LukeFRC

[quote name='DarkHeart' timestamp='1354996962' post='1892876'] Darkstar its looking good in orange/red. Crushed black pearl pickguard would be my choice, darker rather than lighter than the body. [/quote] yeah that would look good - in natural light it's more of a fiesta red with balls, i've gone for a vintage white guard for a more classic look.

[quote name='paul_5' timestamp='1354976196' post='1892522'] [thread hijack] what are the best type of spray paints to use on bodies? I fancy a white/tort number...[/thread hijack] [/quote] Best for what? Speed? Finish? or Price? Acrylic/poly paints will dry quick and hard. Nitrocellulose will be easier to touch up/sand back/polish but will take a while to dry. I didn't have the money for nitrocellulose so using nitro-alkyd which seems to have the benifits of both- its easy to apply and soft enough to sand back but not as evil fumes wise and not as long to dry. By nitro-alkyd I do mean Molotow graffiti paints - which are great and only £3.50 or so for a can. Cos it's made for graffiti it has great coverage and doesn't run which is nice - for a matt finish it would almost be impossible to get a bad finish - gloss.... we shall see, put first coat of clear coat on today....

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1354993648' post='1892823'] Now I'm confused . I think JD ( Bimingham U.K luthier) did make at least one Basschatter a Thumb Bass style bass , but I have never heard of any Warwick Thumb signature model except Jack Bruce's . Do you know what the difference between this JD Thumb and a regular Warwick Thumb are ? Are they useful to you or is it desirable just for rarity value ? [/quote] so a bit off topic.... Nothing at all to do with JD the UK fella. Not so much a signature model but designed for him way back. How it differs depends which era of regular warwick thumb you are talking about! Quoted from the Unofficial History of Warwick Bass (Novello, Huygen) PDF [quote]THUMB JD 1985-86 The Thumb is the first bass designed by Warwick, if we exclude the Nobby Meidel. The initials JD on the first Thumb represents the initials of an American bassist, who played an active part in the creation of the Thumb. (John Davis) John Davis is a U.S. military serving in Germany. John was a professional player and he was quite „busy‟ on the stage. Because of this he wanted a bass that was small and easy to play. He heavily influenced the shape of the bass resulting in the Thumb as we all know it now. First the neck through neck is made with 7 stripse of wood instead of 5 on the Streamers. The foils are separated by 3 edges of Wenge and Bubinga (the latter is larger than the 2 sheets in Maple / Cherry of Streamer). The neck provides 26 frets like Nobby Meidel, and the neck is concealed from the front through the body. (a feature that will be reused in the near future with the Streamer Stage II and the Dolphin Pro I) In practice, the neck-through thins considerably when it enters the body, when it is applied to a block of Bubinga. This block houses the pickups and the bridge. Bubinga is also used on the wings of the body. The neck is slightly wider at the nut than the Stage 1: 40.5 mm against 40.0 mm nut, both measured at the 24th fret instead of 60.0 mm. For pickups the J + J configuration is chosen, however, the positioning of the pickups is not standard, because the bridge pickup is placed sideways, with the aim of increasing the blow of high strings and the growl of low ones. Apart from some details, this first JD has all the specifications as a contemporary Thumb. In terms of sound, the Warwick goes firmly in the path already taken by the Streamer. The use of Bubinga wood instead of Cherry makes the Thumb a much naughtier cousin, resulting in a much harder sound. Low midrange growl at his maximum improves the overall sound with great projection in the mix. Playing this bass hard accentuates the mids even more, resulting in a auditory mix like few others. In short, the Thumb sound is sort of a Jazz Bass sounding very hungry. The Warwick Thumb soon becomes the Warwick par excellence, helping to give some visibility or face to the brand.[/quote] Note in the comparisons to the streamer they are refering to a wenge neck/cherry body streamer (stage one)

