Kev

Anything well built and. crucially, well set up will work, preferably with hum buckers. Getting a "good" B is 99% about making sure the neck and bridge are set up optimally. String gauge is preference, scale length is a huge 2nd to setup. I currently use a StingRay and Alpher bass in B. I left 5's behind back in 2019 in favour of drop tuned 4's, never looked back. Realised I never liked using a G string and felt much more comfortable on a narrower neck, so made total sense.

Whilst still not being the sound you're looking for, it was still a big difference right? As those pickups and preamp should have transformed the sound, like taking a blanket off your amp. The far east Barts are not good IMO but swapping them out usually makes a good budget bass great.

Why hide?

He needs to actually become a better drummer and learn to be able to play to the gig. Finding solutions to bring his volume down is nonsense, he just needs to accept his performances are bringing the band down.

DM me the thread links @patrikmarky and I'll sort it 👍

Just to check the obvious, are you getting this with multiple "E" strings you've tried?

Note how they don't claim innovation though! 😅

Phew. After all that, I'd let Innovation at least have the rest of the afternoon off.

There once was a bassist named Hugh, Whose excitement was truly untrue. He waited all day, For Fender to say, "We've got nothing new, just for you." I suppose the 15th actually means sometime this evening?

"Innovation never rests" Its bold if its just colours and a new name for the same pickup. Difference with Ernie Ball and Rickenbacker is they don't do the same thing. The Stingray Special was the first time they reinvented the wheel since the 3EQ model came out. Sure they have the Classic Series and the replacement Retro series and a couple of artist models, but they don't seem to drag their fanbase to anywhere near the same degree. Same with Ric. Nothing like the same marketing philosophies.

Because I imagine Spector was the only artist deal on the table good enough! But I agree, what on earth is the point. I'd like to think if I "made it" I wouldn't just go with a brand for the money.

Which, to be fair, is absolutely fine and they're still doing extremely well I'm sure. I hate the milking the fan base stuff with release after release, but ultimately that's down to players falling for it. But just don't claim to be innovators in your marketing 🙃