crazycloud

If not stuck on FSOs, look at Ibanez SRs, of which there are dozens of models new and S/H. Or Cort. Cort also have the GB Series, and the Elricks if you are in the FSO-ish category and the A, B and C series; if you like the more modern. I've owned many SRs and still own 7. The necks are smallish and fairly consistent in feel between all the SR models (Atlas variants are a bit chunkier) and have a large variety of pickup configs depending upon the years. If you can, try some, even so you know if you like the ergonomics of the neck, and the much smaller bodies, compared to FSOs. I have 2 Corts, A6 and A5 Ultra Ash, and they're both great, even though they have larger necks than the SRs. But not hugely.

Good grief. Apart from the pot, which shouldn't be hard to fix, they are the most trivial quibbles for the price.

A charcoal or blue 6 would be nice depending on the price and the neck dimension and bridge spacing. I also hope the Klos PUs are a common size like EMG45.

If I lived on that side of the world, I'd probably have popped for one of these by now, even though I can't stand bursts and tort. And I have SRC6s. The HB looks really awesome.

All relics are awful, but I've seen worse than these.

I just threw up a little in my mouth...

I just threw up a little in my mouth...

I've owned at least 250 guitars and basses, and played at least twice as many more. In there have been a lot of boutiques, like my 5 Alembics, but not many of the smaller brand boutiques like Sei, ACG, MTD USA etc, though I'd like to try them if I ever found one nearby. As I live in a small town in rural Australia and the nearest big city is BrisVegas at 3hrs away, that's unlikely to happen. Most of the stores in the larger Aus cities have little that's unusual, and those that do tend to specialise in vintage which doesn't interest me at all; I've tried lots and simply don't get the attraction. At all. Same with FSOs and later Leo designs. I've settled on Ibanez SR and some BTBs as well as my new love for the Cort A series. Aside from some PU changes in some models, and I'm not afraid to rout to fit EMG sizes as these aren't expensive or collectible and the HW more than serviceable stock. Some like my Cort A6 has Hipshot HW standard and was less than 600 quid delivered new! Right now I think that for almost everyone, almost always there is little to nothing to be gained with boutiques beyond flash. Try one with a strap pin extender as it totally changes the ergonomics.

I've never broken a string on stage, so not an issue for me.

The XL2 part of it is indeed perfect.

I humped my late wife's Rhodes in and out of 1500 or so gigs and it was a PITA (and back) as she'd had a custom road case made for it because she was told 'they're a tad delicate'. Not wanting to damage it I was always careful and it never once played up. As I did the PA for many of our gigs (I owned it), one more heavy road case was the least of my issues. She loved it almost as much as her baby grand. It would be nice to still have it, but I went nomad for a few years after and only kept my XL2. There are good emulators available and I might pop for one.

Same here. I've had several Alembics, Status, Kubicki, Steinberger and many others, but none of them as stuck, except the XL2. As I play 6s mainly the Steinie isn't quite enough, though the Hohner woodberger 5 does for that, hence the desire for a 6 string version. In the interim, I'm happy with my Ibanez SRs, BTB and ATK as well as the Cort A5/6, and the woodberger.

Nice blue, and in great condition. Enjoy.

6 string, narrow spacing, headless XL2 styled. Just like this but with another string, a Boomerang and maple and wenge NT stylistically like my Cort A5 Ultra Ash (but I'd be happy if the wings were just plain maple). To give you an idea what the Cort looks like if you're not familiar.

Make one, it's not difficult or expensive.

But the name is horrible.

Me too. Stock is as ugly as all heck.

I loved the early part of the video with the resin filled coloured burl tops. Then later Mica explains how the different tops change the tone, so I wonder what the resin filled ones sound like? Plastic? I'm not knocking Alembic as I've owned 5 of them, but that was very de-GASsifying for me, I'm not even sure if I'd order one if I won Powerball.

ALL of them, including the G&L.

I've played my XL2 like that since I bought it new, and I haven't ever played DB. It's the most comfortable fretting hand position (and angle) and it takes up much less space on crowded stages. Since I play 5s and 6s now, the XT25 has a long strap pin extender to give me my preferred playing angle, and I've modified other full sized bodied basses to get similar.

I'd love an SRX705.

Did this with my Steinberger when I bought it new an eternity ago. No point having it and not playing it, right?

The Ibanez website provides good dimension parameters on all their basses which may help inform your choices. I'm not the tallest guy, nor have the biggest hands in the world, but I play 6s, so I'm wondering if your issue is technique and/or ergonomics related. If you don't have an in person instructor, get one as this can be a massive help in working out your mechanical issues. So ditto Burns-Bass earlier in the thread.

^^ I was going to suggest the same as pointed out, it has many uses.