Hathernman

I picked up an Aria SWB Lite from a BC'er for £450 and not looked back. Not under any illusion that it will ever sound like an acoustic DB but with Spiro solos, Phil Jones rig, decent preamp, it sounds great in the context of the acoustic material I play in a couple of folksy/country/bluesy bands. I'm primarily a BG player and like you, couldn't conceive of dragging an acoustic DB to gigs along with all the other gear, as well as finding house space! I can't imagine that the Aria sounds hugely better than a well sorted Stagg, and got to say that I was sorely tempted by a rosewood fingerboard Stagg, but I decided to go for what I think is a better instrument all round. A good S/h Aria would be within your budget. If it's any help, I'm not yet gassing for Eminence or Silentbass etc, after 6 months of ownership though I guess it's early days!

Like others replying, I use index finger predominently, but revert to 2 fingers at 90 degrees to strings for faster passages, similar to BG technique. Not as rich or full a sound as I can't get sufficient pull on the strings to get full volume and tone. Incidentally, James Jamerson also used a 'flcking' technique with his 'hook' for faster stuff.

Other obvious one is Phil Jones Briefcase. Not tried one on battery power but love my Flightcase with EUB and BG

Can't advise about string length, but I'm using Spiro Solos tuned down to concert on my Aria, sourced from the wonderful Clarky and love them, Very low tension, sound great, easy to play and easy on the fingers.

Anyone had any issues with the requirement in most policies for gear to be transported in hard cases? Just bought a hard shell case for my EUB to comply. Makes good sense anyway. I also want to insure my Phil Jones rig and pa but the same hard case stipulation applies. Not sure how many non pros transport cabs in, effectively flight cases, unless I'm missing something . My Rocksolid covers seem to do the job pretty well, but don't comply.

I imported my Ed Reynold Lakland 4 94 a few years ago. No real problems but nothing compares with the terror of losing track of the shipment when it arrived at Heathrow. Reminded me of the final scene in the second Indiana Jones film, when the camera pulls away from a zillion crates in some secret storage facility. In this case, somewhere at Heathrow and my precious bass in one of them, lost forever!

Got a rubber end pin protector from the Contrabass shop, about three quid. Came with some good advice - pour a bit of Araldite into the hole and let it dry before fitting to the end pin. Works a treat. Had it on for a month now and used on all sorts of surfaces with no splitting or wear.

PM sent