Dan Dare

Single Malt's right. Paradoxically, a shiny surface will stick more to your hands when they're damp/wet. That's why sharks have slightly rough skin - to aid hydrodynamic efficiency (and why shark skin used to be used as sandpaper). Rub down the neck with fine - around 0000 - wire wool, but cover your pickups thoroughly with masking tape so they don't get covered in tiny steel fragments.

I've got a CNB. Very happy with it it's cheap - £30ish. Fender Metro decent, too.

I had this with a 201. The holes in the bridge were too tight a fit to the screws and tightening them lifted it as the threads engaged with the base plate. Slightly (note SLIGHTLY) enlarge the holes in the bridge with a file and it'll be fine.

I went through the bridge menopause some years back. Found the Badass was too massy/deadening. Schaller nice on my Jazz - cleaner but still warm sounding. Just put a Gotoh on the P bass and like it so far.

Think it depends on the instrument. I find a high mass bridge gives clearer noting especially at low frequencies but can rob an instrument of warmth and 'bloom'.

Nicest lightweight combo I've used was a 2x10 Markbass that a friend lent me. Remarkably full and loud for such a small beast.

Ahh, the old "Save £15 squillion" routine. Inflate the price, reduce to normal selling price and advertise a massive discount...

Notice you have the neck flat. In my experience, a small amount of relief, i.e. forward bend (and I do mean small) helps if you like a low action.

AER? Versatility is their middle name. Pricey, though.

Used to love my Jazz through my old Trace AH350. Had to sell it as getting too old to carry it. Shame.

Watford Valves are selling Celestion 15" neos for much reduced prices at the moment. Got the 400w version and it works fine.

Armstrong pu's are excellent. Nice company, too. Many years ago, I sent my J bass pickups to Kent Armstrong and he fettled them for very little money and returned them within a week.

Absolutely Sam. Gotoh a no brainer. Nicely finished, solidly made, good quality materials. Can't beat Japanese engineering for the money.

I have a Peavey SX200 I don't use. Any good?

Well, the bass arrived this week with no issues (always a bit worrying when you buy mail order). Well packed/protected. Plus points - very playable neck, correct amount of relief, clean fret ends, nicely finished. A few rough edges - tuners a bit gritty (much better for a drop of lube and adjustment). Poor pickup balance - bridge/J pu overpowered by the P. Replaced the nasty cheap foam under the P with thinner closed cell foam so could adjust the height properly. Cheap flimsy bridge - fitted a Gotoh 201. It's turned out well - wide tonal range and have to admit the neck is nice. More to follow after it's done a few jobs.

Suspect Orange and others want to save a few pennies. As Dad and Ghost say, DI box the only realistic way to go. Just use a decent one (Orchid - UK made, cheap - £35 - but Sound on Sound was very impressed).

Nice instruments. One on sale here a few years back for £300ish. Don't know what it went for in the end.

It's all down to the individual player. I never measure height. Just set it so it feels right and doesn't buzz.

This is all good. Fender has been a bit like Hoover - they were first and became the generic instrument, the go-to brand. Now they're just another manufacturer - people compare their offerings to others and don't buy by the name. That's the way it should be. Having said that, I love my old Jazz.

Spot on Mykes. Enjoyed that

If the maker is happy to pay you to take it to a tech, I'd do that. Sounds like an iffy connection. Sprays/air won't sort that.

Rega Brio. Will drive anything. Can't go wrong.

Wow. Bet they did sound nice. Have you seen how much 15" Tannoy Golds go for these days?

Got to be a result. An amp you can do proper gigs with for less than £300. Hope you find the magic tone you're after.