skywalker

I just looked the pictures of Dood's imported Japan Fender P and compared it with my Squier, and the headstocks are definately different. The size looks about the same, but the shape is different. Steve

[Was Joe Long responsible for bass on this one - does anyone know for sure? [i]edit - I put the wrong name down - duh![/i] [/quote] Sorry Stew you are probably right - I misread your post as was thinking the record was from 63 - stupid boy - I will now go to the dunces corner

Hi Stew So far as I can see it should have been Nick Massi - he was there from 61 to 65. Steve

Hi Steve If you have chinese contacts, take them shopping with you, the price falls immediately, and your contact can haggle in his own language. It;s quite correct that there are many fakes around, but lots of genuine stuff there too. Also your contact will know the best places to shop. Otherwise your hotel will be able to advise on the best places. There are plenty of shops in Tsim Sha Tsui (chim sha choi) Kowloon or in Central or Wanchai on Hong Kong side. You should be able to buy cheaper than here, but don't forget about 20% for duty/tax when you get back. Whether you buy or not, enjoy the trip, it is a great city. A few years since I have been. Ride the Star Ferry, both by day and night. Cost is about HKD 4 now I think, so about 25p each way, and the best 15 minutes you will ever spend. The weather in November is pleasant, expect temps in the low-mid 70's, humid but not too bad, always a chance of a downpour, but they last for 15 minutes and it is sunny again. Have a gret time. Steve

Hi Baseball fan I recently bought a Rumble 60 which as absolutely superb, should do all you need and will be cheaper - try it!! Steve

Fender for me - Squier P Bass Special and a Rumble 60

Write right handed, eat right handed, play bass right handed, play drums left handed, play golf left handed, bat (cricket) left handed, bowl (cricket) right handed, kick with both feet. Am I right or am I left??

I have a squier P-Bass special which is very nice. UK cost was about GBP 150, so say USD300, and it should be cheaper in the US.

My reading is getting better, but still by no means good. I practising hard and it is coming along. The problem I have with sight reading is that my brain knows what it wants my fingers to do, but my fingers misbehave like small children and the result is often rubbish. I find it easier to sight read and listen to the song at the same time, at least then when I do get it right it sounds okay

In a hard case or if possible in the original packing. UPS will do overnight, I can organise that for about £15.00, but their insurance is 1% of the value, so about £100. Otherwise try Securicor (or whatever it is they are now). I think as above the insurance might be the killer Steve

Then the delivery man was a t** Steve

The box was plastered with 'Fragile' and 'Delicate Electronic Circuitry' stickers. When I got home from work my wifey had signed for it and because it's heavy they put it in the hallway for her. It was of couse upside down, no doubt due to the very large 'This Way Up' sticker on the bottom. I had the foresight to take out additional insurance, and am proceeding with the damage claim at the moment. Hamster [/quote] Hi Hamster If the "This way up" was on the bottom then that is the senders issue, not the carrier. It still doesn't excuse playing football with it, but might be worth sending some photos to the sender and asking them for a comment. Steve

Buddy Rich - Drums Sting - Bass or Nils Henning Pederson - Upright Brian May - Guitar Stevie Wonder - Vocal and Keys Subs Bench Gene Krupa John Entwistle Eric Clapton Myleene Klass (cos she is nice to look at) Steve

I recently bought a Squier P Bass Special which has P and J pickups which would be worth a try I a delighted with it - but as everyone says - try before you buy Steve

[ If you buy a bass on ebay, you don't pay VAT on it do you? If you buy a used bass in the USA I don't think VAT applies. Not sure about duty. Maybe that only works if you buy from an individual and not from a shop. Not sure. Richard [/quote] As there is no VAT anyway in the US, their rules doin't apply here. If you bring in a new or nearly new Bass you are likely to have to pay it here. Steve

I'm learning to sight read at the moment and not really finding it as tough as I though it would be. I can improvise from a chord chart or even piano music if necessary, but I am looking forward to just being able to look at a bass part and going straight into it.

I am sure we must have some creatively graphicy people on here who can help My son is good but he is also a mercenary little git who will do in exchange for lots of beer tokens.

Might be an idea to ask the shop for a receipt for a lower value. Must shops will be happy to do that.

Good Idea My Bass tutor had never heard ot it.

You may even be lucky then - a couple of times when I have come through the red channel there have been no Customs men and just an honesty box or a phone to ring them and tell them what youv'e got

Sounds like a good plan to me

Thats a fair comment, although the drug dog here at East Midlands close to me gets some very impressive results. An old case might well be the way to go. Steve

I did think about the old case thing, but you never know where it's been. (Ref to the narcotics thing). Maybe an idea to slap a few stickers on a new case. Steve

Hi Bigd Your Customs allowance is something like £154 pounds I think, anything over that you should in theory pay Duty/VAT. If your Bass is £500, then you should pay on the £350 or so balance. For Duty and Tax work on something like 20% of the value if you declare it correctly in the Red Channel. If you come through the Green Channel and say nothing chances are you will go through without being stopped, but you didn't hear that from me. You will normally have probably three Customs officers watching 300 people off the flight, so the maths are easy. If you do get stopped, you may even get the Bass confiscated, but I think the chances of that are slim. Customs these days mainly concern themselves with narcotics. Just a heads up that when you buy the bass and case, ensure they are brand new and out of the box, as there is every chance that one which has been on display in the shop has been tried or at least handled by someone who has been in contact with narcotics, especially in the USA, and any trace, however small will send the drug dog in the baggage hall loopy when you get back here. The bass should be safe in locked flight case, after all that's what they are designed for. I have never had a problem, but others may differ on the point. Check your travel insurance you should find that there is cover for lost/damaged items carried as hold luggage but look at the small print for exceptions. I hope this helps, good hunting, let s know what kind of bargain you manae to get. Steve

Hi Jamie My wife taught piano in a local school some years ago as an extra curricular thing. Might be an idea to speak to local head teachers and find out what the situation is, however.................. Anyone who works with children these days has to have all kinds of background and criminal records checks to make sure you're not some kind of paedo.... We even have to have this to coach children cricket at the local club. Whilst there is no problem if you are of impeccable character, this whole thing might make it not worth the hassle. Having said all that, best of luck with it, I hope you do well, I'm not sure if I would have the patience to teach. Steve