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Yup, up for that. Thanks for picking up the mantle ...

No. . . . if the audience doesn't turn up you are playing to the promoter and trying to prove to him that you are worth booking again. . . . on a better night or in a better venue.

The stock ToneX One has some very good bass models* such as The Fridge (SVT), and there are a lot more on ToneNet as captures.* The Bass editions include 150 more bass presets (not models), plus a license for the Signature Bass Collection (150 models) for download. They are selling the latter separately for €100 (here before VAT), so if you buy a new Bass edition, you’re getting those models at a major discount off that price. But as I said, I don’t actually want or need 150 more models, and I wish they would offer some separately. * as I understand it, a Capture captures a signal chain at a particular set of settings, while a Model emulates the signal chain with its actual controls. So if I change the Gain or EQ on The Fridge (model), that should react similarly to the controls on a real Ampeg SVT. But if I use (say) a GK 800RB capture from ToneNet, that was captured at certain settings, and while the Gain and EQ on the ToneX still do stuff, they aren’t modelling the equivalent controls on the GK. A Preset then is the amp model or capture plus the other settings (compressor, EQ, effects etc.)

It's an endemic problem when you have a nice selection of gear. Choose one as your main bass, get to know it well. Look at the other ones while you are practising on that one and count your blessings.

Oh, there's no shortage of bass builders. The acid test for their relative popularity and desirability though, is how easy it is to sell a used bass to the general public. A few of the basses you mention have conspicuously poor resale value, if you can find a buyer. More celebrated marques will trounce their worthy but less high-profile counterparts. Pay six grand for a new fancy custom Overwater or ACG and pay six grand for a basic standard model Fodera, put them both on Basschat and see how much of your outlay you can get back and how quickly.

Simple. Just buy another bass that covers all the tones you think you'll need.

Bringing this old thread back to life, and kind of following on from what @SumOne was saying, I currently have 7 and find myself a bit overwhelmed by them all. When I'm at home I end up playing one for 10 minutes, then swapping over to another, then another and get more obsessed by their different tones than with getting on with playing. I wonder if other people find this and how you deal with it?

Try playing in an originals band!

If nobody turns up, you're getting paid to practice 👍

I think the difference with the likes of Wal, Status and Jaydee is, as a brand, they're known for a particular sound sound since they make their own pickups, preamps, etc (and hardware, in some cases). Most of the rest of them use commodity pickups, preamps, etc. Nothing wrong with either approach, in my opinion. Out of the "new breed" of builders, I'd say the likes of Alpher and ACG have their own sound, since they make their own electronics, etc. Bernie isn't exactly one of the new breed, but GB would count too, since he uses bespoke pickups and electronics and his basses are known for having a certain sound.

I can think of a bundle of more recent builders doing interesting things… alpher ACG Dingwall F bass Strandberg Klos Marleaux Luduc Le Fay Alusonic Freedom custom guitar research rob allen serek wilcock NS of the ones you’ve listed Shuker and Sei are more one off makers, Overwater have a position of trust for professional players in the U.K. more so than bass players who frequent forums, wal have a unique electronics package and the flea connection, status the graphite usp - though I hated the king bass I tried - and jaydee and GB I’ve no idea about and would never consider… … but it’s all personal preference- with a very close link to the music you were into when you were young … the other difference of course is far less bass used in modern pop music now compared to x years ago …

OTOH, I have Seis and a Shuker and wouldn't touch a Wal as I find them unpleasant to play (might have another Status though). People want different things. Shuker, Sei, Overwater, GB, and ACG (can't miss Alan out) wouldn't be replacements for G&L as they're not the same volume of production - well, possibly Overwater, less so now that they've dropped the Aspiration series.