Ander87

Oh @drTStingray that's a great colour! I have to admit my initial inclinations were the sparkle (Aqua specially, but the grey one is gorgeous too!). The Cruz Teal they had was 4kg bang on so that's the one I took, the Aqua Sparkle was weighing about 4.5kg. I miss him still, I've let go of all my basses except for one (Merlos Al Andalus coming) to do adulting and save for a house... I've a feeling an SR5 Special will come back eventually. Sorry for the hijack of the topic, take care eveyrone!

my SR5 Special (oh Harry I still miss you sometimes) used to have a fairly snug fit if that ever helps - not tight but would make to minimise number of case models. Not in case but I just had to post it. How beautiful with the pearloid pickguard....!

Fantastic 'first 5er' @RichValentine! I genuinely think the key to a good playing 5 is the 19mm string spacing. I've gone from Spector (16.5) to Musicman (17.5) and different scales (34 mostly with a 35 from Lakland). For me, 34" and 19mm is the magic neck measures! The electronics in Xotic are remarkable and just a generally great looking muscle jazz on steroids - enjoy it mate!

Thank you! I'm quite excited to try the electronics combined with these pickups - more on the warm side than hi-fi. It should ship out tomorrow but god knows when I'll get it considering it's leaving Spain and the current situation...

@songofthewind indeed! rounder gentler shapes - there's something about singlecut basses that ozzes so much elegance to me! I'll edit it in the specs but also, 3.6kg/7.9lbs weight just! Best, Ander.

Hi gang, Interesting. With this lockdown making me want to move out of my small flat we're renting into our first property, I was somewhat with cabin fever deciding to let go of my bass collection. I wanted to cash them out, get an 'okay' bass and put the rest to the bank. Good twist of fate I ended up sorting a much more than 'okay' new bass, should arrive next week if lucky - after my self inflicted (yet adulting) decision of letting my beloved #1, Alpher Mako, go, I thought I'd never love like that again but I'm excited about this enough to call it a Future New Bass Day. I've had active basses and gotta admit the switch from active to passive (volume drop) gets to me; and likewise, I love love passive basses like the Alpher (superb woods too!) but on stage I like to not touch the amp and change settings on the preamp. This active bass has the same volume when you switch to passive, finally! The new romantic subject is a Merlos Al Andalus, hand made in Alicante, Spain, by Jose Merlos. The singlecut shape is endless mojo and sophistication - specs wise, we're looking at: * 3pc Maple neck with ebony board, 34", maple veneer on the headstock * Neck through, alder body, 'solid semi hollow' design where the holes are not fully shallow - maple top * Active electronics, Volume, Balance, 3 way EQ, switches for mid freq boost, humbucker/single, active/passive * Merlos preamp and pickups - pickup height is regulated from the back so that the fingertips don't get caught by screws nor oxidise them etc. * EBM bridge @ 19mm * 3.6kg / 7.9 lbs weight Until it arrives you'll have to deal with 'just' this gorgeous picture - I'll come back with a full blown review once in my hands. Best, Ander.