Skybone

I Thank You - ZZ Top

Last in Line - Dio

When you say "the pickups are notoriously weak", what are you talking about here? Weak as in relative to the music you're playing? Or weak as in a low impedance figure (under 7-8k ohms)? Definitely lower impedance than the Nordstrand's? I would say that many players have made big noises with low output pickups, and maybe you just need to EQ your non-Nordstrand loaded basses differently to the Nordstrand loaded one.

Already done, she's always at a loss as to what to get me for Christmas, told which one I wanted.

Spanish Harlem - Aretha Franklin or Ben E King

Have the same issue with one of my cases. Used some Febreeze which worked for a few weeks, but it's gone back to being somewhat smelly. The case does have some damage to it, so I'm going to replace it.

She Sells Sanctuary - The Cult

Always wanted an Overwater, loved the "Original". Hope it's not too long before you can enjoy you can enjoy your new bass.

Instead of spending on pickups, why not try "rethinking" your EQ? The styles of music you describe tend to have a tendency to use the mid "scoop" style EQ, loads of bass, no mids, and loads of treble (which without the mids, tends to get lost, especially when combined with downtuned guitars using the same EQ). Your issue is more that the guitars are EQ'd in a similar fashion, and you're all "competing" for sonic space. The addition of distortion and/or fuzz will also be robbing you of bottom end clout. Try having a mid-heavy EQ, as this will enable your sound to cut through the wall of guitars. Try using less gain and more volume on your amp, and also turn the distortion / fuzz control down. If your distortion / fuzz pedal has a "mix" control, enabling you to mix your "wet" & "dry" signals, turn it so that you get more "dry" signal through. What will be more effective in the mix is a mildly overdriven sound, rather than a full on distortion.

Love Like Blood - Killing Joke

I always loved the sweep on the Small Stone, especially at lower settings. My old one was basically set just above zero, and had a really wide sweep. You can't do that with a Phase 90.

My Girl - Madness

Boris the Spider - The Who

Wheels of Steel - Saxon

You Spin Me Round (Like A Record) - Dead or Alive

Sandinista - Kris Kristofferson

I always thought Oban was in Argyll. It's like saying Canterbury is in Essex.

Shiny Happy People - R.E.M. & Kate Pierson

We Are the Diddymen - Ken Dodd

Sealclubbing - Half Man Half Biscuit

First Steps - Elbow

Nickel: https://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Warwick-46200-Red-Label-Medium-Bass-Strings-45-105-4-String/NED Nickel: https://www.thomann.de/gb/warwick_46200_m_red_label.htm Stainless: https://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Warwick-42200-Red-Label-Medium-Bass-Strings-45-105/NE5 Stainless: https://www.thomann.de/gb/warwick_red_label_045.htm Thomann is only OK if you buy in bulk, as you get charged £8 postage for orders under £99. Better if you buy in bulk though. Thomann used to do them for about £8 a pack, so if you bought 4 packs, plus postage it used to still work out cheaper than buying from the UK. Postage from G4M is slightly better, £2.49 for 1 set, £5.49 for 4.

Austin Ambassador - John Shuttleworth Y Reg, Y Reg.

Wheels of Confusion - Black Sabbath

Line6 SonicPort: https://line6.com/sonicport-audio-interface/sonicport/