Progress Series Options  

Thanks for your helpful input.  

I have agreed a provisional specification, which needs to be confirmed shortly.  Chris advised me to go for a 34 inch scale.  The main reason was to be consistent with my fretted Fender Jazz Elite.  The other key reason is that I am quite short, with short arms and small hands, so I was concerned that a 35 inch might quite literally be a bit of a stretch for me.  

I am learning Kate Bush's Babooshka for Trinity Rock & Pop Grade 7, which goes well with E to C stringing.  I may also try that for jazz playing as it is useful for soloing.  Chris advised me that E to C stringing would go better with a 34 inch.

The other specifications are swamp ash body, walnut top, through-neck, lined fretless ebony fingerboard and the standard active-only preamp.  I am a little bit uncomfortable with the lack of a passive option, as I quite often prefer to play my Fender in passive mode.  I also like the insurance policy of passive, in case my battery runs out in the middle of a gig.  

On the other hand, I can see the advantages of low input impedance and superior signal to noise ratio from an active circuit.  I have used John East pre-amps before, and I know they are excellent.  The standard pre-amp on the Progress seems to have some special characteristics tonal, which make it even better.

Chris said that the adding a passive option complicates the circuitry considerably.  His view is that an active-only bass is more reliable, because it has fewer components, but I am sure either would be plenty reliable enough.   He said that the battery should last for about 6 months and the preamp keeps operating down to about 3 volts.  Naturally, he advised me to always keep at least one spare battery.  

I am inclined to go with the active-only approach and see how I get on.  Your positive experience reinforces that.  I imagine I could have it modified later, if I felt a strong need to a passive option.

Thanks again for your input.