Skybone

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.

Doesn't that one have a preamp valve in it? Maybe check or replace the valve? Doubt the nature of the bass would make much difference, especially if the active's are all you have used with it.

Even worse when you're answering a "bass player wanted" ad...

Started playing bass, still playing bass. Dabbled with other instruments, but bass is best.

Tha reet cocker

Don't discount the MiM Fender's.

I would say that your best bet would be to find a shop with plenty of basses in stock, go in, sit down, and work through as many as you can. Be objective, what do you like, what don't you like, can you live with X over Y? Does it feel good? Does it play well? Don't be swayed by anyone but yourself. Buy the one you like the best.

Likewise (but a bit later, from '83 to mid 90's), and I bought records from Probe! Don't recall them either.

Find a shop that has a Good selection of basses. Sit down, and play through a bunch of them. Objectively review them, what you like, what you don't like, how they feel, how they sound (ok, this one is very subjective!). The point is to try out a bunch of different basses, and eliminate ones that don't float your boat, and find things that you like. If one speaks to you more than the others, take the plunge. Don't worry about styles, scales, pickups etc., just try to find something that suits you.