Dingus

[quote name='uncle psychosis' timestamp='1394806035' post='2395439'] Then for that small number of people take the massively inconvenient step of sending them a response that says "no, the price is firm thank you". People get remarkably precious about this. Its bizarre. [/quote] Absolutely right. If you are in the business of selling things in whatever circumstances, you have to be prepared to field whatever offers people make and enter into some negotiation, even if that negotiation is issuing a firm "no". It comes with the territory, and it's nothing to get upset about. You can even learn to enjoy it and thrive on it, .

[quote name='Sara SG' timestamp='1394809968' post='2395500'] Straps - I spent £29 on a wide padded strap. About 4 inches wide at the shoulder. Its useless. Jutts out beyond my narrow shoulders by an inch and this falls off all the time. Had to go back to my old strap. These straps only work for men/women with broad shoulders. [/quote] I am sincerely sorry, Sara, if you spent that money on a strap as a result of my recommendation. In that case, maybe something like the Comfort Strapp would be more appropriate. A lot of players swear by these for reducing the apparent weight of heavy basses, and they are slightly less wide : http://www.comfortstrapp.com/new/ Maybe you could sell the strap that is too wide for you on the For Sale section of Basschat. People on this site are always on the look out for wide straps.

Just had a look , I like it! It reminds me of the kind of colour scheme they used to have on Clarke's Polyveldt shoes in the 1970's:

Walnut [i]can[/i] actually be quite light, depending on how it is selected. Similar to mahogany in that it can be both light or exceptionally heavy. Certain bass builders offer a selected walnut body as a way of lightening their designs, and it helps that lightweight walnut is pretty resonant, apparently. One reason why a lot of Californian guitar builders ( such as Rickenbacker) favour walnut is because it grows everywhere in that part of the world, so there is a big supply of relatively inexpensive walnut to choose from. Typically, I wouldn't think walnut would be any heavier than the maple that Rickenbackers are usually made from, which is not usually a lightweight wood itself.

I would, in the interest of full disclosure , like to point out that I do not [i]necessarily[/i] follow my own advice on any subject I may be offering the benefit of my considerable wisdom on, and never was that more true than on this subject of how unnecessary expensive basses are.

Great story, and a superb amp, too. Trace gear isn't as fashionable as it once was, but I've auditioned just about every high -end bass amp on the market at one time or another and Trace Elliot stuff of various vintages is still a match for any of them, and don't let anyone else tell you otherwise. It's loud, clear and lets everybody hear the true sound of whatever bass you plug into it. I suppose I am a bit biased because the first really good amp I got was a Trace rig back in the 1980's when they were the amp every bass player aspired to , and I have used them pretty much ever since, but they have still never been bettered, in my opinion.

[quote name='icastle' timestamp='1394749986' post='2394916'] I'm a Jazz Bass! [i]A sleekly curvaceous body shape featuring an elegantly stylish and remarkably comfortable offset waist.[/i] [/quote] You've got to stop trying to use Basschat as an internet dating site, Ian. Trust me, it doesn't work. I just went through the process on the web site and ended up with... a stock American Standard Jazz Bass in Olympic White. A lovely bass for sure, but unfortunately, when I went through the process of actually trying to buy that exact bass in real life, I gave up after the first five ( yes, five) examples that Fender sent me were defective or substandard in one way or another. Maybe Fender should rename it the American Substandard range? Never mind giving people the ability to design their own bass, Fender should concentrate a bit more on how they themselves are making them .

[quote name='icastle' timestamp='1394744330' post='2394789'] Very likely, but then I always was an awkward sod. I have always had strict rules about equipment purchases. Firstly, I ask myself if I need it, or just want it. If it passes that stage then I ask myself if it's going to pay for itself, if not, then it doesn't happen. It doesn't apply at the moment, but there's also a rule that states that all musical purchases have to be paid for out of performance money, not wages. [/quote] Indeed. The whole industry relies on the perception that there is a division between "professional" ( the magic word) and amateur gear, and that you won't really be able to be effective until you have got equipment of a certain level. The truth, however, is that we have all seen excellent musicians who can make very ordinary basses sound extraordinary because they have the skill to do so, and most professionals are far more concerned with doing their job well , getting paid and getting repeat work than in fetishising their equipment . Even if you do need certain kinds of equipment in certain situations, it's only a question of getting enough money to purchase it. Not necessarily easy, but not usually insurmountable. If you can't play very well though, then no amount of money will help you, unless you spend it on lessons, and ultimately, if you long to be a musician then only playing well will make you happy.

