Beedster

That I think it going to be the downfall of this when owner reviews emerge, I long ago ditched attractive open front/back retro tolex head cases due to the number of times I or one of my bandmates broke controls when moving the gear around. I get that the manufacturers seem to think that this is more of an installation unit - theatre pits, rehearsal rooms, and studios - but they're all situations in which, while the unit might not be in and out of a van or car boot every day, space is still at a premium, and instruments, mic/drum stands, and various other solid objects are often being moved around with less care than should be the case (my DB's current impromptu extra soundhole is testament to the effects of a poorly placed mic stand and a clumsy musician). I've not found any evidence of the manufacturer asking bassists themselves what they need from a small form factor combo in the was Mesa/ @agedhorse have been doing recently. Perhaps they'll need to do some after the fact market research re cases etc?

The thing with so many unique basses I suspect is that it's the uniqueness that draws us. Yes, it was very very nice bass, beautifully designed and engineered, and with some lovely tonal options. But for me, doing relatively bog standard gigs in bog standard venues, pretty any precision with a decent PUP, a stable neck, and adequate bridge and tuners, does the job. I've loved playing and owning many unique basses, but i wanted them way more than I needed them, something that at last I appear to have worked out of my system

5-string set reversible, £60?

These are defo small plates but no worries, not a whole lot of brushed tuners out there, these are discontinued 👍

The bass in question

I’ve got a set of Schaller BM brushed tuners I’m about to list for sale 👍

Thanks @Silky999, both pre-finished, I've dropped you a PM 👍

Two bodies needing an additional rout, ideally I’d be able to do it by post/courier 👍

Ah, I think we were referring to the grooves the height screws sit in to reduce lateral play, hence the confusion. Very nice bit of metalwork that either way 👍

….and second to tonewoods, the characteristics of various bridges animates most of us way more than should be the case with otherwise sane humans 👍

Frankly it does look rather beautiful 👍

Mate, it’s a bass forum, you never have to defend a bass purchase, we’re just nosy 👍

Would be god to see a better photo 👍

No joke, the load out tends to take 30-mins longer when I use it as so many people come up and chat about it

One thing I love about Ashdown is that despite being so busy, they've always got time to talk to you about gear, even if it's not related to an immediate sale. If only all brands were the same

Had they done it more like the Mesa Venture - facade similarly on s slant but controls protected by overhang of case, rock solid handle, wheels - they might have got away with it Worth noting that the Venture weighed only slightly less than Luxembourg and had it's own gravitational field as the result, but was actually very easy to move around, even upstairs - defying it's Dalek-esque qualities - on the basis of those wheels and that handle 👍

This is a decent bridge a good balance of style and function for £28 https://www.gluedtomusic.com/products/1637/hosco-vintage-fender-style-bass-bridge-with-threaded-saddles-nickel/?campaignid=20508513736&adgroupid=&keyword=&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIlvn8v-mjkgMV_ZRQBh0v3jycEAQYASABEgLopvD_BwE&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20508514288&gbraid=0AAAAAD1mmQc4YGuD6joe4BUjW6sFQZjIk

Yep I use these, can be got for around £40 for the Fender version but there’s another brand (name escapes me) that are cheaper and appear just as good 👍

I’m sure the OP can provide some less ambiguous pics of the channels in question 👍

Love everything about Ashdown 👍

That's funnily enough exactly what I thought when I saw it, albeit far more clearly articulated, in short that this is more about marketing and image than audio. There's so much about it that hasn't been designed with a gigging player in mind (no wheels plus what looks to be a flimsy handle, no ext out, awkward shape with exposed controls), and too much that appears to have been designed to grab attention. I hope it comes in a very strong and well designed cover or the days of those knobs are numbered.