Lozz196

I had Tonehammers and was very happy with them, used to add in a Sansamp for that little bit extra. Then on a visit to the London Bass Guitar Show I tried an Ashdown RM500 and it did the sound of the Tonehammer/Sansamp combined. Given that Mark Gooday of Ashdown was at TE I’d check out their products, you might be pleasantly surprised in both your ears and wallet.

They sound great, Stew, exactly what I’m after as my current ones just sap all life from the sound.

I used my ear plugs last week and although it made everything quieter it really sapped my enjoyment of the rehearsal. I only bought cheap ones mind, so I’m going to give the hear for musicians ones a try. I’ve been in the prehistoric ages for years with my approach to sound, determined to try and put at least one foot forward.

Mine too, the Ashdown RM500 EVO-II. I’ve had many Class D amps, all have been good but for what I want the RM tops them all.

When it comes to big stages I’ve found that’s when the game is given away. Whilst the new lightweight gear is plenty loud enough for those stages the older heavyweight gear just has “something” to the sound that commands those large areas in a way that the lighter gear doesn’t. That’s why I went with the Ashdown ABM series, it just delivers. Now I’m not in a band I’m offloading it all as I’m unlikely to play in a band that requires such a set up again.

I do like Eminence speakers, I had Beta 10s put into my Ashdown RM210s to increase the power handling and the sound, just wow!

Take a look at the Markbass CMD121P - it’s an easy lift and has plenty of power, far mor than you’ll need for what you’re doing so you won’t get the distortion mentioned.

I remember them, they were great, I saw U2 in Hemel in ‘81 so must have been the same tour. Fast forward a couple of years and the crowd I hung around with loved the Comsats so got to hear them a lot. And true to form I can’t really recall much of their material, aside from Independence Day.

New pedal day. Had a rehearsal with some mates in the week and wanted a “tighter” sound than my usual Precision/Para Driver sound. So made my mind up to use my Stingray, but to also get myself a compressor to just tame the peaks a tad. But which one, so many out there? Well I saw a band on Thu - already put a post up about it - and the bassists sound was great, and I particularly liked the evenness of the tone, so took a look at his pedals and there was an MXR M87. So decision made, and a quick trawl through the For Sale section saw our very own @Billy Apple was selling one, so arranged the purchase and collected it today, with a very useful lesson on how to use it very gratefully received. At home practice use I can hear the tightening that I wanted. It’s one of those things, if it wasn’t there it probably wouldn’t notice that much but it’s that extra 5% - plus with my ham fisted technique it will really even things out as the music I’m now doing requires a lot less power and a better technique. So given I have too much of the first, and not enough of the second I’ll let the M87 help me out.

Went to see Airbourne at The Astoria in 2007 and although they were great the support, The Stone Gods (Dan Hawkins from The Darkness’s band) imo were better.

One of the things that has affected these in the past has been sporting events, so once we’ve got some ideas on dates maybe put them out there to make sure we’re not putting it on when there’s conflict of interest?

First - Rockpile (Nick Lowe & Dave Edmunds) Hemel Hempstead 1979 Last - Mike Monroe (of Hanoi Rocks) Milton Keynes 2019 Best - The Sex Pistols, Finsbury Park 1996 Worst - Siouxsie & The Banshees Hammersmith 1986 Loudest - why Motörhead of course, Hammersmith 1985 Seen the most - prob Stiff Little Fingers Most Surprising - The Cure Next - not known Wish I could have seen - The Sex Pistols in 1976, alas I was too young

Yeah, I’ve found that they seem to have a high end roll-off, but that’s only an issue if DI ing to FOH and wanting the same sound out front as on stage. For a regular pub gig where the rig is doing it all never an issue. I think the bass was going to FOH - as were all the instruments- but it wasn’t made any louder, just a small presence to balance out.

I’m not sure to be honest, I used it with my Precision on Weds when we met up and it was all a bit too full-on, hence my decision to use Stingray/Compressor. Whether or not I’ll need said Para Driver who knows but I’ll still def take it to the next session and try it - maybe with less extreme settings though.

Yes, a 2x10 stood vertically. I was very impressed by it, it just worked.

That’s a good line-up on the Sunday. Great venue too.

I was really impressed with that. It’s probably the only Level 42 song I’m really familiar with so was a good point of reference and I think you’ve done it proud. And what bass playing, well done for taking that on.

So after having had to leave my band at the end of 2019 due to it taking its toll on me I have a new venture. A group of mates have a jam session every other week and they’ve asked me to join in - as it’s not a band in the traditional sense, as in no gigging, no recording it’s ideal for me, it’s a laugh, we meet up and just enjoy playing for the enjoyment of music. We’re playing some great material, by bands such as Rainbow, Deep Purple, and Led Zep to name a few - a bit of a departure from my previous punk/Oi. The theory is select songs that will push us as musicians, and especially given there are no vocals it really makes you concentrate whilst playing. It’s great to still be able to play as I didn’t want to either give up totally, or to join another gigging band as I need a break from all that. Plus I’ve decided to use my Stingray AND a compressor, so def new beginnings for a new decade. Which is nice.

I think I did, one of my many rig changes over the years.

Ve haf vays of making you enjoy yourselves!

Went to see a band last night and was reminded of just what a great combination a Fender Precision and a Markbass amp are. The bassist was also using an MXR M87 compressor and the sound was great, really good solid low end, nothing fancy, just a great bass sound that really locked in with the drums.

I can easily tell the difference on my Ashdown ABM600, it really thickens out the sound, warming it up and seemingly adding in extra harmonics. I think the comparison of the Marshall DBS is a good one.

I would have thought the Aggie would be heavier, was sure the GS410s are 80plus pounds.

You never know who was the instigator on things like this, so rather than burning bridges with all of them I’d just reply and say thanks for letting me know, wish you all the best. That simple communication could really work to your favour years down the line when not expecting it.