Aaahh Chuck's  - Yes you need patience at Chuck's, but then did you pick a 'busy' time?  Try to get there early in the day.  It's in a busy area, so most times it is packed.  I usually allow for an hour inside even if it's just to buy a set of strings.  Know exactly what you want when you go in, so they can breeze thru.  Also, they are right up the hill from a Metro station as well.  And Washington Music is down the hill, around the corner.  My Elan is a Chuck's special I picked up at a pawn shop - I went in and was able to ask Chucks about it before I bought it from the pawn shop.
 
Thawnk!

I've bought a couple of custom Spoiler 6's and a 7 fretless and a MM Petrucci 7 guitar from Brian over there. Always a pleasure. Bumped into him as well at NAMM and when I did a short tour a while ago. Great prices from my pov. They are one of the largest and most successful stores in the U.S. Hense the long wait. I'm told most business is done via phone and web. Ask for Brian and tell him Danno from Doomtree in Jersey says hello.

These basses are lurking on a Dutch site for quite a while:
 
Epic lefty
 
Epic  
 
Essence  
 
Stanley Clarke
 
(Message edited by fc_spoiler on August 19, 2006)

How come this guy is selling my Essence? )
 
But if you'd ask, I'd take another one...
 
Gruesse, Pablo

hmmmmm....

I've had email contact with that guy (the Essence seller). He was asking way to much...
He was thankfull for the info, it seems to be a nice guy...
What could be wrong with that bass?