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Weird layout of foot switches. It's as though they don't want to make it user friendly.

Interesting. Do D'addario make Fender's flatwounds too? I had a set on a 5 string a while back and I was super impressed with them, they were fairly inexpensive too. I wonder what set they were based on...

instrtuments

Form factor Is going to be off putting for some I think, I love the current Octamizer and the new sounds on the down filter sound excellent, never use an octave up tho. Compressor looks good - the metering looks a really great addition, I’m not quite sure what to make of the EQ, I think with a passive bass it’d probably work really well

Whatever bass you can think of, Sire have made a cheaper copy - and usually decent quality

It’s a lovely preamp but I wouldn’t say it has a “tubey” sound at all? It’s very hifi IME

I have a Cort. I like its build quality but not its bartolini's I have several Yamaha 5's. Again, love the build quality but pick up's on some are muddy and lack lustre (RBX and BBN. The older BB's are a different ball game) I have no experience of Sadowsky. How would you rate them compared with Lakland 55 or G + L Tribute 2500 ( but outside of my current budget 😕)

Apparently Spanner Crabs are red and walk both forwards and backwards rather than sideways.

Distant Drums - Jim Reeves

Yep, I believe the Fortress has a reputation for being a tad heavy. 17.5 is slightly on the narrow side. 18-19 is my aiming point however I ask myself 0.5mm is that really a deal breaker ?🤔 I guess I'll have to try and find one and see for myself.

Looks quite fun - let us know how you get on with it.

Thats ugly. I think ill give it a miss. To be honest, I can't see myself ever buying a bass more expensive than my Euro LX and even that is far too good for someone of my very minimal talents.

not who but what Dingwall road worn single cut basses class d oh there's probably a new Fender bass, based on an old fender bass, with or without a Fender logo, made somewhere else in a factory, somewhere

Song From The Bottom Of A Well - Kevin Ayers

Get yourself a Cort, Yamaha or a second hand Sadowsky Metroexpress.

I had a fortress 5 many years ago. Well made but was heavy and difficult to get the action low. Also I believe all Warwick designs (broad neck aside) have 17.5mm spacing as standard.

Warwick Rockbass Corvette anyone - or does the narrow string spacing rule these out 🤔

I think my experience with a five string SR would amount to the same, so I shy away from the SR range on string spacing and skinny necks.

Thank you very much 🙏 for writing such a comprehensive overview sharing your knowledge and experience. Folk working in music shops ought to be a go too when it comes to obtaining advice from pain in the backsides like me. Truth is where I live we have one small half decent guitar shop serving the whole County and even I own more basses than they stock. Nearest decent store is a 5-6 hour return trip to Bristol twice have journeyed and twice I've returned having seen nothing of any inspiration. The more higher end stores specialising in the more decent 'boutique' basses are a two day trip away with prices I can only dream of. So, like 90% of members I rely on BC to share knowledge and experience from folk like you. And it's a tremendous help 👍 SX - a few years ago I bought a cheap Bass Collection copy. It was okay but I didn't hang on to it because it was very average. A typical beginners bass. Nothing wrong with that. I just outgrew it quickly so moved it on (for a hundred quid!) IBANEZ - again, back in the day, I bought a SR300. Fine for a couple of months but underwhelming and it's put me off SR's ever since. I've tried re-considering the 'higher end' models 505/605/705 but put off by the tight string spacing on the 5's. Leaned more towards a BTB I do own an Ergodyne EDC which is a beast - just wish it's a 5 😢 SIRE - I have four (1 five string V7 fretless, 1 five string M2, and 2 four string V7 fretted, 1 ash, 1 alder). I like Sire very much. As everyone agrees they're good for the money - especially secondhand. I'm always looking at their constantly changing models and new colours however my main gripe is too many are retro fitted with generic hardware especially the preamps M6 - I think you're the first person I know who has actually acquired one of these. I love the look of them but none available secondhand and expensive brand new. However I've noticed Andertons have cut their prices so perhaps the M6 isn't flying off the wall quite as expected 🤔 CORT - I have a B4 AS + fretless which is nice to play, very light, and very well finished. Again I wish it was a 5 too but not made as a five string. I keep looking at the various 5 string J style Cort basses but they're more 'also runs' and not sure whether they'd end up being keeper SQUIER -sorry but they just don't do it for me. I don't see them as anything other than a budget brand beginners bass. I'd take Sire over Squier any day BTB - the dark horse. Get the feeling this is a Marmite bass. Love it or hate it. Lots and lots of different models at various price points. I'm not a fan of the 'flat' brown wood effect finishes on many of the more recent models and the older ones look quite dated to me. As a player that plays only sitting down I like the extended lower horns for knee balance and with arthritic hands appreciate the wider string spacing but not the wide necks that accompany that. Not overly keen on Bart pick ups favoured by Ibanez and chosen for so many of their bass models ! Huge depreciation on them too. Can I ask, having owned 5 or 6 you elected to sell these on? What did you like/dislike about the BTB ? The Search continues .....