Machines

[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.

Love the 4003 in that colour, but that bedspread

[url="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16218284"]http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16218284[/url] .

Sorry to hear that, but it won't be returning.

I really dig the vibe of these basses - maybe Peavey should reissue it ?!

Mine was in 2006 in a band called Shattered Age (metal covers/originals). I had my Yamaha RBX775 into an Ashdown EB180 - didn't go too badly at all !

Same for me, i've been sent plenty of instrument up front as payments for trades, one even just to try to see if I liked it as I was unsure. In the end I didn't like it and sent it back, no complaints from the owner. Whilst this thread is good to see, it must be remembered not to become complaicent.