martthebass

I can sometimes feel this way on active basses. Not sure what strings you've tried but I tend to put Status half-wounds on my actives which dials the harshness out sufficiently for me. I've had a Sandy Basic in the past (a Ken Taylor 5) and I couldn't get on with it either, somehow the Delanos seemed to be both dark and harsh at the same time. I couldn't deny the quality of the bass; if it had been a 4 string I might have persevered a bit longer however.

[quote name='Dan Dare' timestamp='1469715419' post='3100595'] Easy. Just post an expensive instrument in the for sale section for 50 quid, no questions asked. You'll get barred in no time [/quote] Not a problem......I might have a spare £50 knocking about for a nice pre CBS Jazz.

I'm with Karlfer on this one. In an ideal situation I guess the values, trade and sale, should be the same. I generally put the trade value a little higher because if I am going to take a px on something, I will likely then have the hassle of selling the item I took in trade. The increased trade value takes account of the risk taken as the item taken in trade may not achieve the expected value on selling on. With cash there is no such risk, unless you were paid in Turkish Lira etc....

I use an Akai Miniak. Compact, powerful, loads of sounds. Not the easiest to program but generally don't need to. About £140-150 on the bay of E.

I generally take what is appropriate to the gig. The 80s band gets the Streamline and the Ray Fretless. The 70s band gets the Rick (even though it's a -3 not. -1) Dep gigs at crapholes get the beater......currently a MM Sub Sterling.

Cheers Stoo, I'll start light and see how it goes! If the worst comes to the worst ill take it to a guy who knows what he's doing!

That looks pretty classy Stoo, but a bit outside of my work working abilities. What did you strip with?

I've just picked up a nice Musicman SUB USA model, you know, the one with the satin black neck. Over the years the finish on the back of the neck has gone shiny and a bit tacky; it's easily marked with a fingernail and feels like I could scrap the top coat off easily with said fingernail. What would be the best way to restore the surface? The bass is a player, not a piece of art, but I wouldn't want to butcher it unnecessarily. Thanks for any comments guys.

Sold my Epiphone Jack C to Rich yesterday. Miserable weather in Glossop but a great guy to deal with! Enjoy the bass Rich.

I briefly had a 4004cii before the 4003. It was a 2013 I think. Didn't feel like a £1600 bass, hated the Humbuckers....you certainly don't get the Rick bite unless you're prepared to have a new harness installed. It was easier to play without the binding but the sound deficiency made that pointless for me.

I play finger style, as long as you remove the pickup cover and install one of the finger rest surrounds its easy enough to play.

It was well worth the wait! Andy truly is the Ed China of the Luthery world.