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1354991652' post='1892779'] You could , when your finances allow , get JD to make you a Thumb to your dream spec . He is a fantastic builder and a wonderful bloke too , and considering the superb quality of his work , very reasonably priced . A Precision Bass is a pretty essential tool for any bass player in my book , and a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush , as the saying goes . This bass is a good 'un , whereas the Thumb represents a gamble . Ideally ( stating the obvious ) you would add to your existing basses rather than trade one for the new addition . Hold your fire a bit and you could still do that in the not- too -distant future . [/quote] sorry a Warwick "JD Thumb" bass- they were originally named after some american player called John D-something-or-another

[quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1354990346' post='1892749'] You'd have trouble playing this without an upright: [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwI0gbGEyuI&feature=youtube_gdata_player"]https://www.youtube....be_gdata_player[/url] [/quote] and this http://youtu.be/Zp4_r8_MMho - electric doesn't sound right, ive tried

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1354984701' post='1892664'] Good basses that you like / love are not that easily come by , and if you like your P Bass then I would keep hold of it and make picking up a Thumb a long term project . There are loads of them about and you might see a bargain if you wait long enough. You will almost certainly miss your JV Squier , and you might not be able to sell it for as much as you might hope to in the current depressed market . [/quote] agreed I prob wouldn't get as much as I might hope for it. And yeah would probably miss it- the thing I didn't put in the OP was that the thumb in question is a JD thumb so not as common as a normal one- though not as uncommon as a 1st ed JV squier

use threaded inserts and bolts to fasten the neck rather than screws - that way you can take the neck on and off till the cows come home and not worry about it!

[quote name='hamfist' timestamp='1354983550' post='1892639'] I think a huge amount comes down to available finances. The poorer you are the more ruthless you need to become with one in/one out etc. I think a good test is seeing really how much, if at all, you actually play a particular bass. Individually we are the only ones who really know about how our finances and situation stand, and whether it's reasonable to buy/sell/swap or whatever. To be honest it amazes me how well off a lot of people must be, to be able to own so many basses. [/quote] Yeah, I think if I had the money to own both for a while it would be easier. Buy the JD thumb, play them for a few months, sell the one that Idon't like as much. As it is not much money.

Short question: How do folk decide to change basses, or sell ones that they love? I don't mean move ones on that you don't really care about - but ones that you still like but want something else? That's the short question. The longer one is... The second bass I ever played was an older friend's 1992 Warwick Thumb 5 string. I had recently been shown my first ever song on another friends bass (a 6 string oddly enough) and the friend with the Thumb got this very expensive and wonderful looking and smelling bass and gave it to me and told me to show what I could do, then gave me some tips and techniques. That was the start of me playing bass. And I've just had something about those early warwick's ever since. I picked up a Status shark and learned, started playing in bands, bought a P bass cos it was so so so much better for the band. About this time I sold the shark and got one of Warwickhunt's streamer stage one's- amazing to own a Neck through Warwick. Over time that SS1 got swapped for another one (my main bass today) and the P bass got upgraded to the JV P bass I have now- the best Fender type bass I have ever played bar none. I went through a phase of trying out other stuff, jazz basses, T40 and a few others, mostly they came and went quite quickly- picked up a jazz in a trade recently that's a keeper though and great fun to play. But still part of me wants a Thumb, it's the one bass left on my "would like to have" list. and I've found one- a nice looking one, at a good (but not amazing) price- but (and herein lies the rub) to buy it I would have to sell something. The SS1 is going no where, I need my amp, and the jazz and my Yamaha SG combined wouldn't make enough. Which leaves the JV. Which I love as a bass- but on the other hand selling it would let me get the Thumb. Do I play the JV much anymore? -not really. Would I cope without a P bass? Eventually. Do I want to sell it? not ideally. So all this is playing over in my head, do I start dropping the price I'ld ask for the JV in order to free up cash for the Thumb - or do I just forget it and keep what afterall is an exceptional bass. So all that going around my head - and this thread isn't really hopefully about me and my situation, it's not a "what should I do" type question - more - how do you decide?

