neepheid

They've been using the H-expander truss rod since their original Swedish days... http://hagstrom.org.uk/expander_stretcher.htm

I see what you did there...

Mate, I'm coming down from Aberdeen - there aren't any regional eligibility rules, the only rule as far as I'm aware is "don't be a d!ck" - actually, they bend that one for me a little

Also, the notion that a gear list from March would stay current until October was frankly laughable. In my defence, I was attempting to do gear abstinence, but a white whale appeared which I had been chasing on and off for 12 years put paid to that but I've gone on a bit of a bender since. To balance things out, 2 off that initial list have been sold, got another one up for sale. TL:DR I'll let you know what's coming about a week before the bash - I think I can make it a week without buying or selling a bass...

Current plan is to stay over Sat night, location TBC.

Ach, book the Monday off - I will be. Let's scheme this out. I can feel a plan forming. I'll be in touch...

Ahh, mine's 2015 (if it wasn't obvious from the serial number). So, they mess with the programme whenever they feel like it, I guess - including changing which tuners they use.

That's the thing I don't get - those Wilkinsons were a straight swap for the tuners in my Epiphone Les Paul Standard which were a straight swap for the tuners which replaced the Gotoh GB7 in my Burny (serious downgrade - dunno what the previous person was thinking). 1mm is enough to cause you bother. Perhaps the tuners vary from year to year. TL:DR - drop in replacement is never guaranteed. Have or learn the skills to recover the situation.

Wilkinson WJB750, and no, not a straight swap - had to fill and redrill the screwholes.

Told you I wasn't digging the black tuners... So, that's it all in matching chrome RE: hardware. Took the opportunity to give the fretboard a drink of lemon oil and restrung with a fresh set of D'addario XL nickel rounds. Think I'm done here.

Ah, fair dos - if you've got no existing drill holes then fit what pleases you most! The advantage of the Hipshot is that all three string are quick release, at the expense of taking up a little more real estate. The Sire one is more compact, but the middle string is captive. Pick your poison...

This guy - https://northwestguitars.co.uk/products/hipshot-style-string-retainer-for-bass-guitars (odd that they refer to it as "Hipshot style" when it's nothing like a Hipshot string retainer, but let's gloss over that). Just thought I'd throw this in there in case you had pre-existing screw holes - this should drop right in...

Can I interject here? You can buy the exact string retainer which Sire use from a UK retailer. I'm about to head to work but will post a link when I get to the office.

"Better" is such a nebulous term. I'm happy with "different" - as in whatever coming in brings something new to the table. Then my experience will be enriched - even if it doesn't work out, I will have a better understanding of what doesn't work for me.

Sorry for the lack of TE relevance, but I would like to add weight to the argument that watts is just a number beyond a certain point. I use a modular system (Markbass Mini CMD121P IV + Markbass New York 121 cab) and I have a backup head - a TC Electronic BH250. All of the following combinations (in order of wattage) are loud enough to be heard fine with a full band IMO. Markbass full rig - 500W into 4ohm 2x1x12" Markbass combo on its own - 250W into a single 8 ohm 12" TC Electronic BH250 into a crappy rehearsal room Behringer 4ohm 4x10" (250W) TC Electronic BH250 into 4ohm 2x1x12" (250W) TC Electronic BH250 into single 8 ohm 12" cab (so providing a nebulous amount of watts less than 250W - TC shy with this info but I guess it will be less than 200) At its most powerful (500W), I don't need the master up on my rig more than about a third in general when playing in the same room as a drummer, guitarist and singer or a drummer, singer, backup singer, keys, sax, trombone. Even with the lesser powered stuff, it doesn't need to be cranked to be heard. TL:DR - try the Elf with your 2x15" in the full band setting (and play with EQ) before you even think about buying anything.

Heh, are you me in disguise? Seriously though, the wunkay is a fantastic bass, so glad I have one in my arsenal.

Did you go for it in the end? If not - now might be a good time - Thomann selling the sunburst one for an absolute steal for some reason - https://www.thomann.co.uk/marcus_miller_z7_4_3_tone_sunburst.htm

Oh aye, she's observant too - some may know that I recently took in a second Thunderbird (different model though) and she was like "don't you have one like that already?" I started to explain the differences, her eyes glazed over and that was the end of that conversation

No, I don't get this at all. Mrs. Neepheid supports my hobby. Occasionally she encourages me to buy a bass I like - genuine conversation: "Do you like it?" "Yes." "Then you should buy it." She's even bought me a bass before. The kind of nonsense highlighted by the OP makes me sad, because unfortunately for some other people it might be true

This Saturday, Nine Lives are playing at Grays Inn, in Mastrick, Aberdeen. Please come - it's never been a particularly well attended venue in our experience

Entirely depends upon the desired outcome - freedom from her clutches? A punch in the mouth? An STI?

@SimonH bought a Squier Jag H from me last week. Fantastic, no-nonsense transaction, good comms, prompt payment, you can't say fairer than that. Deal with confidence.