[quote name='icastle' timestamp='1394650758' post='2393755'] I don't form attachments to basses, as far as I'm concerned they're tools. Like a tradesman I choose tools appropriate to the job - I'm not going to buy a 50p screwdriver and expect to use it everyday for 5 years, I'll buy something that is appropriate to my needs, does the job I want it to do and have a reasonable life expectation provided I use it in the way that was intended. If my usage of that screwdriver goes up, or I need it to perform better because I need it to, then I'll replace it with a more appropriate one. Sure, I have favourite brands but I don't buy tools purely on name or price tag. They do however, give me an indication of what I can expect from the item in question. [/quote] You do realise that if everybody was as sensible as this then the consequence then the entire musical equipment industry would collapse? It's about time we were all honest with ourselves that buying equipment and playing music are two very distinctly different pursuits. The uncomfortable truth is that accumulating enough money to buy high quality equipment is a much easier thing to do than learning how play your instrument well. It's not surprising that, almost without realising it, a lot of players put more of their energies into buying things rather than improving their skills on what they have. It's no coincidence that in countries like Cuba, China or what was the old Soviet Union where there has been an absence of the consumer culture that prevails in most parts of the World, that the technical standards for musicians of all kinds is, on the whole, much higher than in countries with free market economies flooded with consumer goods. Young people who are interested in music in what until recently were communist countries have had no choice but to channel that interest into musicality and learning their instrument properly, rather than being seduced by the idea that buying things will help them achieve fulfilment. If my theory is correct, the next Victor Wooten will either be from North Korea or Albania...

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1394728611' post='2394537'] Had Keith repeatedly stabbed his sofa with one of Lemmy's knives? [/quote] We can only hope so...

[quote name='Conan' timestamp='1394726028' post='2394494'] I hear you though. That said, I have done some excellent (and very quick and painless) deals on here in the last few years (including your good self!). But yes, it can grind you down with the tyre-kickers and time-wasters. Got to be worth a try though? [/quote] It's very tempting to put an ad up, not least of all because I am a very lonely man. Even if the bass doesn't sell then it will at least be a chance to meet new people and interact with them. Time wasters welcome, I will say. It seems like a lot of work , though, taking photographs of the bass (that I inevitably won't be able to upload onto my ad), getting the case out and photographing that, then writing the ad itself. If the bass sells eventually then I will have earnt my money! Wouldn't it be refreshing if people were totally honest about the [u][i]real[/i][/u] reasons why they were selling things? Now that would be interesting . If I sell this bass I will make a point of telling people the truth, which is that I bought it because I was bored, that I am still bored and this bass hasn't helped one bit, so make me an offer. I will stipulate "[u]absolutely no trades"[/u] and then, of course, wait for the trade offers to roll in. Having said that, I know for a fact that John Paul Jones swapped his Yamaha keyboard that he used with Led Zeppelin at Knebworth ect with Keith Emerson for a sofa, so who am I to say never? Ideally, I would like to swap my bass for a new life somewhere else with Stacy Dooley off BBC3. Let's face it, it looks like she will be out of a job soon , and might have to lower her expectations. Very similar to Newcastle United's manager Alan Pardew in that respect.

[quote name='Conan' timestamp='1394725751' post='2394485'] Not necessarily... There seems to be a pretty good turnover of the usual suspects - the mainstream Fenders, Musicmans and similar low-to-mid priced "workhorses", but again it depends on whether the seller has done their research, written a good advert and asked for a realistic price. At the end of the day, this seems to be the biggest market sector on here. Less out-and-out budget basses, and a small but important trade in top-end guitars, but most seem to be in the £500-1200 range. The whole question of "upgrades" is an interesting one too. One person's upgrade is another's "I'll have those out straight away". And yet, many buyers expect to get back what they paid for the upgrades AND the money they spent on installing them!! For example, there are a couple of "bitsa" J basses for sale currently and yet they are priced at twice the price at which you could get a good used MIA Fender instrument! Why would anyone pay that much for a collection of someone else's spare parts? [/quote] I agree that Fender and Music Mans are perennially popular, Geoff, and with good reason. I would always recommend those two brands as good solid investments , as they are both prestigious American-made basses of robust design with a great heritage. However, in terms of return on the recent new retail price , both of those examples are not that great. EBMM stuff sells for less than you would hope to get for if you have bought new, and there seem to be plenty of Fender at bargain prices ( £600 region for post 2008 Am St basses is not uncommon for a quick sale). The problem for sellers with those basses is the sheer number of them on the market, a lot of which are on their second or third owner and whose secondhand price undermines the bargaining power of folks with newer examples . Some folks are trying to sell Stingrays that are 10+ years old that they paid £650 for , and some unfortunates are trying , usually in vain, to get their money back out of newer Stingrays that they paid £1200+ for. Bongo prices ( the basses that is, not the magazines) fare even less well. I agree wholeheartedly about the upgrades thing, too. One man's upgrade is another man's completely ruined. Overall, though, Basschat is a fantastic marketplace for[u] buying[/u] basses. Selling them on here is probably more of a mixed bag, but still it's a terrific option to have available. Ultimately, no one is forcing anyone to accept the offers made to them, and they always have the choice to decline whatever is unacceptable to them. My advice to people would always be that if the resale value is important to them , then be very careful what they buy( and what they pay for it) in the first place.

