Machines

[quote name='Immo' timestamp='1325505624' post='1483648'] GimpBass, of course. Oh, add some studs to it [/quote] A Judas Priest tribute bass ?!

Didn't see it say this thread is Fender's only... so here we go. My Dad bought it me a few months ago and saved it for a Christmas gift, what a gift ! It's of unknown origin but I think it's a modded Encore or similar. It has been modded with a JJ humbucker and a coil tap (single coil nearest bridge). Also it has unusually been bound in leather with a suede pickguard. At first I was a little unsure of it but it works really well - just need to be careful of scuffs. Soundwise it's rather excellent, typical P Bass fatness as you expect but the tappable humbucker adds lots of sounds. The P/J setup works great for slapping/pick sounds. Bridge pickup alone is a bit thin on single coil but when on humbucking mode (sounds like series to me) it is great for fingerfunk. I'll proudly be gigging it with my G&L next week. Since the headstock is blank I need to think of a name for it, any suggestions ?!

eBay is much larger and more anonymous than Basschat though. Since this is a bassists only forum, there's a reasonable likeliness someone you're dealing with is known by other people on the forum personally (unless they don't have any real life bassist chums). This means people should be more likely to behave honorably. If this does not occur, us mods will attempt to neutrally mediate in a situation to attempt a positive outcome for both parties (and no seller fees !). In the situation the OP has provided though, i'd cut my losses and buy the new tuner rather than drag it out over several weeks causing myself stress and bother. It's £14 not £140.

[quote name='MacDaddy' timestamp='1324569969' post='1475750'] So as posted earlier these are just rebranded Squiers? [/quote] Not rebranded as you can't get this spec as a Squier. I'd guess made in same factory as Squier though. Doubt Fender would admit to it as it would demean the brand. But if it sells do they care? They may be adapting to a changing market.

Wow, that looks perfect.

Quite fancy a Fender Precision after somehow going through 10 years of bass without ever having one. Sunburst with red tort pickguard, rosewood neck and some D'Addario Chromes, yes please ! Realistically, i'll probably sell my T-Bird & Overwater J as they're seeing the least usage currently, actually that would raise be enough to buy a 2nd hand MIA P. Ampwise - my Ashdown ABM is plenty for my needs with one 2x10 cab so doubt that will change.

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1325151904' post='1480197'] In the recession a secondhand fender USA ri from a shop will cost more than a through neck custom overwater (thats in bass gear, looks lovely) whats going on? [/quote] The name of the headstock to most people is more important than the quality of the instrument or value for money.

[quote name='fender73' timestamp='1325148111' post='1480164'] I find it shocking that a retailer would be that dishonest. Music shops are going out of business left right and centre at the moment, and i firmly believe one of the things that shops should have over buying on the internet is a level of trust.....which this shop appears not to have. Shame on them. [/quote] I think there's also a reasonable level of ignorance too. A lot (but there are a few notable exceptions) of shop staff I find work there because they think it's cool rather than they have good product knowledge. In this case however, it sounds like they were caught out. My Dad once saw a 'Musicman Stingray' for sale at £800 in a well known converters of cash store. It was clearly an OLP that had the headstock logo changed. He told the shop it was a fake and they didn't do a thing. It turns out they thought it was genuine and paid more than they should and didn't want to lose out. Maybe the shop the OP went to experienced similar ?

[quote name='Johnston' timestamp='1324935038' post='1478642'] ..and it would surprise you how many people never notice the missing inch. [/quote]

I think it's a standard Encore P bass modded with a JJ pickup and coil tap. the JJ pickup is a bit thin, but I do have some spare Mexican Fender pickups that might fit. A new bridge too as the adjustable screws are quite high and sharp and I think we have a very giggable instrument .

I'm 28 i'm a few years past Santa .

It's extremely unusual. The erm.. upholstery (never used that word talking about bass before) is extremely well done. It's stitched together around the outside and has been routed so the stitching is not standing proud. I can only assume the work was done by a professional upholsterer as a side project or someone paid them for the work.

My Dad bought me this which was a huge surprise ! It appears to be an anonymous P bass copy but it's been eing customised by bound in high quality leather and the pickguard in 2-tone suede. Played it through his Behringer combo - and was pretty surprised by how well it plays and good it sounds. He got it 2nd hand from PMT Birmingham a few months ago and has kept it quiet somehow ! P pickup is nice and fat and the dual JJ humbucker (non-standard I suspect) can be ran as single coil (bridge side) too. Only took this pic on my phone as i'm picking up tomorrow as no room in my car today, will get some closer pics then .

I had this happen once, the gig 'organiser' said one of the bands didn't have a bass amp and can he borrow mine ? I insisted on showing him the settings to not touch - got the input level sorted so he wasn't maxing the preamp and told him he could ONLY use the master volume knob. To be fair - he didn't touch anything and was actually far too quiet FOH, maybe I scared him too much .

Looks nice. Is there a gap between the pickups underneath the cover ?

Upstairs box room for me - it's 'my' room and the wife doesn't go in there ! There's a single bed in upended behind the door. That leaves plenty of room for my 4 slot guitar stand and with my head/cab next to it. There's also room for a single stand (to have one instrument visible from the hall as I walk past) and an Ikea bar stool to get comfy on.

[quote name='merello' timestamp='1324583230' post='1476014'] Anyway - welcome to the best bass site ever. [/quote] Cheque is in the post.

Welcome to the forum .

I think I picked one up for a noodle in Bass Direct - I seem to remember it being fairly light.

[quote name='Horizontalste' timestamp='1324402564' post='1473899'] I have Machines old Bb614 and I have to say the Stingray will go first. [/quote] You changed your username! Good to hear it's still around . I've changed instruments more times than i've washed my car since then .

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1324337099' post='1473278'] My dad wouldn't buy me a guitar at all. He said music was a gift from God. Which was strange because he was an atheist - my dad that is, not God. [/quote] Which means he didn't believe in music .

There are a lot of very good value budget basses (that match the quality of instruments more expensive) but there are also some in this price bracket that are overpriced tripe. I think Yamaha especially don't have a huge reputation (compared to Fender etc) so their prices are not elevated up to try and take advantage of the brand name, so you get more bass for your money ! Other brands that I think share this trait are Peavey and Cort. As far as being content with a 'cheaper' instrument - I traded an Overwater Progress III Deluxe (£3000 new nowadays) for my G&L L2000 Tribute (£680) and 'Tanglewater' Contemporary J (£600). Neither are quality wise a match for the custom jobby, but i'd rather either of them as a lone instrument. They just seem to have more character and I know they're easily replaceable so am not worried about taking them out etc.