alyctes

No. Nor do I believe anyone else is. It's how you're brought up, and how you make your choices.

I've learned a lot here, but damn me, has it cost me in GAS...

Yamaha fretlesses (RBX200F and up) are good basic instruments IME, well made and sound decent, and you can generally find them in decent nick for well under £200. Fretless BB-series (BB300, 400, 414) are better, and not much more expensive. The Harley Benton I had (modern-style, P-J) was excellent for the money (under £120 new) but needed a lower nut.

I think you can get painted blockers (made of hard foam and thin ply, I think) for the F-holes? Might help with the feedback.

'My Family And Other Animals', Gerald Durrell. Not a comedy, but fun to read and funny as well. Second vote for Mr Pratchett's 'Small Gods'. Stella Gibbons, 'Cold Comfort Farm' - a classic, in its class-riddled way. Damon Runyon makes me smile. Also, see if you can find a Best Of Beachcomber. I think I'm showing my age here - most of these are pre-1940... (okay, that does mean I'd be showing someone else's age )

I'm pretty sure Playaway Guitars used to sell these. No idea if they're any good, but I'm considering finding out

I would like to move the land far under. Does anyone know a course I could take?

[quote name='skidder652003' timestamp='1410047034' post='2545716'] so in a toss up between this and a MIM fender, hmmmmm....! [/quote] Fenders are easy to get. The Letts is unique. Just saying

The tuners have been trimmed to fit the headstock...

Lots and lots of stuff by Gilbert and Sullivan, at least according to my dad.

I bought a hard case from Josh. A very quick (perhaps too quick, sorry Josh) and easy transaction, no issues at all. Thanks Josh

[quote name='Skinnyman' timestamp='1408123353' post='2527405'] .... So when I've fitted the new controls (volume, volume and tone), I'll be left with a chuffing great big (ok, 12mm) hole. I could put the jack socket there - but I don't want to. Or I could just put a 12mm blanking plug in it - but that's kind of boring. So...... any suggestions as to what I can fill it with (no sniggering at the back there)? ... [/quote] Webcam. Then you can film the audience

I can't hear myself when I play P-pup basses in a band context. So it needs to have a J pup in it. And I prefer J necks. And you know what happens after that.

[quote name='Paul S' timestamp='1409388737' post='2539193'] MIJ jazz of some sort - headstock will probably give it away. any good? [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261578676967?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT"]http://www.ebay.co.u...K%3AMEBIDX%3AIT[/url] [/quote] early Ibanez J-copy?

[quote name='cameltoe' timestamp='1409259680' post='2538154'] No. It's how much they sold for. Someone will provide exact figures I'm sure, but I think the Japanese had a range of fender basses and guitars at different price points. PB-38 would have been the low end of the scale, I think it went up to PB-115 or -117 or something like that. Same for jazz basses and strats, etc, and referred to the retail price in Yen. [/quote] Ah, OK. Thanks

I bought a double-bass bow from Jeremy. All went well. This is the second time I've bought from him, and I would certainly do so again. Thanks Jeremy!

[quote name='solo4652' timestamp='1408978319' post='2535141'] More poking around the web suggests the bass is a legit PB-38 model, described as a "lower standard Japanese-made Fender". Not quite sure what that means, however. [/quote] Okay, I just caught on... does that model name indicate it's a P-bass with a Jazz-width neck?

A Stradi Symphony. Looks the mutt's, so long as you feed it your firstborn... cheap it is not http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Stradi-Symphony-Fretless-outstanding-and-unique-bass-for-you-/111446888859?pt=Guitar&hash=item19f2c0919b