lemmywinks

The Joyo BA-30 might be a better bet for desk use?

I have the BG-75 (the older one with DC input), they're for home practice and playing along with acoustic guitars really so may be perfect for your acoustic circle, especially given the BG-80 can be powered by a decent power bank. They sound great in this application and although I own some very nice small rigs the PJB is my favourite, they get a full sound due to the passive radiator design (that's the "something clever" bit you wondered about!) so need to be placed in front of a solid object, they don't sound half as good in the middle of a room and the low end drops out. You're going to be disappointed if you expect anything more from them tbh, very useful little things and they do sound brilliant if your requirements match their capability. They can also be a gateway drug into further PJB purchases so you have been warned.

No I had a pie barm.

I took mine to Wigan once.

Right you all need to stop now as I'm getting GAS for one of these, especially you with that bubinga one @AndyTravis

Also the Hudson Project bass

Mine was a Cort but also had the Mighty Mite pickup, as did my Cort C5P. They were probably all just Cort built basses tbh.

Had the 5 string version in the gold leaf finish, always had a bit of a soft spot for them. Really nice design, mine looked like this:

Is it used? If so then it may have cheap AliExpress strings on it which can sound a bit too tinny/metallic. Not sure what echoey means, is it buzzing the neck ie has backbow? Does the truss rod turn ok?

Licensed (read Cort built) Bartolinis like the old Mk series, tbh they might work for fretless more than on fretted. They don't sound like real Barts though, a shame as the Cort/Ibanez CND pickups sound like proper Nordstrands. Other possible outlays on the EHB series are replacing the stock knobs (horrid plastic things) and the need for a better gigbag than the one it comes with.

Is he buying this himself or are you purchasing it for him? If it's the former just get him to buy a Fishman of his own, problem sorted. Seeing as you already have PA and monitoring an amp is a bit pointless IMO. If funds won't stretch to a Fishman then this might work, still has a notch filter for mid set feedback busting and is only £36 with the BLACKFRI20 code. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/315171151745 Does have a 10 megaohm impedance but no mid freq and a single treble control, you can dial out piezo quack and harsh high end at the desk though.

Fishman Platinum Stage or Pro, probably more economical to grab a used Pro given the current prices and you can nick it for bass if he loses interest due to the switchable eq. They're basically Swiss army knives for guitars (both 6 string and proper ones) and have an especially useful feature set for acoustics. Can DI to the PA and/or go straight into a powered cab.

I'm getting a TS101 soldering iron of Mrs lemmywinks, about £42 off AliExpress. Might be a good present for tinkerers, can be powered by a laptop charger or USB Type C.

It's as true now as it was last year. Truerer in fact.