TheGreek

Brand loyalty from people who get nothing (directly) from the Company other than great service and confidence in the product. I bought a used amp from eBay - had it sent directly to Guy at Ashdown who serviced it and sent it to me AT NO COST!!! I didn't give them a penny but still benefitted from the legendary great CS.

Didn't sell...

IIRC 3%

This... Happy to deal with BCers - I think most of us value our reputation more than the quick buck we might make...

Mellow yellow - Donovan (local lad, you know)

Lovely looking ACG - but aren't they all...

Gimme, gimme, gimme - ABBA

The drugs don't work - The Verve

A quick afterthought.... Many basses using the Ray design suffer with a weak G string - any issues with this? BTW, as Jack suggested, I'm struggling to find anywhere that has these in stock.

You've pretty much described my journey with 5ers - had a few - didn't gel with any of them so moved them on. Since getting my Lakland 55-01 I've enjoyed the experience a lot more - even though it meant re-learning a lot of techniques - that "Floating thumb" thing was so frustrating initially but now seems like second nature. Also fitting in notes on the low B can be like a little puzzle but I'm enjoying playing octaves "the wrong way" - e.g. finishing on an E on the third (A) string and flicking to the E at the fifth on the B. Your point about the HB being lightweight is very interesting - I assumed that most 5ers would be heavier than the typical 4 string but at less than 9lbs I can see they will probably get quite a following. I'm also not a fan of Tort guards - in fact I think I only have one, maybe 2 basses with guards at all. Agree that yours would look much better with a black plate, maybe Carbon fibre effect? Had a quick look online and seen prices (none in stock at Thomman surprisingly). And it's only £118/€132 for the MB-4 and £128/€142 for the MB-5. https://www.musicradar.com/news/harley-benton-gets-sleek-with-its-new-mb-4-and-mb-5-sbk-deluxe-series-basses

That would be my thinking too.

Kev posted an ad for a G&L 2000 - among my hoard, I had one which wasn't being used while I try to persevere with 5 string. So I contacted Kev with the aim of rehoming it where it will be used. Easy deal - Lots of correspondence and a transaction we're both happy with. This followed by a prompt payment. Exactly how you'd hope a deal would go. Kev's a true gent...More than happy to trade again. Enjoy the bass

I use Status tapewounds - available in 40 and 45 gauge and at around £20 they're significantly less expensive than the competition, however when I last spoke to Dawn they only had medium scale - fine for 2+2, but not 4 inline. Send her an email: [email protected]

"Round bits"?? Drill bit?

King of wishful thinking - Go West

Also reported...

Doctor Doctor - Thompson Twins

....and Bass Collection Nanyos.

Substitute - The Who

This is the back of my Psilos bass - built by our own @Andyjr1515 - note how all the controls are hidden in the back of the bass giving the bass a minimalist look. The jack is left of the 3 knobs and can just be seen. The headless bridge in the back is NOT an issue whether standing or seated.

Very Ritter Cora...