I have actually been thinking about whether to sell a bass on this site in the last few days, but I am not sure I can stand the hassle which would almost inevitably result in one way or another. The prospect people who don't speak English as a first language offering me homemade coffee table basses made by obscure Slovakian luthiers with "legendary" reputations as a trade offers fills me with dread, as does the almost inevitable debate that would break about some aspect of construction or the relative aesthetic merits.

I would say that if you are responding to a classified ad such as a bass offered for sale on Basschat , a bit of haggling is an accepted convention in that kind of a sale. I am no lowballer, but I would automatically assume that the asking price was an invitation to make an offer based on my own assessment of what the bass is worth. If you are selling something and you are unwilling to haggle then clearly state the price is firm, no offers. It's very noticeable to me that some relatively expensive but highly desirable basses sell pretty quickly for respectable prices on Basschat, but the key to that is exactly their [b]rarity[/b] and[b] desirability[/b]. The harsh reality is that most people are trying to sell basses that are much of a muchness to most people, and so it's not surprising that they are not necessarily commanding good prices, or indeed finding buyers at all . If you have something in short supply that other people want a lot then you are in a much better position to get a decent return. As a seller, if you are in the position of having to tell people why they[i] aught to want to buy [/i]your bass then you are on a losing ticket regarding getting a good price or even getting rid at all, I am afraid. The basses that sell for decent money are almost invariably the ones where there is a broad consensus of opinion that they are hot stuff.

Also, pre-lawsuit headstock= even more collectible.

Fantastic basses! What a great purchase. I've enjoyed looking at those pictures. I find it hard to understand why G&L don't offer this model and similar ones from yesteryear like the El Toro , because I'm sure lots of folks would buy them. I love the styling of these older G&L basses, as well as their powerful sound, and this looks like a beauty. Enjoy it!

Looks like Sack Trolly to me. Sadly no longer with us, but a great player back in his day.

[quote name='Sara SG' timestamp='1394627981' post='2393431'] Thats interesting about even the same models of one bass may weigh differently. And someone else said there is a new Mike Dirnt model that may even be lighter than mine. When I say "heavy", its only after 3yrs of playing the thing have I started getting neck pain. I think thats a combination of things including getting old lol! But the more hours I spend with it slung around my neck the more it worsens. Not really the fault of the bass. I know if I sit down or don't wear it so long the pain reduces. If Im not singing its no problem. I think its not so much weight of the models but the shape sometime - the balance of them. I have narrow shoulders so not much to brace it. Wide straps slip off my shoulders. I have a 30 inch chest and I think most basses are designed for a 40inch chest person! And don't go suggesting shortscale or girl basses anyone..... Every single drummer I know moans about backpain so I cant complain of the odd niggle. My next bass will be "lighter" though [/quote] The funny thing about basses and weight, Sara, is that, like I already said, half a pound either way can make all the difference. For most people, up to eight pounds feels very light, eight to nine pounds feels O.K, nine to nine and a half pounds feels noticeably heavier and anything above nine and a half pounds will feel heavy after a prolonged period. If you are shopping round for a new bass it could be worth investing in a little luggage scale to take round the shops with you to weigh individual examples of basses to get an accurate picture of their true weight. If any bass is much over nine pounds then the chances are you will still have a problem with it standing up for a long time at gigs. It's worth mentioning, however, that using a very wide padded strap will help reduce the fatigue of wearing a weighty bass ( or indeed any bass) round your neck. Try and find a strap that is about four inches (or more) wide and it will really help spread the weight across your back and shoulder/ neck more effectively that a narrower strap.

[quote name='Sara SG' timestamp='1394627249' post='2393418'] is Parish a shop? [/quote] No, lol, it's the capital city of France.

In the right hands, Rickenbackers really have such a glorious tone. I just wish I could get on with them , but I never could and almost certainly never will. Someone aught to make a bass that sounds like a Rick... but is better to play.

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1394626277' post='2393403'] And misleading in the same way that "Hot Japanese Girl" were neither hot, Japanese or girls! [/quote] I fell for a very similar ruse when I voted for some bloke called Tony Blair who had a band back in the days of Britopop called" New Labour". Needless to say, they turned out to be nothing of the sort.

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1394626277' post='2393403'] And misleading in the same way that "Hot Japanese Girl" were neither hot, Japanese or girls! While I was looking for a suitable Fat Goth track to post I noticed some others where the bassist is playing a Fender, but he still sounds exactly the same. Maybe the Ric isn't quite so distinctive after all? [/quote] For that kind of tone it seems to me that it's as much about the distortion ( what kind, how it's applied, and how much) as the bass itself. A Rickenbacker has a naturally growly tone , but if you start adding distortion that unique character is diminished somewhat as the distortion is a bit of leveller when it comes to the finer points of the tonal differences between the unaffected sound of individual basses. So in that respect I am not surprised this guy sounds the same on a Fender. I know someone who sold a Precision Bass to Chris Squire and he was amazed that when he presented it to him that Chris proceeded to pick it up, plug it to his rig in and sound exactly the same as he does on his famous Rickenbacker.