White Cloud

Of course. You are quite right, there is no absolute right or wrong. All things are subjective. I had a MM Stingray back in the 80s that was just THE BOMB... recorded like a dream, spat fire live. For the life of me I cannot remember what happened to it ...

I think that the MM Stingrays are the best 'plug in and play' basses for an instant, great sound. This goes for live and studio environments. Leo almost got it right with the P and J - he then nailed it with MM and G&L imo.

I find it a tad ironic, but active basses do take more effort live. For me, I think it's well worth it though.

Sincere condolences to Colins family ... have a good gig in the sky Colin!

Get it done yourself... at their cost. Fender can afford it. I had a Lakland Skyline neck issue - the neck developed an inch long deep crack behind the third fret. Within two weeks I had the new neck ... and they footed the bill for a local luthier to fit it and cut the nut. All without a hint of push back or any quibbles on their part. Big shout out to Lakland here!

I've been told that such was the sudden dramatic demand for these instruments at the time (Mark Kings fault!) that production escalated rapidly and new staff were taken on. For the same reason larger quantities of materials were required toot-sweet. A classic case of becoming a victim of your own success. I was mightily whizzed off at the time, but over a period of thirty years or so, I am admitedly beginning to get over it!

This is all a bit of a downer for the OP, I hope Fender get their finger out and sort this matter to his satisfaction. There's nothing worse than a nice instrument developing a neck failure. I bought an expensive Jaydee Supernatural brand new back in the 80's in a vain bid to become Mark King - a few months later the neck had developed the sort of extreme and irreparable back bow that would have made Robin Hood proud! Apparantly JD had purchased a batch of 'rogue' Mahogany (why build instruments from it then? ... just saying!) I have a Fender Flea. Thankfully the neck is perfect, has only required a gentle tweak ... and adjusted perfectly.

Totally agree. In fact, I love the entire Swiss choir album.

Well, at risk of being controversial around these here parts, my ACG makes my old Fender Jazz bass (which I was previously madly in love with) feel like an old plank of wood with old chrome bits screwed together...

Chris Squires Swiss choir.. a festive collection of classics in a prog style. It also features Mr Hackett on guitar! Awesome!

I own an ACG Recurve with a one-piece black limba body ... it was recently down at Alan getting a new pickup and an updated EQ01 pre. I would say that that in over 35 years of playing bass - and owning almost everything low and high end on the market (Wal/Alembic/Vigier etc) - that the ACG is my favourite instrument. The tone unplugged is startling. Alan is also an absolute gentleman. That is going to be a stunning instrument. Good luck.

Sadly missed... a true giant of rock bass. Up there (no pun intended) with Entwistle and Bruce imo. I saw Yes only once, on the Symphonic tour - a staggering show. Chris was immense and that show is in my top 3 favourites. Unforgettable. I also loved both CS solo albums. Thanks for the memories and the sounds Chris, wherever you are.

Of course you could do it... but only if you can follow the advice that you sought😀 Think about it!

It's simple really... just be as good as you are. In that context you just can't fail

Thats right! You have convinced me that you are good enough, you now need to believe it yourself! The stress response kicks in with "potential critics listening"... it is a natural neurological process. When faced with this circumstance fall back onto your competence, feel the fear and just do it anyway. I am a therapist and I remember discussing this with the late great Allan Holdsworth (who struggled with stage fright throughout his career.) Before gigs he would literally shake with fear... a tipple or two helped him get up there and do it - not that I'm suggesting you hit the sauce or anything! I wish you well. Never forget how good you are and just trust in your ability to do what you know you can do regardless.

Classic example of the 'Fight, Flight, Freeze' stress response. The best way to deal with it is to become 'competent' and be assured in your competence ... which is not the same as being 'confident'. Confidence is free - anybody can help themselves to as much confidence as they like - but given that most people (especially the testosterone fuelled younger male of the species) secretly overrate their own abilities it is often not based upon anything tangible. Get better and build a quiet sense of assurance upon a solid foundation of competence. It never fails.

I own one and having owned scores of jazz basses from Fender and the other usual suspects it is admitedly probably my favourite 'Feelwise' ... however, it is rough in places. The pickup rout on the bridge pickup is sloppy and oversized (about 4mm too wide on the underside), the neck pocket vould be a tad tighter and the plugged in sound is definitely on the dark side (which I never anticipated from a bass endorsed by Flea!) Overall, a flawed, but very good copy (in spirit) of a 60s jazz.

I found the newtone strings to be far too high tension for me. Sounded good though

I recall that my Rickenbacker basses had soft frets (low grade?) Roto's ate the frets on my 4001's up ... yet my jazz bass (strung the same) was largely unaffected. Not sure if the modern Ricks are likewise.

Beautiful! That bass has the ACG flagship filter pre fitted (the 01) ... best descibed as 'Wal on steroids'.

I love following the occaisional YouTube fly on the wall posts about Doug by Carl Moreton... hilarious and insightful! Great Luthier.

I am lucky enough to own both a 5 string Shuker longhorn and an ACG Recurve. The Shuker is a truly superb instrument; the fit, finish and overall craftsmanship are truly excellent in every way ... but in my opinion the ACG is better. Don't be too quick to dismiss the ACG without at least getting hands on one. The woodworking/finish/filter pre is staggering with Alan's instruments (and he under charges imho).

I have just bought an ACG Recurve from Ben - his communications, postage and packaging were of the highest calibre. An absolute gentleman and thoroughly recommended. Fantastic seller, wholly trustworthy, honest and reliable. BIG thumbs up!!!!