molan

There's one for sale here right now

It's definitely the same one. From everything I hear it's an excellent bass. Short scale has put a few people off I think.

[quote name='thisnameistaken' timestamp='1399845654' post='2448359'] Said the middle-aged man with the Fodera collection. [/quote] Just for a change you are incorrect on both counts. . .

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1399845513' post='2448357'] Perhaps they're just nasty cheapo middle-aged men? [/quote] Nah - it's just the beginner's bass of choice (quite understandably). I see a lot of middle-aged guys who decide to start playing in their mid 30's and they pick a basic starter bass like a Squier to see how they get on. Once they get a bit better they tend to move up to something a bit more individual or they decide it wasn't really their thing and sell them on again. Squiers are great for a first timer. I sent a middle aged guy down to my local Dawsons to buy one last week and he's made up with it. Couldn't believe the quality he could as part of a typical starter pack

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1399845722' post='2448361'] Whoa!! [size=4] [/size] [/quote] Yay - I'm going to live to be 110!

[quote name='stingraybassman' timestamp='1399843502' post='2448332'] Absolutely nailed it. [/quote] Round my way I only ever see middle aged men playing nasty cheapo Squiers - there's no way I'd class them as being 'high end'!

Very rough approximation but I'd say anything that's more expensive than an 'everyday' USA Fender. With the Vintage series (which I wouldn't call high end) now kicking around £1,850 new then I'd say £2K is probably about where a lot of people would consider the price break to be. Of course this is completely screwed when looking at used values as some will always lose value faster than others.

Shims are really common in '70's (and '80's) Fenders. Wouldn't bother me at all. It may be a shade expensive but the weight of 8.6lbs massively increases desirability and value. I've bought and sold many '70's Fenders over the last few years and it's amazing how many people ask how much they weigh before they even think about how they might sound. A nice playing early 70's P with a good core tone, and in a desirable colour, that's under 9lbs could easily command a value about £200 - £300 than a comparable one that comes in at 10-11lbs.

I had a Walkabout for while - didn't get on with it at all and sold it very quickly. Sounded a bit flat and wooly to me, especially in combo format Conversely I've had a TH500 more or less since they came out. Have tried a lot of other heads along the way but keep coming back to the TH

[quote name='karlfer' timestamp='1399795881' post='2447619'] First gig with BX700 last night. Instant punch in chest, amazing power and sound, with virtually no fiddling. Slight cut on bass, slight cut on low mid at 200 hz, slight boost on high mid at 1.2khz (a soundman once told me to do that), no compression, graphic eq off, valve pre amp off. Drive about 1 o'clock, master at about 9 o'clock. Against miked up drummer and guitarses. Perception was much more powerful than GB Shuttle/ Streamliner 600, GK MB 500. Fabulous, and learning this amp has just started. [/quote] Good news - keep us posted about how you get on with it

Charlie bought some pickups from me and everything went very smoothly indeed. He was even very gracious when I forgot to post them for 3 days

I'm not a heavy gauge string user but I've certainly seen 50 - 110's used on lots of basses without any problems. They will generally require a revised setup because they tend to have more tension and will cause the neck to bow a little. I've only ever once seen a, 34" scale, bass that couldn't handle 50-110's and that turned out to be due to a weak neck and damaged truss rod.

The Korean made Zons are excellent basses - this is a bargain if it stays low in the bidding!

If you've seen a specific one you like then I'd buy that one and not shop around for something similar online. Fender QC has really improved and there's a lot less duff ones out there than there used to be. However, you still come across the odd one. If you come across a good 'un then I'd even suggest it might be worth a few quid more than a random one from a warehouse

[quote name='Marvin' timestamp='1399649546' post='2446331'] Mansons is an hour away, but there again bass wise I wasn't impressed last time I went there. Actual basses, ok but Amos and cabs, very wanting. That's it. So I shop online. [/quote] You should be in luck, there are plenty of online dating sites these days. Specifically finding an Amos may reduce your chances a little but I'm sure he's out there somewhere waiting for your call

[quote name='RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE' timestamp='1399570522' post='2445504'] Me too [/quote] Me and Vic from Bassgear are going too

Sounds good, that'll be about £115 - £120 after taxes and post office clearing fees so should be below a typical UK price

I've always really liked Lakland basses and, for quite a long time, I'd have rated the Skyline series ahead of a lot of US made Fenders. However, Fender US QC seems much better since about 2010/2011 onwards and Lakland prices were creeping up so the price differential got a lot closer and I'm sure a lot of buyers would choose a Fender over a Lakland purely because of the brand name (I've experienced this first hand many times!). If the new Lakins came into the UK straight from Dan then they ought to be under £1,000 (based on the current £ to $ exchange rate) which would make them very competitive if the quality compares to Dan's previous work.

BestBassGear are great - I've used them for quite a few things. Shipping can be a bit hit and miss. I've had an 8 week wait for one thing and another got held at customs and returned I've always had to pay import duties (average between 25 and 35% of the initial cost - the latter because of the way they value some items for shipping).