Skybone

If it were my money, the VT Bass Deluxe or the Digbeth would be first on the list, closely followed by the OriginAL.

I run a POD Go into the Effects Return of my amp. Works for me.

2x EBS MicroBass II: https://www.basschat.co.uk/topic/472885-ebs-micro-bass-2-twin-channel-preamps-price-includes-uk-postage/ Laney Digbeth Preamp: https://www.basschat.co.uk/topic/474509-laney-digbeth-di-£105-posted/ MXR M81: https://www.basschat.co.uk/topic/474410-mxr-m81-bass-preamp/ Another MXR M81: https://www.basschat.co.uk/topic/474500-mxr-m81-bass-preamp/ PJB PE-5 Preamp: https://www.basschat.co.uk/topic/474267-phil-jones-bass-pjb-pe-5-preamp-di-for-sale-£125-uk-posted/ Tech21 VT Bass Deluxe: https://www.basschat.co.uk/topic/473741-tech-21-xotic-line-6-mxr-keeley-way-huge-tc-electronic/ Radial Bassbone: https://www.basschat.co.uk/topic/473715-radial-bassbone-od/ Caline Wine Cellar: https://www.basschat.co.uk/topic/473634-caline-wine-cellar-preampdrive-di-for-bass/ Ashdown OriginAL Valve preamp: https://www.basschat.co.uk/topic/468545-£150-ashdown-origin-valve-pre-di-pedal/ Just a quick search, not affiliated to any seller. Some excellent options there, MicroBass, OriginAL, PJB...

Silver Machine - Hawkwind

AKA Mrs Vanian and Damned Manager

Stilton In Love With You - Thin Lizzy

This came straight to mind while I was reading the original post. The strings mentioned are nickel plated rounds, and some people have reactions to the nickel, making the fingertips quite sensitive. Do your fingertips go white, like you've got dead skin, when you've played for a bit?. Certainly did for me when I tried them, haven't had any issues since moving to stainless steel rounds. Currently using D'Addario Pro Steels, which feel great to me, sound great too. Might be worth a try. Another plus side of stainless strings is that they last for ages.

They're alright I suppose...

America Must Be Destroyed - GWAR

I'm running the preamp models with effects and an IR. Basically bypassing the amp's preamp.

Don't have a HX Stomp, but a POD Go, and run it into the Effects Return of my amp... sounds great to me.

Doctor, Doctor - The Thompson Twins

It does beg THE question... Is it good for metal?

Should be relatively "easy" for someone like Ashdown to produce something similar for bass players, they already have The Ant, and make numerous effects pedals. Dare say it won't be cheap though.

Well, they're still privately owned, so I wouldn't have thought so.

Wouldn't say 100%, as there are some details that are a bit annoying, but you can live with. I'd say 98%, which works for me.

No, it was red/black. Always thought it was a I, but could have been a II.

My second bass was a Westone Raider 1 as well, except it was the red/black version. Always envied the Aria ZZB. Quite partial to the odd point or two, would love to get my mitts on a BC Rich Bich bass or an Ibanez Iceman bass (have a couple of Iceman guitars). Though the current bass-crush is for a Dingwall D-Roc.

Clouds in My House - Voivod

Yes. TBH, I think the comparison is spot on. If you ride a motorcycle, the principle is the same whether you ride the latest technology laden supersport RRRRRRRR, or a Honda C50, you just have to adjust your riding style to adapt to the machine you have. Exactly the same with a Ric. Most are accustomed to FSO's, and the Ric is a slightly different beast that you have to adjust your playing style to adapt to it, rather than coming to it like you would any other FSO. Which is why so many people who do "scratch the itch" for a Ric don't get on with them IMO. I think Thunderbirds come into this category as well. Never ridden a Harley, and don't particularly want to / no interest to, but I do like Ric basses. Everyone's different, so your opinion may vary.

I Think I'm Going Bald - Rush

Electric Upright?

Dance - Motorhead

Anaconda - Sisters of Mercy

Though to be fair, that is more down to the fact that the G&L L Series have active preamps on board. In the guitar world, there are very few guitars with on-board preamps (unlike the bass world), which is why there are a lot of high impedence pickups available. If they had active preamps, they'd not need them. The thought of guitars having on-board preamps would probably send them out of their minds.