Paul S

The Planetwaves mico headstock tuners is quite good - works better than the other headstock tuners I have tried. [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Planet-Waves-Micro-mini-Headstock-Clip-On-Tuner-for-Guitar-amp-Bass-Tiny-New-/221289235895?_trksid=p2054897.l4275"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Planet-Waves-Micro-mini-Headstock-Clip-On-Tuner-for-Guitar-amp-Bass-Tiny-New-/221289235895?_trksid=p2054897.l4275[/url] But I usually end up using the pedal tuner - and for me the best I have tried is also the Pitchblack PB-01. Straight into the back of the amp.

I have just fallen for medium scale big time. I bought an 80s MIJ Squier 32" scale Precision which is not only medium scale but slightly scaled down proportionally in size - so extremely lightweight with a narrow neck. it just feels 'right' for me - to the extent that I am trying to track down a Jazz to match. You can get medium scale Fender Jazz direct from Fender Japan and I must admit am extremely tempted to cash in some of my cheaper basses and get one. [url="http://www.fenderjapan.co.jp/jb62m.html"]http://www.fenderjapan.co.jp/jb62m.html[/url] I have another medium scale bass - an 80s Aria Pro II CSB 450 'Black n Gold' which is a joy. There were a few 80s Japanese medium scalers dotted about in the various ranges - some Westones, some Aria Pro II.

Yes, smaller - it is very approximately the size of a Strat, the upper horn finishes around where the 13th fret is. Headstock is also slightly smaller. Also made of very light wood. Mine weighs around 7.5lbs.

Always nice to hear a slightly different treatment of a familiar song, and this is good! Thanks Keith. I can just hear Steve H doing this - can you?

Cracking basses - absolutely great necks - that looks a beauty.

+1 from me. I ordered 2 sets of strings, one A string was dead. Replacement arrived next day.

[quote name='bartelby' timestamp='1414154589' post='2586496'] In an old band we had one song in Dropped D tuning, I wanted it at the start or end of the set. Rest of the guys voted middle. So in large red letters, with arrows and everything, I made a note on the set list to remind me to change tunings. As the previous song ended the lighting changed and a red spot shone right on the set list. Took me 1/2 the song to realise why it sounded crap... [/quote] I did this once, except I had no excuse other than I forgot to change it back. Also I once forgot to 'un-mute' after tuning at the start of the second set. But I think the worst one was the memory block - despite having played 'I fought The Law' on scores of occasions one night I forgot how it went for the first few bars. Which compared to puking on the audience is pretty small beans, really...

Thanks again everyone for the input. I know a bit more than I did, and feel I can make a more informed choice should the occasion arise. MOJO you will have a pm soon.

[quote name='razze06' timestamp='1414141890' post='2586273'] I play in bands for fun, so I try and be friends with other band members. I have little fun if I can't relax and enjoy the (musical) company of others. If I was doing it for a living, I would be a little more prone to do the job without necessarily enjoying it very much. I see some of the band members on social occasions every now and again. Sometimes we do band outings, we go to a gig together, or for a meal. Very civilised and friendly. [/quote] Having edited out the bits that don't apply to me (band members being work colleagues and me being an all-round nice guy ) this is how I approach it all. Being on friendly terms with the others in the band is very important to me. Probably the most important aspect, really. I don't do it for the money, fame, sex or drugs - just to have some fun. I was in a band for 6 years, the singer increasingly annoyed me and it became a chore - I should have stopped at this point but carried on thinking that the band was popular, gigs in the diary, worth putting up with. Then we had a fairly major row just before a gig. Not nice - not for me, him or particularly the other band members. Never going to let that happen again.

[quote name='Musky' timestamp='1414104382' post='2586048'] The threshold on import duty is £135, with no charges if the duty amounts to less than £9. [/quote] Ah! Thanks.

I bought one 'kind of by accident' a few days ago [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/247306-wandered-into-pawn-shop-and/page__view__findpost__p__2584055"]http://basschat.co.uk/topic/247306-wandered-into-pawn-shop-and/page__view__findpost__p__2584055[/url] Yes, 3 band eq. Sounds more like a Stingray than a Fender for sure - hot pickup, quite an aggressive tone, actually and I think you are right, it is partly because the pickup is so close to the bridge. I needed to do a bit of eq fiddling to find the tone I was looking for but got there eventually. Very similar sound to a SBMM SB-14 that I had, actually, though not as good. The neck is very nice. I had a Fender Jaguar some years back and I found it too complicated for my needs. This is much simpler. If Thomann are knocking these out for £118 it is extremely good value, I think. I am more than happy with my 90 quid's worth.

