Skybone

Never heard of Music Area, but Thomann's own stuff is decent quality and reasonably priced IMO.

I'd agree, but add that the PA would need to provide good monitoring so you can hear not only yourself, but everyone else as well (and more importantly, they can hear you!). Some smaller venues PA systems are less than adequate for this unfortunately, so having your own amp is a must (IME). Keep an eye on the local Gumtree, as well as the local Music Buy/Swap/Sell groups on FB (as you're a student, both at home and where you're staying during term time - assuming you live away of course!). Even watch the For Sale section on here. There are plenty of half decent rigs available for not much money (Ashdown/Hartke/Laney/etc.), so a bit of shopping around can dig up some bargains.

And the Handbox on top of an Acoustic cab. Most definitely a thunderous day.

Just being pedantic here, but that's not a Mudbucker (Motherbucker?), but a Fender "Wide Range" (IIRC). The Tele bass does look cool though, especially the twin pickup version.

There's always asking your bass-playing pals if they know anyone.

Maybe try and get in touch with the producer, and see if he has a contact at Fender so you can get another neck just like the one on your bass. It's a long shot, and it could turn out to be expensive, but it might be worth a try, especially if it enables you to continue playing your favourite bass.

Hot Rox in Nottingham Matamp in Yorkshire Laney?

Some sort of take on a 4001/4003/4004. When I win the lottery...

Cheap, stinky poo leads? 😃

Knackered lead(s)?

Look at the Mono GS1 Betty or the NeoTech Comfort Straps. Swapped the un-padded 3" Leathercraft strap for a Mono padded 3" strap, no problems since then.

Sennheisers? Still have a pair of old HD200's that are still going strong and still sound great. The Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro would be a superb choice, as they're used in studio's.

I used a 3" plain leather one for years, no issues. Did what it said on the tin.

I use a HD500X all the time for bass (rarely play guitar these days!), and I love it. The sound I was always after is right there, add in all the effects. Ideal. It would depend on what amp model you use, and what sort of sound you're after of course, but for me, I found a great sound with minimal tweaking, then went from there (SVT Normal model & the 8x10 cab model). I would suggest trying it again, and start from basics as you would a new amp. Set everything at 12 o'clock and work from there. IMO, it is a great and very underrated unit for bass. It's a shame there are only a handful of amp & cab models available, but they're all usable.

I've got arthritis in my wrist as well, so far thankfully, it's not too bad, but could potentially be looking at complications as time goes on. Hoping that it shouldn't affect my playing too much. We'll just have to wait & see. @Bassman Sam, all the best with your op, & hope it doesn't have a totally detrimental effect on you playing bass in the future. GWS.

Still using No.1 Rockinbetter, closely followed by No.2 Rockinbetter. The No.3 Bass Collection Californian is still there, but the sound isn't as good as the other two. Still looking at Ric 4003's, but after playing a few newer one's, I think I need to get a pre-vintage circuit version like my old one, as the neck profile is different. Still a pipe dream, as the prices of them keeps going up, and I seem to be even more skint than before.

I know that the Rickenbacker Bass FB Group (mostly Septics) were having a right old moan about BC having a ban on selling Ric's here. Facebook, Gunmtree, eBay, Reverb, etc.

Or 3 if you include Tune.

Bass Collection / SGC Nanyo?

Geddy, Geezer, Lemmy, Lynott, Burton, etc.

And £200-250 will easily get you an older, but still highly useful and great sounding HD500X, with better connectivity too.

Surely a Helix LT would have saved you the extra expense?

Of course, it depends on what you want. If you want one with graphics, then, as @hiram.k.hackenbacker said, https://www.originalscratchplates.com/ are worth looking at. If you are looking for something else, a different finish/ply/material/etc., then any of the others mentioned would be a good start. Maybe talk to one of the custom bass houses in the UK, maybe one of the specialist bass emporiums could point you in the right direction.