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1354887809' post='1891643'] The problem with Sandberg as a brand is that they haven't really got any big name or high -profile muso players using them , and when it comes to bass values , rightly or wrongly , that makes a very real difference . Indeed , who plays what brand you are trying to sell makes a big difference to whether you can sell a bass at all , let alone for what price . I haven't played one yet , but these Sandbergs look very good quality basses from what I have seen , and all it would take is for a star player like Flea / Geddy Lee /Justin Chancellor / him out of Coldplay ( spot the odd one out ) to start playing one to launch them into the big time . It's all about marketing strategy . Very few brands sell well without conspicuous pro player association , and that is something that will always be in the Stingrays favour . People still buy them because Flea used to play them over twenty years ago . [/quote] That and their marketing is just a bit odd. Like from what folk say- quality wise there is little that touches them in their price bracket - but they don't themselves tell you that! The stuff that looks like fenders are always going to be half popular - but looking at the range the basic stuff looks the most interesting - and from my guestimation the pups are in the MM sweet spot - but they don't say that - or tell you much.

free pickup, from Shetland

In researching JV Squiers on ebay (and if it was worth listing mine) I found this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fender-Precision-Bass-60s-Roadworn-JV-Squire-Fullerton-White-/281035227943?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item416f014327 which I think wins awards for the most meantions of types of Bass it might be.... original 1960's? Roadworn series? JV Squier? Fullerton? can we think of any fender types that are well renowned that he's missed?

Vintage white pick guard bought!

[quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1354612692' post='1887928'] [/quote] You know they can programme computers to act as a Bilbo-bot in threads such as this, making post such as that..... not that we all know what you're going to post or anything!

[quote name='2pods' timestamp='1354897956' post='1891818'] Once upon a very long time ago, when I was just getting out of gigging and selling my stuff, I advertised a Ashdown mini stack (ABM500, and 2 x Mini 4x8) on here. A regular (as was I and still am now)came to see it with a view to swopping me a "brand new" Ibanez SGR500 plus a little loot. At least thats what he told me, even specifying the shop he'd bought it from. It was just a pity I had been looking at the same bass the previous week on ebay for a very cheap price from Wales.....and I knew his ebay handle. I was suprised to say the least that he'd try and pull this, but just said "No Thanks". Life's too short, but I have wanted to get it off my chest for years. Luckily, all the other guys I've sold or bought from on here have been great ! [/quote] there's the odd one on here, you see a distinctive bass go cheap on eBay/gumtree, and then next week some fella on here has to offload his fave bass ever (for the 3rd time this year)

[quote name='JimBobTTD' timestamp='1354727588' post='1889680'] He was down the road! [/quote] Arn't most cars.... ? [quote name='mcnach' timestamp='1354820239' post='1890902'] there's a variety of "lowballers" that do get annoying 'though. a while back, around the time I sold you that black Vintage Jazz bass (now back with me, thanks! ) I was selling quite a lot of things: guitars, basses, effects... I advertised them all on Gumtree. I received emails from the same person for just about every single item, offering 50% of my asking price trying to entice me by saying they would collect on the day. After I replied to three of his emails I just got bored. There was one particular item he seemed to want, and he kept insisting, always offering 50% and starting to become a little offensive, not just pushy. what was he thinking? Clearly someone with too much time in his hands trying his luck at anything. [/quote] Big fat fella, drives a Taxi, Lives in Livingston? I've met, and dealt with the nummpty. If he had come to collect he would have tried to barter you down again. Though I would have welcomed some low offers - I priced my JV I was/am trying/thinking of selling at the same price as Rich's - and would have taken offers (gladly) - but not even one lowball! A bit odd cos the price I would have taken was a fair bit lower than the price advetised. Oh well

he's not locked into the snare quite on the groove is he? and not got the vlaue of space. Also - that is one awful sounding bass!

sounds like a nice price! (What else did they have?) If I remember what folk on here have said it's a really really nice sounding amp that doesn't have that much power.

oh and another idea.... the classifieds is actually quite nice.... and in some way better laid out than a lot of shops.... would there be a market for shops or Luthiers advertsing their wares on it (and paying a small amount for the privilege)? Bass direct, Bass gallery - all the little wee shops up and down the land that only get the odd secondhand bass in....

