BassApprentice

Great colours. I reckon I'm going to ask Merchant City Music about these, they stock the guitars and now the bass range is wider than 2 models and 3 colours it might work better for them.

That's a belter of a collection! Especially the two worn ones. On a totally unrelated question - anyone know why they haven't ventured into a 5 string version in the Electra range?

If that was a 5 string I'd be very tempted

I noticed the same in Glasgow. A few weeks ago they had maybe 2 shorties and 2 other Ricks. Now 4 shorties.

So...some Canadian chain has let the cat out the bag. Can't find anything else about them except for this. $1,800 CAD so probably £1,200.

Earl Pilanz on eBay. You might need to send him the original if he hasn't made one before.

So I managed to try one - bit underwhelmed. The body has been scaled down and this thing is *light*. Unfortunately with a full size headstock this is really neck divey sitting down without a strap (with a strap might be different). Next up, the second it was plugged in it sounded overdriven - checked amp then twiddled volume knob and it went dead. Very possibly a dead battery (which would be odd since these are new) or a dodgy pot as it came back to life when the volume pot was just on. Pots aren't level either so yeah, just a very meh experience. Neck felt nice but didn't really get a good go of due to issues above. Everything else felt a bit on the budget side. Tried pointing the problems out to the guy in the shop who couldn't have cared less, even as I tried to make light of it...Must be having a case of the Mondays.

A very quick comparison between a Z3, a modern Ray and vintage Ray.

You know what, as limited and expensive as it is, I think it's really cool. Status are winding down, Ken Parker just passed away. Wood and screws is all well and good, but we're seeing less innovators so we should appreciate what they are doing just now. Maybe someone else will pickup the carbon fibre/graphite mantle in the near future....

Yamaha Guitar Development (their custom shop) do a fair amount of one off models for their Artists. Some cool things and ideas that I would love to see for sale, but Yamaha don't seem to have that as part of their business model https://yamahaguitardevelopment.com/

Unless you're DFS Sofas - the longest sale know to man.

https://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/product/250408439415025--dingwall-sp1-5-string-gloss-vintageburst They are showing as having stock and you can place a small deposit and they can get it to the Edinburgh store for you.

Sounds like a solid buy with very few downsides for a £300 single pickup bass. Probably enough space to add another pickup if you fancied but doesn't sound like it needs it. Will be an absolute steal second hand if/when they come around!

Nicely done - don't think you'll do much better for £120. I think I played one of those a few years ago. Was quite tempted, even at full price.