Marc S

Anyhow, rant over - I've calmed down

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1473339394' post='3129277'] And while the reported attitude of the employee you dealt with leaves a lot to be desired, there has been plenty of information posted here on a regular basis about import and handling charges so there shouldn't have been any surprise on your part in the first instance. [/quote] Er... what has the first half of this sentence got to do with the second half? Regarding my "surprise" it may be due to the fact that I had not read of anyone else's complaints on this matter - after all, who has time to read every thread on BC? My surprise is also based on not just my own experience of paying duty, but that of others - having mentioned this experience to several pals (EDIT, I was at a gig last night), none of whom had paid an amount so high, for such low cost goods Incidentally, the chap behind me in the queue was also collecting goods from the US, his parcel was rather larger (+ heavier) than mine, and he said the contents were valued at over £40 (while the PO guy went into a back room muttering and grumbling) - yet his charge was slightly less than mine! Another mistake? As I was leaving, that gent whispered to me words something like "what a miserable git!" (not aimed at myself, I would point out) My OP was not a rant at all Post Office staff, indeed, I did say that the service had always been pretty good in the past. But this behaviour is unacceptable..... I'm just pleased this guy wasn't working in the NHS - he'd have lasted less than a week.....

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1473336240' post='3129222'] To the OP: .....4. Just because you've got away with not having to pay import duty and VAT on an item over the threshold on a previous delivery doesn't mean you'll get away with it again. Sometimes you just get lucky..... HTH. [/quote] I didn't "get away" with anything, the value of the item was printed on the postal label, and I paid the charge I was asked to at the time... If it was incorrect, that would have surely been the fault of whoever worked the amount out? The only person to "get away" with anything is the idiot who thinks he can deal with the public in any manner he sees fit.....

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1473333230' post='3129157'] I worked for Royal mail for ten years. I did some time in the parcel collection office & the unrelenting sh*t you have to take from the public is truly horrendous, and it's nearly always for something that was the customers own responsibility to find out. [/quote] I'm sure the collection office staff do get some nonsense from time to time, but that doesn't justify treating everyone in a frankly rude, ignorant, obnoxious manner. Working for the NHS, over the years (and in a rather stressful job at that, I might add), I have had to deal with the public a lot too - some of whom are in pain, are undergoing treatment, or have just had awful news about their health, or health and / or life-expectancy of a relative etc etc. If I ever had spoken to a patient or one of their relatives in such a manner as that guy yesterday...... I'd have been out of a job!

I recently ordered a set of "Weed Whacker" synthetic gut strings for my double bass. I want to try to do some more slap style playing on upright, and though my preferred Spirocore Weich strings are fairly low tension for a metal string - I thought at just over £16 sterling a set, I'd at least give these a try, or put them on my EUB to try them out in the 1st place. Ordered them from a shop on ebay, who quickly messaged me back, and the postage cost from the US seemed reasonable enough to me - though there was that usual phrase at the bottom of the postage section about possibly incurring customs charges - fair enough, I would expect that (though many US music shops now work that out and incorporate it in to your final total). Having recently bought something else from the US, at around £50 sterling, I paid about £6 or £7.... But this time, an item costing just over £16 incurred an £11 charge! I was gobsmacked So I proceeded to ask the guy in the Post Office / Parcelforce collection depot how I might go about complaining, all I got was "I couldn't care less SIR!" and "Look, do you want this, or shall I chuck it in the bin?" The more I tried to speak with the guy, the louder and more aggressive he got. His suggestion was that I find a brick wall and talk to that - I've used this depot before, and generally always preferred to use Post Office and Parcelforce, as I've found them to be OK. Is this the friendly face of our now privatised Post Office I wonder? The guy's I.D. Badge was turned around and tucked into his shirt, and there was clearly no way he was going to tell me his name - but I've complained by email - now wondering whether my mail will go missing in future? How do I go about complaining about such a massive surcharge on imported goods? Or are we to expect this sort of customs charge at over 60% of the value of the goods in future? I've often felt uneasy at using couriers for sending things like instruments and amps in the post, but I'm now thinking I don't ever want to send anything, or order something by post again. I think I'm gonna stick to buying from a shop I'm actually physically stood in.... Cheers all PS. Are there any UK shops that sell these Weedwhackers, for future reference?

Glad it's sorted. Just to also add, when an action is set really low, if the string is a bit too close to the pickups, the string can be damped by being attracted by the magnet - this will effectively reduce the strings' capability of moving freely / properly How do you find the bass now the string problem is fixed? I've heard great reports about the Matt Freeman Squiers. Nothing but praise from owners. They are apparently built in the same factory as the Squier Classic Vibe range - and they are absolutely brilliant

Sorry to hear of this - yes, they're a bunch of scumbags What town / area was it nicked from? Might help BC'ers in an area keep an eye out in second-hand shops Good luck in getting it back

Would placing your amp on a stand, to get it off the floor help a little? Depending on the construction / materials etc of the floor - this may sometimes produce too lively a sound... Worth considering some sort of stand, to give it a try - it may help a little... As others have said, if all else fails, go through the PA Don't lose heart over a bad experience. I'm sure you'll have a good gig soon, which will restore your faith Best of luck

Hi Ricky, and welcome to basschat You know what? I thought I was alone, as a left-hander, who plays a right handed bass, strung the way a right handed person would... But after joining this forum, and discussing the topic, I found I was far from alone A short while later, I got married (not because I joined BC, you understand ) and I played at our wedding, along with 2 other bass players, both of whom I then realised were also left handed, and played a right handed bass I'm sure you are also far from alone Cheers

