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Some excellent new
instruments just in including a natural ash 75 Jazz Bass and
fantastic blonde Yamaha SA700 ES335 clone.
Why
buy used? An easy question to answer... you get more guitar for
your money. Your budget will stretch to a higher specification
guitar.
Take
basses for instance. I've seen grey-imported (which means
unofficial, unsanctioned, and unsupported by the manufacturer)
Jazz and P basses offered for sale at very little shy of £500.
The pickups, described as 'Vintage', are Japanese and the bodies
are basswood. There is nothing wrong with them, they are good
instruments and I've a couple in stock now, but for considerably less than that, I've been
selling P and Jazz basses with alder bodies and real 'made in the
USA' pickups. Buy
what you will from where you will, but probably the best advice I
can give is ... buy the best specification your budget will
allow. That could well mean buying used. Oh...and buy
from a reputable source. I depend upon this for part of my living
and it is in my interest to ensure that - as far as I can -
customers are happy and come back. Someone flogging just one a
guitar they found in the attic does not have the same incentive. I
wish I had a pound from every e-mail I get saying something along
the lines of 'I just bought this guitar/bass... what do you
think? Is it as the seller described or was I conned?'
A stunning photograph
e-mailed in from a satisfied customer prompts me to update my
testimonials a little... read on and you may feel a little more
assured about buying from a complete stranger on the internet...
Hello John
Now I've had the
´72 for a few weeks, and I must say that I am indeed very much
in love. It sounds great, looks great, and has absolutely
stunning playability! My other guitars have not had any play
time since I got back from UK. There was no trouble bringing it
on the plane, and everything worked out just perfect.
Brought her to
rehearsal with the band, and on my valve amp its just amazing.
She screams and wails, and she sings and purs. Fantastic
instrument!
Thank you very
much for great service, and for giving the opportunity to get a
hold on these great playing and sounding instruments at indeed
very affordable prices.
I brought it out
to the beach yesterday for a few pictures in the sunset. Enjoy!
Best regards
and I wish your CIJ business all the best. This will definitely
not be the last time you will be hearing from me!
Jacob from
Denmark
Dear John,
The guitar
arrived first thing this morning - still in tune fresh out
of the box. What a guitar! The neck is unlike any other Strat
that I have played, extremely fast and very comfortable
(although, having played Les Pauls for years, the chunky neck
doesn't feel particularly strange). But the pickups are
astonishing - they knock the socks off the Samarium Cobalt
noiseless pickups on my American DeLuxe Strat (which up to now
I'd thought of as being some of the most responsive pickups that
I'd ever come across). The tonal quality is simply fantastic in
all positions - I had been a little worried that the bridge
pickup might be too harsh (the American DeLuxe having a no-load
tone control for this pickup) but it is just right and sings
beautifully when the amp is cranked. For rhythm, the pickups
again sound fantastic in all positions, with every subtlety of
pick and fingers coming through.
Sorry, got
a bit carried away! Very many thanks for what is an astonishing
guitar at a ridiculous price (I have been playing for 35 years,
both professionally and now semi-professionally, so I know
whereof I speak).
Best
wishes,
Dave.
Hi
John,
Just to let you know the guitar arrived safely today. I
spent the better part of the afternoon testing the foundations of
my house. :-) Seriously though, the guitar is superb. It
plays quite beautifully. The set-up is perfect; action and
intonation absolutely spot on and the neck has a hint of relief to
ensure no fret buzz. One of my musician friends is a
guitar collector and is rather good at setting them up. He
specialises in Fenders and wants to look the guitar over. I
rather suspect he can't wait to get his hands on it. I
also suspect he will be very disappointed to find that there is
nothing to do to it.
The sound is just what I would expect from a Jazz. Lovely
deep tones mixed with a nice cut if needed. All that from
just a 12" speaker too. My son phoned this afternoon to check
if the guitar had arrived. I was tempted to tell him
that it hadn't, and keep it for myself. Coming from someone who
has a thirty-year relationship with a Rickenbacker 4001, that
is praise indeed. Also, credit is due for the packaging. It
looked like it would have survived a 'plane crash.
In conclusion, it has been a pleasure doing business with someone
who obviously has a great love of guitars.I will not hesitate
to recommend you to anyone who is looking for a guitar that
is "different".
Now, I recall seeing a rather nice Telecaster on your
site..............
Cheers for now,
Donald
Hi John
The
Greco EG700 arrived fine the day before yesterday and I have
just given it another damn good thrashing and it is superb. It's
got character and a great vibe and whats more it's actually
better feeling than the only Gibson I have ever played. It
sounds just like a proper Lester so no wonder they tried to
stop them. Great service and thanks very much...might have to
have a look at a MIJ lawsuit 335 copy actually......oh dear.
Ta
very much and please keep the sublime axes coming in to the UK
Regards Gareth
Thanks guys, my pleasure. As
I say to a lot of people who comment on my testimonials
(that doesn't sound quite right!), I could have made them
up... I don't of course. It's my aim to offer you guys the
sort of service I'd like to receive (and often don't)
whenever I buy something. Buying from a total stranger on
the internet can be a stressful process... I try to make it
as easy as possible. And remember, if you are a serious
buyer and can get yourself to North Weald in Essex, you are
welcome to come and try before you buy.
NON-UK readers please note that
I am NOT shipping outside of the UK.
John Blackman - The Far
East of Essex.
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