Jabba_the_gut

That bass is stunning, just need the money. Granny, get your bags. You're going on eBay......

[quote name='Ou7shined' post='1160465' date='Mar 13 2011, 01:50 PM']+1 I once had a bass shipped to me in a soft case with a black plastic bag sellotaped over it. Oddly enough one of the safest packaging jobs I've received came without a case at all.... It didn't even look like a bass. It's a pity more folk aren't prepared to do it like this.[/quote] Absolutely agree - pack things as you'd hope to receive them I say. I too have had a bass shipped to me in nothing more than a soft case with a little bit (and I mean a little bit...) of bubble wrap in it. Regarding that packing job, I think even the courier company might guess it was a fragile item!!!

I have only ever bought 2 bass combos and 3 basses that I have had posted. Out of that, one combo and 2 basses got damaged (though only minor stuff - broken corner protectors, small dents, broken machine heads). I think there's some great stuff in this thread and the idea of taking photos during the packaging process is excellent. It's a tricky one regarding 'Spidey' senses - for the last bass I bought I specifically asked the seller on several occasions to please ensure that the bass was well packaged becouse of my previous experience and the bass was in mint nick before the parcel company got hold of it (incidently they are also completely useless at trying to resolve this). I wasn't asking for the packaging with the intention of scamming anyone just purely based on previous experience. Part of the problem is using terms like 'well packaged' as people have different opinions to what that means. I think as the buyer it is worth stating what your expectation is regarding how the bass is packaged. Personally, I would now be more inclined to drive to collect items rather than have them posted. Not always practical I know.....

[quote name='McBass' post='1143237' date='Feb 27 2011, 12:57 PM']Totally dialed my retro 01 deluxe in last night...the depth and warmth is absolutely stunning.Cant wait till the warranty on my 2010 deluxe 5 expires so i can put one in that too.John is a fantastic engineer and a proper gent.[/quote] Quite agree - John is the most helpful gent. I had a query regarding wiring my J-retro with some active pick-ups and couldn't believe how quickly he responded. Really nice in this day and age where good customer service seems hard to come by. Top quality all round.

[quote name='McBass' post='1143237' date='Feb 27 2011, 12:57 PM']Totally dialed my retro 01 deluxe in last night...the depth and warmth is absolutely stunning.Cant wait till the warranty on my 2010 deluxe 5 expires so i can put one in that too.John is a fantastic engineer and a proper gent.[/quote] Quite agree - John is the most helpful gent. I had a query regarding wiring my J-retro with some active pick-ups and couldn't believe how quickly he responded. Really nice in this day and age where good customer service seems hard to come by. Top quality all round.

This really is quite an interesting discussion. The issue ultimately comes downs to different people's interpretation of what is acceptable in the way of packaging for a bass. I have bought three basses of eBay - I collected one and had the other two posted. One was a cheapy and just had cardboard wrapped around it with some packing tape, no suprises that one of the machine heads had been snapped off by the time it arrived. With the other (mid priced) bass, I specifically asked the seller to ensure it was well packaged. They sent it in a reasonably well padded soft case with a little bit more bubble wrap around the neck. Now, if I was going to send a bass like that I would completely stuff the case with bubble wrap and cover it in fragile stickers. The softcase was not mentioned in the advert so this was a bonus, but the bass did suffer a couple of small knocks to the body (which was previously mint condition). So the seller has a different interpretation as to what 'well packaged' mean compared to me. I think the only thing you can do is to agree in some detail with the seller as to what you would deem to be acceptable packaging before you bid. If you then win/buy the bass and it is shipped differently then you have a string position to make a case. Just my thoughts.....

I'm a great fan of the SUB basses and think that as a secondhand bass represent good value. I've got three SUB basses; a SUB4, SUB5 and a SUB Sterling. I'd agree with other folk regarding the original checkerplate scratchplates - they do look a bit naff in my opinion but can be changed as they are dimensionally the same as other Musicman basses. I personally like the finish and with a different scratchplate thinks they look quite good. Build quality is excellent - nice solid basses. But the mainthing is the sound and feel. Soundwise all three basses are excellent for that 'Ray tone. I would say I prefer the SUB Sterling as a bass as it has three band eq and a slightly thinner neck but that is just personal preference. The SUB basses seem to go for between £300 and £400 wich is still a good chunk less than the new 'Sterling' range (Am I the only person that finds it confusing to name a range of basses the same as a bass in your range?....) I did also use to own a Vintage Stingray copy. Not a bad bass, the neck was nice but it just didn't sound like a 'Ray and if that tone is your main criteria I'd give each replica a thorough try. Cheers

Count me in please. Cheers.

Bought a scratchplate for a MM Sterling off Dave - what a genuinely nice bloke! Great condition and really pleased with it. Many thanks again.