Sorry, HJ, I must be having a dense week as I am not with you?

[quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1413972674' post='2584150'] [url="http://www.dutycalculator.com/new-import-duty-and-tax-calculation/"]http://www.dutycalcu...ax-calculation/[/url] [/quote] According to that there is no import duty - I wonder why?

Actually 20% VAT plus around 4-5% import duty plus £8 handling fee, so a bit more. Any shop worth buying from won't mark down the price as it means if the items goes missing/gets damaged you can't claim.

[quote name='mentalextra' timestamp='1413466544' post='2578506'] ...... noticed a Fender Squier 'Jaguar' bass. Had some age to it, looked like it had been played; ie the 'newness' had worn off. The ticket said £99, got a feeling they might take an offer? But do I [s]need[/s] want it? [/quote] The answer to this is 'yes, they did take an offer' Yesterday I was shopping in Basildon, popped into Crack Converters 'just to see what's in there', saw a black Squier Jaguar hanging up with a £99 tag and they took my £90 offer for it - would have been rude to leave it behind at that price. And here am I now catching up with old posts. I saw the title and thought - 'so did I, I wonder what Mentalextra saw?' I guess it is the same one. In the interests of fair play you can have it if you like - I am only 10 mins further east. An appraisal - It is the Jaguar VM Special HB model, long scale, MM style pup with 3 band eq. Indonesian (serial no starts ICSxxx), 2011. Same as Nigel's Zulu bass. I wiped off the worst of the 'mojo', lowered the action a tad but that is it so far - I was rehearsing last night and thought I'd give it a whorl. First impression was, for this band, it needed to be tamed as it has a high output and the sound was too aggressive. A real middy growl. I was using a GB Streamliner/BF Midget and usually have the gain pushed in and dialled to 12 o'clcock. With this I needed to have the gain off, cut the mids and treble and touch, boost the bass. In the context of my other band, which is a bit rockier, that aggressive middier tone and growl is going to sound great. The neck is a joy (once I get the sticker glue off it properly) and the bass really comfortable. As I say, if you would like it you can have it for £90. If not I'll keep it as I think for the money it is a remarkably good and usable bass.

... and my main set up is to lower the action until it buzzes, then raise it a bit - never desperately low as I hit the strings quite hard. If it is still high I look down the neck and see if the relief needs adjusting then do that. Once I'm happy I'll look at the intonation. But nothing is done empirically with measuring tools or anything.

Thanks for all that. Most interesting. I think it is the P/J ones that appeal most. Are they heavy, as a rule? The 424X seems to have a slim neck in pictures, but I can't find any specs anywhere. How wide?

As per title. I have never even picked one up, let alone played one, slightly put off by the Killer whale fin top horn. But I saw one being played on stage a couple of nights ago (Tony Hadley band's bassist, who is pretty good) and it sounded awesome. They get a lot of love on here and are the basses of choice of some big names so, please BB afficionados - what is the deal? What is the difference between the various model numbers? Which are the best - models or years? Are any lightweight with thin necks? Best deals to be had etc? Ta!

[quote name='planer' timestamp='1413733641' post='2581331'] That is mint, what a beauty... ;-) [/quote] I'd say more pistacchio than mint, but colour is so subjective...

[quote name='smaz' timestamp='1413741986' post='2581457'] I saw a thread on here where one was sold for around £150, so that was my guide price. I think having cheap postage made it appeal to a few more bidders, but hey - I'm happy! [/quote] Yes, I would be too. I bought one a year or so back (for more than £120) and in the same week I also bought a JV0 Squier Precision (for considerably more than £120). I actually had a bigger smile on my face when I picked up and played the Thunder. Not saying it is a better bass - of course it isn't - but I just love Thunder basses. Still makes me smile now - gotta love Westones!

Good luck! You never quite know with eBay how it will pan out. I've made a couple of good buys recently with low bids. One was a bass, one was a 'beer fridge' that I want to use in my greenhouse to keep seeds in - not sure my kitchen fridge is the best place for the seeds I collect... got that for 99p.

Westone Thunder 1A just listed, collection only SE London. Currently at £10.50, looks a bit scruffy but probably end up being a bargain. [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Westone-thunder-Bass-Guitar-Made-in-Japan-Matsumoku-/131325287032?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item1e9398da78"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Westone-thunder-Bass-Guitar-Made-in-Japan-Matsumoku-/131325287032?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item1e9398da78[/url]