BassApprentice

So I've currently got a 35" MTD Kingston and a Bronco short scale and I think a perfect compromise for the 3rd slot would be a medium scale. I know I could just get a Mezzo but I just can't gel with the SR shape. 

A quick Google shows SX did a 32 jazz which would be ideal, anyone had/got one or know if Rondo Music still produce these? 

I was just watching a bunch of Serek vids last night as I'm weighing up buying their new B90 humbucker for my Bronco project. 

Interesting pickup placement, was that your idea of theirs? 

So I've got this Bronco that I've resurrected, it currently has a cheap rail pickup sitting in it which is fine but I want something more. I love the look of Nick Campbells Musicmaster and the vibe it has. 

I'm  intrigued by the Serek B90 humbucker but let me know what other fun pickup suggestions you have! 

Not super light, but my go to recommendation for people wanting to try something different - LaBella White Nylons, copper for warmer, whites for brighter. Not cheap but they are butter smooth, last for ages and are brighter than flats. 

Yeah, MK1 looks classy but see when you pick up the MK2 and sit it on your lap. It's so good. 

Might be worth contacting GuitarGuitar or Bass Direct as since they are stockists then can do direct orders. Not sure if that makes any difference on import price 

So, definitely no shipping? Would happily pay for it

Also, I've just noticed how weird this shape looks on 4 strings versions. Really weedy and unbalanced, almost like Mike designed them to have 5 strings as standard 😅

The pukka ones they post on Instagram are proper works of art, but the Kingstons take all the design and shape to the budget side which is fantastic. The KZ5/6 come up on ebay at decent prices, I'm just not mad on the veneer on most of them. 

I'm glad there are potential solutions ahead, but you can see how ridiculous they think this situation is by the amount of tongue in cheek in that article, and they're not wrong 😅

Great video, and that bass looks killer too. One day... 

Eurosender are currently unable to operate in UK so would count them out for now. 

So with the new charges and courier implications of the trade deal - are Maruszczyk still "good value" for custom instruments? 

I appreciate they were a bargain a few years ago but will these new fees push them into other builder territory? 

People will be bored of hearing this from me but try Labella White Nylon Tapewounds.

Expensive yes but they give the brighter sound with the flat would feel. My favourite strings by far. 

That looks like a great home set up, I don't see myself in a band for the foreseeable and don't really have an amp.

I primarily use my Phil Jones Bass Buddy and headphones but this might be a better set up for what I'm looking for. How is the latency for streaming stuff from the NUX for playing along? 

Also, are there any UK retailers for the Backbeat? 

I wouldn't read too much into his reaction. As much as he is trying to be neutral, you just have to look at his recent videos and his wall of basses to know he is a huge EB Fanboy and Spectors are very different to EBs. 

An update from Eurosender- ah the B word 😞

Another tale of woe:

Used Eurosender due to the BassChat code, all booked in fine - then get an email saying the collection day has been changed, then another email saying the details are incorrect. I hop on the live chat and ask what's the issue, was initially told I had not put a space in the recipients postcode - I then had to send them a screenshot of THEIR OWN EMAIL showing there was a space. Then it was an issue with my address, they said the city suburb I stay is not actually part of Glasgow, I have never had an issue with my address with any courier, this went on for a while as they tried to tell me that I needed to change it so I let them change it - this caused me to miss the cutoff for collection the next day so due to their system I now had extra two days wait.

Cue today - no collection.

Excellent.

*Rant Over*

Mine arrived yesterday. Forgot I bought 2 packs so now I have more straplocks that I do basses 😅

Oh well, new bass it is! 

I have received the notification that mine are sitting at home waiting for me to suitably Pimp My Bass and become infinitely talented.

I believe the pickguard is actually pearl white with some sticky back black on it, but agree it looks great! if it comes off with wear I'll probably get a proper one made.

Just been noodling on it this afternoon and it just works for me, dead chuffed!

So was going to spend more than £200 on my next bass - didn't bother. I've wanted an MTD for a while now but the Kingston Super5 is still £1000 and then the real deals are very expensive, enter the Artist 5.

£200 got me all the design features I wanted and a good base for tinkering, very happy!

I quite like the look of them as an off the wall option, as you say if Richard Bona plays one not under duress/contract then they must be ok 😅

Might be worth contacting BassDirect and seeing what they know, it is something they might stock as they are a bit weird/not known for making actual basses.

So I originally was on the lookout for 5 string at a slightly higher price point but a couple of bills later I had slightly less GAS money and saw this in the classifieds and couldn't resist. Not too much info about these, seems they were discontinued and come up from time to time. I've tried the Super5 at BassDirect and loved it and this has all the basic build features with just less pickups and less fancy EQ. I'm pretty happy with it so far, 19mm spacing and 35" scale won't be for everyone but the wide, asymmetric neck feels great to me and it comes in just under 4kg so good weight too.

This one has had a 2 band John East preamp from a Zoot put in which is very bright and maybe not quite versatile enough for me, although I have been playing with Tapewounds so maybe when I can get a set of tapes on this it will mellow it out. Reckon either the preamp or pickup will be changed too if this stays around long enough. I'll definitely be putting in a series/parallel/coil tap switch though. Enjoying having a 5 string again!

I saw someone on a Facebook group get one so they are landing places. Might not have been the UK though.