DE01

I understand that, but what I don't understand is that some solicitors offer free consultations but don't appear to take them seriously. In terms of attracting customers, this would seem worse than offering no consultation. Most people are likely to need a solicitor on more than one occasion during their lives, and the 'free initial consultation' route would seem of benefit to solicitors here. If someone has had a useful consultation for one problem, then it seems likely that if the problem continues, or if a completely separate issue crops-up in future, then the client would go back and hire that same solicitor. I don't know of any solicitors offering diagnostic advice by phone, but if anyone does, please post their names here. Thanks.

Can anyone recommend a solicitor in or around Sheffield who offers free initial consultations? It's regarding a boundaries issue at a property. I recently booked a free consultation with one Sheffield solicitor, only to arrive at the appointment and find that she hadn't turned-up. It seems that most solicitors either don't offer free consultations or don't take them seriously.

Hi Claire I've emailed you (the forum won't allow me to PM you, as it forbids PMs from members who've posted less than five posts). I'm not permitted to include our URL link here either (argh). Please check your emails via this site, and contact me if interested. Best, C

Thanks for this, Allo. The shop is actually Wavelength – I didn't mention which one because I didn't want to sound like I was having a go at the shop. They might be right for all I knew; I just didn't think it was a prerequisite of set-up that the strings automatically have to be replaced each time. The bass itself is nearly twenty years old, and the strings have never been changed. Having said that, this particular bass has been used very little over the years – it ain't the one I've used for gigs. Not even any scratches anywhere on it, and the strings don't feel worn. … Oh, and the strings have never been cut.

Wonder if anyone has any views on this: I telephoned a store about bass set-up recently, and they said they would want to replace all of the strings – "there's no point in doing it otherwise". They haven't seen the guitar yet. Is it standard practice, when doing a set-up, to automatically replace all of the strings? I was hoping to be able to have a set-up (adjustment of bridge, truss rod etc) done without having to shell-out for strings as well – this is going to add between £10 and £20 per string. The current strings aren't new but they seem fine to me.

Would people recommend Wavelength (or others) for maintenance on a bass guitar as well? Mine needs fretboard buzz, bridge height and possibly truss rod sorted out, as the strings are currently set too high. I need to find a store who'll treat the thing properly.