[quote name='ped' timestamp='1354623363' post='1888176'] 1 - carried on using the regular marketplace forums [/quote]Ped, first thanks for asking us. I don't like the new classifieds section as they stand- I understand that they arn't quite working and appreciate the thought and the work put into them.[quote name='ped' timestamp='1354623363' post='1888176'] 2 - charged a yearly subscription fee to be able to post adverts there (~£20) to help pay for developments [/quote] This sort of system seems to work on talkbass, and you can ask them how it works out in practice. I think there's a correlation between price and the amount of people who will take it up. I would have no problem with £5, or even £10, and then prob still make donations from any sales - but part of me would baulk at £20. If that makes sense? [quote name='ped' timestamp='1354623363' post='1888176'] 3 - installed a new 'bump' button which only works once every 36hrs on your thread [/quote] sounds like a good plan. My vote would be for 48 hours though - just cos it's easier to remeber when you can bump! [quote name='ped' timestamp='1354623363' post='1888176'] 4 - develop the marketplace to allow thumbnails next to threads for everyone [/quote] [quote name='ped' timestamp='1354623363' post='1888176'] 5 - develop a better form for selling items with fields for things like location, price, etc to make adverts clearer [/quote] I think the problem you are trying to address is accessibility - My guess is that if you have to fill in forms correctly to post a sale post - and the title is then created from that info you would have standard info and wouldn't need photos and the work that coding that into the site would take.

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1354733052' post='1889813'] That's true , but you have to add into the equation the impetus that the instinct towards aquisition gives the market . Those people participating in the marketplace have an inclination towards continued spending in the hope of attaining satisfaction and so will find new money to add into circulation . Just like most football clubs are allegedly 3-5 players short of the squad they need to be successful , so are bass players usually one bass purchease away from the contentment which has so far eluded them . Even if the entire economic system of the developed world collapses I am sure that bass players will find a way to keep spending , even if we are reduced to trying to swap a goat for whatever shiny bauble is tormenting us with unsatiated gear lust . [/quote] can you make gut strings from goat intestines? get enough goats and then that could be a real investment- the end of the worlds equivalent to a pre CBS fender

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1354730289' post='1889738'] The reality of anything relating to market value is that[i] [u]things are worth what you can get for them [/u][/i], plain and simple . My advice to anyone investing in basses is to always be realistic ( or even pessemistic ) about what you will ever get back for them if you decide to sell them . I am frequently impressed by many peoples unrealistic evaluation of what their equipment is worth on the secondhand market , and have seen many deluded sellers in my time . Not so much on Basschat , where I find most peoples valuation of what they are selling to be very realistic and indeed often a bit too reasonably priced , but in the outside world usually the less knowledgeble a seller is the more they want for things . If you need to realise the value of your investment and cash in then you will be forced to accept harsh reality . If folks are selling Stingrays for £600-700 then you will be hard pressed to get much more for one unless it is something really special , even if it is dead mint . You might get a bit more , but you would be very lucky to get over a grand in any circumstances except maybe for a Classic in unplayed condition . Even the newer two pickup Rays aren't fetching much . I have no vested interest in any of this - I haven't bought a used bass for more than fifteen years when I think about it - but I have bought and sold a great many basses in my time and I must confess I love a good guitar deal more than most things , kind of like a jazz -funk David Dickinson . Better go top up my tan ... [/quote] expanding on that- things are worth what the market pays yes, but a fair bit of the money spent, esp in the recession is recycled money made from folk selling bass x to buy bass y. But if there is less new money coming into the system the price something will sell for will drop- which in turn will discourage the kinda "try something new sales", if you are going to take a 600 loss on something rather than a 300 that will affect if you are going to sell to feed GAS. Leading to less money being recycled about. Now anyone wanna buy my bass?

No. Warwick went from a boutique handbuilding company making a few bass to a massive company churning them out. The fact they tell you how much the "new" warwicks are improved suggests even they know that, (wenge necks back in 2013) Musicman as far as I know have never had a massive drop or gain in percieved quality. Though I guess they go in and out of fashion.