molan

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).

The 4x10 has gone as well now

Maybe stop using the cat to block the flow of large bodies of water - might put it in a better temper

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1398938254' post='2439139'] Be great to see one of these Carvin amps at The Herts Bass Bash if you`re coming along this year Barrie. [/quote] I can bring the whole range - they are all tiny and don't weigh much Only problem might be if we sell lots - another went today. . .

The top one is a guitar I think?

When I started using a Gramma pad in my little music room the number of complaints from other members of the household dropped considerably. I didn't really notice much difference personally but it definitely seemed to help isolate the overall vibrations resonating around the rest of the house

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1399065322' post='2440750'] Once again because they could. What so many people seem to forget is that back in the 70s these were just mass-produced instruments and the Musicmaster was Fender's "budget" line for people who needed the Fender logo on their instrument but who couldn't afford a Precision or Jazz. They weren't any big deal and relatively cheap and therefore ripe for "customisation" and modification as it took the owner's fancy. [/quote] Relatively speaking they were surprisingly expensive. I bought mine in '79 for £120 - I was earning £200 a month and it took me quite a while to save up enough money to buy one and I treated it like it was a very precious thing indeed

Saw them at Oxford on Tuesday. Didn't miss Anderson at all but I wasn't overly impressed by Geoff Downes - he can play all the parts but having his back to the audience almost all night was a bit odd. Howe & Squire were, unsurprisingly the stars of the show. We were right in front of Steve Howe (who is looking a bit scary these days!) and it was amazing to see him that close. Really good show and the flow of material worked fine for me. Didn't bother me that it was a bit out of chronological sequence and the addition of Roundabout as an encore made up for the lack of Fragile as an album