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For reasons I’ve mentioned elsewhere, I really dislike practice amps and using amps at home. They rattle everything. They seldom sound much good at low volume. You can hear the acoustic sound of your bass over the amplified sound. People can hear you. A headphone solution is amazing. You can also get the perfect mix in your cans for playing along with music.

Yes the looper and drum machine are so easy to use. It’s really great - editing patches is a bit fiddly but I don’t mind the trade off and once they’re set you don’t need to fiddle too often.

I must admit I haven't ever really used a pick but like the sound of them. I have started trying it a bit more, using a Dunlop Nylon .88 which fits me best from the selection pack I bought.

Yeah very! I've missed out on a couple but the one I really wanted was a carbon necked Passion guitar going for silly money a few years ago. I just don't think I'm ready to plunge into guitar playing for financial and time limiting reasons!

Yeah it seems to be the amp models that cause it mostly, in terms of 'noise' - but even without those, so everything is quiet, there's some digital artefact noise. It's a bit like there's a very subtle noise gate going on. Like I said though I still think it's fantastic for such a tiny and cheap unit and it's only really noticeable as I'm looking for a perfect HiFi sound, but it's frustrating there's not something better with the same portability and batt power. Hoping the B1 Four is that thing!

Wow!!! LOVE the Arpege guitar, too. I'd probably go as far as learning the guitar if I could find one.

This is quite an interesting read https://www.bassplayer.com/artists/bobby-vega-and-his-super-funky-plectrum

I only ever use it with headphones and mostly playing solo so it may not be noticeable for some people, and maybe not through a rig - but I do tend to be hyper critical of small details like that when using cans. I find any noise really distracting... but I have the B1on mostly tamed to my liking now. I expected much less for £20, so it's fine - but I definitely wouldn't be happy if I found the same with amore expensive pedal/headphone unit.

I only ever use the B1on with batteries. There's a fair amount of noise/fizz unless you tame it by turning off any amp/cab models. I have spent ages getting the quietest patch possible which is the Avalon DI model and some reverb. Even so, there's some digital noise when you hear a note decay. Not much, but it's there. Hardly worth bothering about but annoying when you notice it, and a bit annoying that you can't use many of the models because of it. For the price and size I still think it's excellent and worthy of a spot in my travel bass gig bag.

Do you have a B1on to compare it to? I'm interested in the new one if it's less noisy.

I don't know if it's just me but I've never really found changing pickup height made much difference for me on any bass I've had.

Yup I think it could just be the character of the bass. We talk a lot about tone woods here and for me this is some of the proof that the woods, or at least the construction of the instrument give it a core sound that the electronics simply deliver to the listener. Some basses just seem to soak up certain frequencies which could be your issue here.

You’re missing the point - it’s about balance, not weight

WHOOOooooossssshhhhHhhhhh.....

Nearly bought this a while back until a Smith I had been waiting for came up for sale. Good job because I couldn’t afford it and wasn’t able to play it beforehand.

There will be a ‘handling fee’ too, which is a bit of a cheek

Yes. I use standard Elixir strings on mine. Donald Waugh does some great stuff with his. Mind you I never judge what I like by what other people are doing Quite a few players on TB including Andy the guy who makes them use them live with or without an octave pedal. They don’t sound ‘light’ or ‘high pitch’ at all, really. In that Mayones demo he’s mostly soloing on it but played at the bottom they’re great for grooving too.

They don’t feel or sound anything like a guitar. They also sound amazing and are great for messing about with. Plenty of people do use them as a band instrument, even more so with an octave pedal. It sounds like I’m using a get out of jail free card, but honestly until you’ve tried one you won’t understand it - but they are serious fun!

Here’s an Elan 6 I had for a while. Really heavy but really nicely made. Sounded quite ‘dark’ and never really bonded with it, not being much of a six string player. Or much of a player at all, really.

Why not spend an afternoon giving them a proper clean? I find it really satisfying and it helps the equipment remain functional and reliable.

I have a vovox cable that I was given, yes the price is ridiculous but it’s fantastic, noticeably better than anything else I’ve tried and I definitely didn’t think it would be.

Sorry I’m a bit behind with my marking!

Thanks mate yes I really enjoy playing this bass. Backing off the volume control gives a more vintage flavour I’ll try and record that too at some point.

John Hall is looking well 🤭