tom.android

Like Mikey I’ve owned or played most of them. The 434 would be perfect for the mix of styles you describe. It’s sound is very neutral - it basically sounds like a good Fender. my personal favourites were the 414 and 1024. 414 for the highly playable slim neck profile, 1024 slightly edged it on sound and lovely ergonomic thumb rest shaped p-pickup. Ended up keeping the 414. You can’t really go wrong.

Practicing and playing are different things. If you can hear what’s not right with your playing, you can fix it. I’m sure you’re doing great but you might do better with some assistance from a properly qualified and experienced tutor. Where are you based? I bet there’s someone within half an hour’s drive who can sort you out in 6 months. Don’t buy any gear this year, get lessons instead.

PLEK is more like a computer-assisted fret levelling and nut cutting tool. I’d really like to play a BB434, 734 and P34 back to back to directly compare. I think the main difference is going to be in playing feel rather than sound. I’ve done this with 434 & 734 quite a few times and in a lot of ways I prefer the 434.

Ander sold me a Yamaha THR30 amp. Absolutely perfect all round. Cheers! Tom

Raising the bridge pickup closer to the strings or lowering the other two should help level out the volumes a bit?

As an avid/pathological watcher of the used bass market I’ve been wondering: Why am I seeing BB615s for sale all the time but almost never BB415s? Did not many sell when they were new or is everyone who has one just holding into it? Thoughts on a postcard

1024x has a thicker neck profile front to back. Slightly classier finish but it’s quite marginal. Fantastic alnico pickups. Like Andy, the 414 is the one I still own.

Sounds like you want to loosen the truss rod, no? If it’s maxed it’s tightened fully, usually. Loosen it to allow the strings to pull it forward slightly more.

Just bought Lee’s Octamizer. All was smooth and speedy. Cheers!

You say you switched strings from flats to rounds - but which ones? There’s a huge variance in tone from different string types and brands. Loads of punch and growl? Give good old Roto 66s a go.

True and wise. Something else to consider might be a preamp feeding some IEMs so you can get some clarity in your ears without changing sound to FOH.

Strings, strings, strings. Still want flats but less boomy-y with loads more mids and upper mids? - TI jazz flats. Then there’s rounds but heaps of difference here. My favourite ‘dark’ sounding ones are GHS Blanced Nickles. Or go all the way up to steels and discover that your tone knob actually does something. Steel wounds on a P works for Lee Sklar, right? I’m really into the idea of matching the right bass / pickups combination with the right strings. Getting your low end under control onstage is another part of the equation, mind.

As others have said, Sadowsky Metroline sounds like what you’re after. Possibly a Will Lee if you like skinnier necks. Also Maruszczyk are probably worth a look. Excellent value used. Bacchus, too.

Absolutely superb. Bit lighter than the ‘posher’ models and the ceramic pickups sound great. Can’t go wrong.