MattB

Again - thanks for all your input. Very much appreciated... In an attempt to vaguely grasp some of the techy side of this, in real-world terms, what should I be focusing on when I see things like "450W / 8 Ohms" or "300W continuous, 600W programme" or "300 watt 8 Ohm bass cabinet " Just what should I care about? Cheers Matt

Many thanks for all answers. Band wise it is 90% a 3-piece, but still needs good output as some reasonably big old pubs and social halls. The other 10% is random deps which mostly just add a keyboard or second guitar to the mix. Budget wise I'd rather not spend over £500 but appreciate that if this isn't possible so be it. I'm not very techy to be honest and only recently realised that watts don't equal decibels (if you know what I mean). I had a 50w Peavy amp that I swear belted out more than my current 150w Line 6. I am happy to have a head and cabs - I only reverted to combos as that's what I've always used. When you recommend Ashdown or Hatke what watt do you think should be my min. A guy at Bass Cellar recommended a 300 Ashdown evo II, but with no real experience I am just reluctant to crack off £450. I bought the LD150 for £370 and when i tried to trade it back the shop said they'd only give me £150 for it, so I really don't want to shoot myself in the foot again like that. Can I also ask where you'd suggest I keep my eyes on for good deals? Here? Ebay? etc etc again - thanks for all your responses. I'm sure I appear clueless, but I've only had a few combos in my 20 years playing and have just never really thought beyond what I had... Cheers Matt

Hi - so, the story so far... I have a Line 6 150LD which generally speaking is fine and dandy. I can carry it around as not super-heavy, it has a decent tone, and kicks out enough power to do most general pub-type gigs. Then I have a 12 year olf Trace Elliot 260w Combo that weighs a ton, needs wheels, and kills humans dead on volume setting 1.5 I kind want something in between that can carry in a big venue like large social halls etc, but isn't a two-man job. I've been recommended Ashdown 300w, but have no experience of these. I'm really just looking for recommendations from any bassists doing the same kind of pub/club live gigs as to what they find a decent mid-sized amp that'll do the job without killing me and drinking up all my petrol. hope you can help - any replies much appreciated! Matt

Hi I've been working off a Line LD150. It's excellent, but i'm finding it sometimes not quite powerful enough. Before just forking out for a 175 or 300 I was wondering if anyone has a suggestion for an additional speaker I could run off this. Would that solve my problem or just make news ones? Any tips/suggestions very welcome. Thanks all M

Ok - probably a lunatic question, but... There was a young man who LOVED to play his Ibanez Ergodyne. The neck... so thin, the noodling... so sweet. He also had a Musicman Stingray. The noise... so damn good, so bright, so yummy. However, compared to playing the cheap nasty plastic Ibanez (which he loved, none the less) the stingray felt like playing a brick. SO - is there a compromise? Can something be done to the Ibanez to improve the sound? Is there a best of both worlds guitar out there with the action and feel of the ibanez but the tone of the stingray? Help - i love how it sounds, but hate to play it. I know - I'm weird! Thanks Matt