Machines

They were sold before stock landed in the UK. They still haven't arrived.

I had one for a bit, my summary: Matt finish shines very easily, won't look as 'new' as a Fender would over time. Preamp OK, but I preferred it passive Awesome P sound available, blends well with the J, but J on it's own sounded too thin (preamp can help this) Looked really cool, very well made Is it better than a MIM P bass ? Yes and no depending on your needs. Build quality wise, i'd say they're both good.

Running it passive would bypass the PCB?.

Dingwall D-Roc Terrible upper fret access. If you want anything above the 17th you bought the wrong thing (luckily, I get away with it in my band). Dingwall Combustion 2 pickups but 3 routes under the pickguard. Thus having the pickguard off is not an pretty option unless you install another pickup (which I actually might). MTD Kingston Super Satin finish easily damaged, doesn't dent - it chips. Total strip and refin will have to take place if it takes a bad knock in an obvious place. Truss rod hidden beneath plate at neck heel slowing on the fly changes down. Ibanez SR1206 Lower output than all of my other basses unless I crank the preamp, I think this is the Nordstrand Big Singles not having the huge output I assumed they would. Recessed jack socket means I can't use my Boss Wireless unit unless I somehow reseat the jack out further via washers. Truss rod adjustment impossible without removing 3 screws from the fancy wood cover. Then you have to detune it to get enough string flex to adjust. Yamaha RBX6JM Heavy (11 lbs), almost slab body not the most comfortable. Whilst the inlays are a work of art, it makes finding the fret you want more difficult than if it was a blank board. Truss rod recess too short making only the shortest of right angle Allen keys viable (Ibanez multitool does the job though).

Due to the preshape on the stock preamp anything else is likely to sound very different. I think an EMG would keep the general character though.

True for stock preamp. I've installed a Bartolini 5.4 though and it's able to contain it nicely. Also has the passive bypass option.

I have a SR1206 (mahogany/ovangkol) which is 8lb 12oz. I also have a MTD Kingston Super 5 which is 1oz lighter. They are my most comfortable instruments and feel pretty easy on the shoulder (I use Comfort Straps). The Nordstrand Big Singles are very Jazz like, but with a stronger low end/mid emphasis, and less top end than normal J pickups. This tends to calm down when they are blended 50/50 and a mid scoop is encountered. However if I had to choose - the MTD is a better package for quality, with the Ibanez being a little more aesthetically pleasing with it's fancy woods. I've also had a EHB1505 and I found the finish to be very very delicate, with even a light tap that a normal poly finish wouldn't blink at causing chips of paint to come off the EHB.

@AndyTravis You down yeah ?

Yes, I am happy to try and break the record (if there is one ?) for failing.

It's kind of a self punishing to be honest. I know I won't do it, I don't even want to do it. But I think I should. Anyway I got a nice Dingwall.

I failed before signing up. Damn.

Here's a 2014 SR1206 I got a few weeks ago for a great price. Plays very well and neck is very comfortable. In excellent condition too.

Can't wait for the influencer reviews totally ignoring the literal elephant in the room. Shame this, definitely a missed opportunity.

Single pickups Satin painted finishes (as they always shine up, and are generally more fragile than gloss poly) Non-speed loading bridges aka 'BBOT' Batteries inside control cavity, rather than a quick access flip box Jack sockets in a funny place so my Boss Wireless unit doesn't fit Active basses without a passive mode n.b. amongst my basses, all of the above exist 🤣

Set your input gain lower or use the active input.

Been using Ashdown most of the last 20 years, never needed their repairs dept so far. N.b. I've recently become an Ashdown artist so any praise from me is most definitely be biased 😂

5/5

MTD Kingston Super is a good shout too.

Here's MTD Kingston Super 5 I got earlier this year, has been upgraded periodically and now is 10/10. It was perfectly serviceable stock, but I saw a few examples of these mods and they looked so much better. Biggest differences are probably aesthetic (no more easily tarnished chrome), but a few practical ones too (e.g. switching, and passive option). It did cost me a small fortune, but I can't see myself ever selling it. With the 3 way coil taps giving 15 sound options and this preamp, it can pretty much do everything. I am most pleased that I installed all of these myself, too (with only mild swearing). Bartolini DL5CBC Pickups Bartolini HR-5.4AP/918 Preamp (18v) Hipshot B Style bridge Hipshot Ultralite tuners MTD USA Knobs Dunlop Straplocks 2 x 3 way coil taps (Removed series option to have single coil/parallel/single coil) Satin finish polished to semi-gloss.

@Napalmnun Nice score. I don't want to know how much that cost 🤤.

There are some shocking underpriced examples where the item is collection only in a remote location.