BassApprentice

I reckon this is the end of Hiscox UK, but not the last you'll see of Hiscox cases. Brand name will be sold and made elsewhere.

Spotted this on a Facebook group I'm on - a letter sent to a luthier who uses Hiscox cases so take it with a pinch of salt since there isn't any other evidence yet. If true, another tough loss to the British music industry. (Also, apologies for the low res image) It reads as follows HISCOX CASES TO CLOSE AFTER 40 YEARS 20th May 2025 Dear Valued Customer, The landscape for manufacturing at our level here in the U.K. has become ever increasingly problematic since the Covid pandemic. We have faced severe challenging issues with every aspect of the process from raw materials to shop floor staff availability to massively rising costs of production. The compound issues are now so great we have regrettably reached the conclusion that it is no longer possible for us to remain a viable manufacturing business here in the U.K. It is with huge sadness that I confirm that Hiscox cases will therefore cease production within the next 3 months This tremendously difficult decision has not been made lightly and we fully intend to honour all existing orders you may have with us. Although we will continue trading in the short term, we wish to manage the situation in a logical and controlled manner in order that all of our long standing partners are paid, as we all wish we would be under these circumstances. IMPORTANT 70% of our business is supplying instrument makers where the case we supply is custom built maybe with an embodied logo. If you are one of those many customers, and have current orders with us, then please contact us to confirm you wish to proceed with the order. I am extremely sorry, but, as I hope you understand, we will no longer be able to extend credit terms from today as we will require all orders to be paid in full before shipping. We have decided to continue trading for another few months specifically to give our hundreds of loyal guitar making customers time to find an alternative case supplier. As a luthier, all those years ago, I made my first guitar case specifically for my own use for my own guitars. I never planned or even imagined that demand for my design would be so great that we have made more than 700,000 cases in the last 40 years. I suppose all good things eventually come to an end. There is nothing more that I can say other than thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your business over the last 40 years. This is an extremely sad day here at Hiscox Cases Warmest regards to you all and best of fortune for your futures, Brynn Hiscox

I had one of the old red ones that I made pink. They are great fun but the bridge and tuners are the weakest points. 2 saddle can make intonation tricky and the tuners are understandably cheap. Really easy to switch out and make it a very serviceable bass!

Hmmm interesting. I can guarantee you will see "Certified Pre-Owned Fenders" for sale very soon. Bascially a second hand guitar with a warranty that costs less than new, but more than a private seller would charge. I've seen Mike Lull do it as well as Rolex. Basically a market control exercise.

That's just getting views from a hot topic. I reckon he'll go dark for a while, come back doing something very similar but having dropped out the spotlight he won't be getting anywhere near the same amount of views. I've never purposefully watches his content, sometimes got thrown in on Instagram and Spotify, but I wonder how good he actually is? If he can note perfect play all these solos then he can definitely write his own stuff. Most musicians have enough creativity to write their own riffs and solos so it's all just so very odd that he's done this. Anyway, he's a bit of a prat and is getting his comeuppance.

I think with SS having a moment in the sun with more punters and pros playing them there is a small gap, yes. Having had another quick look, there is the Ibanez EHB1505S - but appreciate they may not be your cup of tea. It can be done as shown by Maruszczyk/ACG/Sandberg/Wilcock so scaling up the premise to mass production isn't unfeasable, just hasn't obviously been deemed profitable enough yet.

Would he a convenient way for BassBros to add one to their personal collection in the process 😂

Exactly that. Had only been on 2 hours and was just away to get a file and a pencil to gently widen it. Oh well.

Today has been a bit of trainwreck...so decided to change the strings on the new bass and give it a bit of test. Welp.

I'm a fan of Chromes - some say they are bit sticky initially but once that goes they are great. A different string is the White Copper Tapes from La Bella that I'm tempted to put on the BB414 I just got - a bit different to flats but definitely have less top end that rounds

Bought the Yamaha BB414 Graeme was selling - went out his way to ensure it was delivered quickly!

Back in the club.

I don't doubt the quality and the sound, but those SL must feel so weird at first. 2.2kg or 2.7kg is ridiculously light!

No - but there also people who aren't as talented playing at high volumes all day. Before you needed a generator to busk at volume. Now you can have a battery powered PA delivered to you by Amazon relatively cheaply.

That's a bit disingenious. We all have passed or heard some very talented buskers in our time which is nice, but similarly there are the ones who where music seems a foreign concept they are wrestling with. But this issue here isn't necessarily the talent, it's the now widely available battery powered amps that can last all day at decent volumes while the buskers have an extremely limited set list.

Look out for MTD Kingstons. Huge range of tunes and really great build quality. Share all the features of the real MTD but just not made of the fancy woods in the US.

Reading this makes me remember how lucky I am in Glasgow just now. On my lunch I can go to Guitar Guitar, Merchant City Music and Jimmy Egypt. All stocking slightly different things but have a decent selection. Just wish I had more money/need to support them.

Or there may be one of the Sterling's for sale here for £500.... If I hadn't just bought a bass (and a new washing machine, boo boring) then I'd be having that

@Andyjr1515 fancy a challenge? The AJR Phoenix?

Well as of 30 seconds ago, this will now cost you 10% more. So over £600. I'm out. Cheers Donald, ya balding orange buffoon.

And that's the debate I am still having here. I like them, they are cool, but having the base range components for that price is a smidge too high. If they just had the nicer bridge, I'd probably be much more keen.

Well they sold out of the all the US models first couple of times round, and they sold 4,500 of the first batch of the Joe Dart Sterlings. It's a testament to the Vulfpeck marketing machine that they can keep repeating this and I can't say EBMM will be complaining!

Yes, if you don't like the basses or the band, you aren't being forced to buy one or comment on it. However this is a fun change to the whole signature bass model. I wouldn't have stumped up for the full USA model prices, but now all three are available as Sterling models in both the natural and the black for the next 2 months...I avoided the first batch but I'm going to have a tough time not buying a Joe Dart 2 in the Natural this time round. £575 all in. Yes the shipping is still a farce. Sad they haven't managed to find a way but at least the cost is fully upfront.

Possibly easier, but don't want to cover up the pickup surrounds... Will take it along to a local lutheir/tech and pick their brains when in arrives.

I am tempted to try a ramp on this incoming 414 - however with the pickups surrounds does it make it a bit more tricky? I assume perspex would be the way forward, anyone know someone who would make one?