Bolo

This is exactly correct. envelope following effects before the comp, the rest after. My signal chain is bass>gate>comp>tuner>dirt/pre>amp as I don't use reverb/chorus/delay effects.

There's a lot going on but the separate pedal (black, three connectors on the top) absolutely looks like a RAT and sounds like one dialed with a generous amount of highs left in.

Build an acrylic display case around it. Now it's art, not a bass.

If it plays how you like but you want different sound flavours, it's yours to do with as you please. People here have recently said they prefer vol/balance instead of vol/vol. A tone per pup makes sense to me.

Thanks for clearing up this 14,5 year old conundrum!

Why would you not try it? A proper pickup is worth the money they cost. 🤷

I have a 4 string of this. It's seen a lot of action and shows it, but frets, fingerboard, pickups and bridge look barely used. The pretty lights work as intended. Plays great, not heavy, very useable sounds from the passive EQ.

There goes all of Pop music, and a considerable amount of opera.

Here's a thought: how much have you experimented with the amp settings? Options aplenty. Don't scoop the mids but roll off some highs, or use the Magellan's Contour and see how that works for you. Dialing in what you already have is the cheapest way to achieve what you're looking for.

Yamaha is never a gamble at this price bracket, absolutely solid. The squier choir conveniently forget to mention how lucky you have to be to find a good one.

In that case I'd skip a tube pre altogether and invest in a warm compressor: anything from a Cali76 to a Markbass Compressore, crank it and then back it off a smidge to taste.

It really can be just a RAT type pedal. The RAT has three knobs. The first is the drive/crunch/grit keep it between 8 and 10 o'clock, that's where the magic happens. The second knob is a high roll off filter. Anti-clockwise is bright, twelve is still kinda bright but in a nice way, fully clockwise is warm and thick. The third knob is just level or volume. I got a Rat2 this year and it replaces all the boutique tube preamps I have amassed.

Setup or string choice probably . In 20 years of Stingray 5s tuned AEADG (3 in total, currently a 2007 HS) they've been excellent. Spector Euro 5LX is great too. My first vifer was the first MTD Kingston, it sounded warm and chocolatey, not big and tight what I was after.

Camo and black.

Probably a gas leak.

That looks good for metal

Just hand it to Nguyen on the Oostende ferry and it'll be fine. Expect a call in the future from someone redeeming a 'favor'.

That's amazing for a duo act!

🏜️ desert island finish is accurate. Gorgeous!

That's how I ended up with seven basses (so far). Let's not discuss amps, cabs, or pedals

Congrats on the milestone

Ed_S pretty much nailed it. I'm in a thrash metal band, using a 5 string tuned AEADG. Where I used a 412 cab for a decade, a modern 2x12 (I found a b-stock darkglass) turned to be a capable alternative. Compression, tuner and dirt from pedals, I use the DI in my amp to send the signal to the desk. A hybrid or solid state amp of more than 400 Watt, or 200 tube Watts should see you through most scenarios. If it doesn't have to be brand new, have a look at the For Sale section here.

Candy Apple red, or put a fancy wood veneer on. Check if a clear poly over tru oil is even possible, most laquers don't take to oil base coats, and Gunstock oil doesn't really need a top coat.

Just-a-nut 3 on my custom bass that has bell brass frets. It also has the Warwick 2 part brass bridge. Other basses I would prefer to have a zero fret, but usually I leave everything original and won't change the hardware on my basses, the Spector Euro and MM are stock. If I don't like how it sounds, I don't buy that instrument.

I'm not a ampeg player, previously preferring SWR and now Aguilar db750, but I tested a few rehearsals with the v7 and I have to admit in band context it does all the classic tones (svt/B4/b15) well. Plenty of power for a full thrash metal band. The integrated comp, tube circuit switch, grit and Tone controls make it a very versatile machine. Build quality has yet to be established but six months in they're still pleased with their decision.