BassApprentice

The only place I've seen it mentioned is on Norm Stockton's social media pages. Nothing else yet, not even TalkBass! @Terry M.

As others have said it's not going to be any different and/or better than a Squier. It's to get an extra £100 out of punters who need Fender on the headstock rather than Squier.

MTD Kingston NS5.

For clicks and visibility. Get the product out there and then get proper reviews (full of slap of course) later in the year.

Reverend Triad 5 Strings. Nice.

I owned an 80s L2000 (which I would love to get back), but they seem really hard to find new in the UK just now. I know GuitarGuitar used to stock them, but after that I don't think they really want to be in the UK market for whatever reason.

And that's the cost saving bit of Sire. Quality of the wooden bits - good. Hardware (on base models) is always a bit lackluster. Will say that that photo looks like a render, which can make angles and proportions look odd. Looking forward to seeing all the various releases that I have no intention of buying! 😆

Shame it hasn't quite worked for you, but so cool you go to try it out in the first place! In the spirit of taking one for the team, since it's such a big bass it probably takes up a lot of room. If you need someone to mind it whilst you look to move it on, I guess I could store it 😂

A Yamaha BB would be a shout, either reverse P or normal depending on your preference. Reverend or ACG for a different look.

Only if you get a set of four pickguards you can switch between 😂

Obligatory @Bassassin tag. Most likely 70s/80s Japanese Fujigen who made instruments for various brands.

Fitted, but it doesn't look bad on the orange or the grey

Agree about the pickguard, it looks passable on some colours, but not the blue. Too many screwholes to fill in if you were to take it off. Close, but no cigar for me.

At the end of the day, you've ended up with a product that differs from the original and that isn't what you bought. They have tried to remedy the situation but not to your satisfaction, so you may still be able to return it. Only issue is the length of time that has elapsed. A weird spot G&L have ended up in the UK, not readily available anymore which is a shame.

My Squier Vista Musicmaster. Now edging on being with me 20 years as my first bass and even though I rarely play - it won't be going anywhere.

Seems to be good overall - bit shaky on the ol' QC front with the first batch. See other threads on Z7 etc.

Intriguing...I'm not a 6 string player by any means but this is interesting me. I currently have a 19mm 5 string and quite like the spacing. Reckon you could get a bridge for 18mm spacing and have it fit on the neck? Or is that a no go on 6 strings?

Glad you're keeping it. There can't be too many of these about, and it's disappointing that someone who had it, didn't maintain it as they are amazing bits of craftsmanship. If you can get it back to full working order, you're preserving a wee bit of British luthier history, so definitely worth doing.

Love Reverends - going to be mighty tempted by the flamed maple version with gold hardware that was released the other week.

Dropped by GuitarGuitar on my lunch and they had both new finishes in. Think the Indigo doesn't pop as much as I expected, but the red is cool. Still had stock of the old colours too so great to have more of a choice.

Another option - albeit and bit pricey. But if you're looking for something a bit different this could work well! The Eastwood Rivolta https://www.notreble.com/buzz/2024/12/07/eastwood-guitars-announces-the-rivolta-mondata-bass-guitar/

I think he was answering your question by saying the 4s are 19mm - making the 5s 17.5mm. Haven't played or seen one, but very few of these styles of basses would have the wider 19mm spacing. Mainly left to more modern basses like MTD and certain I Ibanez models.

That sounds like one of the SUB series, which was the previous base level model. They aren't bad by any means but I think this thread makes us question what value you get from paying full RRP from Music Man, whatever series or model you buy

Whilst Owen is now sorted, does anyone have any other recommendations? My dad has asked for a set for Christmas and will be doing predominately guitars