Terry M.

That's a point but they should explain why an item is B stock if nothing else. I've played Metro Express basses that have been awesome and some less so. There's no way of subjectively knowing which one is which until you have it in your hands. From experience I know they have an easy and free returns policy. I bought a B stock from them(Fender) in the past that was nothing more than a customer return. It was flawless.

Don't rule out asking them directly also. I've had good experiences with email exchanges with them in the past.

OP what did you do in the end? I already know you don't like wide straps but I deliberately this morning played my heavy 5 string Warwick with a different strap,it's both less padded and skinnier than the normal one I use. Anyway after about 20 minutes I was really feeling it. Swapped back to the regular wide padded strap and the bass immediately "lost weight" ( I know it didn't really). Still have the heavy bass you mentioned?

They've been in business since 1964. Are you referring to a different retailer?

Grammy award winning Esparanza Spalding set a few tongues wagging a while back when she was seen touring with a standard Mexican Fender fretless. I don't claim to know for definite but I'm sure many famous musicians have done something similar at some point. She can have access to any bass she chooses in terms of value.

Thanks for posting this. When time permits I'll give it a thorough read 👍

This is really sad news. I relish my trips to Brighton and GAK was always a feature. I bought my second ever bass from them and the service was excellent 😞

All I can offer is my ear wasn't satisfied with the Fishman pickups the time I played an A5 Ultra in GAK once but I've yet to be disappointed with the sound of the Nordstrand Big Singles in whatever bass they're in. But hey we all know sound is subjective so...

I was up there a few weeks back and played the black one they still currently have. Man was it nice!!!! Actually it was the blonde one I tried.

I think I should have made my point a bit clearer. There doesn't seem to be too much of a backlash against cheaply made iphones coming out of China as opposed to some quite decent basses coming from there,at least it doesn't seem to affect the desirability too much.I've owned some really decent Chinese made basses and country of origin shouldn't really matter at the end of the day. I wasn't comparing the manufacturing processes at all just challenging concepts.

And to add to this,the "cheaper" Japanese Metro Express that existed at the time as it was I think the machine assembled version of the more expensive and handmade Metroline now sell on the used market for basically the same as the Metroline. You're correct,neither of them are what I would call affordable either.Great alternative things come out of Japan though with the likes of Xotic that you've mentioned and Dragonfly and FGN etc...and don't rule out Japanese Fenders.

Having tried the Warwick-built Sadowskys and liking them a lot I still agree with this statement.

I believe the Chinese made Dingwalls are set up in Canada finally. But you have a valid point still especially when considered that's where the majority of expensive iphones are manufactured.

I believe Roger himself said at the time if you don't need the fancy extras that come with the USA models just get a Japanese one. I was a bit disappointed when the Japanese partnership ceased.