Cuzzie

The rate some people go through basses or other stuff they could be considered consumable.....

Those black labels are good..... If you can get to bass direct try one of the been superlight basses, the nighthawk or the Rammstein sig bass. They have black labels and should give you an idea

The thing about comparing a KT or a shake PJ to a Ray it’s completely apples and pears. Vastly different pick up positioning, different pick ups, different pre amp - a Ray is a Ray for a reason like or loathe it. Even when you look at the Sandberg TM’s VM’s etc. The ‘MM’ pick up will never sound like a Ray solo’d Either, it’s it in the same position, different pre-amp, and it’s not meant to be! Its all just different sounds which clicks with people differently. They are all high quality products

Well.... I find it hard to see Delano’s as being dead (you may have had a duff set), big chance it could be a dead instrument - did the sound change with a pick up change? So all in sandberg made basses..... I have played Delano’s in a VS, VM, 48, VT, TT. I’ve played original Sandberg pick ups in a VS and a MarloweDK (passive) Haussels in a TT (passive) Black labels in a TT and TM2 Now this pick up is very subjective, for example plenty like but I do not like turdstrand pick ups, but as a generalisation. Delano - yes more hifi, but not sterile in anyway, transparent in a good way with plenty of oomph. Haussel - Little German manufacturer, verry meaty and quite hot mid focussed jazz pick up, neck solo’d it’s as close to a P as a jazz pick up will get. Old Sandberg - more vintage sounding, less output, very very nice pick ups. Especially nice if you like pedals with preamps in as they are hot enough to be good on their own, but not too hot that they do not then fight with a pedal to over power it if that makes sense. Very easy to sculpt a sound. Black labels - blew my socks off - it’s like the Old Sandberg’s with More chutzpah, very punchy, great sound - sort of like all the best bits of the aforementioned ones rolled into a pick up. Played a TM2 before and after - transformed it. There is a basic guide - I would go for it, I think they are great. Happy for a PM if you want to further dissect the discussion.

Yep - 2 band is enough for me!

Key question though, is why are some of the new ones so much, for a mass produced instrument with at times variable QC

Great bass that, nice you got to play it. I can totally understand the owner wearing the finish away though, looked like Is was an horrific turdburst - about the worst finish of all time. Now it looks bloody mint

another +1 for DR DDT strings but as well as 55-115 they have 50-110, 45-105, 40-100 so there is choice amongst the range. Yes they are expensive - but they Do last a long time. I have used them down to drop C. One if the best basses I have used in drop C is my little Hohner headless - did a brilliant job

Glockenlang 3 band

It’s only for 40 seconds tho!

Add in Strings like DR DDT’s (expensive I know) but hold a low tuning very well

@PawelG is it just the D string down to C? if so get a double stop Hipshot You can be tuned EADG, flick a lever to DADG, flick again CADG

I’d always go another bass set up that way - I know it’s not as practical but it’s a vain hope in justifying having more basses than necessary

@GisserD I think that may have been me misreading your want for tweaking via hand! But its a handy alternative.......

Correct if I am wrong but aren’t the side switches there as a personal preference to use your hands to change with it at desk height? Makes compete sense that way to tinker with out having to bend over

Pop a split coil between em, that’ll solve it

@AndyTravis is that Fender copying G&L ASAT and Schecter Baron H......?!

I have a Sharpie and can oblige with a special 1 off design at any point