Paul S

Can't wait for the next installment... wait - it's my bass! [size=4] [/size][size=4] Great to see the full diary.[/size]

As far as I have been able to work out 'budget' and 'lightweight' are not two words that go together - at least, not with 'worth using' added into the equation. The quality of the materials, engineering and construction have to be top notch in order for them to be lightweight. Using a trolley isn't a viable option if you have issues with your back (depending upon the actual problem, of course). At some point whatever cab you have is going to have to be lifted into and out of your car and, inevitably, with no help available at some point. So it has to be lightweight. I am another Barefaced Cab user - Compact and Midget. I couldn't be happier with them. I've just seen your latest post - £200 won't get you anything lightweight worth using.

I've had both VM and Deluxe and would say, out of the case, the Deluxe is better. Mine was the black, no pickguard and painted headstock and I really liked the stealth look of it. The active eq and controls really gave a great tonal palette and it was pretty lightweight and comfy to wear for long periods. Fretless is a difficult call as each of us carry a different sound in our heads as to what we seek. I've had two VM fretless basses at periods when I thought I might use them - they were both fine but not brilliant. I fitted one with a J retro on board preamp and it sounded immense but the rest of the bass kind of let it down a bit. But now have a Westone Thunder 1A fretless as I prefer the tone, build quality and unlined board of the Westone. Plus the 1A version 3 is lighter in weight than a VM Jazz, which suits my brittle lumbar region.

Hi Andy - you won't have to wait long for the feedback. I really couldn't be more pleased. The pictures don't actually go anywhere doing the finish on the headstock justice - it really looks brand new. And all the other 'extras' - the set up is perfect - I used it at rehearsal last night and it felt just right, almost plays itself. The body and neck are looking absolutely great, too. Apart from the lacquer on the headstock I didn't really consider the bass to be bad nick for a 28 yr old but now it is pretty nearly showroom condition again. Exactly what a bass of this quality and rarity deserves, i reckon. Brilliant job

I find this with my Hohner B2A. The strap pin is in line with the 21st fret, so throws the whole thing away from you. Add to that the ghost headstock and until my brain settles down I find I am tempted to play a couple of frets too high. And it is a full 24 frets, too - the whole thing seems designed to play mind games. I do like it a lot, though, and find it incredibly useful as a back up on smaller 'stages' ie when they have moved the table out of the corner for us to set up in

It is my pleasure to start off a feedback thread for Andy, who has just refinished a bass and head stock for me to the highest standards. I had a Fender Precision Lyte that I had tried to refinish myself and made a lash-up of it - needed completely stripping and starting again. I also had a lovely old Westone Pantera Deluxe II X790 that has some issues on the head stock around the tuners - the lacquer had cracked. I noticed that he was good at what he does when he rescued a fretless bass for someone. Andy seemed like the right guy for the job, and so it turned out. I was in no hurry, he took his time. He constantly updated me with pictures of progress, pitfalls and triumphs. Both were perfect jobs - I couldn't be happier. And, rather than abandon the basses to the vagaries of a courier, he met me at both ends of the process using plenty of his own time and fuel. I cannot recommend him highly enough. I believe he is going to do a thread on the progress and how it turned out.

Kev bought a preamp from me in a quick and easy transaction. Good comms, nice friendly chap. A pleasure doing business.

I think the only BCers band I have seen is hiram.k.hackenbacker's (aka Warren) ex band Elco Jones. Saw them twice - a bloody good night of Soul and Disco, now sadly split up.

Someone on here said 'if it passes the Stevie Wonder Test' then it doesn't matter. If it feels right and sounds right then the label doesn't matter. In a way you are lucky to have stumbled on 'the one' early on. I have spent a small fortune trying all different basses but have finally found 'it' - an '84 MIJ Squier medium scale Precision. It says Squier on the headstock, I don't care. If you find the label does matter, stick a Fender one on it for your own benefit (but don't forget to mention it when it is time to move it on) but if it has the tone you are looking for then stay with it.

Sold Gary a badly defretted neck in the easiest of transactions. good comms, instant payment, friendly guy - a pleasure doing business!

Sold Fatos a Hipshot BT2 detuner in the easiest of transactions. Immediate payment, great comms, top guy to deal with!

Just listed. Collection only from Newport but seems very cheap. Serial number actually checks out as mid 80s, rather than 90s. [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fender-Jazz-Bass-Guitar-/111440806150?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item19f263c106"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fender-Jazz-Bass-Guitar-/111440806150?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item19f263c106[/url]

I wonder if a light or buzzer is engaged if you touch the sides with your plectrum?

I can be of no help but that is a lovely shape. I really like the symmetry of most double cutaway basses and those curves are sexy!

If you fancied an hour's drive east you would be welcome to try it out with my BF Midget to see how that sounds. One thing I do know is that (to my ears etc) BF Compact = BF Midget = but BF Compact + Midget = - so that particular 12" and 15" match is very good indeed.