Cosmo Valdemar

I hadn't noticed that! I was more concerned by the E and G being wrapped the wrong way round the posts. A common error with these basses.

Very cool. They seem to be a bit of an unappreciated gem. There's a Squier 4 string on here that I've been eyeballing...

It is gorgeous. I remember gazing at these in wonder at the guitar shop near school. Such a strange headstock, so modern and elegant compared to the Fenders and Rickenbackers drawn all over my schoolbooks! I must have been 13, so just as the obsession was beginning! Never got to play one sadly. I think they would be too dinky for me, but I'd love a go!

Aargh! The stringing!!!

Note to self - don't buy a Markbass amp 😂

I never knew that! I've never needed to do it with my Ashdown MAG amp. Perhaps it is just the ABMs.

By distorted bass, do you mean driving your amp to distortion or using a pedal? I've always used distortion in some form or another but I don't think it really has any bearing on the questions you've asked.

What does the dummy jack do? I've never used one...

I love Jack Bruce. I think I actually love his singing more than his bass playing, which is saying something! Never had much time for Cream though. Clapton's fault.

I was 6ft 4 and 26 stone when I played mine 🤣 You'll understand why I never played it live.

Showing interest in an item for sale is not 'leading a seller on', but rather an expected part of any trade/sale. From the information we've been given, to suggest the OP was being anything other than polite and up-front with the seller is pretty disrespectful to him. So much for the BC Collective. This makes me a bit wary of doing any deals with you in future, actually.

Actually it's going to take a bit longer - we can't decide on the exact placement of the tug bar. It seems Gibson were never sure either so I can't get an accurate guide. It's all academic really as I'm only putting it on because it looks cool, but we musn't take drilling holes lightly!

This. I have one, and I adore it. It's a bass sound technology has been working to get away from for decades, but it's such a joyous thump it just makes me grin like a loon. And I hate to use the cliché but it sits in the mix wonderfully. Flats are an absolute must however.

I should know better than to get drawn into these things!

Passenger seat!

100% this. Often people trying them in a shop will be plugged into the nearest Markbass or TC Electronic combo, and they don't really mix well IMHO. Probably why a lot of people aren't impressed when they try them out.

My Thunderbird is having the new machine heads and tug bar fitted as we speak! I'm missing it, but it will be worth it.

I've owned several Thunderbirds over the years including Gibsons, Epiphones and Grecos (and a Cataldo Fenderbird). In my humble opinion, the finest of them all is the current Epiphone vintage Pro. There are a couple of minor signs giving away it's relatively low cost, but in terms of playability and tone, it's marvellous. And the build quality is excellent. I don't see it as 'just a copy', but if it is, I'm happy to play the hell out of it and proudly say I play an Epiphone. Just as you are with your Mike Lull copy 😉 Putting a Gibson truss rod cover on my Epiphone would be doing it a disservice. Bear in mind that I've never really got on with the Thunderbird Gibson put out from the 80s onward. It was always too dark and rumbly for me. And what happened to all that glorious chrome? Of course, to many people that model is the definitive Thunderbird so it's all swings and roundabouts.

Ah, Druid. Unlucky timing. The singer reminded me of a scouse Dennis DeYoung. Beautiful. I love early Renaissance - Jon Camp is a great example or pure Rick tone - in mono I believe. Midas Man is my favourite of his basslines, it's still one I always play when testing out new gear!

Me too!

Dan Maine changed the pickups in his to Rickenbacker humbuckers as found in the 4004. He seems to like them, but they are much darker and woolier than you would expect from a Rick. I don't like them much 😁