Paulhauser

String tension will be an issue. To have regular (EADG) tuning at, say, the 3rd fret you have to tune the bass 3 semitones down first, then capo. This will make the stings a lot floppier if you don't use heavier gauges. But you should try, there is nothing to loose.

I have experiences with high-end Prestige SR basses (SR3006, 5006, 1005). They have superb playability even for six stringers and sound great. The 5005/6 models are the current ones and go around a grand even used, but if you look around for the earlier 3005/6s (the ones with natural mahogany body) they go lower than a grand. These are Japaneese. There was a time when Prestige series moved to Korea, I owned a SR1005, they go around 500GBP and fantastic instruments for the price with a great neck and Bartolini pickups + through necks. I'm hearing good things about the Premium line too. Playability was never an issue with the SR models, the body, neck dimensions and ergonomics are pretty much the same throughout the range so they all play great.

Really nice bass Woodinblack, I have a six string version of it , the 5006 and its one of the nices, most ergonomically friendly six string bass I've ever head. I've a 3006 as well but the 5006 is a step above.

I think Spector does it right on this one [url="http://s1277.photobucket.com/user/palpurnhauser/media/spector%20ns-2p_zpsft4rpywi.jpg.html"][/url]

[quote name='Al Krow' timestamp='1495011722' post='3300352'] There's one at DV247 which I should go check out, which seems to be competitively priced for a new Spector. http://www.dv247.com/guitars/spector-euro5lx-bass-guitar-black-cherry--80045?gclid=CjwKEAjw6e_IBRDvorfv2Ku79jMSJAAuiv9Y52PBwaE1_yRt-BkJHJTWXNQqdi-jI_iT_YHwolk0AhoCB03w_wcB [/quote] This is very good price for a new Spector. This one is one of the later models and in my experience the neck of these are thinner than earlier euros. Not Ibanez like paperthin neck but still not chunky at all. You should definitely try it out.The B string sounds really killer on these models. Also this one have the splitable dual coil EMG TW pickups which I prefer to their DC models.

Then try the soapbar housed EMG P's. They are essentially a P shape hidden in a soapbar housing. I use the 40P5 in my Spector and sounds badass. http://www.emgpickups.com/40p5.html Check out the related pdf's in the right, the first one (40 instructions) has a drawing on how the coils are inside the soapbar in different models. Available original P or reversed (a la Spector) edit: the require routing for sure, but they are P without looking like one :-)

[quote name='ambient' timestamp='1493933098' post='3292024'] I'm using D'Addario nickels, I think it's currently a .024. [/quote] Valueable info, I just went to D'Addario's site and found that they indeed do .028 and .024 wound bass strings (single strings). I wasn't aware of these. Thanks!

[quote name='ambient' timestamp='1493911227' post='3291782'] That's the problem, plenty of flat wound strings being made, but the high F is the problem. [/quote] What's the gauge you are looking for as a high F? I always used 0.020 and can't remember I ever came upon a wound one, only plain steel ones. I don't think anyone makes wound strings near 0.020, flat or roundwound.

[quote name='TheGreek' timestamp='1493841912' post='3291248'] I was considering which year my YOB bass would be... I was born in 1962 but my birthday is 28th December which, I suspect, means that most factories would have been closed for the rest of the year. This means any "YOB" bass built in '62 would be older than I am. At least the majority of basses built in '63 would have been built in 12 months from my birth. Make sense? [/quote] If you were born in 1962, then the YOB bass is a '62. '63 makes no sense for me even if you were born so close to the end of the year.

[quote name='lojo' timestamp='1493837685' post='3291191'] (perhaps the 10 page form weeds the serious ones out , perhaps it covers all the things they've had issues with before?) Anyway , you vote with your feet and it seems you'll go elsewhere . I'm not saying they aren't arrogant , just that it's nice all our small businesses aren't like American food outlets on the face [/quote] For make that 10 page form makes a certain sense, whoever fills it out most probably got his / her mind together in terms of what s/he wants. Also serves as a written proof. I'm not saying this can't be done in an other way, because it seems dozens of well respected luthiers make customers happy with more traditional methods. As for customer service I think it always nice to be on the helpful side. If one takes the time to write back he might as well could've make Binky happy with a straigt and helpful answer. It wouldn't have taken much more effort even if he is not a customer - as of yet (and Drozd lost one potential one in the process) ( I really like Spector basses and one of the reasons I respect them is PJ Rubal, who is the vice president and takes care of customer service. I had inqueried him about a 2nd hand Spector and he replied back in a very short time with helpful info and more. He really took care of me and I wasn't even a 'customer' And I'm sure many here have similar great stories with other brands, too. )