SpondonBassed

[quote name='bobpalt' timestamp='1484404487' post='3215244'] I've played with my bass plugged in to the amplifier for years. Turns out punters prefer it when it's not plugged in and they can't hear it....... [/quote] Chuckles

I am a bit surprised that this is such an issue. I mean, if you expect as new, buy new. If it ain't what is says on the tin then you can gripe. If buying second hand nobody's stopping you from walking by if the thing doesn't meet your expectations. I suppose expectations are really what this post is about. Who is to say what is and isn't a reasonable expectation with summat as subjective as musicianship? Each to their own then.

[quote name='Kiwi' timestamp='1484392094' post='3215119'] A modular footprint and consistent socket locations would make pedalboard planning and wiring up significantly easier. [/quote] Of course it would.

[quote name='Kiwi' timestamp='1484383220' post='3215046'] Different sized footprints, different socket locations...if ever there was a need for standardisation... [/quote] You will be looking for people to conform either to left or right handedness next. That'll confuse most musicians as they are by-and-large ambidextrous without realising. The aircraft industry observes conventions which are upheld in other engineering disciplines; Taken from the pilot's seat view everything is numbered left to right and clockwise where appropriate. If there is a choice of whether a bolt can be inserted from above or below, above is preferred. This is simply so the bolt wont fall out if the nut slackens and drops off. Just a couple of examples. Exceptions are made where manufacturing or assembly constraints make it impossible to follow convention. Do all pedals tend to be counter intuitive? If the majority do there may be a precedent for making it so. As for pedal size... I'd agree that some of us larger footed, hairy arsed types may struggle with some of the pedals I have seen. Heeheehee, twinkle toes I ain't.

[quote name='Winny Pooh' timestamp='1484354474' post='3214995'] FWIW I am the buyer. And these are the strings. [url="http://i.imgur.com/8K18FrD.jpg"]http://i.imgur.com/8K18FrD.jpg[/url] I have bought every single bass I have ever owned used and have never encountered a set as dead rubbery and useless. I'm a considerate ebayer and went so far as to buy from Jamie direct to save him ebay fees. So I was understandably a bit miffed to receive a bass with undisclosed finish wear and gross strings, simply because I would never sell a bass in such a manner without being fully honest about such things. [/quote] Sorry but I think it's all been said. Buyer beware. Just curious, what strings would you fit by choice yourself?

[quote name='MacDaddy' timestamp='1484316943' post='3214635'] For future reference, brand new bass strings £1.71 plus 99p postage. [url="https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/Bass-Guitars-Gear/Generic-Gen-4722-Steel-Strings-String-Bass-Guitar/B00CTGOGPI/ref=sr_1_3?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1484316810&sr=1-3&keywords=bass+strings+4"]https://www.amazon.c...=bass+strings+4[/url] [/quote] Deco strings?

[quote name='jamusbass' timestamp='1484259817' post='3214229'] I actually pulled the eBay ad as I was contemplating keeping the bass, the buyer contacted me after the fact and asked what it would take for me to sell it. [/quote] Hahahahaha! Just goes to show how greedy folk often shoot themselves in the foot on a deal. My advice would be to photograph the instrument without strings (but available on request at no charge) and put it up again. See what he offers you then. On reflection maybe not... it could make folk think you are hiding a potential fault.

[quote name='molan' timestamp='1484261443' post='3214241'] Putting new strings on can often be a waste of time / money too. I bought something recently and the seller put on a new set of Rotosound Steels in a 50-110 gauge. I didn't ask for this, he just thought it would be a nice idea. I don't like Rotosounds, rarely use steel and generally have 40-95's on. The Rotos came off immediately and went into my 'spares' box. [/quote] Can I "have" them please? Heeheehee. Just to experiment really.

Even the square root of one IS one. Maths don't lie.

...er

[quote name='JellyKnees' timestamp='1484239430' post='3213888'] Yeah I was aware of Newtone, however... There are only 2 sets of their bass strings available on the Stringsdirect site. Their own website is utter pants, and they only seem to do nickels and I prefer steels myself... ...but thanks anyway [/quote] Just get in touch and they'll do any string you like.

