higher asking price, but there might be in justifying the new price. Speaking personally, if I noticed that a bass had [i]quickly [/i]returned to the [i]same [/i]marketplace at a [i]higher price[/i], I would be wondering what the new seller could have done to justify the higher asking price. If they'd spent money couriering it, or repairing it, or setting it up, new strings, train fares, flights, overheads, case, whatever, then I'd expect the new seller to mention it and take that into account. [/quote] Justifying the new price? Why do you think any seller needs to justify their price? They want X for their item. Full stop. You don't like it? Move along... There are a lot of instances I don't buy something I'd like because I am not prepared to pay the price that's being asked. How that price came to be is of no relevance whatsoever.

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1472144683' post='3118880'] Funny how no one complains if the market drops out the bottom for an item after they've sold it isn't it? Has anyone received some compensation from the seller after buying a used Warwick after they crashed years ago? [/quote] +1

[quote name='largo' timestamp='1472137103' post='3118817'] It'll be a very different picture to the rigs we had 6 months ago. Where's Deek when you need him? [/quote] we need an 810 in the room this time!

[quote name='Marc S' timestamp='1472131920' post='3118763'] yes the pickups in the Roadworn are definitely better than the pickups in a standard Mex Jazz. (Mind you they are fine too) I played a MIM Jazz and a roadworn when I first got my RW, and they sounded better, more bite to them, more powerful and a better range of sounds - a better defined bottom end of the tonal range too... That said, I then went & replaced the pickups in my RW, for some old DiMarzios, and it sounds even better Really wanting to try one of these Flea sigs..... [/quote] I like the ones in my RW, but I'm not entirely crazy about them. They seem to have a bit of a' woolier' low end than I'd like, after experimenting a bit with pickup heights. I have a set of Fender Custom Shop 60s that I bought for something else that I'm tempted to try there, if not my usual favourite Dimarzio Area J ones.

[quote name='Mattpt85' timestamp='1472126694' post='3118717'] Done! [/quote] AAARGH!

[quote name='solo4652' timestamp='1472119761' post='3118637'] Rehearsal 11 - Due last night. I turned up, as arranged, Both singers absent because they were taking daughter to an audition. Drummer, guitarist and myself paid for room and played through a few songs, but a bit meaningless without vocals. I had a good moan and said that I'd be looking for an additional band/project. [/quote] daughter's auditions... those didn't come suddenly on the day, so they knew they were not going to be there. Did they let you all know in advance?

[quote name='largo' timestamp='1472111580' post='3118514'] Sorry, Sorry, no, but I have gone and got myself a pair of One10's [/quote] Oh! edit: and by that I mean... when are we doing this?

[quote name='largo' timestamp='1472073195' post='3118341'] Ooh, I can feel another get together coming on.... [/quote] are you getting some Two10s?

Consider Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats. They are flats, but they sound just like rounds that had been on the bass for a while.

The MAG will work. I'm not sure about the other one.

[quote name='samthebassman' timestamp='1472047357' post='3117991'] I'm looking to buy a p-bass, but a cheap one (i.e. sub £200) as my first adventure into p-bass world (historically I've always gone for basses with as many knobs and switches as I can get for my money!). It needs to look approximately like a fender p, but headstock shape etc, isn't overly important. The market for this type of bass at this price is huge and I don't know where to start. Obviously nothing in this price range is going to be a Fender or a Lakland, but there must be some that are at least playable with a reasonable sound. I've heard that the Encore Blaster series is passable as are Harley Benton precisions (the tele style on that they do looks great IMO). Any advice on decent cheap precisions? [/quote] Cheap is ok... but don't go too cheap, on Precisions. I'd go for a Squier Classic Vibe series. They are fantastic basses and if you don't like it then you'll know is because you don't like Precisions, not because of the bass. They came in sonic blue and fiesta red. Subsequently they came up with the Matt Freeman and Roger Waters signature basses (maple neck/fingerboard, one cream, one black), and they're every bit as good. It may cost you a bit more than £200 used, but not a whole lot more, and they beat anything else that's cheaper without question. Edit: I forgot the "Vintage Modified" series... they *can* be pretty good, but shop around. Some are pretty unimpressive while others are quite nice. I still feel the CV series above is superior, 'though, and the price difference is well worth it.

