BassApprentice

If you're saying your playing never felt clean on your current gear - it could be poorly set up with dead spots along the neck or the strings need changed? However, I am never one to stand in front of acquiring more gear! Part of improving is finding gear that makes you want to play and want to improve, so if you can find that within your budget. You could maybe go bass first and get a cheap headphone amp (NUX MightyPlug) for now - then go for a new amp? Or go for the amp first (Fender Rumble range is very well regarded) and use any leftover getting your current bass a set up. There are very few genuinely bad instruments out there these days so your current one could last you longer than you think. Happy learning and buying!

My first reaction would be to keep the side jack and change the now redundant knob for a "talent switch" or "producer switch" a la Lee Sklar. Does nothing, but won't draw as much attention as an extra control knob.

That is normally the story, trying to scrabble together funds to keep the lights on. This is just a business where (as it stands) no-one wants to keep it running, even though it is turning a profit. Although, now it's in the press a magic buyer may appear.

TLDR - Mr. Hornby-Skewes has passed away and the estate is now closing the company which is in good financial health. I mean, fair enough. Will be a shame to have one less choice, and they were well supported by smaller independent guitar shops. The domination of Squier/Fender shall continue evermore.

Year started playing: 1999 Number of basses: 3 Music theory: 5 (previously 8 but then gave up brass) Technique: 6 Groove: 8* *Based on how many ghost (read: wrong) notes I play

I think that's unlikely as Pino isn't quite as driven as Jack Stratton/Joe Dart to shift the units and gain further exposure. I'm sure Musicman would welcome the sales - but I from what I've read, Stratton drove the idea more than EBMM. Not that I wouldn't love a £500 Pino style bass.

Every time I hear someone talented play a fretless, I think I need one. Then I remember that I won't sound remotely like them and put that idea back in it's box 😅

I miss my 80's L2000 terribly. Was silly of me to sell it but that's life. It's baffling that G&L don't seem fussed about being in the UK market these days. Fantastic basses that offer something quite different from other brands and pretty competitive prices still. Maybe I'll pick up another in the future, but enjoy yours! It looks fantastic.

So a festival that's been going since 1970 has always been crap and has never had any music you might have liked. Fair enough 🤷🏻‍♂️

Every time I watch a big festival, I have to question why I don't like jazz basses, considering nearly every bass player will be using one.

Looks like a standard Les Paul bass

I don't use mine too often, can't remember the last time I charged it but even sitting dormant for a month or two it still has charge and no low battery warning. Sounds like the battery isn't actually being turned off, or just a naff battery in your one. Under warranty?

That kind of tracks with what others have said. I think the marketing is a bit off on these, putting them in the super polished range sets an expectation that Ian and La Bella were never really going for.

That's kind of what I've read on Talkbass. Still intrigued by others experiences, but apparently these are much more round than flat. Which kind of goes against the super polished tag line. Might not be a bad string, but maybe not what you're expecting when you buy them.

So the Acinonyx 5 is available next week....for $5,500. Wowza.

Not the best audio - but this is a demo of a Lull IMA4 with his strings on it. Sounds cool for camera only audio

Thank you for your service 🫡 Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on them!

And the VULF Compressor

I feel these I.R.A, PLEK and aging treatments may not necessarily sound "better" but give the bass that worn or played feel (a bit of given for ageing) Yes, a new bass feels and plays nicely - but I've found a bass feels better the longer you keep it and get used to it. This processes take the shiny new age off it and make it feel a bit more broken in. As with everything, some like it, some don't and some don't notice.

I reckon this is the end of Hiscox UK, but not the last you'll see of Hiscox cases. Brand name will be sold and made elsewhere.

Spotted this on a Facebook group I'm on - a letter sent to a luthier who uses Hiscox cases so take it with a pinch of salt since there isn't any other evidence yet. If true, another tough loss to the British music industry. (Also, apologies for the low res image) It reads as follows HISCOX CASES TO CLOSE AFTER 40 YEARS 20th May 2025 Dear Valued Customer, The landscape for manufacturing at our level here in the U.K. has become ever increasingly problematic since the Covid pandemic. We have faced severe challenging issues with every aspect of the process from raw materials to shop floor staff availability to massively rising costs of production. The compound issues are now so great we have regrettably reached the conclusion that it is no longer possible for us to remain a viable manufacturing business here in the U.K. It is with huge sadness that I confirm that Hiscox cases will therefore cease production within the next 3 months This tremendously difficult decision has not been made lightly and we fully intend to honour all existing orders you may have with us. Although we will continue trading in the short term, we wish to manage the situation in a logical and controlled manner in order that all of our long standing partners are paid, as we all wish we would be under these circumstances. IMPORTANT 70% of our business is supplying instrument makers where the case we supply is custom built maybe with an embodied logo. If you are one of those many customers, and have current orders with us, then please contact us to confirm you wish to proceed with the order. I am extremely sorry, but, as I hope you understand, we will no longer be able to extend credit terms from today as we will require all orders to be paid in full before shipping. We have decided to continue trading for another few months specifically to give our hundreds of loyal guitar making customers time to find an alternative case supplier. As a luthier, all those years ago, I made my first guitar case specifically for my own use for my own guitars. I never planned or even imagined that demand for my design would be so great that we have made more than 700,000 cases in the last 40 years. I suppose all good things eventually come to an end. There is nothing more that I can say other than thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your business over the last 40 years. This is an extremely sad day here at Hiscox Cases Warmest regards to you all and best of fortune for your futures, Brynn Hiscox