Machines

What exactly is it in the active sound you want ? An active Fender Jazz and something like a Spector with EMG humbuckers will sound very different.

The SP1 is doing the multiscale thing - but on the treble side more than the bass, so the higher strings will sound softer and warmer than a 34, and definitely a 35" bass (which can be quite pingy on high strings) I am expecting a decent B, but not as good as a 37".

Whilst true, the harmonics/timbre of the hand position are relative to the string scale, which is compensated for by the angled pickups. One thing to note about the previous Dingwall models (Combustion/NG/D-Roc), is that the pickups inside the case are split coils, so the 'playing line' is additionally compensated for:

GuitarGuitar have stopped stocking them - BassDirect have started to recently, but a lot have sold: https://www.bassdirect.co.uk/product-category/bass-guitars/?_brands=lakland Also TheBassGallery seem to have a few - but check stock with them before ordering: https://thebassgallery.com/search?q=lakland

Like this: Thanks @AndyTravis for facilitating.

I expect these to land in the UK within the month. Have also played the demo model and I felt it wasn't setup very well, but sounded great. Will be checking them out for sure, but doubt they will replace my D-Roc / JT5.

I'll be fitting that Friday hopefully (when Mr Trav sends to me).

I'd suggest it due to them being in series, I am planning on changing to parallel when I have the time and patience. And on that - my other one came this morning. Same tweaks made as the blue, but it was very much playable out the box.

I started it, no apologies tbh 🤣

Just ordered a 2nd one in black. Only 2 blue left.

OK mine turned up today ! Superbly finished, the colour is much nicer than the photos on Andertons website. Setup was a bit shonky, it needed the saddles lowering considerably (truss rod was spot on) as well as pickups actually screwed in properly, other than that - good. Couple of fret edges needed a little tiny sand, but overall - this is a fantastic bass. The switches are single coil (bridge coil for each pickup), and series. Weighs in at 9lb 4oz, so definitely not a light weight but nothing crazy. Sounds great - bargain. May end up saving me money as it could very well replace something I have far more expensive.

These are on clearance at Anderton's currently - £149 ! Metallic Black - https://www.andertons.co.uk/soloking-mj1-classic-4-string-bass-in-metallic-black/ Lake Placid Blue - https://www.andertons.co.uk/soloking-mj1-classic-4-string-bass-in-lake-placid-blue/

I've heard this in person too, but I don't think it's a massive priority currently.

Option 4 - Bass tuned to Eb, and chuck a capo on the 1st fret for the E standard songs.

Well, they look pretty good. Not sure about Paulownia as a body wood, but we'll see. The Growler will always be legendary thanks to Windows XP:

The only other one I found was on a review by Mr @Dood a few years ago, but it is a different bass. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lHkkAx9KIM

2020 GPS Corvette $$. Amazingly versatile, plays like butter. Haven't been able to find many others with this finish, but doesn't appear to be a Special Edition.

The ergonomics of the lower pickups meant me not keeping mine, I need a pickup higher up as a thumb rest (I now have a Corvette $$). But as other have said - no bass can replicate that sound.

I use a GR Bass 210 (600w @ 8 ohm). I gigged it last week with no PA support in a village hall, and it was not pushed particularly hard and sounded great.

I've had several that were 'OK', but I would bet my mortgage on a Dingwall's 37" being objectively better.

34" can have a decent B, but I find that 35+ means that becomes a hell of a lot more reliable. I can't think of any 34" 5's i've had where they were as good as 35" (and a 37" just wipes the floor). The flipside is that the G string can sound a bit 'pingy' unless you get multiscale.

Just got back ! Superb weekend, I was on the Darkglass stand 90% of the time and it was fun catching up with lots of people. I ambushed @Rich mid pastry and we had a chat. I finally got my D-Roc signed by Sheldon which was awesome too. Ended up going out for a meal with the BassDirect crew, along with Sheldon Dingwall and Dave Swift - all super people. Time for a beer and a shower, followed by an early night ! (ps it's SO quiet at home).

I loaded a few IRs onto my Zoom B6, and my limited understanding is they are generally used for recording - to create a representation of using a specific type of cab, mic placement etc. I haven't found them useful yet, as I feel like they're effectively just 'EQ patches', that don't seem to sound good on their own (and I haven't recorded for a while).