Skin Lewis

I gigged mine for the first time last night, and sad to say it committed the cardinal sin of ceasing to function at the start of the second set. The preamp was showing input (clip light) but there was no output. Trusty Elf to the rescue (amazing little thing). Of course, when I fired it up this morning, it worked perfectly. Not amused, so it's going back.

I love gigging - I live for it. Did my first one in 1968, local village hall, age 14. Since then (54 years!) I've toured the clubs and festivals of Europe and USA, done the working mens clubs all over the UK, done pit work, accompanied singer songwriters, and toured with some world class musos. I'm currently playing in an originals band, and taking deps every now and then. I'll be 70 soon, but still get the same buzz when the band's in the pocket. I've had no formal lessons, don't read dots, know very little theory, but have good ears (what's left of them) so in a way I've been blagging it all this time. Most terrifying gig was a festival in the French alps doing a western swing set with Tommy Allsup, with no rehearsal, no charts, had to busk pretty much the whole set with him calling the changes out the corner of his mouth. Got away with it though.

Mine arrived today, sounds pretty decent set flat, and the knobs all do what they're supposed to do. I'll try it out next gig, but I'll be going into the fx return via a Noble pre. I'm not a great fan of class D amps generally, but there seems to be enough headroom to deliver enough of the h-word. We'll see.

Me too. Years of stacking Martin bins 5 high with philishaves and horns on top. My back deeply regrets it in my dotage.

Actually, just a couple of BF one10s

Cheers Stew. Ordered. Not that I really need another amp, but can't resist at that price.

Delta 5

Back on topic, it's a shame that @danweb22 had a bad experience. I thought the whole point of CS was consistency. I bought my Jazz unseen from gear4music, and it arrived in it's factory packing box unopened, so I guess it was as it left the factory (sorry, artisan workshop....). Set up was spot on, played beautifully, everything in order. Gigged it the next day. Which is what I was expecting, for the price. You're probably much better off buying used, with any issues sorted out. Also, if you buy new, you'll instantly lose a grand in value when you first plug it in. The Jazz:

I think they all have it, my sunburst one does. Very smooth and comfortable. Terrific bass, wonderfully fruity mids, big chunky neck, impeccable build. Indeed. I bought the Sean Hurley, used, on here at what I thought was a very acceptable price for such a good bass. There are many viable alternatives at the brand new price though. Gratuitous pic, alongside my Nash:

I have two Custom Shops, a '60 Jazz and a '60 Precision. Both beautifully built, wonderful to play, and great sounding. No complaints here.

I've carried an Elf as a spare for some time now, and tonight I needed it big time - I was using a fairly new Markbass LM250 which was fine in soundcheck but crapped out at the beginning of the set. I hastily grabbed the elf, plug it in an hoped for the best. It sounded truly great with 2 Barefaced one tens. Very happy with it.

The Rise and Fall of Flingel Bunt by The Shadows. Around 1967 in a mate's front room aged 14.

What do you call Simon Rattle using the vacuum cleaner at night with the lights off? The answer is, of course, Orchestral Man Hoovers in the Dark.

I'll Take You There - Staple Singers. (David Hood)

I visited a year ago, looking for a decent Precision. Owner wasn't there, the young assistant was happy for me to play lots of them, and I walked out with a nice Nash. I had taken an Aerodyne with me for possible px, but the assistant ended up buying it for himself. No issues at all. Since then I've bought a couple of sets of strings online, again no issues. I appreciate that not everyone has the same experience there, and it sounds like I may have dodged a bullet with the owner not being there.

Not tried any other BF cabs, but I find these One10s bloody marvellous.

I used this last weekend, street party in Clifton. Noble preamp, MB 250 Blackline, a couple of BF one10s, and a Nash PB63. Sound guy loved the Noble.

Eltham Jones is my recommendation, Bristol, Cardiff and Bridgend. Decades of experience. He has a workshop upstairs at Mickelburghs in Bristol. http://www.edgeguitarservices.co.uk

Yep, still using this setup after 22 years trouble free. Helped me earn a good living. Mine replaced a Neve 51 with a 2" 16 track tape machine. Rather than plug ins, I mainly use outboard for signal processing along with the onboard dynamics and eqs. The automation and editing is still class leading to this day. I got round this by using the jog/shuttle feature: reverse the track using this, fly it into the Masterlink in real time, fly it back in. There's a healthy supply of cheap parts for this system on eBay, and the brain is basically an IBM 486. I've had no failures of any parts in 22 years, it was very well built in USA from good materials.

I have a Levy's strap with this feature - the very reason I bought it. Different length for different basses, sitting or standing, and infinitely adjustable. Best strap I've ever had.

I'd like to play for Lucinda Williams. Or John Hiatt.