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I must decalre an interest as I'm a serial ACG abuser. To my mind it's an upgrade / update on the classic (in my case Fender basses). I think the core designs Leo produced were groundbreaking but not perfect and I personally don't have a problem with innovation and improvement. I'm sure with the right wood choices etc you could get the exact same sound if that was the goal. For me the most disappointing thing about Fender is the lack of development / R&D. It just seems like a load of re-issues coming out and escalating prices to accompany them (you'd think they that would have cracked how to make them by now). One issue with custom basses I think is the resale value were you to move them on. They are by their nature personal things and thus a buyer might be harder to find. If you're buying a 'preloved' Fender J or P you pretty know what you're getting and I think second hand values reflect this. Not an issue for me as mine will not be for sale! It is a very personal thing and probably divide opinions in a marmite type way. I have owned an MIJ Jazz (fretless) and an MIM P and tried a couple of MIA Fenders, but imho the fit and finish on the luthier made basses leaves them for dead. The weight and balance is considerably better too. The Graft bass spec would provide a person with a hand crafted bass with more love and attention to detail than Fender US have the time to languish on their output, for less than £900. I am picking up what is essentially a J bass tomorrow (the neck p/up is a single coil) except for the overwound bridge p/up and a slightly different control setup of volume / tone / pickup selector. http://www.acguitars.co.uk/acg_admin/wordpress/portfolio/2881/ I am also fortunate enough to own a full custom spec J type fretless which cost a good chunk less than £2k and is outstanding in every possible way (imho of course ). http://www.acguitars.co.uk/acg_admin/wordpress/portfolio/0120-custom-j-type-fretless-4-string/

Yeah go for Martyn's fretless. I've had a twirl and its a lovely bass to play.

If the little town of Disappearing-up-my-own-bottom is anywhere close by you are most welcome to come and try my ACGs out.

If it doesn't have to be a Fender, my ACG is very portable. The Graft range are excellent value too.

Massive fan here. Can't remember how many gigs / lineups I've seen but definitely most of the combinations. There should have been a law passed (a bit late now) that every Genesis gig should finish with The Knife. You have to see it live to really get it (sorry old git here). My personal favourite albums are Trespass, Foxtrot and Nursey Crime only because I grew up with them playing. SEBTP, the Lamb also excellent. Favourite less well known ditty - Twilight Alehouse.

[quote name='kennyrodg' timestamp='1375815265' post='2166122'] You know about BJ's on a Thursday bud surely ?? [/quote] Yes I know the Hop Pocket, and peteb I'll do my best to get there on 5th Sept. Sadly Thursdays are rarely good nights for me which is a bit irritating. I'm always interested to find more places as I'm entirely hacked off with large Venues (the Apollo is about as big as I'll go to) and watching Bonamassa w@nk fests, as in look how many guitars I've got. I've set myself a mission to find some new-to-me bands to follow now (particularly blues bands as it's a genre I've always loved) and am looking for good clubs/pubs in which to discover them.

[quote name='funkgod' timestamp='1375787226' post='2165499'] Some very good blues venues in the northwest, a very good site dedicated to this is this, [url="http://www.bluesinthenorthwest.com/"]http://www.bluesinthenorthwest.com/[/url] if you check out the map it will show you a good selection of the NW blues circuit. [/quote] Thanks that looks great. Still not sure why I didn't find that via Google - almost certainly user incompetence

That's odd, maybe it's just me but I love going to see blues bands play. Don't seem to get enough of them in small clubs and pubs in the NW - unless I'm looking in the wrong places. Maybe you BCers could point me in the right direction?

Welcome from another of the 50+ brigade, although I started at the indecently young age of 46. JPJ - fantastic, I love Zep. P bass? Surely a J if your a Jones acolyte

After a brief email exchange the Black Limba Recurve has mysteriously morphed into this rather lovely J Type that will collected along with the Finn in a week or so. Mum's the word http://www.acguitars.co.uk/acg_admin/wordpress/portfolio/2881/

[quote name='Rasta' timestamp='1375187532' post='2157798'] 5 Sue Ryders....they'll be collectors items one day... ...honest [/quote] Good shout.

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1375219026' post='2158510'] just go for it! [/quote] What he said. Work out the 'justification' in the pub afterwards. Everything makes more sense after a swift half.

Five ACGs.

Don't forget to factor in inflation. Over the last 10 years this has averaged around 3% per annum so just to maintain its value over that period a bass bought in 2003 would need to be worth around 34% more now. Over the same period, and despite one humungous crash the FTSE100 has pretty much doubled and that is ignoring any re-investment of dividends.

Just acquired Ian's 3Leaf GR1. Very easy transaction, plenty of PMs etc. Simples.

ACG Graft range? The full custom might just cross the £1,500 threshold but something like this maybe? http://www.acguitars.co.uk/acg_admin/wordpress/portfolio/g019-j-type-fretless-4/ OK this one is fretless, but for less than £1k you get a completely hand built bass to your specification with real quality woods/components. I have one of these and another couple on order so I should point out my opinion may not be completely neutral. That said they are nicer than any J bass I have played. Particularly worthy of mention are the asymmetric neck and flat fretboard.

I've only got a couple of sets but they'll be in the post this week.

My first was a rather horrible (as I now realise) Squier Affinity P. Pretty much put me off Fenders.

I don't know whether it's feasible, but you're not too far away and most welcome to come over and have a listen.

I acquired a nearly new but second hand Yamaha soundbar and sub unit from evilbay a few years ago (about £300 instead of £1200+) and it's perfectly seviceable - definitely not as good without the sub though. I don't watch humungus amounts of TV anyway so not too bothered about the ultimate in TV hifi speakeriness.

If you look on the ACG site here http://www.acguitars.co.uk/acg_admin/wordpress/category/media/ you will find some sound samples and vids.

Thanks for the advice boys. After much contemplation I have picked up a preloved 3Leaf GR1 which will hopefully be landing at ead towers this week.

Great. If you want to hear something more 'unusual' check out Dolly parton's version. Not for the faint hearted so you have been warned, and I take no responsibility for any resulting feelings of anger and despair.

I have recently put a set of D'Addario balanced tension nickel round wound strings on my Spector - EXL220BT 40/55/70/95. Very impressed, feel nice under the digits too, and all for £16.