[quote name='bluejay' timestamp='1472069019' post='3118260'] Some basses have the neck set deeper into the body than others. [/quote] This. It's not just how long the neck is, but how it's set with regards to the body. Some 34" basses feel perfectly fine while others I find the 1st fret is a little too far away... My Warwicks felt longer than others, for instance. And the 35" Lakland 5502 I used to have didn't really feel longer than my Stingray.

[quote name='PaulWarning' timestamp='1472046259' post='3117977'] at a local pub venue with in house PA, the sound guy just turns up the guitar in the guitarists monitor when he wants him to turn down, (after he's asked him nicely) says it works everytime [/quote] ha! in one band, after the guitarist kept ignoring my requests to turn down his 4x12 at rehearsals, I said "wait a minute", and turned the 4x12 to face HIM, and not the rest of the room. He strummed a chord and his face melted... he understood and turned down Of course, next rehearsal it was all forgotten. This is one of the bands I quit due to volume.

[quote name='Mattpt85' timestamp='1472042140' post='3117923'] This does sound like the overall volume is way too loud. I play in a noisy punk covers band with two guitarists churning out open/power chords (one on his bloody lead channel, but that's beside the point) and an 'enthusiastic' drummer. Had various amp/cab combinations but never had volume past halfway [/quote] Offtopic: please change your avatar. It makes me want to get a bass just like it.

[quote name='Coilte' timestamp='1472032203' post='3117778'] Just thought I'd seek some feedback and opinions from you lads, before making a definitive decision. I play in a covers band with two guitars and drums. We play small pub gigs. I have a GK MB500 head and GK MB2x12 cab (600 watts/8ohms). The head puts out 350watts @ 8 ohms. I would have thought that this was sufficient for these type of gigs. Invariably I have the volume at almost maximum and it seems to be jus about enough. The other issue (quite apart from the above) is that, even though wearing ear plugs, my ears still feel "a bit tender" the next day. Sometimes the crowd at a venue are loud before we even play a note. The band's volume on top of this, makes for an extra VERY loud gig indeed. I have broached the subject with the lads more than once. They take things on board, but it's soon forgotten about, until I broach it again. They say that we have to play loud to compensate for the loud punters. It seems that I am the only one who is affected in any major way by this extreme (at least it seems that way to me..) volume. The most recent gig, last week, was a "loud punters" one, and I suffered the next day. We have a rehearsal this evening, and I'm going to bring up the subject once again. Then I'll see how it goes. If there are no satisfactory results....then I'm out !! It's the last thing I want to do, but my hearing trumps any band any day. [/quote] I'm surprised that even with earplugs your ears still suffer. Either you're not fitting them all the way in tight, or your band is amazingly loud. Sometimes in small bar gigs you may end up with your head right next to a speaker. If that happens, change it. I had that twice, and no more, years ago. I just refuse completely. There's always another way. Regarding the volume in the bar... it is possible that you're trying to be too loud. I don't think the purpose of amplification is to drown the audience, especially a pub audience. You have to be loud, to create the atmosphere... but it's possible to overdo it. I see it quite regularly. Your amp/cab seems perfectly ok for the gigs you describe. Even if you may not fill some bars with earthquake quality lows, you'll be heard clearly. Is the drum kit amplified? For that type of gigs I'd probably want it unamplified, except maybe the kick. And then the rest of the band turn up to match a drummer who doesn't hit the kit like it ran away with his girlfriend while pretending to be his best friend For me it's very important to enjoy the music, and for that I need to hear what's going on with reasonable clarity. And without hurting my ears. If not, it's not the band for me.

I really like the DiMarzio AreaJ. They're humbucking but sound a lot more 'Jazzy' than other humbuckers I've tried, but punchier.

[quote name='Marc S' timestamp='1472042401' post='3117926'] For those who may be limited on space in the back of the van / car. Looks like a relatively inexpensive backup, small & lightweight too... 2.9Kg [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/221904870728?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT"]http://www.ebay.co.u...K%3AMEBIDX%3AIT[/url] [/quote] that's pretty cool! and they come in red too

[quote name='njr911' timestamp='1472033144' post='3117796'] I have both [url="https://www.instagram.com/p/BIA-yNXAnuJ/?taken-by=wearethenames"]https://www.instagra...y=wearethenames[/url] [/quote] what are the pickups on the roadworn, any idea? how do they compare to the Flea?