[quote name='JellyKnees' timestamp='1484236011' post='3213835'] Pity there seems to be such a dearth of good quality British made strings... [/quote] Newtone is just up the road from me and will make strings to order quicker than I can get them at high street outlets. Just so's you know like. [url="http://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/strings-c1/newtone-strings-m29?keyword=newtone%20strings&matchtype=e&network=o&device=c&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=EL%20-%20Midas%20-%20Hign%20Converters%20Strings&utm_term=newtone%20strings&utm_content=Newtone%20Strings"]http://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/strings-c1/newtone-strings-m29?keyword=newtone%20strings&matchtype=e&network=o&device=c&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=EL%20-%20Midas%20-%20Hign%20Converters%20Strings&utm_term=newtone%20strings&utm_content=Newtone%20Strings[/url]

Not keen on Americana generally unless actually in the US. Also, I like my pound to go to domestic industry where possible. I'm such an old fossil!

[quote name='addictedtobass' timestamp='1484215998' post='3213538'] ...I am not trying to come across as "outraged from Milton Keynes"... [/quote] [BIG wink] It's a good thing you don't come from Mayfair... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPoOgCSjdl8

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1484215039' post='3213532'] Here's another view: There are more important things to get worked up about. I don't condone what this guy seems to be doing, but our entire system is based on the premise of buying something and selling it at a profit. The market will decide if it succeeds or not. [i]Caveat Emptor[/i]. [/quote] Welcome back Discreet! There are indeed more important things to get worked up about but I am am glad to see this getting discussed none the less. It is difficult enough to find out if you have any talent for music without getting an instrument from a well meaning relative who doesn't realise what the "D" means. I fear these instruments will discourage some aspiring players from ever going further. Thomann clearly label their decorative instruments and have about six different ones from about 35 quid for a miniature (50cm long) Warwick thumb to about 95 quid for a Harley Benton BM-75. It doesn't hurt their sales of real instruments one bit. Get the bugger to declare exactly what he is selling I say. I am all for free trade but not when it is immoral as this appears to be.

Buyer Beware This is the bottom line with any transaction whether in real life or online. The OP's story reminds me of when I discovered a rat in my camp at work a few years back. The lad had been taken on having been recommended by another youth who'd just completed his apprenticeship. We all liked him for his lively sense of humour and he seemed like a good worker. As we got to know him little things were disclosed that made more than a couple of people change their opinion. After an all nighter at work we were having one of those informal 'round the table chats before the hand over to the day shift. We were all a bit "punch drunk" and for the most part it was a proper laugh. The conversation had reached the bragging and one-upmanship stage. After a few of the usual hairy stories of glory and bravado this lad told us how he was making money off of EBay on a regular basis by putting up misleading photos. Having got everyone's attention he told us that he'd put a sound system in his car and decided to sell the packaging. He got his EBay account up on one of the company PCs and showed us. The box, illustrated with an image of the sound system that it used to contain, was photographed as if unopened and put up with the title of "Sound System Box". The brand and specifications were typed out as they appeared on the box itself and put in quotes. One or two of us queried the legitimacy of this. He didn't see anything wrong with what he did because he had correctly said that it was a sound system box. All he was doing was repeating what was on the box illustration because the photo wasn't very sharp! That some people were bidding on it as if they expected it to have something in it was not his problem, he burbled. What's wrong with taking money from people who don't read that the item is just a box? According to him, it was a victimless crime because "People shouldn't be stupid innit." I distanced myself from him inwardly and decided never to lend him my tools again in case he'd flog them! What was especially disturbing was that he genuinely thought he was doing nothing immoral. In the same conversation he disclosed that his mum was a regular Cannabis user and that he'd been helping himself to it since secondary school. Rum family, questionable family values and a lad who really didn't know right from wrong. You think these [s]toe rags[/s] people are far away from you until something like that happens. I think now I shall buy some [i]genuine[/i] Deco bass guitars (at 40 Euros each though) and a fake rack just to display behind me on my début noodling vid one day. See? There IS a market for them at the right price. Heeheehee.

