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"Is this the end" is a daft clickbait question. First, what is "this"? Secondly, what is "the end"? Thirdly, if by "boutique" you mean custom built basses, then of course it isn't. As long as there are people wanting instruments built to their own desires and specifications, and as long as there are luthiers willing to build them, then there will be 'boutique' basses.

Decided I couldn't live with it and ordered a replacement from Warwick. MEC 60003. I noticed that the EQ module with stacked pots was available on it's own, M 60904, but it was not much more for the complete set. Whilst the cavity was empty I decided to line it with copper tape as I had a coil to hand that was for model railway purposes. As the Thumb Bass has a separate battery compartment and the the new control harness has it's own battery clip that I did not want to snip off, I soldered another PP3 clip to the original wiring, observing polarity. The service from Warwick was quick, ordered on Thursday arrived Monday. Total cost £141.60

Yeah, almost every bass I have owned with a bridge J pickup has been underpowered. (with stock pickups) Oh really. Thats a big move. Well do let me know if you decide to make that decision. 😏

Do you reckon Ibanez made Thundercat a double-neck just for these film promo appearances? Struggling to get too excited by the film. - 20 years ago, it poked fun at the excesses of the (rock) music industry. Now there isn't one so the humour is less relevant and more self-referential to the original film. That said, I've not seen it so may have to eat my words if and when I see it (and laugh) in the future.

Really good and not just for the money. The bridge pickup is underpowered compared to the P pickup, but that’s not unusual. I’ve been considering putting an EMG GZR set in it and selling the JMJ.

What a great looking bass. No doubt you're going to have a great time gigging with it! Having spent five days with Jon in his workshop a few years ago, I know how good he is what he does and how much pride he takes in doing things properly.

An alternative solution... https://www.basschat.co.uk/topic/514065-it-came-from-the-black-lagoon/#findComment-5523942

Damn!!!! What a killer price!

My partner likes stinky cheese. When visiting Maastricht I went to a cheese shop and asked for their stinkiest cheese and was told that airlines would refuse to take it in the cabin. I was returning by train so that was fine! I got in late and the smell was so rank I had to put a note on the fridge to warn the other half and the lodger that it was the cheese and to be prepared before opening the door.

Looking forward to getting mine! Mine is the PJ configuration. That natural finish though! 😍 sounds like a good trade if you ask me!

I got it back in around 2010/11 I think. £500 on eBay!

Well at least I apologised.

Atelier Z Baby Z-4J represent! Easiest playing bass I own. The knobs have been replaced with Sadowsky-style aluminium knobs (Guyker) since this picture was taken, just like Atelier Z uses now (the old ones were the stock Bartolini knobs). Otherwise it's still very much the same. I believe the Baby Z (or any Atelier Z with the KTS titanium rods in the neck for that matter) isn't actually made by Atelier Z themselves but by Fujigen Gakki. Either way, it's a fantastic bass! Controls are neck volume - bridge volume (pull for passive) - stacked bass/treble (boost-only). It's quite a powerful EQ that can add a lot of oomph and a pleasant zingy top end, while still sounding very musical. A passive tone control would have been nice, but is not a must. It has a slight neck dive, but nothing that a good strap can't counter. I traded my 1981 Ibanez MC924 for it with a lefty friend of mine in the US, and I have zero regrets. The Atelier Z weighs about half as much as the MC924, and has a lovely narrow U-shaped neck that instantly felt familiar. The 17mm string spacing at the bridge took a little getting used to, but is not unlike some of the 5-strings I've owned so wasn't a huge switch. It's brilliant! If I ever find a lefty PJ version (with a reverse split coil) I don't think I could resist.