Mrbigstuff

This would be my pick - no affiliation with the seller. Split coil pickups are quieter than single coil which can hum.

Intonation is down to someone just spending time with a screwdriver and a tuner.

It’s one you know very well!

Same as every year; hope that the opportunity comes up to purchase my dream bass. The big hurdle is it’s too nice for the owner to sell 😉

it looks incredible. If I was to go down the luthier build route again, I know rather than dictate the wood top I’d be enquiring with what they have first. Sometimes they have something extra special that can surprise you.

Interesting to see how there are different products worked on together on the production line. I expected them to work in batches in each stage, ie 100 of product A, then 50 of product B. It also interested me that their most premium guitars relied less on human input and more on robotic. As a consumer it’s normally expected those products would be cheaper.

I agree that Fender will be flexible on demand. They probably made a lot more of the RW flea bass compared to even the Jaco artist one. I’m not sure your definition is wholly accurate. Its interesting if you watch the masterbuild custom basses from Warwick, there is a lot of mechanisation used even on one off custom builds! The point of my question was to define what those large quantities are broken down to. @HeadlessBassist probably hit the mark that the more expensive series are made in much lower quantities yet tend to have a good selection of colours.

Thanks Chris, this is a good way of looking at it I think. I guess Fender will make many guitars using the same materials but low numbers in some finishes/ configurations. It’s a shame production numbers aren’t released as some feel a lot rarer than others.

Off topic but I’d hate to think what the new demand in such a wealthy country could do to inflate vintage guitar demand and therefore prices further.

That F10 Dc is an awesome looking bass. Fantastic spec except for the dealbreaker that it is 35” scale length! What a shame. Good to hear they’re tackling weight as well as that’s the only downside to my V5.

There aren’t many stores left in the UK at least but they do tend to sell the same stuff. Maybe the market has become more concentrated than it was 20 years ago? I think you’re right about basschatters tending to swap more than others, but bassbros and bass direct seem to get through second hand stock fairly quickly.

Struggling to sleep and got thinking about how I’ve never seen the basses I’ve sold on here a decade or longer ago for sale again or even a twin. Some of these are what we would term “mass produced” therefore I never thought them as particularly rare but now I’m wondering if they are. The basses in question: A year 2000 Fender AM DLX Jazz Bass 5 in trans red with a maple board An EB MM 2006 3EQ Stingray in trans teal (was more green than blue) with a maple board A Warwick Thumb NT FL 5 - think it was 2000ish Are production numbers actually lower than we (I) think or is it a coincidence the basses all found happy owners. Anyone else experienced this? PS Wish I had pics!

The main guitar stores will prefer a Gibson or fender that they can shift quickly. Bass specialists are the best bet if you don’t want the hassle of selling privately.

I want to say how embarrassing it is for you to admit purchase of a 6 string guitar on a bass site, but I have Gibson SG GAS 😂

Well if there’s precedent…..

I like this theory- and the loophole is covered by the rule of asking for something as a gift.

Listed as a tier 2 fail.

Not unless you’re using it to sneak in upgrades

Not good but there are jobs out there. I went application crazy everyday for over a month but managed to secure a role just before Xmas that I start in a couple of weeks. Recruiters that I spoke to said January is their busiest time for year

What happens when they inevitably spend their winnings on bass gear? 😂

GAS is already testing me with some of the glorious basses available in the UK but I’m trying to stick with the strategy of “if it’s not a dream bass, forget it”. Let’s see how I get on in avoiding a first NBD since 2023 😬

Same for me with my guitar strings, although for bass strings I use bass direct because Markbass make my favourite strings. FWIW though I don’t like bright strings and prefer an old school tone.

One thing I just thought about while practicing. When I was younger and naive, in an effort to be different I would dismiss some ways of playing as “not my style”. What that actually translates to was I wasn’t very good. The more open to new ideas you are the better your sound will be.

I try to get a balanced tone where the instrument cuts though or I get close to what was recorded. But I always favour passive basses mad strong mids.