fretmeister

You can develop it. I've used nickel guitar strings for 30 years too, but then I had some Monel flatwounds bass strings (really really high nickel content) and now I cannot tolerate any nickel strings - even the old ones I used on guitar. My fingers go red, blotchy and painfully itchy.

Callous coming off is unusual. Do you have a nickel allergy?

I mod lots of basses. I'm very picky about what I want. Tuners are usually the first thing - in fact if I was going to buy a Newport I'd have them ordered at the same time. The difference in neck dive and balance is immense. Then it will usually be the pickups. I like EMG's for J types as they are silent for recording, and for passive P types I really like the Aguilar 60s wind. I've no doubt that other P pickups would be just as good, but somehow my favourite mod makes the bass more mine. I've never swapped a bridge though. Most aftermarket bridges are heavier than stock items and I always mod with a view to lowering the weight.

I still want to try the AO900. Im really curious about very low drive tones mixed in a bit for harmonic richness. I had the V1 MT900 but the different drive circuit of the AO really appeals.

That looks good! Ive been wondering about a grab and go combo for a while.

I remember that!

By my mic stand.

I have heard of reliability issues in the 500w versions of the Darkglass amps, but none about the 900w versions. That would make me get a 900w version. I did have a V1 of the MT900 and did really enjoy it. I found the clean tones a bit uninspiring so I always used a tiny bit of drive and that really made the tone come alive. I thought its main strength was a sort of rock P bass tone with a good bit of grind. It was very good at that. It wasn’t so good at huge low end funk or reggae type tones, but I’ve got a Mark Bass AG1000 for that. With a little drive, barely noticeable, and a P bass with flats it was really good at Duck Dunn Blues Brothers type tones too. I was surprised at that. I haven’t tried the others so can’t give an opinion on them.

I hooked it up to my computer and downloaded some random patches, My word, there’s a lot of crap to sift through! Some are hilariously bad. Ive never laughed so much about a pedal! 😂

It's here and I've had a very quick play. Definitely going to need some time with it to learn it. Some quite useable sounds though. Might have to learn how to MIDI and then I can get my Helix to control it.

I love the Monels - but I can't play them because of the high nickel content. My hands turn red and start itching.

Ultimately it's a bolt on 4 string bass with a single pickup and 2 knobs, made in Germany by a smaller company. As a concept it is not any different to a Precision. And a current Fender American Professional II P bass is about £1900. As it happens I think the current price for that P bass is mad, but it seems to be the way of the world, but I also know which one I'd rather spend the money on.

The idea of a Beef Crumpet is disturbing to me.

It’s very well made and comfy.

As I'm an apple whore my phone doesn't have a headphone socket. Will it work with a headphone to lightning adapter?

These on most basses and guitars. https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01272O6VW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 I really like them. I have one of these stupidly expensive ultra wide Levy straps too I bought it several years ago when I had some very heavy basses but I don't use it anymore. The damn thing was £75!

I've finally given in and ordered one after years of procrastination. Expect a great deal of "WTAF am I doing?" type questions in the very near future!

If the bassist thought he needed that - how loud were the rest of them?

They do calm down a bit. They never get as thumpy as La Bella. They keep their own sound. I reckon they sound the best between about 18 months and 5 years old. You'll know if you really like them by then!

Mind you, if I wanted a bass just for plectrum use…. Mmmm,m got me thinking now!