Al Krow

I found the M82 a little harsh / shrill compared to something like the Fwonkbeta or my current fav the Proton v4 which is on a par with the best of my previous filers including the 3 Leaf GR2. It's a bit pricey though! Intrigued that the C4 didn't hit the mark for you though - I've only heard positive things about it (but I've managed to develop immunity to SA pedals for other reasons!). Did you not manage to try out some of our very own @Quatschmacher's patches for it?

This one should be a treat for all of you glass half empty brigade - enjoy! End of lockdown in UK.mp4

Following a hugely successful vaccination programme that folk across Europe and the rest of the world are looking on at with a degree of envy, announcement of a road map out of lockdown, gigs starting to reappear, music festivals being announced...the stream of negativity from the usual suspects above, reminded me of your comment back last November, Douglas. Ah well, c'est la vie, as you very well might say 😉

Not sure I follow Paul - only a new issue if you are buying used goods from the EU. VAT and import duty has always been there on purchases from the rest of the world. No "additional" costs on purchases from a UK retailer such Bass Direct i.e. we always had to pay VAT on new goods, and nothing extra on used goods.

Entirely fair riposte if that was the only reason, but when it's one of a much larger package of reasons, then every little helps! I think that just deserves two fingers. 😁

Fantastic new addition, Paul - congratulations!!

That really is interesting that they are getting a great tone without any mods to the bass. If you manage to pin down what they are doing differently to get such a great tone eg different rig or pedals that would be a useful insight - so please do let us know. Or maybe it really is all in the fingers 😁

I've got a Euro LX5 and it's right up there with any bass I've ever owned or played. Word on the street is that the preamp on the USA models are even better, but I'd personally struggle to justify the (hefty) premium. I was very lucky to get my Spector new at a decent discount in a sale, but it was still a multiple of what a HB or a Sire would cost. But do I think it's worth every penny? Absolutely. And at the end of the day isn't that all that really matters i.e. are we happy with what we got for our money and being inspired to make music with it?

John Paul Jones Interview: Part 3 | ELIXIR Strings - YouTube [3.03] Apparently he only had one bass even when he started with Led Zep. Damn that must have made taking a spare along a bit tricky...😁 Nice video btw.

Actually neither. And it's exactly the same make/model. So that sounds like it's OK then? Phew.

Like for like replacements of the exactly same piece of kit is ok, right?

Loved the tell-it-like it is review rather than the all too often Week 1 "it's amazing" followed by Week 10 "up for sale, wasn't quite what I was looking for!" (And I'm sure I'm as guilty as the rest of doing that!) 😁 Actually looks really good. Interesting about the pre-amp, kinda similar "nothing special" to what a couple of us have been feeling about the 735A's pre-amp. Maybe we've found the weak spot on otherwise great basses but something that's a non-issue on the purely passive ones? Have you used Delano pups before? Not a big fan myself have to admit, based on my experience on my former Sandberg but, hey, that's just one person's view. EMG 40TWs on the other hand...

Apparently that NS-5XL is available in white too...

I was going to say I'd been saved by the lack of thumb rest string, but then I made the fatal mistake of checking the BD website following your post Eldon and I can no longer avoid knowing that this is there...

Being a 4 string player is hardly a "minority interest", though, amongst bassists. And almost all 5 string players will have started on 4 string and "deviated" from that. I would have also thought that primarily 4 string bassplayers outstrip mainly 5 string bassplayers by a significant margin out in "real world" and very probably amongst those in the BC bubble too. So on that basis, surely it us 5 string players who are the minority deviants? Just out of interest do "lots of other people" you know enjoy sleeping with their siblings? 😁

Some key reasons for playing a 5 string: allows you to play a number of songs an octave down, as compared to a 4 string, particularly those in Eb, D and C (I've not come across too many in the key of B); it makes swapping to a different key a whole lot easier; there are a bunch of fretboard positional benefits from a 5 string and you'll be surprised how often you make use of the notes on the low B string further up the fretboard as well, not just the low Eb and below; avoids needing to get a drop D tuner or retuning the bass mid set; you can spend much less time faffing around looking for the perfect octave-down pedal; the low B string provides a thumb rest and avoids unsightly wear marks next to the neck pup; your band-mates (and of course the audience) won't notice you're playing a 5 string and not a 4 string unless you actually point it out to them. For your "correct authority return", in Box 5S, you need to set out clearly why none of the above is likely to apply to you. The most common reason given is: "But I prefer a 4 string". That seems to work. I hope that helps.

** sigh **

HOT OFF THE PRESS... READING AND LEEDS FESTIVAL TO GO AHEAD THIS SUMMER (AUG BANK HOLS) 👍

I've found I spend much less time faffing around looking for the perfect octave-down pedal since getting into 5 strings - can we include that as a positive side effect? 😁

Yup and apparently he can also confirm he is well happy with his current herd and has advised that there is no particular need to link him to basses that haven't sold to anyone else for a couple of years, but appreciates the well meaning gesture behind this. He seeks to pass on his good wishes to anyone still struggling with the thumb rest string on their own bass and recommends just giving it a bit of time. After all, he feels that if he managed to transition to 5 strings, it shouldn't be beyond the capability of any basic level bass player with a bit of perseverance 😉

Picking up on the MB Combo theme, this combo was bang on £400 used plus P&P:

I'm guessing it will be machined parts with just final quick assembly manually. I'm no expert in how long it would take, but let's say 3 hours per bass to assemble parts by an experienced worker How does that sound as a guesstimate? Bear in mind that the cost of living is a lot less in developing nations, so the equivalent min wage might be 1/4 to 1/6 what it is in devoloped nations. But I have no idea what they are paid. Need Mr Stewblack to jump in on that one. Then you need to add transport costs and Thomann mark up, which will add a chunk. And UK VAT at 20%!

I've wondered about HB prices as they do seem such amazing value. But @stewblack mentioned the other day that they were made in Vietnam and the workers were being looked after. Me and you both! Excellent riposte! Guess we just need the above two posts on any relic thread and mods can then close it down. 😁

krispn was referring to the BB 5000A that was linked to a few posts back. The only basses I have with gold hardware on them are these: PS you are clearly a person appreciates the finer things in life with your comments about the Spector Euro 5