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Crazy how they got past QC!

Yep, I thought maybe I was being overly critical but I just can't live with misalignment (tickles the OCD).

Comparison with my other 55-02!

Decided to treat myself to a new Skyline 55-02 from one of the big shops & when it arrived in Thursday I was disappointed. The whole thing is, well, just a bit crooked. The A string is out of line with the dots, the headstock looks like it was carved with a penknife & the routing for the MM pickup is huge! Already owning two good Lakland basses I decided to discuss an exchange fearing I'd just been unlucky but talking to the shop they have confirmed that the others in stock in the UK are also a bit misaligned. So, with that said, it's going back, I know it'll do my head in & I'm not paying that much for a bass that I need to realign the bridge on. Proper disappointed with Lakland I am!

You could try pushing down on the pickup near the screw just enough to take the pressure off, it's what I do every time I adjust any of mine.

Went to see Steve n Seagulls a few years ago in Wolverhampton, we all wore daft animal hats & the band had drinks & photos with us afterwards. It was a great night & I've never been so pesched as I was that night.

I wasn't born until the December of 77 & how on earth did you manage to juggle that for 30 years! Credit where credit is due Sir! I'm thinking that shift work in my case & other life commitments in other people's circumstance may make us less attractive to potential bands. I may edit this thread to include barriers (perceived & real) that prevent us bassists from joining bands in this crazy age we live in.

Thinking about it & to expand on the thread a little, years ago when we were all younger leaving a band wasn't as much of a thing. Leave one band & in a couple of weeks you'd either join or start another but I think as venues have closed & most pubs/clubs would rather pay less for a singer with backing tracks than have a full ensemble of musicians demand/opportunity has decreased.

Oh & as a side note, if your Mrs' shifts enable you to spend more time with the kids make the most of it. I have such a great relationship with mine (23,20 & 10) now because my shifts meant I was there more!

That's very similar to my situation but for you it's as a result of your wife's circumstances. I'm guessing because she works in the NHS she has an important role with lots of job satisfaction & she's passionate about it. So in a way you're sacrificing something you're passionate about to allow her to do what she has to do! I know it's much more complex than I make it sound but fair play to you & respect to your Mrs!

Maybe that's the answer Dave, recruit from within 🤔

Govt assassin Lozz? 😁 I've always known it's an issue but it's only recently as I see friends getting back out gigging that it's bothering me. I'm always transparent when I've made enquiries in the past & I've had some great auditions only to be told "you're just what we need & we all enjoyed the audition but......" Maybe I'm destined to be a dep now.

I've just been watching videos that my neighbour has sent from his first gig with his new band & it's got me thinking about my situation. See, said neighbour & I have played in bands together lots of times but generally it's been a more casual arrangement, charity gigs or the "once a month'ers" etc. &, I'm often telling him "I need to get back into a band situation" & I do but I've suddenly realised why I'm not putting myself out there anymore. It's my day job! Since leaving school I've always worked shifts in some form or another & for the last 16 years I've been on a four on four off system, two days, two nights, four off. I know I know, I can hear the "four on four off, what's this guy complaining about"comments & I agree, I'm very fortunate & much closer to my family because of the way I work, but......... I love music, I love playing bass in bands & I've stopped looking for an outlet for that because I can see it's a hindrance to most bands & I think subconsciously I'm avoiding rejection. Does anyone experience this? Have any of you given up trying because of the day job, shifts or otherwise or have any of you with your bands turned down someone you know would be a great fit because of their work commitments? Just thinkin out loud.

I'm not a fan of tort or pearl, I do like white pickups tho, especially white on white with maple 😍 I'll get my coat too!

I spotted a couple of Wal's in some of the 80s/90s photos, we're they "budget" basses back then cuz I was definitely "Thatcher Broke" 😂

Well that sucks, a custom US is a bit out of reach for me at the minute with the current economic climate that we all face. Second hand market it is! Cheers Si

Indeed! & the modded 55-02 club if you consider the vintage tint lacquer on the neck a mod 😁 I'm waiting for the 55-64 to come back in stock then that's me done buying basses! (Honest Guv 😂)

I couldn't decide which bass I wanted to play today so I got these three out & showed them all some love!

I really liked the one I had too but in the end I sold the LMii & kept my Genz Shuttle 9.2, I think the valve in the pre is a really useful addition.

Yeah possibly mate, when I changed from Bart's to Nordys in one of my Laklands there was an extra & I did exactly that. Is it a MM pickup or aftermarket?

Can't help you with that, I just bought a white pickup cover & not the whole thing! Maybe an earth?

I like the white, not a massive pearl fan but the white works well.

Have you had them off for any reason? I had a similar thing with a B string, turned out to be a slight twist between the bridge & nut/tuner. I wound all the tension off, made sure it was in line at the bridge then tuned it back up & it solved the problem.

I have an incredibly light 55-02 so they are out there, if that's the most appealing to you don't give up the search!