HowieBass

Royal Blood doing the same as my favourites Death From Above 1979...

The short answer is yes. You'll now want to know which ones to look for... apparently DR Sunbeams are well regarded for low tension (though I've yet to try them, I don't bend notes so high tension strings don't seem to bother me).

The Sony equaliser will be a double insulated appliance (look for a symbol on the back of a square within a square) and shouldn't need to have an earth connection. There's some discussion (though old) on the addition of earths to double insulated units here http://www.theiet.org/forums/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=205&threadid=3854 where basically the advice seems to be don't do it. As for what's causing the hum, have you got all electrical power coming from the same wall socket?

It's my understanding that a hybrid set features a variety of string gauges not regarded as a standard set by them so let's suppose they have a few sets that are regarded as light, medium and heavy, they'll select one or two strings from each set that together are neither light, nor medium, nor heavy gauge, but a combination and hence hybrid.

A new or secondhand Squier Jazz or Precision; the Vintage Modified or Classic Vibe or signature specials or Active Deluxe (Jazz) models... for your first long scale I'd say you can't go wrong with a good passive Precision.

If you look at string tension tables, like this [url="http://www.ghsrep.net/uploads/2/2/2/5/22258814/ghs_bass_string_guide.pdf"]http://www.ghsrep.ne...tring_guide.pdf[/url] you'll notice that it's often the D string that seems to have the most pull and that might be what's twisted the neck (it's been in the sun, glue bond has softened, the G and D are exerting more pull than the E and A).

I think the Ashdown puts out 350 watts, not sure if you have the option of an additional external cab; the Genz Benz Contour 500 is 300 watts (500 with extension cab); the Fender 500 V3 is 350 watts (500 with extension cab).

If the nut seems higher on the G than the E I'd have thought you'd want [i]less[/i] tension in the G and D strings and a little [i]more[/i] in the E and A strings if string tension alone could cure the twist (but then I've never had to cure this kind of problem so what do I know... ) but yeah, you might have to warm the glue bond between fingerboard and neck and then clamp flat as it cools (assuming the neck has a glued on fingerboard).

When you pop, try using the fleshy pad of your finger pulling the string just enough to get it moving rather than a definite pulling up - you'll get a faster attack that way and have the side of your right hand (assuming you're a right handed player) resting on the string to mute it.

I wouldn't say I have my action particularly low; I find that note choking determines how low I go rather than wanting to dial in a particular degree of fret buzz.

Great looking bass!

Add an electronic tuner so you can check for correct intonation (I usually check tunings most of the way up the neck and always at the 12th, the 15th, 17th and 19th frets) and you'll probably need a cross-head screwdriver to adjust the intonation screws. I usually check for amount of relief by eye alone - probably not ideal but it seems to serve me quite well (as a check I hold down the G string at the 1st and 8th frets and there should be a slight gap between the string and the 4th fret; hold down the E string at the 1st and 12th frets and there should be a slight gap between the string and the 4th through to the 8th frets). EDIT: Regarding changing strings and tweaking the truss rod; not at all surprising since different types/gauges will have different tensions and flatwounds tend to be higher tension than roundwounds.

If you don't 'need' a Stingray like sound then the Squier Active Deluxe Jazz (3 band EQ and a slap switch) comes in at under £300 new.

Cort GB4 secondhand?

We have a bit of a dockside ambience in Salford Quays (The Lowry, Media City, Imperial War Museum North, various office complexes) http://supadu.com/images/working/sp2493/14.jpg

The Manchester Bass Lounge might be interested. http://manchesterbasslounge.com/

From the wonderful 'Morning Phase' album, Beck performing 'Say Goodbye': http://youtu.be/3B8uTd4Tfno

Nice natural swamp ash body there. Happy new bass day!

Pino is on the new album.

Squier Active Deluxe Jazz V? Cheap as chips, good sound, well regarded by many and I think a decent string spacing.

If you liked that teaser of their Austin City Limits set with Pino then you'll LOVE this: http://youtu.be/LBC3NXnN8y4

Enjoy! http://vimeo.com/89662554

Good to know you liked Liverpool... and since you're talking about a possible relocation, there seem to be plenty of golf courses nearby too.

Stunning!

I'm no expert but if both drivers are affected I'd suspect the input jack connector or some component in the crossover circuit.