BassTractor

Cut it out, Sam! This must be the twelfth time I wish you welcome! best, bert

Yes and no. Prog was a political movement more than a musical one back in the seventies, so for me a lot of it was not interesting, as they had progressive lyrics on basic folk or singer/songwriter music. Samla Mammas Manna (a.k.a. Zamla Mammaz Manna, a.k.a. von Zamla), however, was musically exciting, with a vengeance. Of later bands, I love Anekdoten. Though based on seventies prog, they have their own identity and originality, I think. Flower Kings did not rock my boat when I heard some of their work. They seemed epigonous to me. I'm willing to be corrected on this though. best, bert

Hi Singleone, ;-) Welcome to BC! I'm sure we're also looking forward to talk to you. Though, sadly, we're mostly old rather than new. Hope that doesn't scare you away. Enjoy the site and don't be a stranger. best, bert

Thanks to Skelf for posting that. IMHO, people need to be aware of this stuff. As some others have stated, it doesn't only go for instrument builders or small handicraft companies, but for many companies in many branches - often, but not exclusively, small operations that care about their customers and about the quality of their work. I've also seen these numbers for factories, importers, and retail. Someone mentioned a markup of 100 %. However, IME that mostly is about a retail price including VAT, with the in-price being ex-VAT and before any type of overhead. As one of many different typical examples for a medium sized shop in Norway or The Netherlands: in-price ex-VAT: £ 100 in-cost: 4% = £ 4 ==> £ 104 overhead 25% = £ 26 ==> £ 130 income before tax 20% = £ 26 ==> £ 156 VAT 25% = £ 39 ==> £ 195 retail Those 26 quid are then taxed 48%, leaving slightly more than £ 13 to the shop-owner for doing the work and taking the risks of the investment. Add to that the market's demand for discounts and other stuff, and the shop-owner is one lucky b* if he sometimes does indeed get those 13 quid on a £ 195 sale. Me personally, for years I charged £ 30 per hour, but in reality was left with £ 3.50 as an hourly income. Not much in expensive Norway, but it did give me the life style I was interested in, so no complaints. best, bert

Hey War Pig, Welcome to BC. You're smarter than me. I needed 40 years before starting to appreciate Black Sabbath adequately. Anyway, enjoy the site! best, bert (North North North East East East Lancs.)

Hey Jon, Welcome the BC! best, bert

Hey Moosa, Yeah, it was about time! Enjoy the site! best, bert

Ah! Bonjour Mr. le Frenchy, Bienvenu à BC! I hope and trust you will have a great time here. Enjoy! best, bert

[quote name='steve-soar' timestamp='1348265945' post='1811793'] I'm easy to spot, you can tell me by the way I walk. [/quote] ... but bring your Hayter, just to be sure. best, brrrrrrrt

[quote name='tazza1' timestamp='1348303679' post='1812018'] used to stay in Warren Road - why is it infamous?[/quote] Unbelievable how you pose the very answer as a question! best, bert

Hey Sam, Welcome to BC from anewbie over 55 (tried to play for a year now), with a previous life as keyboardist. As to the amp, you may as well divorce the mrs. right away. I did, and do have an amp now! So all you have to do now is joint the banter, ask questions, and listen carefully to those answers that are given by the people who are not me. Enjoy! best, bert

[quote name='mep' timestamp='1348230381' post='1811152'] You can also try a FatFinger clamp on the headstock. [/quote] Not enough mass to do the job well. This one is better: [attachment=118971:branca_glenngrin.jpg] best, bert

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1348144467' post='1809934'] if EBMM were to start offering some kind of roadworn toilet finish with a kind of not-cleaned-in-months relicing effect.[/quote] Marketing genius! I called Scott (Sterling's son), and he'll be doing them this Christmas already. This relic series will be called "Mr. Hankey Delight". Dunno why. best, bert

Hi Paul, Welcome to BC! Have to agree with Steve-bbb as to hair, sadly. Enjoy the site! best, bert

[quote name='steve-bbb' timestamp='1348153649' post='1810108'] we often hear of peeps putting P necks on the J body but ive never seen a J neck on a P body unless of course anybody knows different .... [/quote] I don't know anything, so I can't know different either, but the Aerodyne Classic P Special from 2006 is said to have a J neck. best, bert

Oh, that's bad, George. I wish you the best of luck in coping with this. best, bert

Congrats from the foreign something as well, both with the show and matrimony! best, bert

[quote name='charic' timestamp='1348054488' post='1808517'] Now these I'd like to see [/quote] What CB says. There's also this built prototype with seven knobs: [attachment=118842:MM Bongo prototype 338.jpg] and one of the last ones before production started: [attachment=118843:MM Bongo proto - last proto.jpg] best, bert

I have a virtually unplayed [b]Needell I[/b] from 1989 (their golden age as you know) and I'd like to swap for your thread. Nothing wrong with it, but it just doesn't fit me very well, whilst my others fit like tailored suits. Interested? best, bert

Welcome Mr. Rhino, sir! (but please be familiar with me if you like), You'll probably find there's a sense of community here (mainly fed by shared experiences about girls sueing us the next day), and the support and interesting information are flowing freely along with the humour. YMMV. Enjoy! best, bert

[quote name='4 Strings' timestamp='1347799686' post='1805081'] I wanted to try them on my Stingray [/quote] You have a PM. best, bert

[quote name='cloudburst' timestamp='1347974765' post='1807446'] Yeuch. It's like putting up paisley curtains in the space shuttle.[/quote] No real yeuch from me, but you're spot on. best, bert

Hey Greggo, Welcome to BC! Yup, it's a great place to set up camp, and it looks like you'll fit right in. Enjoy! bert

Congrats!

[quote name='bremen' timestamp='1347956992' post='1807007'] Going to have to alter 'interests' in my profile :-) [/quote]