Paul S

Another Dunlop 1mm user. They last for years and even when rounded off at the bottom are great for 'less attack'. Although you can use one of the round top corners for that if you like. I lost one the other day - first time in about 10 years!

Another vote for a Midget. I have a Compact + Midget and the pairing is marvellous. Also gives flexibility for rehearsals, too - I usually just take the Midget along. OOmph-wise I've never found the pair lacking - I use a TC Classic 450 or GB Streamliner 600..

Thanks for that Jon - I thought it looked 'familiar' but couldn't place the shape. I've asked about these before, maybe one to try if a real cheapie pops up...

Anyone recognise this thing? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bass-guitar-made-in-Japan-/321304112158?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item4acf37ac1e Looks kind of nice. I wonder how heavy/how wide the neck is etc?

I believe it says on the card at the top of the picture - £695

I've tried Gotoh, Badass and Hipshot. Of those I think Hipshot is the best but Gotoh is the best value.

Another option, maybe, is to make one up. I bought a rather scruffy 70s Musicmaster extremely cheaply then, courtesy of The Bass Doc, had fitted a Precision pup (needed a little bit of routing), new scratchplate and electrics (from KiOgon) - transformed it from a rather weedy thing to something unique that sounds rather nice. All in it was still a good deal cheaper than a new Mustang.

Groan! Trading is good, means we don't have to Shell out cash....

Stagg pedal board cases are very cheap, lightweight and, although not spectacularly robust, are 'ok'. Ali/abs body with removable lid.

Traded basses with Bryan - very pleased with my end of the deal! Thoroughly decent chap to deal with and a pleasure doing business.

Nice to know ol' Sly Stallone is keeping busy these days, though he seems to have dropped a size or two.

... or even a screw terminal on the ends of the wires. Even quicker.

[quote name='Fionn' timestamp='1389172164' post='2330767'] it's not rocket science. [/quote] Pocket science?

Mr Flat Eric, sir, you are most kind. If I can help with costs etc please let me know.

I don't know how important your time is, or how often you change strings, but I find the Hipshot through-bridge stringing to be very fast and convenient because you don't have to thread the string through anything, just lay it into the slot.

Bought a leather strap from Chris. Absolute top-drawer, five star, fur lined transaction! Great comms, friendly guy to deal with. Perfect!

Good heavens, that sounds all very technical! I hope you get some more takers to make it worthwhile!

I have recently picked up a rather nice '85 Aria Pro II Laser Electric Bass 'Classic' (or whichever order these words go in) that is missing 3 of the pickup mounting bolts. I say 'bolts' because the nut is buried in the body of the bass, rather than just a screw which is what is just about holding down half of the pups at the moment! Does anyone know of hand what size these are and a source? Or, indeed, does anyone have any knocking about in their bits drawer? Ta

[quote name='geoffbyrne' timestamp='1389015170' post='2328753'] Back in the 60's we put the screws back in..... G. [/quote] Genius. You can't lose the buggers like that!

[quote name='seashell' timestamp='1388959572' post='2328234'] It was a mid life crisis that got me playing bass in the first place. ! [/quote] Me too. I payed guitar in my teens/early 20s, then stopped for 25yrs. Started again in my late 40s with bass, first public gig at 50. Now 56 and loving every minute - it is like a small piece of me that has been missing all my life has finally been put into place.

I've taken to using a curly lead (damned Basschat and GAS) and therefore, of necessity, started using my single Zoom MS-60B pedal through the effects loop of my GB Streamliner so it doesn't get flung around when I move. I suppose I could always velcro it to a breezeblock instead. But, for me and the way I use effects, i can see it becoming a regular habit irrespective of curly leads or not.

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1388934776' post='2327768'] In any case he needs to take it back and make it Fender's problem. He should demand a good replacement bass. When making a bass Fender have a massive stack of necks and an equally massive supply of bodies. All should be virtually identical. I can't believe they can't find a body and neck that work well together without bodging it. If one neck doesn't work, they should change the neck. It's shockingly bad they should let a bass go out needing a shim from day 1. [/quote] If it is a JV Precision then it isn't new, it is around 30 yrs old and bought second hand. Ouch.

Just like the OP, for me and Fenders it was a case of 'finding the one'. I have lots of basses, all nice in their own way and all get used, but nothing is quite the same as my Precision. Took a lot of Fenders to get there - you have to kiss a lot of frogs to find your prince - but I am so pleased to have one that always makes me smile.