neepheid

Well, you're the one who declared yourself out, I'm just going by what you said. I don't even know what one of those is, except what the words mean. Can you give us some detail about what it is and what it is used for?

Well, someone's gotta be first. Congratulations!

Not in the signal chain, an accessory. I don't think it counts.

I've only ever played one Rick, and it was... ok. Wasn't awful, but didn't blow my hair back either. Looked nice. But it never sparked a desire in me to ever own one.

I wish you good fortune on your downsizing quest.

Well, I gave the Drivetrain a good go the other night with the band and honestly, I was rather underwhelmed. It was too muddy/mushy and got a bit lost in the room. Needed quite a bit of EQ help to make itself heard, not quite as bad as the "Fartolini" kit in the Cort Curbow, but certainly reminiscent of that experience. I had a plan B for this eventuality - ordered a MM4 at the same time as the Drivetrain in case such a thing happened. So last night I did yet another pickup swap... It may be the confirmation bias running riot, but I do think that there's a bit more aggression to the sound of this pickup vs. the Drivetrain, in my headphones at least. Will find out next time I'm playing live in the room with a band.

Damn, I had forgotten all about those. A lot to like - might add one to my hit list for 2027 (aff it this year).

You are permitted to conclude last year's business (ie. something ordered in 2025) with a final payment.

Is this a confession?

Cards on the table and seeing as you asked, I bought the bass last year knowing the pickup was broken. The pickup's been with my mate for a while (like since last year), but he's a busy boy and he's doing it for free so I don't like to nag (much). But am starting to think I might need a plan B, hence the spitballing ahead of time.

I have a scenario to run by you all (and I'm just speculating at the moment) - I have a Yamaha SB500S with a knackered neck pickup. I didn't break it, it arrived that way, it's second hand, it's no longer in production. I have the broken pickup with someone just now attempting to repair it, but should that fall through what would be the collective's thoughts regarding ways forward? You can't realistically get an exact replacement pickup for the current, broken one, but it is basically a J pickup in a bespoke Yamaha housing, because Yamaha. If the broken pickup is unsalvageable, would I get a pass from the jury if I was to get a Tonerider or something similarly inexpensive to replace it with? It's not like for like (other than dimensions), but I wouldn't be using this as an opportunity to procure some fancy, boutique pickup. I just want the bass to work properly again. I hope the OG pickup gets repaired successfully, that is deffo Plan A, just formulating a Plan B... Thoughts? No wrong answers (including "wait until next year, play your other basses")

Earwax colour? Never need to clean them if you can't see the wax... OK, that was gross, sorry. Hearing aid beige would be quite ironic and meta... OK, I'm done.

Fill your boots ears

Tier 2 sounds about right - it's gear, but it's not specifically *bass* gear.