Musicman20

To be fair, I wouldn't have any need for this type of device, but, I have developed a lot of respect for their products over the past few years. I'd really like to try some of their (latest) 'normal' bass amp and cab range at some point in the near future.

I doubt i'll be opting for one as I have a great collection already (finally stopped wanting new basses), but it is a lovely looking bass!

Oh no - that's terrible to hear If I get into the position to go private I will.

...and the BEST times I have had playing music was when it was for our enjoyment, not money, just pure fun. Touring an album/EP with zero cares about profit, as long as we get some fuel money and sell a few t shirts, we didn't care. I rely on my actual job to pay me. If you are a working musician it is totally different.

I don't have any desire to go back to covers as despite the fact it was often fun, I just want to write and have that excitement of people enjoying music you have created. I literally have so many ideas I get confused and/or forget them so I now record it VERY basically on my iPhone for future reference. 95% of them are guitar parts. I would write the bass but I'm finding that guitarists just aren't what I want them to be, so I have to do it. I am frustrated and ready to finish another project as I feel my ideas just aren't being listened to and it is going in a very odd direction which I never wanted. Probably the worst few years I've had since being very young, but my career and personal life is decent, so now I just need the music to be sorted out.

Off topic and for a political debate, and I am not by any means ANY kind of expert on this matter, but isn't the majority (apparently almost 98.8%) of the NHS funds sought from general taxation and National Insurance. I've had mainly positive experiences with the NHS, most of the time. I think its a fantastic part of our culture, and I applaud those who work long hours within it. However, if the above stands true, we are in fact paying for our own healthcare, in a sense (even if it is just a small percentage of it), by working and contributing to the economy. My recent tax and National Insurance payments are insane. We also pay into a system that helps others. It is not for me to comment on the USA. I haven't spoken to anyone about it in years, but when I did, they just say those that had the means would buy their own insurance. If I could afford to (house saving denies this!) I would go private myself. I don't personally think that stating they provide for healthcare is helpful for anyone in the UK who also pays for their own healthcare by working. Sorry - no idea where that came from!

A Thunderbird should be played at knee height.

How loud do you need it to be? IMO (and I will be getting one) try the Roland Cube 10GX which allows bass, guitar and acoustic to be used through it. Practice amps just need to be basic and portable. This amp covers all of that and with a guitar and bass (not tried acoustic) sounds pretty damn good! Great for playing quiet but without headphones (although it does that as well).

I own a fair amount of EBMM basses. Don't touch the saddle height etc at first. The are the easiest bass to adjust the truss rod on. There are specific Musicman assistance videos, and a diagram which shows you which way the truss rod wheel needs to go. The only ever time I've needed a pre-gig / post-gig adjustment was when my Ray 4 was in and out of a cold van to a warm venue. The strings slowly went quite low, so the action was comfortable but not the way I like it, (basically a little too much fret buzz). All it needed was a VERY minor truss rod wheel adjustment....took seconds and worked a charm. They are probably the easiest bass to setup, just take your time. The reason I mention truss rod first is because if the saddles are at normal height (see their website) it's best to leave them be until a small truss rod adjustment is made.

I would personally opt for the EHX Bass Big Muff. As with guitar, you can buy hundreds of boutique clones, and some will sound a little better or more to your taste. I do think that most muff type bass fuzz ends up sounding 'fairly' similar, with a much more obvious difference with electric guitar.

For some reason I can't quote! Si - Aware that it is an excellent benefit for them to provide their employees with healthcare. They should be applauded for this, However, I do see it cited on almost every 'Fodera overheads' type thread. Probably straying into politics so I'll leave it be.

I should have also added that ACG are another company I would personally look at....probably get 4 for the price of 1!

Just a thought, why can't you get one from Bass Gear now?

If the owner/purchaser wants to spend that sum of money, then they must believe it is worth that amount. There is definitely a level of hype and marketing behind the value of them, but that applies to many items we buy, including instruments, cars, houses in certain areas of the country, etc. I fall for it, but I tend to accept I know I've fallen for it! The only part I don't buy is the location/salary/healthcare. That is part of every business, and yes, it is great to see them treating their employees with such a positive approach, but that shouldn't really be part of any marketing or discussion with why they cost so much. Someone could equally turn round and say, well I can buy an NYC Sadowsky for less, is there any issue with how they treat employees? I seriously doubt it. Just an observation. I wouldn't buy one even if I figured it was a sound investment for myself, purely because they don't fit into my typical tastes, but they clearly (and rightly so) have stellar quality overall. If I had that cash 'spare', and wasn't saving for a house, then I'd invest it in a watch, and spent the rest on a nice Sadowsky/Overwater/Shuker or dream Fender (I have enough EBMM's for now!).

I had a MIJ P Bass which was basswood and was used on and off for a good 10+ years. No worries at all. It did get two dints in the front (hardly noticeable) but they could have happened just as easily to any wood. I have two Bongos - both sound superb. Apparently, Basswood is quite a good starting point for a neutral tone if you are interested in the whole tonewood discussion.

Probably way more versatile than a Thunderbird, but does it sound like one in any of the pickup selections?

Nice idea, but nope, not into that headstock. Needs something a little more traditional.

Time to enjoy European products?

Yep, and as soon as a middleman is involved, if they are a large distributor, the prices rocket. In 2016 I don't see the need for the extra cost of a distributor.

Singlecut Fanned-fret Anything overly pointy aimed at metal Headless LEDs Poor headstock design on high end Fender copies

I've noticed Roland/Boss pedals jump up (good job I bought a load of the decent ones before this) including the DD-500 by £20. A month ago I managed to get one for £50 less. To be fair Boss aren't expensive IMO, but it may put some people off. With those items, you can watch Amazon and get it delivered free, sealed, for cheaper than most stores if you watch the prices jump around. I've noticed Aguilar prices jump up to really high amounts over the past few years. Before they had a middleman dealer, and mainly sold through one store in the UK, a DB112 was about £370-400. Obviously inflation and natural price rises/exchange rate etc calls for price changes, but the two above prices (especially for the SL410) will put a LOT of potential buyers off.

I would personally keep the Bongo. They are absolutely unique. If they looked more like a metal bands type of bass, I wouldn't probably say that ( jus cannot gel with those types of instrument) but as it stands, I see it as a very unique and well designed bass. At least the headstock works with the design, unlike a lot of Fender copies by high end brands. Yes, it looks 'odd', but it looks sleek and modern, but still retaining some of the Ray DNA. I tend to just use the low mid and treble controls to go from a more aggressive punchy tone, to a more subdued and warm tone.

Smashing Pumpkins - Mellon Collie. Stunning.

I think one complaint EBMM had was that dealers had too much choice as to what to order. Inevitably the customer wants a different spec to the bass they have in stock at the store, so the dealers stopped stocking as many (as far as I know). At on point there was a mind boggling amount of choice. They are also hitting the guitar side of the market HARD right now...with some amazing designs which I wish I could buy!