fretmeister

Covers band isn't the same a a tribute band. and U2 is always improved with slap. Always.

Markbass should now be limited to the Marcus models and the rest. The Marcus ones have a much better EQ set up and all the freqs are useable rather than the LM3 etc versions. It's a real shame they haven't used that EQ on the rest as I'm sure there are plenty of youngsters who have never heard MM and plenty of oldiewonks who wouldn't try it because they don't slap. But it's the most versatile amp I've ever owned.

And he’s confirmed he doesn’t write the bass parts as Stratton does all the composing. JD is happy to be a sideman.

Fan noise is a problem on the PA cabs at lower volume.

Flatter is always good for modelling use. Can really hear the differences in IRs particularly.

I've never tried the HS5 but for the 7 there is tons of low end - to the point that I usually use the hi and low cuts in the Helix somewhere between 30hz and 80hz to tame the lows. Annoyingly they are also better than my 5.1 system in the lounge for films!

As it happens I've got 3 of them! A pair for my PC (and native etc) and a third one that is in a wheeled rack with my helix kind of like a combo set up. It works very well for guitar and bass, although of course for guitar there is no point using any stereo fx. I've recently had a bit of a change around so my physical Helix is now next to my PC and is now my interface and soundcard so I use the pc pair almost all the time now. But one alone is great. Good sound and more than loud enough. Plenty of low end too. Sometimes I think about making Wet/Dry/Wet patches and using all 3... but that's guitarist thinking and should be stopped!

In the house I use a Helix (or the Native plugin) into powered Yamaha HS7 monitors. Sounds fantastic and lets the Helix do all the tone shaping work. In the past I also used the Helix into a Yamaha DXR10 powered PA cab for live work. Was very good. I really like the approach. It's simple and allows lots of routing options for PA support etc.

Looks cool but the pickup looks a bit far forward to be in ray position. I like it though!

Fred Durst rhymed "Leadership" with "leave your stinky poo". To. The. Gallows!

I'm going to modify an Ibanez Mezzo 4 string (PJ as standard) to turn it into a sort of medium scale Stingray. There will be lots of routing and a new scratchplate to cover the existing holes. The pickup will be installed in the sweet spot, properly adjusted for the medium scale. I'm planning an Aguilar OBP-2 preamp but I'm looking at a variety of pickups. Seymour Duncan have a couple of options as do Aguilar, Nordstrand, Barts, EMG etc I've had the EMG ones before and they are not Stingray sounding enough for me for this project. Has anyone tried the others? Going for a full Aguilar set seems to make sense but if some of the other options are closer to a ray tone then I'll have a look. ta

Mine lives in a Mono Sleeve as it's a lot lighter than the Vertigo.

I'd love that for my Helix. Would be perfect!

Insertion Loss?

Anyone played one of the updated Classic Booster basses yet? With the twin soapbars near the bridge? Demos sound very promising.

I wasn’t a fan of the black label J pickups. They were loud and clear but not very jazz like. I swapped mine for EMG J set. Always loved that Bobby Vega sound. Now I’ll die with that bass.

Barefaced or GR.

That tiny 2x8 is very interesting to me. The amp sounds a bit too clean / polite for my tastes but then again I saw the LED light show....

Exactly. Buy for a quid and sell for 2. Vat goes on top. I think the easiest explanation though is - if you're not registered for Vat then stop worrying about it as you don't have any options. You will be paying it and you will not be reclaiming it. Charging vat if you are not registered is fraud. Not charging vat when you are registered is stupid as you still have to pay the money to HMRC. My little company is vat registered but it's nothing to do with music so while I reclaim my vat on the supplies I need I cannot buy music equipment on the company.

You get a note through the door or an email telling you it won't be delivered until you have paid the Vat and their admin fee. After 6 weeks they will send it back if you haven't paid.

Quick update. Therapists remain unhappy so now my finger is in a cast that is replaced every week. Joy.

It really is a perfect clone of the Boss.

There are rumours that my big band might be back to start rehearsals in September/ October. Just need my sodding finger to heal by then.

I must admit the thought had crossed my mind to get another 4 and rip out all the electronics and get a custom scratchplate and then put a nice MM type pickup in the right place. Aguilar probably, with a 2 band EQ. I mean, why not?