jrixn1

Yes; if mathematicians were in charge, a 3/4-size bass would have a scale length of 3√(3/4) x 43.3" = 39.4". 🤓

Ah... but mine is a five-string, so if I move each string down one, I'd need more turns to get the string up to pitch, so I'd have less silk showing... I think??

My Dunlop flats (great strings!) purchased in 2020 have coloured ball-ends, with alternating gold, black, and silver. Yours might be a couple of years old (completely reasonable for flats). Seems to have been changed in 2018? http://lifestyle.jimdunlop.com/new-packaging-for-dunlop-strings/ FWIW mine also have a different silk length:

I've already had some replies, which is much quicker than I thought seeing as it was the end of the working day by the time I emailed. The most direct option I think is £42 via Synergy Distribution, with delivery usually taking a couple of weeks. Adding for info: Bass Direct replied with £45, no timeframe given; Cool & Classic advised I'm best buying directly from Germany or via the UK distributor (Synergy); Bass Gallery said they'd need to check with their distributor and get back to me (which I guess is Synergy... so sorry Synergy if you wonder why suddenly everyone seems interested in a tort VM5 pickguard 😁). Jack's Instruments also replied very quickly, and will cut a custom one for £61 (I'd have to send in my existing pickguard as a template); that's with their standard printed tort material. I might go through their large list of other available materials and see if there's one that I prefer to the Sandberg tort.

Hmm yes, perhaps. I'll send some emails, and update with any replies.

BTW for the eagle-eyed: it's a standard four-hole plate but I removed the preamp, so it's purely passive now, with the jack socket on top, a full-range tone knob (with 0.1uf cap), and a three-way pickup selector. I replaced the stock Sandberg P pickup with an Aguilar 5P-60CL, and the bridge pickup has been rewired in parallel.

Here's a VM5 I got a couple of months ago, although I think it would look better with a tort pickguard. However, the Sandberg shop (https://sandbergshop.gambiocloud.com) no longer seems to ship to the UK... The only other place I can find is https://www.emma-music.com; never heard of them. Has anyone used this French shop before? Or does someone want to swap their tort for my black? 😀 Alternatively I can get one cut by Jack's Instrument Services.

Sugababes. After individually leaving and being replaced, the original members subsequently reformed, but had to use a new name.

+1. The good thing about using a preamp pedal and a powered PA speaker (aka "FRFR") is that the powered speaker is acoustically transparent, i.e. it doesn't contribute or affect your tone in any way. The tone comes only from the preamp pedal; I'm currently using a Mojomojo (£40). If I decide I don't like the tone, swapping the pedal is cheap and easy compared to replacing a head or cab. Or get a Helix...

With the scroll in the footwell, like this: https://youtu.be/samNHsF2NhI?t=120 (starting at 2m00s) I prefer this way because: the bass is held more securely; handbrake/gearstick not blocked; can see out of all windows/mirrors; and you have the full empty boot volume available, instead of having to slot things around the bass. With your stone walls though you'll have to have the car out on the road when loading/unloading.

Double bass goes lower than a bari.

What bass was it? Was it a Sandberg? Here are the ones that came on mine (and came straight off - didn't like them at all!)

No difference: both methods make a parallel connection. One very minor disadvantage of chaining is that in the unlikely event of the first cab or cable malfunctioning during a gig, the second cab would also cut out.

Bought some strings from @chrkelly and he sent them out quickly and well packaged. Thanks!

Trying to increase the current limit, not the voltage. Not sure, other than making your own cable. I think the CIOK RCA are wired centre-positive so bear that in mind.

A splitter e.g. https://www.thomann.de/gb/behringer_ultralink_ms8000.htm

The thing about CIOKS is that they use RCA connectors at the power supply end, rather than the usual 5.5mm ones. The obvious choice is their own parallel adapter: http://cioks.com/products/parallel-adapter-flex/

Not sure Fmaj7 puts in an appearance at any point in the song. Is it not the same chord again as the first half (Am7/D)? What notes are in the melody?

An abundance of tierces de Picardie... 🤔

Yes, E major, as this is where the harmony pulls towards. The classic "what key is it in?" is Sweet Home Alabama...

I know it's copied from their website; but what is "virtual true bypass"?

I'm using a MicroBass 3 straight to PA, which is slightly out of your stated budget... but you said you might add a tuner and an LS-2, in which case the MicroBass 3 already has those things built in. The MicroBass 3 has two physical input channels, which can be independent or blended; I put my acoustic (upright) on channel 1 as it has the full eq including semi-parametric mids and a notch filter. I put P bass on channel 2 which has semi-param mids and drive. Also, I don't know what your in-ear setup is, but the MicroBass 3 has an aux-in for the monitor feed, and independent volume control of your bass to your ears. It also has two DI outputs and an effects loop. For me as an aspiring minimalist, it replaced about four pedals and it has no extraneous functions.