Ben Jamin

Sad news guys! I've had to cancel the order - it's been over six months now and since my previous amp broke and has now been moved on I'm having to survive on borrowed gear, which isn't ideal - I gave them an ultimatum of the end of May for something to try out but unfortunately they said couldn't meet that deadline. I've got rehearsals starting in June for some relatively big gigs in the summer so I'd need a rig by then. Hayden said they were having some complications with ordering in some new modules, and that he'd been anticipating the phone call for a while, so no issues - he even pointed me in the direction of the Orange Terror Bass 500! I've now ordered a Barefaced Compact and bought the amp my good friend (Unklellis on here) has been lending me - an Ampeg PF-500. No valves or fancy stuff, but it just works well, has all the right features and is nice and compact! So all in all still gutted the Matamp didn't work out but happy with my new rig, which should be arriving soon Just to make sure: Matamp have been great throughout, it's just due to the nature of my specific order they weren't able to build it in time. Next time I upgrade my rig I'll probably come back to these guys!

I'm using a PF500 at the moment and, well, it's pretty good. It sounds very Ampeg. Which is great if you want the Ampeg sound - but no matter how much EQing I tried I couldn't get rid of that underlying character, if you get what I mean... But guys, c'mon. It has a cool little purple light

[s]Ah rubbish, the guitard's joined Basschat, I'm going to have to watch what I say now...[/s] Hey buddy! Great rehearsal yesterday - your new Hot Rod rocked

My band notices if I bring a new cable to a rehearsal, never-mind a new bass Although I only really get comments on sound if it's: a- really really good for some reason b- needs changing for some reason

I'd like to second Honest Guy's feedback here! I PM'd Luke about the amp for Honest Guy before he joined the site - great communication

A good TRB won't let you down! I'm a Warwick guy and their 6-string stuff is really cool too Major GAS for this one!

Does it have to be leather? These are really good: http://www.monocase.com/mono-gs1-betty.asp

I've got a Mono M80 and it's great. I find it's a lot more comfortable than any other gigbag I've tried, and the build quality/protection is exceptional. You can remove the straps and tuck them away so that you've got a hardcase-type thing. My friend got an M80 a year before me and it's still in perfect condition - he even took it with him for a tour in Poland with no problems at all

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1333731533' post='1605875'] As it doesn't seem obvious, the clip I posted was of a band called Skinny Puppy [/quote] Oh it was supposed to be a joke! Sorry... I watched the Skinny Puppy video and thought it was funny that the bands have similar names but sound completely different

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1333534984' post='1602946'] I was hoping something more like this: [/quote]

[quote name='blackmn90' timestamp='1333534190' post='1602926'] First off everyone who left last night had the same 2 feelings in common. 1. That was the best gig ever 2. I'm giving up on music It was amazing and Ben Jamin i strongly urge you try and see them live. There is so much passion and heart in everything they play and having learnt about their writing process during the masterclasses, its not difficult for the sake of being difficult. For example i too, thought that they're songs were written from jams. But they said that they wrote songs individually and write all the parts out for the band to play in rehearsals. Also a band called the fix must be checked!!! poor Bill Lawrence couldn't get his keys working so snarky puppy jammed through the songs and you would never had known if they hadn't had said! If you like groove, this is THE band [/quote] Sounds like an ace gig! I'll check out The Fix too After listening to some more of Snarky's stuff I must agree. New favourite groove band, yeah!

[quote name='4 Strings' timestamp='1333614289' post='1604124'] Been in quite a bit of contact with them about this, they just seem to be struggling to put in the time to sort out niggles, for example the fan power supply. I was asked to contact them at the end of this month for more news. They may make a demo unit which may be tried for a week before placing an order (for those like myself a long way from Huddersfield). Apparently its a clean, warm sound - perfect for the predominantly Motown and soul music of current bands. No longer holding my breath, I need a little amp quick so I've bought a Harley Benton for hardly anything (yet to arrive) as the development at Matamp may trickle on for longer. I'm still interested (unless the HB is a wonder!) but I can be less impatient lugging my heavy amps around. [/quote] I saw the thread on those Harley Benton/Red Sub amps - they look pretty good value Apparently the power-amp in my hybrid got fried - pre-amp's still too hot I guess! So they're waiting for a new one to arrive...

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' timestamp='1333491853' post='1602600'] Seen the MKII GT200 too? [/quote] Ahh man, if I had the spare money I'd buy a GT200 in a heartbeat!

[quote name='4 Strings' timestamp='1332540392' post='1589950'] That'll be great, thanks, I'm really waiting hard here! [/quote] Saw [url="http://www.matamp.co.uk/bass-500/"]this[/url] on the new Matamp site today

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1333442907' post='1601635'] Do it, see what he says... [/quote] Darn, looks like he opted for the cash instead. Well it's his loss

[quote name='silddx' timestamp='1333471348' post='1602243'] That's all totally cool mate, just that none of what you have written bears much relation to music, that's all. [/quote] Sorry I guess I mis-understood what you were saying - I'm not having an particularly intelligent day today, coursework drains my brain

[quote name='JakeBrownBass' timestamp='1333480238' post='1602412'] Without conveying anything? Fair enough theres no words telling a story but i'm pretty sure each guys solo is there to say something.... [/quote] Sorry that was pretty unfair of me to say... I just meant the music itself, to me, doesn't seem to be arranged specifically to draw out an emotional response per se, more the guys just enjoy playing it and 'jamming' because it's fun and engaging from a technical point of view and in that respect darn awesome. Of course they can put their feelings into their parts and solos, but in general I didn't feel particularly moved emotionally by the music, just really really really impressed and all the happier for seeing how much fun they're having (which is what I guessed silddx meant with the 'devoid of romance' thing) That's just what I thought initially anyway - I'll be getting their album(s) so I'll probably prove myself wrong after a good listen to some more tracks

[quote name='silddx' timestamp='1333455840' post='1601894'] Thanks mate, I have checked out quite a few vids in the recent past on the other SP thread, but I'm afraid it does nothing for me, it seems devoid of romance, edgy as a billiard ball, etc. [/quote] I think I know what you mean, it's just a case of they're having fun playing interesting/difficult music instead of trying to convey anything. It's very impressive though and I'd definitely go to a gig... although I'd probably feel like a technically rubbish musician afterwards

[quote name='JakeBrownBass' timestamp='1333400736' post='1601304'] Love them, an absolutely great set of musicians, the new album came out last week and i'm seeing them on Friday, masterclass & show. Cant bloody wait. One of the new ones, amazing! [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZBlRkF0-to[/media] [/quote] That's the one my friend sent me! Awesome, sounds like you're in for an ace gig! Looks like I have some albums to buy

Anyone else heard of these guys? My friend just put me on to them and I'm pretty impressed! Some cool synth bass in this one, but the guy's a pretty good electric bassist too http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67PMG2nVs4k And for those who had no idea what this thread is about but were expecting something to do with weird puppies, here you go:

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1333399196' post='1601262'] If you have £800 to spend on a bass, you would be better off investing it elsewhere. [/quote] I wish I had a spare £800 to spend on a bass! It wouldn't be this one though, no Might offer him my Sue Ryder for a swap though? It's all-original and everything

[quote name='stinson' timestamp='1333397730' post='1601231'] I guess it will finish £800+ [/quote] [quote name='2x18' timestamp='1333397747' post='1601232'] The pot codes of 13790-- suggest CTS pots made in 1990! Will. [/quote] That might explain it then! Pot codes and such are lost on me Still, £800 isn't a bad price - still around the same as a new Mex roadworn?