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I’ve bought a couple of expensive Sandberg basses this year, for their light weight and my continuing back issues. I also have a Sandberg being made for me at present. When I get it I’ll let one of the others go. Although I don’t intend to gig anymore I do a 4hr rehearsal with my band once a fortnight so wanted to make things as easy as possible. They’re great basses and the last one was more than I’d usually be comfortable spending, but my first rehearsal with it last week showed me it was a wise purchase, didn’t cause any trouble with my back.

Making a living from Bass will also offset tax. I'd definitely be getting a bespoke instrument made. That could well be just a load of off the shelf parts built to my spec. And a beater bass for the roadies to throw around during soundcheck.

Thanks. Pictures really don’t do it justice. It’s soooooo nice. This is my 6th Rick and in my opinion sounds the best by far. Nice chunky neck too that’s effortless to play.

Becoming inspired to give flats a go, though the main 'Ray gig is with an Evanescence tribute, so not quite the vibe! 😅

Not quite Lauder so I’ll substitute so I don’t die before I get old.

Well, yes and no! The guy that I mentioned makes a living from playing bass and decided that he needs a P bass that was completely bulletproof, complete with a quarter sawn neck / CS pickups, etc to handle every pro gig that he gets called for. I seriously considered getting something similar, but decided that I couldn't justify the extra cash as I already have a really nice 70s P bass that is always going to be my main bass, so paying the extra £1.5k wasn't worth it when I could get a really nice AVRI with a pretty similar spec, but without the quarter sawn neck! As I said in another post, you can pick up an American Std for £1k or so, which makes it difficult to justify the extra cash. But, for guys that are going to get that boutique P bass as the one that they use all the time, then it's certainly worth it for them!

When I got my first Stingray in the '80's a pre-EB 2 band, I always felt that in a band mix I was inaudible due to the big scoop in the midrange frequencies that is one of the defining characteristics of that bass. I was used to more mid-forward tones like a Jaydee or Status ect. Tastes change though, and now I really appreciate the idiosyncrasies of the Stingray sound. It's both punchy and understated at the same time, if that makes sense. More recently, I especially like a 'Ray with flats. It never occurred to me back in the day that Bernard Edwards might have used flats. I thought everybody had ditched them asap when rounds became popular. Nowadays we know better.

Is the amp new?

I'm in complete agreement with you Pete. Under normal circumstances I play a P-style Bass 90 percent of the time. My personal experience is that I have a couple of boutique P Basses and an ordinary USA Fender P Bass and in terms of sound and overall usability there's no real reason to get a boutique P except I could get the spec I wanted. I love them all, but in terms of playability and tone the Fender at about half the price does just a good a job in its own way. The boutique basses were an expensive and unnecessary indulgence (but I don't regret it). When I see people paying upwards of five grand for a new boutique Precision Bass I just hope whoever buys it realises they will end up with something which at the end of the day is essentially very similar to a much less expensive example. P Basses are so much in vogue it's easy for some folks to get carried away with the mythology and lose sight of the practicalities.

@Dankology with his lovely Hofner on this live session

I think I'll probably go with a rockboard strip - about a tenner from thomann and much more exciting with the colour features

Good gig last night at a new venue. Drummer won the reconstituted Cannon Trophy, awarded in the past for the person that had the biggest ‘mare on the night. Local gig for me, he lives 45 minutes away, and forgot his cymbals so had a mad dash home and back to get them…he made it back with 10 minutes to spare, at which point we admitted the potential for a late start was averted 🤣 FrankenJazz -> Darkglass Anagram -> Darkglass Microtubes -> BigBaby2. Started off with the pad switched in, but it was all a bit lost so turned it off and the whole thing came alive. Had one guitarist (both the other side of the kit) look over and say I was a bit loud but from where I was it sounded fine so left it. 😁 Went to a blues jam this afternoon. I’ve been threatening to go for ages but never have before, however I needed to go to get tyres sorted at Kwik Fit, which gave me an excuse to sneak a bass into the car and go down after. Only the house band bass player other than me there so I got called up a few times. Took the Tokai Hard Puncher which sounded nice from a clip I’ve seen on FB. Had someone come up to ask if I was looking for a band, so I may have dropped myself in the c@rp with ‘er indoors by saying maybe 🤦‍♂️

Sounds similar to both my Conklin and Bee Bass! Built specifically to upset other bass players, naturally!

LEDs are curent driven, don't mess around with power supplies. Get some rechargeable 1.5v batteries. They'll last for decades on a single charge.