Machines

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).

That's cool - he'll be at the Guitar Show near Birmingham a couple of days later too if that works better for anyone.

That's where I bought my first guitar in 2001 😁

I know a place that can facilitate about 6 cars that will be empty (my old office, now derelict) and will sell details in exchange for a caramel Freddo.

FWIW, I used to live there and didn't bother going to this shop.

Street parking is generally eaten up very quickly after the car park fills up, but there should be somewhere within 1/4 of a mile. Taking basses in/out isn't something I see people doing much, and adds complexity in terms of security (receipts are checked for instruments on exit).

Good plan. There's a chip shop about 5 mins walk away from the venue as an alternative however, as well as a really good beer shop a few doors down (https://maps.app.goo.gl/fseFK4jF6iNqShyD7)

I'd met Nick a few times over the years at various bass bashes/shows, always seemed a great chap and an awesome musician. Despite only being acquaintances, it is a huge shock.

Please note I said, "myself".

USA Bartolinis ? Yes. Mk1s ? Never been able to get them to sound good myself.

I should be on the BassDirect stand helping out both days.

I'll do a demo at some point with all the options. The neck solo and 'jazz' settings are very useful and essentially a free upgrade.

Yes, I paid on the door last time, but I think it is more expensive than in advance.