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Can you believe this is actually a smaller-bodied model compared to the original ATK shape? Those can be even heavier! The 200 (and several other more recent models) have a slightly slimmed-down body shape, it's not as wide as the original ones. Helps when looking for a case that fits. And the headstock is just slightly narrower as well. I've had three MIJ ATK's from the 1990's and all of them were boat anchors - especially my 5-string ATK305. They were wonderful basses, and I somewhat regret selling my first one. I've had them alongside a Stingray 5 for a few years, and as far as comparison goes I think they were very similar - both in weight, tone and feel. The neck shape of the ATK305 was a really close match to the SR5. The main difference in feel was the satin lacquer finish on the ATK (but polished to a gloss by years of playing) versus the oil finish on the Ray. Tonewise, the Ray had more clank and less mid scoop with all set to neutral, and was overall the more agressive sounding of the two. The ATK had a trimpot on the preamp board to adjust the output level, but even when matching it to the Ray it was still the more polite sounding of the two. Both had that distinct brightness but on the Ray this started at a lower frequency, it seemed, which helped it punch through a mix just a bit better. Both were fantastic basses though, and the ATK punched well above its price point. Enjoy!

Not really. It might help you to enjoy 'just doing pub gigs' a little bit more and, possibly, increase your options for other gigs that you might be able to do.

We’ll have to refer to the small print for that…

I knew that the Dual 505 was a highly-rated turntable back in the early 80s. In fact, it was the only budget option at the time (with the Rega Planars 2 and 3 being the more expensive options). However, I had not realised that the 505 is still a contender. The idea of an cartridge upgrade feels too complex right now - but maybe later. For now, I have ordered the stylus from Audio Affair, and will be shopping for belts from Thakker: (my Dual 505, my sister's Pioneer PL Z94, and my Yamaha KX580 cassette deck). I was grateful for the advice, to avoid cheaper copies of the stylus and risk damaging the record collection.

That's an awful lot of variables none of which are "If I'm just doing pub gigs."

Does buying a bass for someone else count? But you must not come to acquire it later on in the year...

Not really. I was replying to your reply to Tauzero who said that there was too much thinking going in. Looks like there still is...

Looing forward to finding out if Santa has got anything up his sleeve that's going to make the cut into any of your "best of 2025"?! Have a fab Christmas all!

I would return it as it seems like it's faulty.

My question would be, why wouldn't you? I'm guessing that you could afford it and if you had a better instrument then it might make you play better / sound better / enjoy the experience more. Add to that, other musos might take note of your improved sound and more professional quality gear and start to consider you for other projects when they need a bass player, some of which might possibly be a step up from only playing pubs.

I’m pretty much done in terms of my own gear. If Ive survived this long without something I probably don’t need it. But with both my kids now learning to play, my plans for an acquisition-free 2026 are already perilously holed below the water line….

SC or split?

Yes, brandnew 😉

I guess I should have made it clear that I was only talking about my own personal situation, where I'm not talented enough/too lazy to spin that many plates. I'm in two bands which haven't changed in years, and I don't do deps (because I'm a lazy, mediocre player at best and can't/won't learn a swathe of songs at the drop of a hat or be able to busk through them surfing along on my limited powers of improvisation and intuitive foresight). So it really doesn't matter what bass I play at my gigs, because I make the rules, neither of them are tribute acts (where I agree with you, you have to look the part as well as sound it) and the genre never changes. Also, I'm the kind of contrarian who would *love* to play a T-bird or an Ironbird or something pointy at a country gig, just to mix things up/generate tuts.

Referring once again to Paul Boyers excellent book 'The Rickenbacker Bass, 50 years as Rocks Bottom'. He states in the chapter dedicated to finishes that Montezuma Brown was only available between 2003 and 2006 (it first appeared as a Colour Of The Year in '03 and was the only colour programme to be extended). Therefore the OP's bass, being a 82, can't be Montezuma Brown. Pics from the book attached- 2 Monte Browns and an Autumnglo & Walnut comparison. The latter are very close in colour, however the accompanying text states that Autumnglo disappeared from RIC price lists in 1980 but Walnut continued until early '85 although it was described as 'shaded brown' from '81. I'd still be inclined to say the OP's bass is Walnut.

Hard to tell from the clip but wouldn’t surprise me, it appears on so many early-mid 70’s clips. It always seemed an odd choice for a house bass given I suspect Charlie Tumahai was the only even vaguely famous player who routinely used one at the time 🤔

All the very best @Greg Edwards69.

Thanks Myke, yeah the sax is great isn’t it, I went through a lot of her stuff and there’s 2 I really like, one is the one above and the other is Bad Guy

Is the app expecting by default to operate wirelessly? Is there anything in the app settings to make it use a wired connection? And which app are you using?

I will choose the bass based on the type of gig - i.e. I wouldn't have played my headless bass at a recent C&W themed gig (Squire PJ). And an Eagles tribute night looked better (in my opinion) with me playing my Precision than my Sterling Stingray. And as they are performances, looks are important. Sadly, nothing can make me look particularly fancy. 🙂

I'll probably do that for the gig, and carry hand sanitiser. I'm trying to get people at work to mask up if they come in to work with a cold, or at least keep their distance.

I remember staring at that cover for hours while tripping. Yeah it was snowing then, too.

Thanks for that Tony. Great on so many levels, not just the bass playing. Great video, vocals are fantastic, especially the double tracked bits, and that sax solo!!!