three

I sort of hope it is a mod - I rather like it if so. In the first image, it looks like the head could be tucked inside Billy J's bassist's jacket? The second looks a little more clear but still hard to tell. I expanded the images as much as I could - anything but get on with work.

Absolutely love that violet - could I ask who performed the respray?

We are! A combination of the height at which I wear the bass and my own physiology I suspect, but Schallers just don’t work for me. I tried the newer version but with the same result. Both my Shortys have Dunlop Dual pins. For security, I double over the ends of the Comfort Strapp, then add the rubber washer. This prevents any forward swivel and provides a bit of solidity and stability. I still have Schallers on the ‘bic shorties but only play seated - strap balance is a joke (again, preference and physiology - I’m sure they’re fine for many players). Here’s the Shortys - a rare day of strong sunshine up here

Agreed - I remember posting a fairly lengthy contribution on just this issue around five or six years ago - I find that Schallers permit my basses to subtly tip forward a little, creating a bit of an uncomfortable angle between chest and the top edge of the bass. I jettisoned straplocks in favour of rubber washers years ago.

Angela Arnott is in Gloucestershire - http://guitarangel.co.uk If you don’t mind driving into London, I’ve always been impressed with Martin’s work at the Bass Gallery in Camden I hope you can get the bass up and running as it should

Sorry Chris! My scepticism may be terribly misplaced but I’m struggling with this one

Yes, they sort of missed a trick here 'organic micro-chambering' It could be a fabulous bass (I'd love to find out) and League is no slouch... but...

Without wishing to open the can, I particularly enjoyed the marketing copy in this at Andertons: https://www.andertons.co.uk/bacci-guitars-amrita-woodworm-michael-league-signature-maple/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=surfaces&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADujoUqVDRQwkN1bWBZcEzip5ciCn&gclid=Cj0KCQjwzrzABhD8ARIsANlSWNOy6ZK_8WuK66VSG5h7Z3UTqmDDDEChjBNvC49jOeUAn4kUKGS7GKkaApxEEALw_wcB

The only graphite-necked basses that I've played are Status - I've owned and played quite a few and still have a fretted and fretless. There seems to be a consensus that Status graphite necks have a sort of soft D profile - I think this is pretty accurate and meets with my own experience. I find the shape very comfortable and it's easy to get around on the necks - I've had some gloss and some satin finishes and tend to prefer the former. The arguments re: contribution to tone are endless, though to me (and with respect to Status), the sound is tight, clear, highly focused and accurate - really quite pokey with masses of sustain. The stability of the necks is also incredible - set-up is easy (and the basses stay 'set-up'), and a very low action is possible. My old Series II doesn't have a truss rod and the neck is almost flat. Action can be incredibly low. I hope this helps, though as above, I can only comment on my experience with Status

What a lovely looking bass and very generous of its owner to loan it! I have quite a few basses with brass bridges and find the constant polishing and general upkeep a nuisance. I’ve had most of them gold plated to cut down on polishing work. Surprisingly, even very high quality gold plating isn’t that expensive (but not something I’d undertake with somebody else’s bass!) Some makers recommend Flitz and I find it very good – I think it’s about £5 for a small tube but it lasts ages. I’ve also read that some users of brass bridges smear some form of VO5 hair conditioner onto the brass after cleaning it. Apparently it helps to retain the lustre. I always completely disassemble brass bridges too before trying to clean them (apart from on Status headless – disassembling those is a serious job). Taking the Aria bridge apart doesn’t look too onerous. Good luck with it and enjoy the bass – it really does look lovely.

Some nice bass designs IMO - all new to me. A bit of a Thompson/Wal-alike with a good few other influences (Alembic, Status - quite a transatlantic combination). If the multicoil pickups work/sound as advertised, then a reasonably priced option (and good to see more makers getting into the multicoil space… if you’re interested in a Wal-like tone). Graphite necks (Klos) on the basses too - interesting twist - and use of machine screws is reassuring (if executed well). In all, very reasonable prices for the specs. I’d really like to try both the basses and pickups

I don't know if you'll have tried this yet but Reggaebass makes a good point - it might be worth tightening the screws/washers that hold the gearing in place on the machine heads - I've had these come loose on Fender-type basses with resulting rattle. I'd also agree with Lozz196 re: break angle - just pressing down on the string behind the nut might reveal the cause of the rattle (though it sounds more like a loose component to me). I hope you get it sorted - really frustrating!

