ped

That's another reason I prefer thru-necks; the fretboard is normally much more flush with the body

Yes exactly! Yes I like to feel like the strings are painted on!

Completely down to personal preference and playing position. If you play kind of over the pickup you will want it the same height, otherwise I'd say as close as you can get to the strings without it clipping.

Yep zero latency. Only thing is it doesn’t work polyphonically so you have to be quite accurate to avoid glitching, though it’s very impressive and glitches can sound cool

You laugh but no doubt Yodel could invent 'Flatterwounds' 🙈

OK just that one time

Oh and versatility - ANY bass is versatile in that you can play whatever you want on it, but this bass has one sound and it's apparent in every 'style'- it'll never sound like a P bass or a Jazz bass. A lot of people say 'it's in the fingers' but nobody can show a Stingray doing a Gibson EB0! That's why Joe Dart will use it on some stuff but not everything, as many of his most famous lines are built around the sound of other instruments. Don't mind the band but I don't like the whole 'overly retro' vibe many 'funk' bands go in for these days...

If I had to go 'one knob' I'd want a tone knob. I've said it before and I'll say it again - I've never used a volume knob on a bass!

Only Roland GK products will take the GK3B signal and process each string individually with no latency. You can use it to trigger MIDI synths but there will be latency. My advice - upgrade to a VB99. It's much smaller, physically it's a different form factor and the sounds and settings are vastly enhanced from the V-bass (I had mine for about 10 years, I've had the VB99 for about another ten). One big advantage is that for each patch you have two signal routes which you can blent and independently control, including a dynamics induced setting where for example you can play clean bass which turns to a synth when you dig in hard. In the past I've used it in the opposite way, playing a synth which lets a clean bass 'pop' on the G string through to accent the groove. It's a highly specialised piece of kit and you have to be prepared to tweak no end (I'm still finding things I can do with mine) but if you enjoy that, you'll like it. The VB99 isn't easy to find now so you CAN get the GR55 but this ONLY accepts the 13 pin input; one thing I like about the VB99 is that it accepts a standard 1/4" input too so I use it with my normal basses as a brilliant (IMO) multi effects/preamp/interface. Having said that I think there's a mod you can do to add a 1/4" to a GR55 but probably a bit of a faff. Also there is zero latency on the VB99 as it's a different animal to the GR series, using COSM processing for each string as opposed to pitch detection/latency If you're anywhere near York you can come and try mine - I was sceptical when I decided to upgrade (I mainly did it because I prefer the form factor for ease of use at eye level) but I have been, and still am, blown away by it!

Here’s the text: Hey guys! Placing for sale this outstanding Status Empathy 5 in very good condition. It plays like butter, effortless, with singing highs and deep lows, with a massive range of mid-cuts and boosts. The volume control could do with a touch of switch cleaner to rid the little bit of scratchiness when turning the knob. The finish has a few very fine, hair-line surface cracks above the neck pick-up, that were there when bought it. This Status is in very good condition for a 20 year old instrument that was played for much of that time. There is minimal fret-wear that does not affect playing in the slightest. The bass will come with a Hiscox case and a spare B-string. Based in Barcelona, Spain. Price 1950 euro.

Yep, that’s made before they started recording exact dates but thee should be a date under the front pickup. I think about ‘86?

Serial number.

Are you using the tuner/bypass output?

Personally I found that finding ‘the one’ made my gas shift from a frantic search to a more fun curiosity based and less desperate toe dipping foray into basses I’ve always wanted to try, safe in the knowledge that I’ve got ‘my’ bass locked in already. It’s been like that for ten years and I’m much happier for it. Sorry I know I’m not helping but it’s kind of my job not to

I really like the MFD P pickup. Turning down the volume gives a wide range of sounds from vintage P through to a deep and full clank. I’d rather have it on tap than not. I’ve never tried the J or soap bars though. Currently looking for a good SB1 and have a couple of leads.. really like those with the textured black pick guard.

I owned an Alembic years ago and remember finding them then - aways wondered about them but quite an expensive gamble - and I'm not actually keen on the look. I have a love/hate relationship with Alembics.. I haven't played one that clicks yet but assume there's one out there somewhere!

These basses have been on eBay for as long as I can remember.

Becoming common on eBay. Same item listed by different sellers, neither of whom have the item but merely acting as a broker. Against eBay policy I think but they pay so eBay don’t care.

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/announcing-the-ray-ross™-saddle-less-bass-bridge.1384830/ This looks cool though!

Schaller 3D is probably my fave for an off the shelf job.

This should be a regular feature called ‘gimme 2’

Contact me when your subs are due and I’ll give you a free pass, my man. Good on you 👍🏼