pn_day

Excellent. I have one of the full size Orchid DI boxes (with a latching mute) and am also impressed. Thanks for posting this - it makes me realise that I don't need to spend loads on a high-end DI / preamp (even if I want to!)

My personal view - if using the Stomp with in-ears, it is definitely worth spending some time playing with the global EQ. I cut extreme low frequencies, and also quite a lot of highs (roughly 40Hz low cut and something like 6kHz high cut) which helps to reduce the 'harshness'. Spending some time to get a good seal with your IEMs is important. Looking like a pillock while pulling on your ear to insert your IEMs properly is a price worth paying, IMO. Then again, if you cared what you looked like, you'd probably be up front on vocals or guitar My experience with the Stomp is that the mic pre and Noble (Regal) models were much better for me than any of the amps/cabs/IRs, plus exploiting a parallel path so you always get 50% of the direct sound really helps with clarity. Then again, I'm a rank amateur and have spent most of my bass-playing life plugging into a DI straight into the house - so your mileage might vary. Phil

If you want a transformer based DI box, save yourself a bunch and buy a Canford Audio one 2nd hand. Then spend the rest on another bass

$750 Admittedly you might be able to get 25% off if you are early enough, but it's quite spendy.

I've got almost the same bass (mine is unlined) - I ended up swapping the pickups (as the default hum buckers were lacking in clarity) and stripping out the (dodgy) electronics to convert to passive, along with giving the fingerboard a wee sand down as it had some dings and flat spots on it. Great option for a lightweight and portable fretless.

I had an RBX. It was good. The only thing it really needed (apart from me to improve my technique) was shielding - the factory default shielding paint wasn't up to much. Copper tape made it all better. Lightweight, flexible, and easy to play. What's not to like?!

Just bought a Hothand pedal from Stuart - all was good. Good communication, clear photos, well packaged, and quick delivery. Thanks!

In case it's useful for somebody, I found La Bella low tension flats (LTF) to be slightly less compliant than TI Jazz flats, have less mids, but get much closer to that classic vintage tone. They were more compliant than D'Addario Chromes and Fender flats (I've never had the guts to try the classic La Bella's). I like both LTFs and TI Jazz flats. LTFs on the Precision. TI Jazz on most other things (including fretless) apart from a couple of fretted that still have round wounds. Phil

That one has been on eBay for a while - so the seller may be amenable to a lower offer. If I didn't already have a similar-looking cricket bat (mine in black from Hohner) I might have had a pop. As it is somebody else can have an emergency, easily-transportable fretless that also doubles as a door stop or weapon.

There are a few options on eBay. Chyla basses has one up for sale (30" fretless) or there is an old Aria Sinsonido.

Or look for a 2nd hand Steinberger copy 'cricket bat' from the 80s by Hohner (B2) or others (the wooden through-neck versions). You might have to strip out the electronics, but the actual cricket bat part should still be fine.

Just to throw another option into the mix - consider a cheaper multi-effect unit (like Zoom or others). Useful if she wants to try out different sounds - may not be quite as nice sounding as the options above, but in the context of a band mix, probably close enough (and gives more flexibility). Then when you know what you want, there is always the infamous basschat marketplace Phil

I don't disagree with the sentiment in this thread. However, I am lucky enough to own a BB2000 - it is as awesome as people say. But it is quite heavy for a 4-string - which might be another reason to not do a straight reissue - some of the magic of the highly rated old Yamahas was the well over-engineered (heavy) bridge, custom-wound pickups, and solid construction - I also wonder if wood choice had an impact on the feel (I don't believe it has so much impact on the sound).