discreet

I envy you. Good score.

I've had that, too. My conclusion is that the smaller the kit, the better they play.

Rubbish, they only have to do two things, turn up on time and play the frigging drums. Most of 'em can't even do that!

Not defending the guy at all, but 117 negatives from nearly 12,000 transactions is pretty good going. That's a negative rate of just 0.975%. Overall his feedback is 99%. Most companies would be delighted with a result like that...

A good drummer MUST be able to do the following: Play in time. Properly tune their drums. Remember at least two sets' worth of material. Control volume of playing without compromise. Be consistent and play with tasteful economy. Develop an almost telepathic relationship with the bass player. Be groovy and funky as all-get-out when necessary. Avoid strewing the stage with boxes and cases when setting up. Set up a full kit in 15 minutes or less. Be a nice guy, diplomatic and easy to get on with. Resist the urge to have 'just one more drink/spliff/rock/tab'. Carry own drums and ancilliaries to and from transport. PROVIDE OWN BLOODY TRANSPORT! I've only met two drummers in forty years who have been anywhere near this. In conclusion: Finding a good drummer is HARD.

Oh hell, so that's where I've been going wrong... Not me, I avoid all this persiflage by simply not looking at YouTube. Now where's my valve radio, it's time for John Snagge on the news...

Holy frigging Baubles! I wouldn't pay that for one in perfect condition!!

Oh yes of course, me too, always have done.

Yes, the very cheek of it!!

Wow. Not my thing anyway, but thanks for the heads-up.

Well OK, but don't leave it too long! It's part of the learning process!

Looks like a 'hairdresser's' bass to me...

Snap...

Ahh... only used flats on that bass though, but I'm sure you're right. Titanium frets, that's what we need...

There is one on my Hayman 4040. I like them, they eliminate any possible nut problems and faffing about with nut files, etc.

I imagine that a fretted A on the E string is better than an open A on the er, A string. It is definitely tonally different. But if needs must I'll play open strings, no problem. Sometimes it's just a lot more difficult to play certain lines without playing open strings. And as for muting, if like me you're mainly a pick player and use palm muting, then muting isn't an issue. I would say though, that during my brief dalliance with five strings it was clearly a lot easier to avoid playing open strings, if you really wanted to avoid doing so. One thing I liked about five-string basses was the ability to play lines without moving around the board as much as you sometimes have to with a four-string. And it's easier to transpose keys. What I didn't like about five-string basses was the extra weight, faff and expense just for a few extra notes. So I went back to four strings and am perfectly happy. Well, happy with four-string basses, that is - I'm a miserable, grumpy git otherwise, obviously. Edit: Just thinking about five-string basses has ignited 5-string bass GAS. D'oh!

'Join The Boys' by Joan Armatrading. Now that's playing, and what an unbelievable groove...!!

As far as learning goes, this may sound a bit mad but you should try to join a band as soon as possible. It's the quickest way to learn an instrument. If everyone in the band is better than you (not always a given, actually!) then you tend to play up to their level very quickly, and learn much more quickly than sitting at home practising. You're not only learning the bass, but how to play with other musicians and how to do gigs. Getting out there and doing it isn't practising, you're already flying!

Agree, mostly. Though I would argue that modding a Harley Benton PB-50 can only improve it! But even then, if it's not done in a sympathetic way and with a certain level of knowledge, it can still look appalling and be unplayable. I've seen some modded PB50s that are hilarious. Mostly of the 'belt sander relic' type. In any case, you can't realistically ask a lot more than the original price, even if it has better electrics, upgraded pickup and 'name' hardware. In this case you'd be better off parting it out. For example, Schaller tuners and a Hipshot bridge are worth the market rate - unless they're fitted to an HB PB-50! My view: Caveat Emptor.

Bought a bass neck from Tom in a smooth and easy transaction. He even sent it before I'd even paid for it. Great comms, fast delivery, well-packed, all good. Thanks.

Bought a P Bass body from John. Great comms, fast delivery, well-packed, all good.