This site may be able to help; https://thecounterfeitreport.com/ From 2014; http://uk.businessinsider.com/ebay-admits-it-banned-a-whistleblower-2014-11?r=US&IR=T EBay banned the company (The Counterfeit Report) without removing the fake goods identified. I wonder if they still have eyes on EBay.

I've just taken delivery of an extension cab cable from Dave of Rock-Wire-Limited. It's proper "man cable" (Klotz 4mm[sup]2[/sup]) and will be powering my 18inch cab from now on. Lovely finish, right angle jack to right angle XLR with shrunk-on sleeving to shroud the end fittings and a white ident sleeve. It's a bonus to have people like this on the forum. Cheers Dave.

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1484050790' post='3212189'] What gives you goosebumps? [/quote] Colliding with a low flying flock of Geese usually does it for me. In the true spirit of the question however I am getting major bumpage from listening to some of my favourites released in lossless 5.1 formats. David Bowie's Young Americans for example benefits from the greater separation in that I hear lots of extra details that were always there but never really heard before. Roxy Music's Avalon is a stunner in any format but seriously good in surround. Dire Straights' Private Investigations' title track raises hairs on my goose bumps. I could go on.

I suppose someone will do it before long... may as well be me; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psmcz2vYKjs

[facetious quip] I haven't gone to the polling site to look at what you came up with because I thought "The Spitballers" sounded just fine. I'm just hoping you didn't have that as one of the names already. [/facetious quip] Good luck with the venture my friend. Break legs.

I quite like my Laney RB3 for practice. I wish they hadn't cheapened it with chrome-on-plastic knobs though. I'd have been okay with plastic on its own like the bakelitey knobs on my Ashdown. Maybe I'm going a bit OCD. Maybe I'm getting choosey about my knobs. Maybe I should go and lie down in a darkened room for a bit.....

[quote name='julesb' timestamp='1483817868' post='3210414'] I love the jazz I love. This clip encapsulates what people hate about what they think is jazz. Why does free improv so often mean a totally ridiculous abandonment of taste? [/quote] I don't know my friend but I'm betting John Sessions or Tony Slattery could tell you. I hated improvised comedy when Channel 4 was saturated with the stuff. I get that improvisation is a good thing especially if your brain falls over during a performance but for the whole performance to be improvised seems a bit daft. That it sells tickets though... that's hilarious.

Either. I usually respond to "OI YOU! as well. Seriously though, I think I like bassist because I enjoy bass from many different sources, strings, brass, keys, vox. Of those however, I only play electric bass so I would probably side with you on that. There really hasn't been a need to think of it as I don't gig (yet).

[quote name='bassbiscuits' timestamp='1483529846' post='3207894'] Yup i'll be there too - count me in. In terms of gear - probably the Lull PJ4, the old Precision, LM3 and Schroeder cab. I'll remember to contribute something to the raffle this time too! [/quote] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]1. Si600 - GK rig (house rig) Fender P V so GrammeFriday can get GAS all over again![/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]2. Tauzero - One or two SEI's or an Ash[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]3. T-Web[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]4. Ashweb[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]5. Len_derby[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]6. Markstuk[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]7. ChunkyMunky - Musicman Bongo 5HH, Genz Benz Shuttle 12.0 and other bits.[/font][/color] 8. Jabba_the_gut - Some home build basses 9. Andyjr1515 10. SpondonBassed - [color=#00ff00]Ashdown Toneman 300[/color] - a selection or all three from [color=#00ff00]Steinberger Spirit XT25, Hohner B2A, Vantage fretless 33B-XF[/color] 11. Harryburke14 - Mystery bass - "may bring the Fender Rumble 500 and Orange 410" 12. Norris 13, Bassbiscuits - "probably the Lull PJ4, the old Precision, LM3 and Schroeder cab." Fixed