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Right then @Machines, I've compiled the results, and it's a majority 8-2 ruling for... NOT GUILTY In my closing notes I will say that you had a close brush with failure and you would be well advised to steer clear of guitar shops going forward, but the court will not go as far as issuing a restraining order. Be good. Case closed.

What about some Retrovibe Ultralites? They look a very similar shape and I have use them on a build and was I impressed with the quality. I think they only come in chrome so that might be the only issue? Made in South Korea and cheaper than Licensed Hipshots. https://retrovibe.co.uk/product/retrovibe-ultralite-bass-tuning-machine-heads-clover-leaf-or-lollipop-only-224g-per-set/

Hey Andy, kinda thinking @Phil Starr's RCF 310A set up could be a neat, lightweight and very good sounding set up for you guys. I'll let him jump in with more detailed thoughts, which I'm sure he will be happy to give. @Woodinblack has base speaker plus array set up (also RCF I think), which will deliver a fuller sound, but may be more than you need, but could allow you to also go via the desk if you fancy doing that down the line.

anyone grab one of these? 🙋

Interestingly, another website lists it as Okome - which Google tells me is similar to mahogany but lighter. So I'd imagine weight to be kind of standard for a £300 bass.

Array column systems have their benefits, but... The typical array column system places the mid/HF column above the sub, with no option for placing them apart. That means you can't place the subs and mains optimally, the subs close to the wall behind, the mains in the front of the stages. The other 'but' is that they tend to be more expensive than separates. They are easy to use, and portable, but still far from ideal. For small clubs a pair of pole mounted ten inch mains and a fifteen inch sub works better and isn't all that difficult to use. IEM for monitoring is preferable to foldbacks, as they don't take up room on the stage nor do they add wiring clutter.

Agree next it’ll be “well I didn’t mean to buy when I went in, and someone else actually paid though I did give them the money…”

Source Audio Nemesis or Collider are frankly amazing for the money. Analogue wise, the Moogerfooger or Asheville Music Tools offerings are banging.

Cats loved to shred the stuff.

Terrible stuff. It's on the wedge monitors and youth PA speakers at church. Never heard it called that before though.

I've found the issue and though easy to diagnose, it's not a simple repair. To disassemble hold the hefty ring st the bottom of the main shaft in a vice and unscrew: Now loosen the grub screw in the upper two-axis clamp and twist it off. It took a fair bit of twisting and pulling to extract the inner shaft. The culprit is this small insert that guides the inner shaft. It has a tiny cross-section above the slots and should be held in place by inner lugs inside two rectangular slots (one visible). Obviously it failed at the weak points and was causing the jam as the two parts caught on each other. A replacement would require removal of the end plug, but this would probably damage the plug and/or shaft (plug fixed by dimples made in the shaft). Proper replacement would therefore require a new inner shaft. My alternatives are: Moan at Hercules (who still haven't redponded) for a new inner shaft. Fit the larger remnant of the guide ring. It still has its locating lugs, but looks damaged and likely to fail. Leave it off and rely on the end plug to keep the inner shaft aligned (may work but could end up with the plug failing). Make a new guide, split so it can be fitted around the shaft. Lots of ways to do this, might try two 3D printed parts, with teflon grease so they don't 'pick up'.

Yes it does work. The things migrate south down the M42 and make huge holes in my lawn. Now I know where they came from.

The fuzzy material they once loved to cover cabinets with.

Rats' fur??

In that case it's a clear fail unless you can get a letter of authority from @Machines girlfriend.

totally! It's not for everybody and most bassists I know say that's waayyy too much!! But I own 2 other broadnecks and for me it just fits and I like it. A Thumb NT5 BN like this one would be my absolute dream bass and I've been searching for it all over Europe for the last 4,5 years. It's just so rare since the demand for it is so low. Also, this bass must weigh a LOT. My guess is around 6kg (~13.2 pounds) although the original post says "4's to 5 kilos". I owned many non-Broadneck Thumb NT5s with a way smaller body (same wood etc) and they already weigh 4.7kg

It was Dave Green who replied to me. Said the amp was a now obsolete model and he couldn’t really help. His only suggestion was to wire the fan it so it runs all the time. Which isn’t much good when it’s used for bedroom practise. I don’t want to start buying components and trying them out (I think it might be the fan relay but not sure yet) as it’s just a waste of money, and it’s a fiddly PCB as well. Going to do some more testing to see if I can narrow the problem down but if I can’t figure it out it’ll be going in the bin. Or selling spares and repairs.

Just last year I was given a Chinese Lucite bass from an old friend in California. I was given a pass on the gift , and then failed after finally finding a Batwing Harmony. Had to buy that , had been looking for one for ages. Now he did indicate previous ownership of the bass , and that did inspire the gf to purchase it. But I would not consider that undue pressure.

I honestly don't care if you buy some sheets of plywood. I bought some screws recently because I had to come up with an inventive way to mount a pickup (bought last year) - I didn't even mention it here - they're screws! It's clear you bought all the "gear" parts of the project last year, as did I. I've got no issue with this.

They still are, but it's the "unsolicited" part is we're debating here.

Where would I stand if I bought plywood to complete a self-build speaker cabinet? All the other components required were purchased last year: driver, handles, Speakon sockets , corner protectors, feet, rats’ fur, etc. I fell ill and was unable to complete the job last year but I’m determined to get it done in 2026.

Eat the Rich - Aerosmith

In previous years, unsolicited gifts were a pass.