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30 June, 2008 - Local jazz and blues musician, Jim Reece, has joined the growing number of happy Vintage guitar owners who have purchased guitar equipment following a recommendation from Buckinghamshire based BBZGuitars.

Reece, who recently bought the Vintage ‘Jaco Pastorious’ Fretless Bass from BBZGuitars' showroom, in High Wycombe, has been playing the guitar professionally since the age of 14. Today, at just 21, he has an impressive collection, including basses from Goodfellow, Aria, Fender, MusicMan and Vox, as well as several less well known brands. However, when it comes to build-quality and value for money Reece believes the Vintage Fretless Bass has 'the edge'.

"When I was looking for a new bass, I tried everything from Squier to Overwater but nothing could hold a candle to the Vintage bass; the VJ96 has a 'certain honk' that I haven’t been able to find on any other bass under £1,000, said Reece. "It's such an adaptable instrument, whether I'm playing blues, reggae or rock, it’s there ready, willing and able. Plus, it’s a dream to record with."

Along with his own band, LTD Edition, and a number of other groups in the area, Reece plays regular gigs and functions in and around the High Wycombe area, and at many popular venues in London and the South East, where his new bass has been receiving quite a lot of attention.

"Because of its great earthy sound and its striking good looks, quite a few people have come up to me, wanting to know what I'm playing. I’ve even heard fellow musicians saying they're going to get a Vintage bass when they’re not even bassists," said Reece.

Reece purchased his Vintage bass from BBZGuitars in High Wycombe, where both he and his father Gary Reece, a professional guitarist, have become regular visitors. Like nearly eighty percent of guitarists*, Reece prefers to buy guitars and guitar equipment from a shop or showroom so that he can try-out the exact instrument he's thinking of purchasing; at BBZGuitars, he feels he can test-drive whatever he likes without pressure.

"BBZGuitars has a great friendly atmosphere," said Reece. "The owner is really helpful and knowledgeable and, because he's also an ex-pro-musician, he instantly knows what you’re trying to achieve and what you need - that’s invaluable."

During July and August, Reece will be performing at several popular venues around Bucks with LTD Edition, Jim Reece's Jazz Trio, Blues and Tunes, The 4 Pillars of Wisdom, Bold as Love and the Bluescasters. Forthcoming dates and venues in Buckinghamshire include:

3 July - Thai Fusion, Amersham 

9 July - The Nags Head, High Wycombe 

11 July - Queen & Albert, Wooburn Green 

16 July - The Nags Head, High Wycombe 

23 July - The Nags Head, High Wycombe 

28 July – The White Horse, High Wycombe 

30 July - The Nags Head, High Wycombe 

2 August - The White Horse, High Wycombe 

7 August - Thai Fusion, Amersham 

13 August - The Nags Head, High Wycombe 

20 August - The Nags Head, High Wycombe 

22 August - The Stag, Burnham Beeches 

23 August - The Half Moon, High Wycombe 

25 August - The White Horse, High Wycombe 

27 August - The Nags Head, High Wycombe 

30 August - The Stag, Wexham

The Vintage VJ96 is part of the Vintage Icon Series designed by John Hornby Skewes (JHS). JHS Vintage, Vintage Advance and Vintage Icon series guitars are available for test-drive and viewing at the BBZGuitars showroom in High Wycombe. The showroom is open from Tuesday to Saturday, 10.00am - 5.30pm, and is located at Unit 10 Cressex Enterprise Centre, Lincoln Road, High Wycombe, HP12 3RL.