Skybone

And of course, it depends on where about's in Scotland you're going to be working. Scotland's a big place...

And cost more per pickup than the set of handwound pickups. Not sure what the pickups are, but I doubt they're Ric ones. No Vintage circuit, TBH, not sure if I want it. I always liked the ballsy tone of my old 4003 & my Faker's without the push/pull.

Unfortunately, the sound is disappointing. The neck pickup's too loud & the bridge is weak & thin. I've ordered a set of Gemini Waverider's, in the hope that a matched pair will even things out, and sound better. A new TRC is on the way too.

@Maude

Not my build, but built for me.

NCRFD - New Custom RickenFaker Day

He still is. Saw The Stranglers a few years ago, and he's still a darned fine player.

New Custom RickenFaker Day. So I now have my dream bass. A cross between a 4003 and a 4004 (though more 4003 to be fair). Utterly gorgeous, grinning like a buffoon.

Very true. I was an analogue purist a number of years back, but then I discovered how good the newer generations of digital multi fx's were. If you treat them as you would any analogue device, and use your ears, they are very good.

Very nice.

Another fan of Servisol.

Depends on what my criteria is (and available budget). It would be superb to go to a music shop that has a good selection of different basses to try some out, unfortunately, I don't have that luxury. There's only a couple of shops, and they only stock the usual Fender/Squier basses (or derivatives). If you're lucky, there may be something else, but generally, low to mid price, rarely anything over £500. If you want anything different, you need to search online. Had a number of good experiences buying online, had a couple of bad experiences too. Live and learn.

Don't know about 'best', but I bought some Fender Custom Shop leads about 5 years ago, they're still going strong which is always a good sign.

And of course, it depends what you "want"... Musicians, bands, basses, amps, pedals, other stuff? There's sections for it all, just scroll down the main forum list.

He was running a competition on Facebook a while back, "Like & make a comment to be entered". Liked the post, made a comment, and was then inundated with messages from SBL every couple of hours.

I'd say that an inexpensive Multi FX might well be a better purchase at the moment that stumping up for individual pedals. Mainly down to the multitude of options available in the pedal market, from relatively inexpensive pedals, through to expensive boutique pedals, finding the "right" combination for you is a bit of a costly minefield, especially if you just want to get in and do some recording. A Multi FX should enable you to play about with a number of different effects in a relatively short space of time. Also add in to the mix that most of them will have amp & cab sims as well (unless you use something else for that), and that they should enable you to use the pedal as a USB recording interface on the more expensive ones (Zoom B3n, Helix, etc.) Options: Zoom B1-4 or the B3n (maybe look for a second hand B3?). Line6 POD HD Desktop/HD300/HD400, or for a fair bit more, the HD500x (you'll have to factor in getting the HD Bass Pack, around £25). Boss ME50B

I'd say that if you're familiar & comfortable working with Cubase, then I'd go for a high spec Windows machine & equivalent USB audio interfaces. Try and get something with a few USB 3 or higher connectors. The more memory the better, and a good size HDD. Maybe something with separate video memory as well, so a gaming machine would be a good bet.

No idea, only used the Stainless ones.

Warwick Red Label Nickel's https://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Warwick-46210-Red-Label-Medium-Light-Bass-Strings-40-100-4-String/NEN https://www.thomann.de/gb/warwick_46210_red_strings_nickel.htm I personally prefer Stainless Steels, and I always found that the Fender 7350m's were fantastic, until they discontinued them. Stick with the Fender 7250's.

Don't forget late 70's / early 80's MIJ (Ibanez / Aria / Westone / etc.) is always a good bet, though even they are starting to get silly prices.

Sennheisers

Sennheisers

For the back of the neck, how about getting some "cutting compound" from Halfords to try and flatten it out. It's kind of like T-Cut Polish, but used to get rid of imperfections in car paint work before either the next coat of paint or the lacquer. Worth a try (and a bit of elbow grease).