Cat Burrito

[quote name='tino' post='946367' date='Sep 5 2010, 05:10 PM']dont forget to factor in Customs and carriers invoicing charges at this end.[/quote] This would be my advice too. I have probably had about 5 or 6 big purchases from the US and each time you get hit. The packaging is no more of a problem importing than it would be coming from the UK - my only damaged instrument came from the UK. However do expect a delay of a few days whilst customs have it. Usually takes about a week to arrive, 3 days to ship from the US and then 3 days in UK customs! They then write to you with a bill including import taxes and a bizarre handling fee. I just had a USA 1979 Precision (minus pickup and bridge) which cost me $1000 - the bill from Parcel Force who paid the fees was £97, just to give you an example.

[quote name='Big_Stu' post='946232' date='Sep 5 2010, 03:17 PM']The customs bloke couldn't believe it & banged on about all the hassle they'd have to go thru to do that, oh how I laughed.[/quote] Love it! They stung me for £97 this week & my 1979 bass parts were quicker coming from Texas to the UK then they were held in customs. Considering how long they had them, they were not even opened, the lazy buggers!

Hey Tom, welcome to the forum

[quote name='LukeFRC' post='945068' date='Sep 3 2010, 11:34 PM']- put a bass in my hands and I forget all the little lines I know! Yes i know it doesn't help you hear the bass but I must have sounded like a muppet! Luke's conclusion.... without question, unless you can afford the real top end american vintage RIs or something (by which point other makers come into the equation) buy a japanese fender![/quote] Two thoughts; firstly I don't give a "hoot" what other people think of my playing in shops. If I play badly, so be it. I'm there to try out a bass not audition. I thoroughly recommend this approach - ever since I've adopted my instore playing has improved too, ironically. The store are interested in paying customers, not who can do the best slap funk demo! Secondly you buy the bass that feels right for you. The last crop of USA standard Jazzes & MIM standards were both excellent - streets better than what I had tried before. Different stores have different standards. Sounds like these were just put on the shelf before they could be set up. It makes all the difference. I'd never have said this before in 16yrs of knowing MIM standards but the last one I tried in Dawsons Reading, I would have bought had I been in the market. I'd buy a Squier if it felt right & I'd avoid a US one if it didn't. And vice versa. The rule is, there is no rule. Not a pop at the OP but the reality is just that owning an instrument is a personal thing & whilst I enjoy reading others opinions, you have to find things out for yourself.

[quote name='ezbass' post='945531' date='Sep 4 2010, 05:40 PM']Just to add a bit of spice to the thread here's a pic of mine for those who have missed it in other threads, feel free to follow suit peeps[/quote] Nice bass & good idea. Here's my all original 1978 Fender Precision for those who haven't seen it and my 70s parts bass enjoying a well earned break after a heavy gigging schedule

[quote name='waynepunkdude' post='945473' date='Sep 4 2010, 04:10 PM']I just finished playing a f***ing dad rock fest, a guy walked up to me at the end and said "you boys like Punk, yeah? You should play some Green Day" I don't know how he is still breathing.[/quote] Oh I get it, more of a Good Charlotte fan, eh? ducks & runs for cover

[quote name='jakesbass' post='945048' date='Sep 3 2010, 10:51 PM']I do have a nice little story on this one, I was doing a gig at the Distillers in Hammersmith a couple of years ago and a guy came up and said "I like your playing, I'm a producer, give me your number what do you charge?" I thought, heard it all before, gave him my number and promptly forgot about it, but was civil nonetheless About 18 months later I get a call to do a session for him which I did and it went well and it turned out to be for Eliza Doolittle who seems to be flavour of the month at the mo. I know we often have to tolerate rubbish from punters sometimes but my example goes to show that it's always worth treating folk nicely.[/quote] Absolutely & a great story. I could trade you for a thousand drunken "my mate is a producer and he can get you on Top of the Pops" type tales though. Each one has been met with politeness from me but sadly no TOTP appearances

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' post='944986' date='Sep 3 2010, 09:51 PM']Well done folks keep them coming,I can see a what is a vintage bass? Thread coming.........[/quote] Supposed to be 25yrs. Does get a bit silly when people sell early 90s basses with "soon to be" tags. Reminds me of Arthur Daley with his "That car is nearly a classic" comments

[quote name='Vibrating G String' post='945024' date='Sep 3 2010, 10:29 PM']My unfriendly opinions have been formed by playing dozens of them [/quote] And undeniably there were some absolute dogs out there. However my point is that whilst there are many stating this from experience I think there are a fair few who base what they say on what they have read.

It's funny when I first started playing I actually had a lot more attention from the opposite sex after gigs then the rest of the band. I was far too modest to mention it at the time but it became a joke within the band (I was loved up at the time so no real tales to tell). A long time ago (& I don't know why) this attention very much dried up. I went through a phase of getting the kit junkies trying to talk about valves and patch cables. It's dawning on me now that I am getting the teenage support bands parents talking to me when I come off stage now So a bit of fun, which stereotype is chewing the fat with you after gigs? The reality is it's probably a mix of all of those but who else can you add?

I have a bitsa 70s Fender Precision bass that I pieced together that is my main live bass and we've just recorded an album with my band where the majority of the songs I played were done on my 1978 Fender Precision. I also have a 1979 bass sitting out on the patio as I type covered in nitro mors that will be another main player. My amp head is a 1978 Fender Bassman too & that gets used at approximately half the gigs I do. So I think I can be added to the list. My bitsa bass and the 1979 have probably been devalued a fair bit by being stripped but I like them like that & don't plan on reselling them. Live & let live. If people don't like a bass, don't play it. I sometimes think the anti-70s Fender brigade is a bit like a bunch of guys down the pub talking for hours about cars they've never actually driven

Just a shame he's still not exercised much Precission in his spelling though

I agree this is of course completely down to individual tastes. To paraphrase an old Dave Lee Roth quote, surely the best bass turns into a groupie after the show & then turns into a pizza after that?

Played South London last night, with some young indie band & a couple of acoustic acts. We played well & rocked a younger crowd. I enjoyed it & we went down well

Welcome to Basschat Dick

Wow these are great. Cheers for sharing

Welcome to Basschat Lewis

Welcome to Basschat

Welcome to Basschat Mark

Welcome to Basschat Robert

Your link is only visable to your friends!

I hang around in my local shop because I'm friends with the owner but in terms of bass shopping I prefer secondhand Fenders & unusual older stuff. I'm not in the market for anything right now though so it's only really passing attention at most from me

To contradict the others I'd get the head. I take mine to rehearsals & in gig situations bands are happier sharing cabs rather than heads. At least that's my experience. I do think it's a buyers market right now & stuff isn't selling for what it was. Some amazingly good deals on cabs recently.

45mins, on about 8ish and I am genuinely stunned that somebody other than me has commented on this thread - kinda makes me feel like a rock star! Four bands & we're on first. I plan to be drinking after & just got paid so strike whilst the iron is hot!!! Joking aside we have 2 London gigs in October & one is Shepherds Bush so can always aim for one of those