Well, I took the Squier home. They tossed in a gig bag and a setup since the shipping was quite delayed. I played it at the store for about 20 minutes and it felt quite nice with some new flats on it.
I’ve been playing it at home for another hour or so and I’ve really been enjoying having the P bass sound! So, for now I think the Squier wins the day. I’m sure the MIJ itch will strike again in the future…
I started putting together some thoughts/info on ordering MIJ over here:
I’ve had my first string-related Gas-attack. LaBella deep talking bass for the pj and eb cobalt flats for the trbx505. Never played or tried flats before, it’s a new frontier for me 
The LaBella have been a hit, I love the sound of this bass now and a couple of other people commented positively on it. The cobalt are still too new, but out of the package sound a bit too much like rounds. It’s their main selling point? Sure, but I didn’t expect so much… 
Let’s hear in a few weeks
ATM I’m really struggling not to buy a tiny boy bass, a used one has been up for sale since few days for 350 euros. It’s in Germany, but not near enough to go and try it before pulling the trigger… I’m sure yall are going to talk me out of it 
I wish they still made them 
I have never seen anyone on this forum talk anybody out of anything. 
Problem is… this guy is pretty good at both playing and selling! He also creates his own basses from junk. I am a big fan and hoping to grab coffee with him in April when I get back home to Japan!
Danny is a phenomenal bass player. Just have a look at his noodling when demo’ing a bass on his Youtube channel. It’s unreal.
Ahh, cool. Xotic and STR were two I knew about but missed when adding to my list. Actually STR is a Deviser line too, like Bacchus and Momose, right? Or am I confusing them with someone else?
edit: yep, STR is Deviser. Xotic is from California, though, which surprises me as I had thought they were MIJ 
Search and export of rare instruments like that sounds like a fun gig. His fees are pretty reasonable for tracking things down too.
Just made a deal with @PamPurrs to buy her M Audio Hammer 88 MIDI controller. Totally stoked!
I had to give up my vintage upright in a divorce long ago, and I’ve sorely missed having a piano.
Thanks a million, Pam!
Congrats! Does it come with custom vinyl rose?
Good question. It very well might! 
Not so fast! I’ve been searching all over the net and nobody seems to sell a box big enough to fit the Hammer88 into. I even sent a message to M-Audio to see if they will sell me a shipping box for it.
I’ll leave the rose on it if you want.
Ugh I had this issue so many times. Especially with large gear finding a good box is a PITA.
You could combine 2 boxes and duct tape the shit out of it and/or bubblewrap galore.
Yeah, if I can even find 2 boxes the right dimensions. I did find a couple places that sell the right size box, but I would have to buy a bundle of 5 and pay over $100
Update: Deal is off. Too expensive to box and ship everything included in the sale.
Do it
You - You’re the voice in my head! 
It’s been 2 weeks now and I’m still interested so I’m probably going to go back to the shop, try it out (again)… Looks really nice though with all the gold and everything feels well engineered and ‘tight’. Not too pricey either…
