Beedster

In comparison with most rounds, I’d say yes, certainly in relation to low mids

SVT-II is the king of Ampeg tube amps. Simples. Hard to say why in technical terms, but in acoustic terms it's just that little bit more visceral (IMO of course)

Yep, likewise, if I could find an amp heavier, less convenient and more expensive that the SVT-II, I'd be all over it I rarely play venues that require the bass through PA, at least not the SVT played through my Barefaced Super Twin, which does tend to fill the room nicely

SVT-II here, use it for all practice, rehearsals and gigs, even small ones. Tone to die for, will never need a gym membership, and my amp will never be stolen at a gig. What more do you need

Ha ha, lucky escape. But seriously, they don't do lefties, did they miss that module at luthier school You need to start a Lefties Basses Matter movement)! Best way to do a custom build of a Fender spec bass (IMO of course) is via Warmoth, Allparts or similar. They do lefties, the quality is extremely high, and you can spec pretty much anything you could spec into a custom build. You will however have to put it all together, including the electrics, which I know for some is a challenge

Part of the problem with customs builds is the anticipation/reality gulf. We're anticipating something extraordinary, but it can only ever be a bass guitar, the rate limiter being that in most cases even the most expensive example is made of the same materials (wood and metal), of the same dimensions, and built to the same functional criteria as nearly all other bass guitars. So, whilst we're expecting something amazing (after all, we designed it to suit our personal needs and a craftsman hand built it over months, even years), we tend to get what is to all intents just another bass guitar, and we tend be disappointed, at least a little. It's the opposite reasons to why people say how amazing Squiers and Harley Bentons are, largely because they exceed our expectations.

eBay can be a funny old place at times

Might have just blocked you in error so I wouldn’t take it personally. Just looked at the listing and he had very good feedback and is, I think, a member here

One of the great new wave bands that most people haven’t heard of

Previous thread re Collins’ voice was the point of reference

That's about the truth of it

Contrast with Phil Collins and Elton John. Can of worms well and truly opened ...................

100% spot on. I was going to switch instruments in our band a while back, so the singer and guitarist auditioned new bassists. I'm a pretty ordinary bass player and apparently most of the auditionees were outstanding technicians, but every single one of them overplayed, and to the singer's ear (he writes the songs) in doing so they ruined the feel of the music. As a bassist, if you're bored playing the line the song needs, go find another band, or another hobby

And not only that, he still sounds like him, plenty of ageing rockers can still sing, but their voices are unrecognisable from the voice that made them famous, this recording is 100% classic Winwood

I just ignore people who put in offers via message on eBay rather than block them, but you just have to accept that s/he is doing it their way, and their way is likely a response to previous experience of other people did the same thing, in my case I dealt with a guy who contacted me via eBay via the same approach as the OP here, agreed the sale and price, then started to haggle, then when I refused to move on price became very hostile and aggressive and threatened to report me to eBay for dealing outside of eBay!!!!!!!!! Either way, personally I'd be looking for a similar unit elsewhere, as strange behaviour on the part of a seller before you've even bought the item doesn't bode well for when you do buy it and there's a problem

I get the impression, especially from TB, that when it comes to new Ampeg gear, you either get a 100% trouble free unit, or one that is going to give you problems on an ongoing basis (or until you decide to sell it)

That was great advice BRX, many thanks. My main issue over and above the tech is a somewhat restricted budget, which is pretty much the cash I pulled in by selling my PJB Bighead and Beat Buddy recently (around £400), which limits the functionality to a degree. DrumBrute is still looking like the best option at present?

Or pretty much any bass strung with flats played with a pick