Truckstop

I think you're all looking at this the wrong way. Surely the best thing to do would be to build a cradle that attaches to lots of helium balloons and float your amp around. Works for me! Truckstop

Jazz bass and strong fingers! I think GK would be the best at that sort of middy growl I think you want. The MB combos are pretty decent, nice and light. The MB500/210 combo would be ideal. Can be got second hand for £250. Truckstop

Hello David, Try Curt's work with Tears for Fears. Head Over Heels and The Working Hours are particularly lush. Terrific fretless playing! Welcome to Basschat! Alex

It's funny, my band doesn't seem to have anyone that fits into that role. It's very democratic. We have a Whatsapp group and everything is discussed in the open with everyone contributing equally. Potential songs are talked about, bookings, holiday all goes on our google calendar... works really well! Having said that, we have yet to upgrade our PA (currently using guitarists little vocal PA) which might create some tension if no-one afford to buy everything in one fell swoop! What's also weird, is that everyone's MD for their own songs. For example, I chose for us to play Sing It Back - Moloko so I end up directing it. The guitarist wants us to play Are You Gonna Be My Girl? - Jet so he directs that. Never been in a band that works that way before! Truckstop

Don't get me wrong a lot of Class D stuff sounds great and is really handy if you gig a lot and like travelling light. I'm just hankering after good old fashioned weight I think; something that feels and sounds solid! Anyway, good news! I took the SP210 apart this afternoon and a loose connector seems to have been the problem Still want to change my amp though! Truckstop

I'm growing to really dislike Class-D stuff. I much prefer the weight of tone that you only seem to et from big old heat-sink amps. Might try and find a GK 400-700RB and a cheapy cab. Had a 400RB for 4 years; weekly rehearsals and gigs and never missed a beat! Also used a beat Torque 4x10 that never failed too. Truckstop

Fretless is a must! Just can't emulate the bounce of a DB with a fretted neck. Truckstop

[rant] So I've been using an Ampeg PF350 and Orange SP210 rig for a while. I bought the cab broken (one blown speaker) so I replaced the speakers and all was well. I bought the PF350 for home practice with headphones but now use it for gigs too. I had heard of issues surrounding the PF500 (one of which I owned for about a year with no issues) but not the 350 version so pulled the trigger. Last Friday, the PF350 started cutting out during the last 3 or 4 numbers. Half volume, no effects, low gain, no odd EQ. The cab was fine up until the end. Then I had rehearsals last night and it sounds like one of the speakers in the SP210 has blown! It hasn't been chucked about, it's been kept dry and warm indoors and it hadn't been used since the gig on Friday. I'm struggling to see how this could have happened; the speakers are rated 350w each at 16ohms so the cab is capable of 700w at 8ohm. The PF350 only chucks out 275w at 8ohms and it was only on half volume anyway. Gutted. I've recently sold all my gear because I was happy with this rig and now it all needs replacing or repairing Next thing I'll probably end up dropping and breaking my only bass too! Truckstop

His lines on The Working Hours also smooth as hell! Truckstop

f*** me, how much sustain do people want? In my opinion, a different set of strings would happily and easily make the same 'improvements' that a high mass bridge would. Truckstop

Wow, please let us know your thoughts when it arrives! Very interested to hear what it's like in passive mode. Truckstop

I wish I'd been able to pick up Jigster's Gallien-Kreuger RB700 2x10 combo. That'd be ideal for any style, loud enough for any pub/medium size venue and terrific tone. Also, invest in good cables. You really can hear te difference! Truckstop

I kick in a bit of compression when I play with a plectrum. I've not got great technique. My 'ups' are a touch quieter than my 'downs' and it sounds terrible; hours of practice don't seem to help so I'm cheating! Truckstop

Eminence Deltas are nice all-rounders that don't cost too much. I have a pair in my SP210 and am very happy with them. Around £55 delivered from Blue Aran. Truckstop

The Working Hour - Tears for Fears Beautifully melodic lines and fantastic tone. Transpose the sax solo to bass too, works wonderfully. Truckstop

Your English is better than my French! Welcome to Basschat Alex

Rather more helpfully; I think the '55 should go. It's a bit of a one trick pony that a regularly configured P bass can cover aswell as other useable tones. Truckstop

Ah, a Squier then? Truckstop

Ha ha ha I know! Being redundant at the moment's making me put things into perspective. Didn't mean to sound quite so utilitarian! Alex

Sell them all and buy a Mex P. Financial hardship's no laughing matter. What's more important to you? Being able to put food on the table or "having the right tone, man"? Truckstop