Skybone

Depends on what my criteria is (and available budget). It would be superb to go to a music shop that has a good selection of different basses to try some out, unfortunately, I don't have that luxury. There's only a couple of shops, and they only stock the usual Fender/Squier basses (or derivatives). If you're lucky, there may be something else, but generally, low to mid price, rarely anything over £500. If you want anything different, you need to search online. Had a number of good experiences buying online, had a couple of bad experiences too. Live and learn.

Don't know about 'best', but I bought some Fender Custom Shop leads about 5 years ago, they're still going strong which is always a good sign.

And of course, it depends what you "want"... Musicians, bands, basses, amps, pedals, other stuff? There's sections for it all, just scroll down the main forum list.

He was running a competition on Facebook a while back, "Like & make a comment to be entered". Liked the post, made a comment, and was then inundated with messages from SBL every couple of hours.

I'd say that an inexpensive Multi FX might well be a better purchase at the moment that stumping up for individual pedals. Mainly down to the multitude of options available in the pedal market, from relatively inexpensive pedals, through to expensive boutique pedals, finding the "right" combination for you is a bit of a costly minefield, especially if you just want to get in and do some recording. A Multi FX should enable you to play about with a number of different effects in a relatively short space of time. Also add in to the mix that most of them will have amp & cab sims as well (unless you use something else for that), and that they should enable you to use the pedal as a USB recording interface on the more expensive ones (Zoom B3n, Helix, etc.) Options: Zoom B1-4 or the B3n (maybe look for a second hand B3?). Line6 POD HD Desktop/HD300/HD400, or for a fair bit more, the HD500x (you'll have to factor in getting the HD Bass Pack, around £25). Boss ME50B

I'd say that if you're familiar & comfortable working with Cubase, then I'd go for a high spec Windows machine & equivalent USB audio interfaces. Try and get something with a few USB 3 or higher connectors. The more memory the better, and a good size HDD. Maybe something with separate video memory as well, so a gaming machine would be a good bet.

No idea, only used the Stainless ones.

Warwick Red Label Nickel's https://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Warwick-46210-Red-Label-Medium-Light-Bass-Strings-40-100-4-String/NEN https://www.thomann.de/gb/warwick_46210_red_strings_nickel.htm I personally prefer Stainless Steels, and I always found that the Fender 7350m's were fantastic, until they discontinued them. Stick with the Fender 7250's.

Don't forget late 70's / early 80's MIJ (Ibanez / Aria / Westone / etc.) is always a good bet, though even they are starting to get silly prices.

Sennheisers

Sennheisers

For the back of the neck, how about getting some "cutting compound" from Halfords to try and flatten it out. It's kind of like T-Cut Polish, but used to get rid of imperfections in car paint work before either the next coat of paint or the lacquer. Worth a try (and a bit of elbow grease).

Any of the Khanate albums, or a spot of Crass.

I'm still scarred by learning "Frere Jacque" on recorder at Primary School!

I recall being 10 or 11, and buying a copy of Rush's Hemispheres from WH Smith's. Excitedly, I got it home, put it on Side 1, and heard the songs from Side 2. Fair enough. Turn the LP over, put on Side 2... I wanted to hear the full album, so the following week, I took it back to WH Smiths & got a replacement. Fast forward 20-odd years later, the Hemispheres mis-print was worth a fortune. Should have kept it, but I wanted the album (which I still have).

Slap is the Bass version of "Shred" guitar. Great when done well, and when it fits in with the song, tedious when overdone.

Ashdown CTM's, Orange AD200, or the Laney Nexus. You could always try and find a Marshall MBA400, or there's the Eden 300w valve head (don't know what it's called). Or, you could look at the Matamp GT200.

And good luck finding a Variax bass (unless you already own one). They weren't very popular at the time, and were discontinued quite quickly. Why not get a cheap Jazz, like a Squier or some other Jazz-a-like, and do the conversion to that instead of your main Jazz? Or just get the Variax and use that?

Tony Iommi is a leftie anyway, and it's the fingers of his fretting hand that were damaged (ironically, on his last day at the factory). He made some plastic "thimbles" for his fingertips.

Avocado burst

I bet he spends far too much time on US based internet forums...

Thing is though, Rich Tone is a good shop, that give good service with friendly, knowledgeable staff. They sell instruments at all levels for all budgets.

RIP Dave. Saw them not too long ago, brilliant band.

Someone had an X3 for sale on one of the Facebook buy/swap/sell groups, asking £95 IIRC.