simisker

I appreciate that they've rescaled the headstock to a smaller body size - or at least, cleverly used black to help 'shrink' it optically. Also, the pink and yellow colours are fab. Maybe a bit too bold for my tastes, but at least they're taking some risks with statement colours, rather than black or wood.

I don't think that "Sorry: prototype!" is a valid excuse for poor finishing; even if that disclaimer was provided by the builder before any work started. It's not like nitro finishes, neck pockets or neck binding are uncharted territory unique to this instrument. For what it's worth, I bought a prototype from Alan at ACG [which he very clearly stated was a prototype] for similar money, and it was immaculately finished to the same standards as his non-prototype custom basses. I also recently commissioned a custom bass with a nitro finish from 42nd Street / Guitar Angel. The nitro finish was perfect. No checking, stress cracks or anything. Exactly as I'd expect from a custom hand-made build. There should be no need for disclaimers; it's kind of a given that finishing on a custom build needs to be flawless.

Agreed; by the looks of it, the curves from the lower horn could be echoed on the headstock for greater visual harmony. I really sympathise with any small luthier/designer who has to come up with a novel and pleasing headstock silhouette - particularly in the face of 70 years of engrained 'tradition' - but I think this shape lets the side down on an otherwise interesting looking instrument.

Anybody that's had any experience with corporations and acquisitions knows this is true, sadly. It's just a matter of timescales, and the ease of business transference. For the first few years, it'll be "Fender G&L" or "G&L by Fender", until one day someone in management realises they can gain personally by arranging a strategic brand absorption / "realignment". The brand will die in a C-suite Powerpoint pipedream promise.

These look appealing; it just goes to show that white pickup covers can work when you co-ordinate them with the rest of the instrument. £400-450 for the Plus, I reckon, going by another HB "signature instrument with quality appointments" guitar that I bought recently. Tempting... not that I need another Jazz, but you all know what it's like 😄

I don't know if it's relevant, but I have a Cort Persona and have problems using a Boss wireless transmitter directly, and it turns out that it's because the output jack is wired in reverse. From the manual: My Cort is the only bass I have that is wired this way. Maybe worth investigating/eliminating?

Black hardware + black pickguard + vibrant colour body + maple board = megawin, as far as I'm concerned 👍

Yeah, it feels like a day late and a dollar short. Not for the first time, I look at this and see a Boss/Roland product with a UI from the 1990s. I'm watching the Andertons vid now, and comparing this to my powerful and flexible HX One, this feels... quaint. Sure, you get the classic Boss form factor... but the compromises are significant.

Hello, local bassist! Folk-metal, eh? Smashing! Let us know when you do Sheff area gigs, and I may well pop along

What an amazing room! I want to live in it. And is that the world's most stylish ashtray in the foreground?

Oddly enough, I had the opposite thought, as a life-long shunner of FSOs: "Well, if I HAVE to have a Precision in my collection, it's going to damn well say 'Fender' on it". So I bought a new licensed Fender neck and had a bass built around it [it was the only way to get a P bass with my preferred spec/visuals].

Seeing as this thread's become active again, I'd like to know what people's opinions are on this, as I'm in a similar boat.

Yup: a patch bay is one of those things that is a luxury until the first time you use one, at which point it becomes indispensable. If nothing else, your knees will thank you

I recently bought an FX unit from @Rosie C and it was a perfect hassle-free transaction. Excellent comms with rapid responses, the FX unit was exactly as described - in mint condition, boxed - and very well packaged. Wholeheartedly recommended. Thanks, Rosie!

I'm pretty confident it IS a Tune; something based on the TWB line, by the looks of it. That tapered headstock with an elliptical logo; the slender wide-set horns [very elegant, IMO], and that rear strap-button 'hook' area of the body, like a reverse Dingwall shape. In fact, here you go: https://reverb.com/item/51095896-tune-japan-phoenix-twxt-8-qm-tremoro-pink Edit 1: Phwoarr! Edit 2: "Tremoro"?!? 😄

The newer generations of bass players are keen on their downtuning. Other than going all in with radical fanned frets, I think a 35-inch scale is a shrewd decision in today's environment.

Do you use IEMs? What about an audio cue solution, rather than a visual one?

Oof - absolutely glorious! 😍 The black neck works a treat, as does the mirror-finish gloss on the body. Enjoy!

Ah, right. That'll help, then

I wouldn't raise your hopes up. It looks like they're pitching the Stadiums [Stadia!] at a price level above their HX equivalents. Rather than making the HXs undesirably obsolete, I think it'll just reinforce a market for something which offers 90% of the experience for 33-50% of the price. I think we'll only see a real change once the Stadium Stomps come out, if those were to be aggressively priced for the larger market. Note: this is my uninformed ad-hoc reckon. I am not John Maynard Keynes.

Oh, I can tell you that now: the new amp modelling will be indistinguishable from the HX's amp modelling in a blind AB test.

..

I had something more like this in mind, if I'm honest! [hat tip to the Maruszczyk 'Phoenix' configurator 👍]