Musicman20

I've just got to the point where I don't even consider buying from another country unless I'm there at the time, and even then I worry about VAT etc. Ridiculous state of the world in 2016.

£2! Jees....less than the price of half a decent beer. That is impressive.

Zoom B3 - has lots of other uses. I sold mine but I'm going to get another.

[quote name='therealting' timestamp='1472891069' post='3125041'] People forget just how massively labour costs figure into the price of workshop instrument vs mass-produced factory instruments. Had a long chat with Sheldon Dingwall and confirmed with him that while most people think his basses are expensive (and they're not cheap), he pays his workers a fair wage in a country where the cost of living is very high. We're spoilt by the mass-produced machine-made instruments we get from China (getting more expensive as the cost of living there increases), Korea, Indonesia etc. Many of us wouldn't be happy with the per-hour income that high-end luthiers and workshops make. [/quote] It's great to see a fair wage, but I know of a few employers who work a similar model of a great wage, yet their prices aren't high at all. In fact, the prices are fair. This isn't a guitar manufacturer I agree, but still. Well, in terms of what someone wants to do for a career, that in the end is their choice. I think that can happen in a lot of artistic careers, unfortunately. Some may do it purely because they love designing and making instruments. The other basses alluded to in this thread, Maruszczyk for example, show that it is possible. It can be a bizarre market.

[quote name='Thunderpaws' timestamp='1473002759' post='3125925'] Oh to have a well paid job!! This would do nicely! http://m.guitarguitar.co.uk/Product/160608298360007 [/quote] Yeah, they are quite special! This would, as the name suggests, be a much more mellow tone than a normal Ray, but I've heard a few demos and I love it.

[quote name='tonyf' timestamp='1473094891' post='3126893'] Sorry, only just back from holibobs in Florida so have been catching up on BC posting I've missed since I've been away. Coincidently, went to Bass Central in Orlando and got to play both back to back. The Flea absolutely knocked me out. The Flea with the 64s is definitely louder and more aggressive. That "angry" tone. Loved it. The RW was a little more old skool and reserved. Guess it comes down to what rings your bell. Personally, I really liked the Flea, just felt better, played better and was more upfront. [/quote] Exactly what I thought!

[quote name='EBS_freak' timestamp='1472658516' post='3123017'] and a decent headstock. [/quote] It is awful. Like a boat paddle?!

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1472675848' post='3123259'] I still want a 55-94 or a super rare 55-76 , if we slag them off enough I might be able to aford one sooner! [/quote] hahahahahahaha

Well that was unexpected. A very friendly and honest chap came along after seeing it on Gumtree of all places and had a test, and paid exactly what I wanted for it! I did think I might get a few low ball offers from others before hand, but nope. Oh well. The last moments of carrying it down a few flights of stairs with him is definitely helping me think I made the right decision.

I now have interest in it locally and I'm sat here thinking 'will I miss it?' To be honest...I have too many bass amps...and I don't use it due to the size/weight. But, it is a fantastic amp. If it does go I think I'll use the money for guitar related gear and effects...I really do need to work on having less bass related amps and cabs.

I must admit I was quite interested in the D Lakin basses, but they do not seem to have taken off...even in the USA. Who knows why. There was an issue on Talkbass about essentially getting discount/commission (or similar?!)....and then I barely saw a post about them.

Digitech Dirty Robot? Lots of flexibility!

[quote name='Misdee' timestamp='1472497512' post='3121615'] It would be no problem to get a US Lakland in any of the colours you fancy, but you are looking at spending closer to four grand than the 2,300 quid you are currently balking at. Don't just blame Lakland though, blame Boris, Nigel et al. Regarding the colour choices, you may be averse to black, but all bass makers will tell you that it is a perennially popularchoice. [/quote] I agree 100% that Brexit will continue to affect instruments such as this. I also agree that black is no doubt THE most popular guitar and bass colour, it is just not for me. It isn't just the colour though, they just look extremely plain. I would be interested to know exactly what the differences are to a Skyline, that make it's more than double (I think?) the price. Electronics? Frets? Figured woods on the neck? Maybe it is just poor marketing. Do you get a good quality Lakland hardcase? It looks like you get the same pickups on the passive models....

[quote name='Misdee' timestamp='1472324697' post='3120400'] If I might say, my friend, you seem preoccupied with largely irrelevant and superfluous details. Flamboyant colours and nitro finishes are not what separates a run of the mill instrument from a superior quality one. Besides which one man's "boring" is another man's "elegantly understated". [/quote] In your opinion. Personally, I love interesting pastel colours such as surf green and sonic blue. Black? Nope. Let's be honest, you should be looking at details in a bass, especially £2300. It's all in the details.

I'm in the USA soon so I might take a look!

That's exactly what I mean! The 2 comparisons above provide perfect examples.

NOFX. I still go to their gigs now and keep up to date with their releases.

[quote name='AndyTravis' timestamp='1472078586' post='3118422'] My wife thinks I'm mad because I never keep hold of stuff... She loves the gear, allocated me a room in the new house, encourages, supports, and actively presses me to play. She 'hates' the fact I sold my Custom Shop 55 to Beedster... She 'misses' a 1977 Precision bass I had... She laughs when gear turns up..."more bloody scratchplates and thingies have come in the post..." She comes to gigs, and tells me what she thinks. I'm a lucky bloke, and I'll be dead honest - I wouldn't stick around if someone made me feel like I had to stop or reduce my playing/gear. [/quote] Sounds like my circs....sounds good to me! Secretly, let's face it, most ladies like a guy to have a cool hobby. Music is cool, no matter what anyone thinks. Creating/playing/writing music is a good skill to have, and it shows you have an interesting side to your personality. And, to be balanced, if I dated/lived with a lady who played in a band and spent a lot of time on music, I would love it...it's an attractive attribute to be a musician. I have to also add this would also apply to same sex couples, obviously!

[quote name='dood' timestamp='1472118285' post='3118621'] I just wanted to quote this, because that's me. Music, Guitars, Drums, Music Software, Electronics, Playing, Seeing people play, Learning Music, Teaching Music, Reviewing gear, Everything, EVERYTHING. I'm totally consumed by it and wanting to know more about it all. You are quite right, no one [i]should[/i] stop you from doing something you love. Especially when it's what you do to keep a roof over the heads of your family. [/quote] Glad you agree!

The Flea pickups are the American Pure Vintage 64 set. The standard Road Worn pickups are Mexican Standard Vintage Alnico pickups. Both sound great. I assume the Mexican pickups are different to the average Mexican Jazz bass. The 64 set are really really powerful IMO....exactly what I wanted a Jazz to sound like. Clear, aggressive when required, fat and warm when required. Which makes me wonder, despite the new price of £949, they are still a lot cheaper than a normal Road Worn Jazz. Makes no sense!

Ernie Ball nickel wound or flats. I do have some Cobalts that I haven't tried yet. I barely ever re-string these days!

Can I presume that we may start to see these basses at Bass Direct in the near future?

[quote name='elephantgrey' timestamp='1472042738' post='3117931'] It has a mids knob, but only a switch for the mids frequency. [/quote] To be fair, it's enough....otherwise you'll be tweaking forever.

[quote name='molan' timestamp='1472040187' post='3117907'] VAT on used goods is chargeable on the gross profit made not the full sale value. EG buy in a product at £1,000, sell at £1,500. Profit is £500 and VAT payable is 20% of £500 = £100. [/quote] I know there is no point me moaning, but I think paying VAT on a product that has already attracted VAT is just insane.