tauzero

Not keen on the bulbous top horn or the general plastic toy vibe. There are definitely more hideous basses out there though.

Mine's an ETB1265MS which had been fitted with Aguilar DCB pickups but has the original electronics. Judging by Youtube videos (not the ideal source), it's a good upgrade - certainly the bass has great clarity. The preamp is very good, I don't feel any need to replace it. I think it's the most attractive finish as well, which is nice.

You can use Tonelib Zoom https://tonelib.net/tonelib-zoom.html to store and restore your patches (and edit them as well). I think the Zoom software (Guitarlab?) also allows the same. Could the issue be with the input socket? Or the cable connecting the I/O board to the main board? Have a look at this video for disassembly instructions on the similar G3xn:

I've got the guitar version of this for my headless Sei: https://www.thomann.de/gb/thomann_e_bass_gigbag_premium.htm I wouldn't describe £100 as budget, but then again I'm cheap. And easy. The only issue I have with the bag is that the (sizeable) reinforcement at the bridge end isn't quite in the right place for the twin strap pegs on the Sei, so one of them has bored its way to freedom. Wouldn't be an issue with single strap peg basses.

If you really want to play slap, for ease of popping, you'd need to have room to get your finger under the strings. Wilkes put slap plates in his fretless basses, like this: IIRC he also put a piezo mic under the end of the neck to pick up the percussive sound. All wasted on me when I had a Wilkes as I didn't (and don't) play slap.

Ugly, and it looks like it's got true temperament fret lines.

It did then. But that was 2007.

Maybe so, but the Strat is a bit different, as it's an Affinity Strat which I defretted.

I went to the Royal Veterinary College (it's on Royal College Street, which Bass Gallery visitors might recognise) for very nearly a whole year. Got far more interested in playing in a band with other residents at the hall of residence I was in, dropped out, and finished up programming. 45 years later, I still am. I think I've enjoyed myself for about 50% of that, but there are days when I think wistfully that I could have been in the middle of a field with my arm up a cow's ārse.

Nobody's commented on the Neil Hodgson BSB Ducati model.

Ohm on the range.

I plead not guilty to that. That was the current Mrs Zero's, as I'd left mine at my house along with the former Mrs Zero.

The body is lovely, not so keen on the fretboard or the pickups - I think I'd describe them as fussy.

I like them too. My opinion may be coloured by the fact I love my Antoniotsai which has a distinct Ritter homage feel to it, even to the slopey pickups. I bought it in 2007, at which point I'd never heard of Ritter.

I think it's lovely. I shall resist the temptation to ask about a 5-string version. No, really, I will.

I'll be up for 2023. I'm sure I've got everything I want...

It is very impressive, and looks to have a good intuitive workflow. I'm definitely not the target audience though, it has far more capability than I would or could ever make use of.

White spirit is another one to try, and meths (remember - white spirit with chicken, meths with red meat). Do not use acetone. It's rather too good a solvent.

Sold, for a mere £4124. I occasionally watch bits of those programmes where people sell stuff in auctions, and when something goes for about 20 times the estimate, I wish that the presenters would chase down the buyers and ask them what they knew that made them pay so much. Has somebody realised that this is a rare instrument made in Cremona in the 18th century, or are they just deluded?

Ah, I know what it reminds me of:

When you say 2 x 8 ohm outputs, do you mean two speaker outputs each with a minimum 4 ohm load but with a minimum 4 ohm load overall, or do you mean two outputs each of which have a minimum 8 ohm load? If the former, you'll get the full whack from one output driving a 4 ohm cab, unless it's an Ashdown Superfly with two separate 250W power amp modules. If the latter, you'll simply blow it up if you connect the cab to the amp, regardless of how many cables you use.

That's why I prefer headless basses, then you only stick it in the singer's ear if you really mean to.

My Esh Poseidon V has been stuck in a cupboard for some time. I really must dig it out and give it a little love.

Arduino Pro Micro does USB OTG. There's a hack for ESP32 too - https://hackaday.io/project/178213-esp32-usb-software-host

Arduino? ESP32? They'll do analogue reads. The ESP32 is ridiculously comprehensive (includes wireless and bluetooth) and well under a tenner.