Machines

But have you bought something from the profit of a guitar you haven't even bought yet ? That's the next level.

I feel like the bass equivalent of a someone that saves wounded animals from death, heals them and releases them back into the wild.

Christmas shopping in a local market town this week I popped into the Cash Converters. Ended up leaving with not one, but two basses 🤣. Both were well priced and desperately looked like they needed some saving, struck a deal and within 6 hours both instruments are now 100% and setup like a dream (Ibanez RS900 and Yamaha BB425X). The Ibanez was definitely just to faff with it for a bit and then move on (I think I have someone lined up already !) but the BB might get some use, don't need it but it was cheap enough to not feel guilty about it (unlike the 2 Dingwalls cough cough)

I'd already seen it on cc website before this post, also grabbed the Yamaha BB425X they had.

I grabbed this as it was only 20 min away from me and looked like a fun project for a few days. Needed a full stripdown, clean and setup and strings, but i've got it singing now. Interestingly I found this exact bass was in the US a couple of years ago, I've messaged the previous owner to try and find out how it got here but they haven't logged into talkbass for a while. The tuners were unusable when I got it (no movement then massive jumps), but they were just overtightened, I stripped them down and reattached, they're fine now. Is it heavy ? Yes, but not quite Peavey T-40 territory. It's a solid instrument and the single pickup with 2 band EQ gets a very close Musicman vibe, albeit a little different due to a lack of humbucker. Very usable though, I'll try and stick a demo up.

I've had 70+ basses in 20 years, and the 'hunt' for something exciting or rare is part of the fun for me, especially if I get it for a bargain price. That said, I have a fixed number I can accommodate at once, and as time has passed by I've narrowed them down to what works for me and there's now only 1 of 6 i'd not care if it moved on. I hope I will calm down in 2023 as 2022 has seen 13 basses come through the door 🙄.

RBX has been around in a few different forms. That's a late 90s model most likely, they revamped it in the 2000s to be more like this, of which I still have mine from 2004 (defretted and refinished in that time though).

In my opinion - under £700. They used to go for well under £500 but EVERYTHING is more expensive than it was. Rising prices of new gear definitely push up 2nd hand, e.g new USA Stingrays used to be about £1500 new circa 2016, now it's at least £2000 (with 2nd hand going from about £900 to £1200+)

I am likely to have changed gear 1-5 times between making the list and turning up 🙄.

All things you read on the internet are subjective experiences.

I tried the Ashdown Meters and had this issue, totally unusable for playing an instrument for me. I also had the issue wired, which I can only assume is down to processing and applying of an EQ.

For some people they are tools to pay their bills also.

It is sensible nearer the time we make a list of 'stuff we're taking' to try and avoid everyone turning up with P basses. Something you want to try out ? Ask nicely if anyone has something like it. The idea for me in the past was a chance to try rarer equipment in one spot that no shop would give you the opportunity for, as well as talk utter tripe for several hours.

Wow finally one I can make that isn't on my kid weekend !

Impossible to tell which ones he meant. but there is: SUB USA: Mid 2000s, textured finish and metal pickguard, painted necks, go for £500-£700 Sterling SUB / Ray: Far east made, thinner nut profile and 'large' bridge. Sounds close enough but they do feel a lot cheaper. Sterling Ray 34: Far east made but higher quality, full copies of USA instruments If you can get a USA SUB for a good price they are just as good as a 'proper' Stingray.

Big Metallica fan in my teens. It's OK, but not something that sounds like they spent 5+ years on. Exact same rinse and repeat of previous 2 albums.

The value is in the headstock logo, and assurance you won't lose money on it if you get a fair price when you buy. Add in the ubiquitous usage in many people's favourite music, and you have a safe bet for people that may not be wanting something 'risky' or untraditional. Disclaimer: I have a MIM Precision bass that was a gift in 2013, I generally use it as a benchmark for comparing other basses to. It's a decent bass, but it doesn't inspire me to play.

Very nice sir.

I had the EHB1005 standard scale which was nice - but didn't feel like it would hold up well to stiff wind and would quickly look battered with that satin finish and soft top. Also the 1005MS is only 35" on the B which is not a comparable fanned fret to a Dingwall. I did suggest to Sheldon for more flake finishes and he gave me a raised eyebrow, so I think it is not impossible, can't guarantee you purple though sorry.

Yes, very different. The D-Roc is much fatter and has less attack, but don't think that means none. Having both is 100% not overlapping tones too much. I spent a couple of days stalking it before messaging as the missing parts and aftermarket Les Paul knobs were a bit off putting, but I knew I could restore it.

As someone with 2 Dingwalls, I did not need a 3rd (or the 2nd but let's not digress). However thanks @MattParkerBass for pointing this out on Facebook Marketplace. The cons ? Missing the pickguard (apparently it was stolen at a gig ?!), as well as the magnetic battery cover oh and it's a 6 hour round trip. The seller was collection only but was willing to hold it for nearly a week for me, so off I and the wife trekked on Saturday morning to central Cardiff. Picked up the bass and had a nose around the city, and left before the Rugby finished to avoid the chaos that would likely ensue. n.b. to Cardiff city council, you need to sort your bin men contracts out. According to the Dingwall FB Group, this is one of 66 in this finish globally, so that's pretty cool. I had a spare Combustion pickguard knocking about, so routed out the extra pickup gap much better than I expected to. Not sure the white will stay, but it's good for now, as is the pickguard off entirely. Dingwall are sending me a new battery box cover also, result. It's surprisingly different to the NG2 which is a bit lighter (fewer pickups aside) as well as a the NG3 being quite frankly louder with an identical setup. I think this and the D-Roc need to be keepers (please don't laugh @AndyTravis) - as they do everything for me sonically, ergonomically and aesthetically. We're on nearly 8 months for the D-Roc and haven't had the itch yet, so fingers crossed.