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1472030691' post='3117755'] I did not. I returned the One10 to Barefaced before I got the Two10. I couldn't afford to keep both. [/quote] Ah. I'm really curious about the Two10. On paper it seems like it would please me, and a couple of them would be a wonderous thing. So whenever I get a chance to hear/try one I'll take the opportunity. I was intrigued whether there was much difference with a couple of One10s as that increases my chances of finding someone semilocal I can one day meet for noise exchanges. I'm very happy with my current cabs, but they do have some limitations that I suspect the Two10s would not have, for just a little bit bigger size/weight.

Did you get a chance to compare the Two10 with two One10 stacked?

[quote name='MoonBassAlpha' timestamp='1472021150' post='3117662'] It would be nice to think that if someone got a good deal on here, then decided they were not going to keep it, that it would be offered up here again for a similar deal, like you would do for your mates. Doesn't always happen. [/quote] There is a 'sense' of community, no doubt. If you look around the various sections in BC you'll see a lot of the same names. Some more prominent in some sections than others, but if you're around a little, yes, you get that sense. However, the marketplace is different. While many of those are 'regulars', there's quite a few users that seem to only contribute in that section. I just don't feel the same degree of 'community' with any of them. In other words... I would do a better deal for a 'mate' as you put it, or someone I have some sense of 'affinity' with... but I'm not that inclined to do a deal with someone whose presence in the world was only known to me from answering to my for-sale ad. Even within the community... it depends on how much you need the cash. If I'm selling because you just don't want an item, I'm more likely to set a good price so that it goes fast, or open to trades where I may not be getting the best deal but I get something else I fancy. After all I've also been on the positive side of trades sometimes too. But if you are selling because you really need some cash injection... why would you not sell for the price something is worth? I think we should see the 'good deals' within BC as something to be happy about, instead we seem to take it for granted so that we feel bad about standard trading practices. That's not quite right. Just like it's not right, in my opinion, to worry so much about what others do with their stuff, like selling, and the prices they ask for. It has a bad whiff of jealousy however I look at it. The sense of community is not damaged if some people buy and sale for profit (and I'd buy from anyone who has what I want at a price I'm prepared to pay, and I don't care how much they paid - or do you just care when they made a profit? How about when they make a loss? Do you offer to pay them extra because hey, we're the BC community? ) - the sense of community is formed outside the trading, mostly, and I don't see that being affected. It is affected, however, if we start to mind too much other people's business. This is an internet forum, open to the public (with everything that this entails, good and bad), not a cult.

[quote name='Fionn' timestamp='1471980439' post='3117465'] Don't you just hate it when you sell a bass and, only a few days later, notice it for sale somewhere else for £550 more than you sold it for. Very recently sold a bass on here for £1100, and now seeing it for £1650 in Bass Direct ... The bass I just sold, unmistakably ... [url="http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Wick_Streamer_1987.html"]http://www.bassdirec...eamer_1987.html[/url] Might not be the case, but if it was ... Would this be common practice around here, to buy bargain basses, and sell them quickly for profit? [/quote] I can understand a bit of a "dang, I should have asked for more" feeling but... if you ask for the price you want, and you get it, then what's to be unhappy about? Once that bass leaves your hands is no longer anything to do with you and if the new owner sells it for a profit, good for him. Imagine somebody buys an amplifier head from you, and a couple of weeks later that amplifier drops in price to the point that you pretty musch sold a used amp for what it almost costs now new. Do you feel remorseful then? I don't see the problem, frankly. It's the seller's business to ask for the price they want, and if I get my price I'm happy. If the new owner ends up selling it on and making money, why should it bother me?

[quote name='Painy' timestamp='1471990734' post='3117564'] Only time I tried this was a set of Warwick red labels on my Corvette. Unfortunately the red label strings were completely poo. [/quote] I actually like them! A bit rough but sound great. It's my go-to string for new (to me) basses that I am not sure I'll keep, as they're pretty cheap.

No. I just experiment and over time I find what strings I like, and I use those. It may vary from bass to bass, not so much because another string brand is more suitable for bass X, but because I found a sound/feel I like on a particular bass and I keep it that way. Stingray: I use... Ernie Ball (funny enough) Cobalts on the Stingray, but DR Fat Beams on the EBMM SUB. Fender: DR Fat beams on the Precision, DR Fat Beams on the Jazz Squier: Fender steels on the Mike Dirnt, Ernie Ball nickel on the Jazz, DR Fat Beams on the Matt Freeman Jazz Maruszczyk: DR Fat beams... ... I guess I really like DR Fat Beams!