Cairobill

With your post punk interests i would definitely get a precision. The sound and look will get you through any musical situation in that context. Given your cash restrictions I would recommend continuing asking for info and keeping an eye on the sale board here until something comes up that matches your budget from a local board member. 250 is not a huge amount to spend but a good Mexican fender or parts built precision could be yours and will work perfectly well for practice, rehearsal, even recording, especially if the pickups are upgraded down the line. Soundwise, I would suggest a cheap but punchy second hand combo for home practice, rehearsal and small scale gigs. Bigger gigs you could rent back line or borrow from other bands (make sure you ask in good time before the gig!). You will also find that some board members will get rid of old dated, combos for around the 50 quid mark as they are difficult to sell. Search the amps classifieds here for 'combo' and you will see what I mean. Getting something that is in a functional state by peavey, ashdown, ampeg or trace elliott would be my recommendation. Again, you're not looking for the best amp in the world, you just need to make a fairly loud noise and for it not to break down Cable, straps, strings etc can be sourced through board members here as well either as secondhand cheap or freebies or high quality, independently made merchandise (OBBM leads are excellent). And yes, get a good set up. Find a local guitar tech through the board who can give the new bass a set-up. But if you buy second hand from someone who knows what they are doing, they should ensure the bass has the correct set up and would have set up the action/ relief on the neck properly. Good luck!

9/10 - thought the bland looking geezer in Coldplay was the bland looking geezer in Kings of Leon...

High C on a 34inch scale sounds and feels wonky to me. I bought a 33inch scale bass for my muso excursions that is built to be strung E-C. The C sounds great at the shorter scale. For standard 34 inch basses ( my 5 string fretless) I go B-G...

Always been fascinated by these basses. Maybe one day...

For that price you can get a used Stingray [i]Classic [/i]- which is all you will ever need!

Love Squarepusher!

Yes get well soon! Best, Nick

I always loved his splashy 'hit snare drum/open hi hat' schtick. Odd stylistic flourish, but you can always tell it's him…

Having a relic job is a very personal choice I think (I have had a few - 2 Nashes and 2 Bravewoods so I am absolutely fine with relics) and anyone getting upset over another person's choice has too much time on their hands As far as Limelight goes, based on viewing their website, I think their relics vary in quality - The Ps and Js look pretty good but there's a strat on the website that looks terribly bad…a naff sander job by the look of it... http://www.classicandcoolguitars.co.uk/guitar/limelight00123s.htm

I consider Deacon to be a fantastic bassist - perfect lines, thumpy clear tone, great swing etc etc. Queen wear so many hats it's quite hard to define what they do best but I would say this - their songs have an *inevitability* about them, they are also brilliantly arranged, experimental yet populist, VERY punchily performed and extremely hummable. An amazing band…I lost the love for their output when 'kinda magic' came out (I was very young fan!) but I dig everything before that... It's clear that Mercury was a great singer by the way. Few vocalists can communicate a song as well as he can…that's not even mentioning his technique which is f**king amazing...

Is it me or does the black paint job look really terrible and home made. Almost matt black in appearance? Maybe it's one for Paul Herman, a sander, and a new colour...

Fretless stingray? Not pre-89 and under 9.5 lbs is it?

I've been around the block with Musicman basses and have found bass nirvana in the Stingray Classic with the 2 band eq, alnico pickups, mutes, maple board and 7.25 inch fretboard radius. It is such an amazing bass - an update of the original design. Buy one second hand, make sure it doesn't weigh too much (say under 9.5lbs, some tend to be a bit on the heavy side) and seriously... you will owe me a beer...

Yes, clocked that one before - The paint job looks amateur no?...