three

This thread is an absolute joy - staggering talent and an outstanding achievement. Wow!

There’s an Epiphone pro version in white on eBay at the moment for £450 – in Telford. Looks decent - item number is: 196752560838

Great choice in my opinion - the Baby Sumo is a really impressive implementation of Class D. I've used a Tonehammer with some success, and a Mesa Subway+ preamp and DI - the latter was really impressive, though they're really difficult to find and are no longer in production. I've used all sorts of pres with the Baby Sumo (Warwick PR40, Monique, SF2) and they sound how you'd expect. I think I read somewhere that somebody had experienced some input gain problems with the Sumo, but I certainly haven't encountered any issues with signal. I haven't used an SBP-2, though if it's a pre that you know and favour, probably worth a try - I'm pretty sure the results are what you'd anticipate

If you can find one - I wish I could - I'd recommend the Mesa Boogie Subway+ DI. I really shouldn't have sold mine. Two DIs (Mic and Line from memory) and real versatility in a well-built package

It's the first I've heard or seen of these - possibly an interesting addition to the Alembic line-up, and something novel (I think) with the extra filter modes. I use an SF2 that appears to have a little more in terms of control/parameters, but I can see the pedal-type form factor appealing to some. It won't make any bass sound like an Alembic, but a useful tool for recording and live use. The Alembic filters (in the SF2 and probably in this box) offer a great deal of control and versatility. On a related issue, I've been playing for decades and have yet to meet an Alembic-playing dentist, though I do know a guitarist that gigs as a consultant gastroenterologist

I live in the town (utter dump) and don’t think there’s any connection between SUYG and Tony - other than optimistic pricing for quite ordinary basses. Perhaps oddly, I don’t know Tony though I think he offers lessons. I haven’t seen him playing locally either. The town’s once thriving music scene crashed dramatically in the late ‘80s (along with its economy as a whole). I might go and have a mooch but can’t see anything that appeals, especially given the prices

If these are anything like as good as the Spector Shorty (no reason why they shouldn't be), they'll be superb if prohibitively expensive basses. I often wonder why the Shorty was discontinued (if indeed it was, though I haven't seen a new one for a long time). The Shorty came in a wide range of configurations, though didn't have the exquisite curves of the NS2 etc. I'd be interested to see the prices, though very unlikely to pay them.

Thanks and yes, the absence of a ratio control (or any discussion of this) is a little curious. Or maybe not if the unit is primarily designed as a master. The replies are very useful - I may be looking in the wrong place with Caveman