fretmeister

Used Sandberg TT5

I’ve never had trouble with AliExpress

Another vote for Feline https://felineguitars.com/ Jonathan is a stone cold genius.

like the EZBass plug in!

No lessons for guitar or bass, but several years of piano and sax lessons and exams. I didn't really use it for playing rock covers pre internet as it was just about impossible to buy the parts anyway, but since I've been playing big band jazz and it's all proper manuscript it's been rather useful.

You're welcome.

I think this is the right one. https://sandbergshop.gambiocloud.com/Sandberg-EL00035-2-Band-EQ-Preamp--without-Balance.html

That preamp has a balance control. a VS4 is a single pickup bass. so does not need a balance. What configuration is your Electra?

Go up a gauge then. They do a 50-110 set. I use the 45-105 on a short scale and really like them, and 40-100 on my 34 scale instruments.

Yes - DR Hi Beams for me. Love the sound of them. They are round core so are a little more flexible than hex cores, and the wrap wires seem smaller than others so I get less finger noise. I've never really liked nickel rounds but recently I developed a nickel allergy so I can't use them anyway - I miss TI flats a great deal. The Hi Beams just sound ace. Nice and clanky with the tone up full, and nice and dull with it down, but still with a tiny edge to it.

I remember that too. The 4 part frets were used as buttons underneath to help lower latency. It was quite an interesting idea but I'm not surprised it didn't work very well. I think these days more people play multiple instruments, so a bassist probably won't buy a digital bass, they'll get a hardware synth or a keyboard midi controller and some plugins for any sound that isn't like a bass guitar. The home recording revolution had definitely led to more multi-instrumentalists, helped by even modest instruments being so damn good now. I still remember my first set up. A Yamaha MT50 4 track tape machine, a Zoom 234 drum machine, my guitar and the Korg Pandora Mk1.

Lightwave basses are probably the closest as they don't need magnetic strings, they use a light pickup system. But then again decades ago there was the Synth Axe so it's not a new idea.

Always driving. I don't like to be limited to public transport times with my gear, or waiting for / being a burden on others.

Joe Dart used them on his MIM Fender Jazz for years too. I find them a bit rough, but they sound nice. I'll stick to my Hi Beams for rounds though.

If you don't fancy soldering - then I suggest asking @KiOgon to make you up a solderless loom with the controls you want (Don't forget the barrel output jack). You'll also need to measure the spaces between the body control holes to make sure the component connecting wires are long enough. All the connections will have a little screw block. You might have to strip a few of the existing cables once you've disconnected them from the existing system, but that should be about it. Dead easy job.

The Ibanez Mezzo sounds bang on if the J pickup isn't used. The stock pickup is fine - just rip out the preamp and go passive. 32 scale, 2+2 headstock, easy to play.

Interesting!

Just buy the official one for £8 and then you'll have peace of mind. https://www.thomann.de/gb/voodoo_lab_voltage_doubler_adapter_ppay.htm https://www.gak.co.uk/en/voodoo-labs-pedal-power-cable-21mm-barrel-voltage-doubler-plug-output-10cm/100980

There's a second plug and socket next to the gain options. If you swap that one it changes the starting curve of the EQ for a slight boost to treble and bass and a small mid cut. Definitely improves the stock Barts a little, but still not as good as changing the barts for something worth having.

Just don't leave it plugged in when you are not going to be playing for a few days or more. That's just wasting the battery then.

I had a long rehearsal on Saturday so I thought I would experiment with the Lionel and the new pickup in it. I did the first run through with Fender 9050L flats, and the second with DR Hi-beam rounds that were already cut and stretched. I really like the flats but I have to say, in such a large ensemble, the rounds gave me more options and tonal variety just using the bass tone knob. I'm going to stick with those for this band. I've still got my other shortie with La Bella flats for proper thumpy stuff.