To address the OP directly, I've owned four Spectors, all US models, and still own two, both Spector Shortys. For context, I haven't owned a Czech or any other model. Both of the long-scale basses (NS4 and 5), now sold, had deep profile necks that were frankly too large for me to play comfortably. The basses were built and finished to a superb standard - truly on a par with or superior to anything else that I've played (including Wals etc.). Solidity and stability are assured with the US models in my experience. The gloss sprays were also world-class - the ultra amber 4 was an instrument of rare beauty, and the water cured redwood 5 was uniquely lovely. Electronics (HAZ and EMG) were very hot, though not to my personal taste. The basses were sold as they were heavy, the balance and ergonomics didn't really work for me, the tonal range didn't really fit my needs/tastes, and the neck profile was a little too much (though as others have indicated, there are options within the US and other ranges). That said, I miss both in terms of sheer build quality and good looks. The two Spectors that I've retained are Shortys and are my main basses - they're both different takes - one with EMG humbuckers and an Aguilar OP3, the other with Aguilar P and J pickups and an OP2. The build quality is exactly the same as the long-scales - superb - the three-piece necks are wonderful. Both necks are fairly slender and beautifully carved: one has the DW 1.5 nut and the other, a standard 1.64. Body carving, tops and finishes are exquisite - perfect really, though both bodies have satin/matte finishes and I tend to prefer gloss. A little strangely, the DW necked bass is significantly lighter than the other. I can't comment on the Czech instruments other than to say that some of them look staggering. If cost isn't an option, I'd go for the US versions, but be prepared for a reasonably heavy instrument with a deep/thick neck (unless you're able to specify otherwise). US Spectors remain my go to for pretty much everything.

This thread is an absolute joy - staggering talent and an outstanding achievement. Wow!

There’s an Epiphone pro version in white on eBay at the moment for £450 – in Telford. Looks decent - item number is: 196752560838

Great choice in my opinion - the Baby Sumo is a really impressive implementation of Class D. I've used a Tonehammer with some success, and a Mesa Subway+ preamp and DI - the latter was really impressive, though they're really difficult to find and are no longer in production. I've used all sorts of pres with the Baby Sumo (Warwick PR40, Monique, SF2) and they sound how you'd expect. I think I read somewhere that somebody had experienced some input gain problems with the Sumo, but I certainly haven't encountered any issues with signal. I haven't used an SBP-2, though if it's a pre that you know and favour, probably worth a try - I'm pretty sure the results are what you'd anticipate

If you can find one - I wish I could - I'd recommend the Mesa Boogie Subway+ DI. I really shouldn't have sold mine. Two DIs (Mic and Line from memory) and real versatility in a well-built package

It's the first I've heard or seen of these - possibly an interesting addition to the Alembic line-up, and something novel (I think) with the extra filter modes. I use an SF2 that appears to have a little more in terms of control/parameters, but I can see the pedal-type form factor appealing to some. It won't make any bass sound like an Alembic, but a useful tool for recording and live use. The Alembic filters (in the SF2 and probably in this box) offer a great deal of control and versatility. On a related issue, I've been playing for decades and have yet to meet an Alembic-playing dentist, though I do know a guitarist that gigs as a consultant gastroenterologist

I live in the town (utter dump) and don’t think there’s any connection between SUYG and Tony - other than optimistic pricing for quite ordinary basses. Perhaps oddly, I don’t know Tony though I think he offers lessons. I haven’t seen him playing locally either. The town’s once thriving music scene crashed dramatically in the late ‘80s (along with its economy as a whole). I might go and have a mooch but can’t see anything that appeals, especially given the prices