Steve Browning

We're talking buying in the shop and taking away. Don't forget that you can still get hit for import VAT when you arrive at your destination. As I often have to remind people in my day job. You don't avoid VAT. Some will chime in to say they have, but that is down to luck.

It would appear the scheme was scrapped and yet to be reintroduced. It looks as though you're stuck with the UK VAT.

Hi I can check that out. Just to confirm, you're not a UK resident?

Much ....

Courtesy of Fender. PICKUPS Setting pickups too high can cause a number of unusual occurrences. Depress strings at last fret. Using a 6" (150 mm) ruler, measure the distance from the bottom of the first and fourth strings to top of the pole piece. A good rule of thumb is that the distance should be greatest at the fourth-string neck pickup position and closest at the first-string bridge pickup position. Follow the measurement guidelines from the chart below as starting points. The distance will vary according to the amount of magnetic pull from the pickup. Note: Larger string gauges need wider vibrational allowances. If you have a five-string bass or are using heavier-gauge strings, your measurements must be increased accordingly. Bass Side Treble Side Vintage style8/64" (3.2 mm) 6/64" (2.4 mm) Noiseless™ Series8/64" (3.2 mm) 6/64" (2.4 mm) Standard "J" or "P"7/64" (2.8 mm) 5/64" (2 mm) Special Design Humbuckers7/64" (2.8 mm) 5/64" (2 mm)

Great basses. I love mine. I did think they came with a Lace Sensor pickup as standard.

I know I'm pedantic but the listing says "is owned". Turns out to have been in a number of hands since that was true.

Have to agree regarding WH. For all the great female singers there have been, she is top of the list for me too.

Absolutely. It's when things go wrong that you truly learn how good customer service is. I've not experienced either Warwick or Ashdown, but certainly have had stellar service from Mesa Engineering and the Bass Gallery.

I think the sets I actually bought first were Albion. Then flirted with Dean Markley Blue Steel but soon settled on Rotosound and have been a happy customer since then (probably about 1987). Swing Bass Nickel on the single bass I have that is strung with rounds and Jazz Bass on all the others.

I think it's fairly obvious we're creating a Utopia. If no-one joined an army, there's be no war. Not very likely, but nevertheless true.

The drummer (Robin) used to dep with the band I played in. Last saw him at a pub in Bognor Regis. He used his dad's car. I was a bit stunned to learn of their success Stateside. He is/was a very fine drummer and obsessed with Dave Weckl.

That's the rumblings in its stomach!

Fill yer boots, as they say. Good result.

It doesn't mention that you get hit with 20% UK VAT on importation. The Belgian shop must have been much cheaper to still save on all the costs of importing the basses. Good result for sure.

John Paul Jones wrote no part of Stairway To Heaven. How different to a bass player in another band playing the song? Not a big fan of tribute bands though. A mate of mine was in a Who tribute and you could almost imagine him thinking he was Roger Daltrey.

Thanks. I've been on board for a couple of years or so. I was originally supported by Kris, and Trent passed on my details when he moved on.

I'm sure Ged is willing.

That's good. I've just been passed to an artist relations team in the UK, so I guess it's all about to open up again here.

Also, is there any cost involved in cancellation? Most studios require 24 or 48 hours notice to avoid a charge. If you're using a commercial venue and there is no (apparent) charge I'd be thinking the venue was told in advance. I agree that you need to lay it on the line for them. You have your own standards and you shouldn't compromise them.