I really don't know how to answer this question... Or if I even can!
I have a notional "top 10" list of basses I've ever played - it's notional as in I've played them all, never owned some of them or even played many of them side-by-side. I own a few on the list... My Vigier Excess 5 jumped straight to number 3 on the list!
Whether there is 1 bass to rule them all for me is another thing. I constantly flop back and forward between 4 and 5 string which doesn't help matters...
I found the key to the BDI21 (and the Sansamp on which it's based) is the blend knob.
Another budget preamp is the original Hartke VXL Bass Attack. Great sounding preamp for all sorts of sounds and built like a tank.
Of course if simple is what you're after there's always the Noble... if you have deep pockets...
Pay attention to how hard you're fretting the string. I'd never really noticed myself until I watched a Gary Willis video on the subject. It takes a lot less pressure than you think and when you ease up on that it makes your left hand movement much more fluid. I do have to keep reminding myself though...
Dingwall D-roc 5 Standard is still interesting me...
But the more I play my Vigier 5 string the more I think maybe a 4 string Vigier would round out the collection nicely!
Yes, but I wonder how close that gets to the UK price?
Just checked the price of the dug pedal too. The prymax price is the same as I paid for my used one recently. Boils my pi55...
Well not to open a can of worms again, but accepting that sort of price as "normal" is screwing the collective!
As an example the YYZ is £215 at guitarguitar here in the UK today... Yet at prymax (USA) it's $155 at the minute. That's £116...
Somebody's lining their pockets nicely!!! Personally I'd never even consider buying a Tech21 product new.
I bought a cheapo OLP 4-string off the 'bay, it sounded fine but I didn't get on at all with the clubby neck... subsequently bought a gorgeous fretless Jaydee neck from Greenolive of this parish, and now it's fabulous.
I'd imagine a used Ray35 may be the answer. Thought I'd get hands on with one in Guitarguitar in Glasgow on Sunday, but nobody seemed interested in helping out a poor bass player - too many guitards to be helped instead...
Can't see how to get the "lite" version... Every time I get to the drop down version box I only have the option of the full version. Am I missing something?
Joyo Orange Juice has been a fav of mine. And the American Sound, although I've modified mine into more of an SVT/Tech21 VT-bass type which also sounds good.
Chord OC-50 is a decent octaver with a synth/drive option which is nice.