Thanks for those posting their findings on this bass But it's not helping my GAS! lol

[quote name='fretmeister' timestamp='1473005449' post='3125964'] Maybe I should try a fat neck one. [/quote] If you think the fat neck is something you'd like , then yes, try one. I am a fan of Steve Harris's playing, but I tried 2 of his sig basses ( tried the 2nd one, cos the 1st one was badly set up) I found the basses to be quite heavy, and didn't like the chunky necks, but that's my personal taste of course. My fave ever P, is my roadworn, which is very lightweight, and a neck that's not too chunky. There seems to be so much variation in neck dimensions, you really need to try as many as you can. Of course, that can be a fun search for your ideal P bass Good luck with it

Hiya Garth, Some great influences there. JJ Burnel, and his sound was one of my reasons for taking up bass, along with South Wales based Paul Grey (top bloke he is too). Good basses you have there too matey! Enjoy your 1st gig with the old punks. My 1st gig was in a punk band - we supported "Demented are go". Although I gave up playing for years, I'm so glad I started again. I play in the valleys a lot these days. And you know what? Its great - valleys folks love their live music Welcome to BC from another BC'er / old punk / & boyo Hope to catch you playing, or see you at a local bass bash Cheers Marc

I meant to add, re the comments about posturing, and holding the bass correctly etc (sorry it's slightly off topic) But there are also some good Youtube videos out there, which start with posture / holding the bass correctly too Along with right and left hand techniques - might be useful to look at these thebigyin Cheers EDIT: Such as this one on discoverdoublebass.com https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LD8qKV9aWD4

[quote name='Beedster' timestamp='1471974321' post='3117402'] You could have had mine gratis Marc, played them for about 20 minutes and have never hated a set of strings more [/quote] Why that's a very very kind offer good sir Wish I'd known that before ordering my set. Still haven't arrived - don't think they've even been dispatched yet.... Just wondering why you didn't like them too? Cheers all

Looks great! Would really like to hear it in action... I love this quirky sort of stuff. Looks like some great work has gone into that bass

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1472652687' post='3122949'] Now why would you design something like this, and then only make it available as a 6-string? [/quote] Well, the option to take 1 or 2 strings off is always there Looks cool though, doesn't it? hmmm......

Anyone tried or own one of these? Designed for kids. 24 +3/4" scale. 31" overall size. Looks great An alternative to the Fender Flea Shell Pink Jazz maybe? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/231401900285?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Thanks for posting that link dannybuoy. Really like that sub-shortscale in the Youtube video too - I want one Cheers

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1472628736' post='3122662'] Not entirely clear how an acoustic (or semi-acoustic) ultra-shortscale bass with strings for a bass uke actually differs from a bass uke. Sounds like the same instrument to me. What am I missing? [/quote] As happy Jack says - sounds like a Uke bass to me. I have a Kala Ubass (though mine is fretted). It's a great little instrument, though in truth I don't really use it as much as I'd anticipated when I bought it... I had an Ashbory, again, bought as a curiosity which I didn't use very much. I do prefer the Kala though, as it is "acoustic" - which means you can hear it better when stitting on the sofa, just jamming along. It's not that loud when not amped up though, so you can't be heard if someone is playing acoustic guitar - it's just louder than an Ashbory Also, I really disliked the Aguillar Thundergut strings on the Ashbory. I just didn't get on with them at all. They felt slightly better when used with the talcum powder-like substance recommended for playing these strings.... but not much. The strings that came with the Kala are lower tension again, which is a little odd, and more "rubbery" rather than "synthetic gut" type material of the Thunderguts - but the Kala strings feel infinitely better to me. Have you any drawings / designs of your proposed instrument? PS. The Kala is a tad pricey, but there are cheaper alternatives online lately Cheers

Thanks for that guys They do seem to be the lightest gauge DB strings I've seen....

Nice bass. You can get a cheap replacement scratchplate on ebay for about 4 quid - from China They're pretty good quality, and fairly tough, properly laminated.... Yes, some Fenders can be bad, but get a good one, and you'll know it. I've got a few, and love them all - but have had some not so good ones too. My Roadworn Jazz and P basses are absolutely stunning. Glad you like yours - I like the VVT controls on my Jazz. I prefer simple controls on the bass TBH. I set them to roughly mid-way, and do EQ'ing on the amp, to suit the venue. Then I've got room for manouvre either way, at hand, on the bass... But each to their own - I had active basses and a few that had loads of control knobs. I found I was forever fiddling then Enjoy your fab looking new toy

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Welcome to basschat DrPAR, I'm sure you'll find lots of good advice on this forum, and plenty of helpful, friendly players. Don't forget to look out for a bass bash type event near you - I'm sure you'll meet lots of good pals, and they usually let you try their equipment Don't rush into your first purchase. Try several basses our before buying. There are some good starter basses out there these days. Try a few long scale basses too, and compare as many as you can. Don't be embarrassed about trying basses in shops, as a beginner - always remember that they see loads of newcomers in shops... Just try as many as you can, and good luck with your playing EDIT: Though I'm a long scale player, I have a Hofner Violin bass (which I usually carry as a backup) Really impressed with the big, punchy sound from this bass - though it feels a little odd to play (due to body shape, I think) It's a great bass - so try one if you can.....[/font][/color]