floFC

Battery. If it's your first active, someone has to say it: if you leave the cable plugged into the bass it will drain the battery. I know you already know this. But hey... I have said it.

My GHS groundwound have blue silks.

I like it in white. Should you change the pick guard, will you rename Beluga to Tortuga?

I am glad you guys like them. I'll see if he has a photo of a complete pedal with knobs and all. It is unlikely as he just produced the artwork.

My brother was asked to paint some pedal cases for a competition organised by a (small) record label. People made effects from a kit and could win the pedal cases in a raffle, or something. I think they look pretty cool, picture attached I think. The full story is on his blog (in French) at http://www.hellofreaks.com/blog/.

[quote name='alembic1989' timestamp='1422723301' post='2676108'] One thing worth checking is if the neck is straight. Some of the Alu necked basses bend under string tension over the years...and you won't be able to straighten them. The neck pocket on my Kramer isn't tight either...but they are lovely basses. [/quote] Ah yes that's a very good point.

I commute from London to Grantham every Friday (night), if you're stuck I can help, but arranging a pick up might be difficult as I am out and about a lot at the weekend.

I have seen a Kramer 450B in a shop a couple of weeks ago, tried it, and really liked it. Called the other day and it's still there and I am now, well you know, kinda thinking I may want to buy it. It's in good enough nick, some scratches, obviously, one walnut pickup surround missing, one of the knobs is free spinning (the pot is fine) and scratchy pots but looks all original and in full working order. The neck pocket is not very tight and the body side of the joint is a mm too wide or mis-aligned - this seems quite common from some of the pictures I have seen on the net. I think someone here said something along the lines of "Kramer tolerances are not great". There is also a hairline crack on both sides of the joint, about 1.5cm. I think they are asking a bit too much for it, but I am not really sure what a fair price would be as I don't think one has sold here for a while and eBay only has sold ones in the US. Any pointers for a UK price? Are the cracks around the neck a definite no-no? What else should I look for if I go and see it again?

Sorry for the stupid question, but what's the idea behind a Bass Bash? You bring some gear, set it up in your corner and people come and try it? Or take turns to demo your stuff? Or eat cake and have a chat? Something else?

[quote name='Marvin' timestamp='1422124933' post='2669029'] Whatever it's for it's darned ugly that's for sure. [/quote] [quote name='Cosmo Valdemar' timestamp='1422128910' post='2669085'] I quite like it... [/quote] [quote name='Cosmo Valdemar' timestamp='1422129102' post='2669088'] Comically sweeping statements like that make me less inclined to give serious consideration to the rest of your comment. [/quote] I am with Cosmo on this! I like the look of it. And I have an Ashdown combo I am happy with Now, it's probably not going to be the best at all the things it does (or any) but it's pretty convenient no? Wireless, 2 inputs + audio streaming in + USB out with no latency? And agree, bluetooth is probably completely wrong for high quality audio. But if you want better quality you can still plug in. I wouldn't pay £600. But I am happy to get it off someone's hands for £250 when they've finished with it

They look nice (EVO). The website says that each pole has its own volume control - how does that work? There are only 2 Vol and 1 Tone. Do they mean each coil has its own volume?

[quote name='GarethFlatlands' timestamp='1420312139' post='2647993'] BttF set in 1955. Gibson ES 335 released in 1958! [/quote] Does it matter when you can time travel? :-)

Great stuff! Looking forward to hearing your opinions, experiences and contributions.

Wouldn't any bass in playable condition be worth it at 40 quid? I'd get it.

I have no experience of power supplies but my son plays the guitar and, after searching, reading and watching the whole internet he asked for a T-Rex for Christmas. Make what you want of this :-D

[quote name='mcnach' timestamp='1418671675' post='2632228'] You sure it said that??? The output of an amplifier that will drive a loudspeaker is going to be a LOT higher than what the headphones are designed to take. Sounds like a very efficient way of destroying headphones! [/quote] Hmm. I checked. So the manual doesn't say that but the FAQ on the Ashdown site does, that's where I must have read it (reproduced here, at the end): How can I use headphones on an Ashdown ABM or MAG? The only way is to buy a small battery powered headphone amplifier and plug it into the TUNER OUT with the amp MUTED, or unplug the speakers and use it plugged into the LINE OUT. Other than this if you have a walkman that has a record facility you could use this as a headphone amp.The amp will come to no harm with the speakers unplugged. It is possible to plug headphones into the speaker output but you risk the possibility of blowing up the headphones if you turn the amp up too far I have never been tempted to try!

I have an Ashdown Electric Blue combo and it has the same limitation (no headphone). If I remember correctly the manual said you could disconnect the cable that plugs the amp into the cab at the back and plug your headphones in there - with a risk of blowing them up :-D As Grangur said that takes the cab out of the sound chain. Get the manual from the Ashdown website and see what they suggest for your model.

It's not a bass, it's a Diplodocus.

Have a look at http://how-to-play-bass.com and his youTube channel. It is mostly based around progressing through learning songs, so maybe not what you want if you just enjoy making up your own stuff. There is a free monthly eZine and a subscription weekly one, where you get transcriptions for a couple of songs a week and whatever column he is writing at the time (sight reading, learning the blues, bass for beginners, walking bass lines etc). I *think* that subscribing also gives you access to some of the courses he has written (like Bass for beginners, Blues Bass).

Pretty much what Joeystrange said. I'd add that: MusicRoom have a decent amount of basses and lots of everything else. Guitar and Drum Centre is a great place. Nice staff. Lots of guitars and a smallish selection of basses, mostly Fenders, Yamaha and Ibanez (ATK!) Lots of stuff at the Music Inn, some more unusual basses and they also do second hand. Yes, they do follow you around the shop, but you get used to it :-D

Yes, that was quite disappointing, they can't cost very much, but in fairness there was nothing wrong with the knobs I wanted to replace, that is how the amp was shipping. Anyway, I am happy with the result!