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These new Sonic Series models are absolutely fantastic- I've a Bronco and it's a far better bass than it has any right to be for sub-£150! Fretwork was incredible on it, hardware all worked nicely. Pickup, strings, and scratchplate were the weak links but definitely not dealbreakers when everything else was so good. I normally fretdress new acquisitions and this one didn't really need it at all. We've come a long way in the last 30 years for that to be the case! Totally agree about the pickguard though! For full disclosure I should add I make them for a living so probably care about this far more than most folks; but nothing bothers me more than seeing Squiers with a 1-ply white guard with 45 degree edges. Main reason? It'd be no more expensive (cheaper if anything) for Squier to make them with 90 degree edges, which would just look better automatically, maybe because they'd look more like the original HIPS ones Fender used in the 1950s... instead though it just makes the whole thing look super cheap. Especially on those 90's Affinity models where they all turned that grim uneven shade of cream from UV. My guess is the edge bevels are harder for some players to catch their hands on... but using a 3ply material that'd look better would make the next models up harder to sell so maybe it's also a way of making the more expensive ones feel like more of an upgrade. On my Bronco the actual quality of the cut was really quite good, it was a well-made and fitting guard, no unevenness around the edges- but just looked nasty because of the material/bevel choice.

Welcome! My mum spent her 1st 6 years ‘sheltering’ from the war in Malmesbury!

I would not want to be in a band that was associated directly (or indirectly through the views of one or more of its members) with extreme views such as the ones mentioned in the OP. Anyone who knows me knows that I avoid talking about even the less radical, everyday politics because I don't believe it is relevant to the bands I'm in and it's an easy way to begin an argument. I have severed ties with one 'friend' who turned out to (or perhaps developed over time) fairly racist views. It was a very easy decision to make and I wouldn't hesitate to do it again.

Agree with this. The M series are really uncommon.

I wouldn’t gig with someone with extreme political views, and more importantly I’d tell them why - you have to call it out so that they know it’s unacceptable, otherwise they’ll just carry on until they find someone who’s prepared to accept it and never question themselves.

It depends how vocal they are. The problem is being guilty by association and being tarred with the same brush. I have a couple of 'responsible postions' in the local community. I've cancelled a contract with one provider who had a director who organised a protest at an asylum hotel.

Thanks for confirming @Hellzero - that review sounded off to me as well.

Hey, everyone I'm hoping I can get some advice about the freshly installed pickups on my bass. Here's the situation: I ordered a set of The Duke PJ pickups from Tonerider and had them professionally installed along with a pro setup and a Graphtec nut at the local custom shop. The technician called me and said that there was a buzz coming from one of the pickups because it was too hot for the built-in preamp. It's listed as "Ibanez Custom Electronics 2-band EQ". He tried throwing a resistor on the pickup to cool it off, but it didn't make any difference. I brought it home and did a few minutes of testing and it seems that with the blend knob all the way up I'm getting a pretty bad buzz. I've attached a recording if that helps - Open E string moving the blend knob from 100% right to 100% left. Here are my questions: 1) I'm considering an Artec SE2 preamp because it's cheap. Any good? 2) Apparently I can make the bass passive, but it'll take just as much effort on the part of the technician to do this. Pros and cons here? 3) Could it be something else I've overlooked? Thanks in advance, looking forward to any advice anyone can share Attached a photo of her with my guitar too, because I think they make a cute couple. Pickup Blend Noise.m4a

Loose string tree or maybe a loose screw in the bridge somewhere?

If you have two bodies, few @Kiwi necks, few pickups, and two electronics, there are already LOTS of choices. Add a painting and hardware scheme, and we can talk about a custom. A SHELL yellow P body (chambered or light swamp ash), an unlined MM neck, a J bridge and a humbucker neck with coil-tap, black hardware, V/B/T/B. Where to find one? Available in 3 months? I could seriously consider one. If @NancyJohnson sources pickup routings, I could source electronics and pickups myself.

Hey, everyone! Long-time reader, first-time poster. I'm Brim, I recently bought an Ibanez SRMD200 (medium scale). She's Candy Apple Red and plugged into a NUX 8BT when not plugged directly into my PC. I'm really new to bass and hoping to get some advice from more experienced players. Cheers

Thanks. I really can’t stand the BBOT even though I know it works ok. Just looks so naff.

I think I’m going to give the FI v4 a go listening to those - there’s some excellent sounds there, at least I can get hold of one of these 😁 I like the Chaka Khan ones on the playlist especially. Tbf I have heard of multiple people that the tracking on the v4 is outstanding

Been there, it’s infuriating isn’t it?