Roland Rock

I fell in love with the Henman B4 as soon as I saw it. Lots of money and not too many about.
It doesn't have a fancy exotic wood top, but is made with mahogany /sapele.

They don't give much info on it; I'd rather know know much it weighs instead of being told it's a passive bass!

I think it's stunning, but wouldn't have the nerve to gig it.

Better looking than the "ex Greg Lake" one that's been on e-bay for donkeys' years for 10k

I wonder how much they would cost compared to the separate Terror head and Smart Power Cab?
I'd prefer the look and flexibility of the separates unless there was a significant price difference

Don't worry, you're not a freak - I like it too
I think it would be a lot nicer without that big scoop taken out of the scratchplate near the neck.

I'm playing in a tribute band at the moment and at first I was trying really hard to get the basslines spot on as per the original recorded version. Then you hear a live album version and it can be completely different! Now I tend to play with the original sprit/style but add my own flourishes/simplifications where I deem appropriate.


I think it has a lot to do with the other musicians in the band; e.g. the drummer may play with a slightly different feel to the original version, so you play something that's more in keeping with what's happening in the moment.

King Tubby
Finlay Quaye

I'm on a Reggae tip

Old fashioned customer service - brilliant. Sounds like they really care about the customer and the product.
I have a good local place, but if I can't get what I'm after there, I'll go to WV

He's obviously an incredibly creative guy, and these instruments are a breath of fresh air in the market.
As much as I love the stunning finishes and gorgeous woods (especially the Bokote fingerboard), as playing instrument, I prefer the look of a Burns or Vintage P Bass.

Hi Sam,

My immediate reaction was to recommend pre-disco Kool & the Gang or Fatback Band, but they might be too much like full on jazzy funk.
Maybe Gil Scott Heron
[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_b2F-XX0Ol0"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_b2F-XX0Ol0[/url]

or Labie Siffre
[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DByyEuYEvc"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DByyEuYEvc[/url]

ThomBM, Agreed that a cheap, giggable head would be good - Not sure that a giggable all-valve head could come in at that price point

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' post='1079718' date='Jan 6 2011, 12:17 PM']Winding on the OT for a line out/DI so it gets the power stage goodness. 2xKT88 power section, so it is a ~100w and will drive, but with KT88 flavour (this is doable, but unusual, make a little market space for yourself there)[/quote]


The EBS T90 (6550s rather than KT88s but a reasonable comparison) didn't really take off in the UK, I think people think 90W is too quiet. More on:
[url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=102651&st=0&p=955888&#entry955888"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=...mp;#entry955888[/url]

Like others on that thread, I think it's plenty with the right cab. Perhaps that's something that would need to be emphasised in the marketing material

Hi,

Sounds exciting!
As a valve amp user, the following things would be on my wish list:

-Simple controls on the front i.e. Gain, Bass, Mid, Treble & Master
-On the back: The usual outputs/power lead & Ohm selector. I would prefer a balanced XLR on mine. Also, I read somewhere about a Markbass all valve head having some very clever functions where you can adjust the bias yourself, negating the need for matched power valves (I'm not technical as you can tell, and am sure I'll be corrected on the details of this, but it was something that struck me as desirable and practical)
-Simple aesthetics, preferably retro

Things I wouldn't like to see:
-Complicated or slidey EQ section
-Busy aesthetics


In terms of sound, personally I like a relatively low gain amp, but want a bit of grit when I push it.
Watts, 200w seems to be the crowd pleaser - loud enough for most gigs but not as back/bank breaking as a 3/400 watter

Cheers,
I just spotted one on EBay for £105. I won't get a chance to try one out, but could be worth the punt

[quote name='silddx' post='1079583' date='Jan 6 2011, 10:29 AM']does the potential buyer of a £4k bass need a picture of the bridge with the caption "the bridge is adjustable for each individual string"??[/quote]

LOL That never really occurred to me before, but is very true

[quote name='BassTool' post='1071389' date='Dec 28 2010, 11:48 PM']...aye that 70's lead based paint was always a tad too heavy..

[/quote]


My stripped 78 P is 11.5 lbs! - Maybe the person stripped it because it was unliftable

I'm on the lookout for a backup bass and came across this:

[url="http://www.guitarandampshop.co.uk/acatalog/Aria_DMB-380_Electric_Bass_Guitar_.html"]http://www.guitarandampshop.co.uk/acatalog...ss_Guitar_.html[/url]

I know the aesthetics will be polarising, but I really like it. What online info I can get, it sounds good for the money.
It's a backup bass, so will only really be used if the Precision dies onstage. Most of the time it will be hanging around pubs unsupervised.

The Fiesta Red Squier CV is always in my mind as an alternative, but it's more money

The advert for Fret-King Esprit 4 (issue 62, p.31) describes a bass, and has a picture of a guitar.

The Bass Cellar's ads are always quite shocking e.g. "There is no more need to brake your back"
Do you think they'd appreciate a polite e-mail pointing out typos/spelling/grammar errors for future reference? Really they need a copywriter, but I suppose that's more cost.

I know it's not BGM's responsibility to check their advertisers' content, they have enough to check already.

Overall, I enjoy BGM. It's not perfect, but what alternatives are there?

EBS Session 60?

I'm a big fan of the DHA stuff. You can have simple (VT1) or with added EQ (VT1 EQ) or have two channels, one more subtle and one filthy (VT2EQ)
You can also swap valves for different tones. The DI is pretty good too.
I don't think there's a battery option though, so you'll need to lug a mains adaptor around with you, and the look is quite marmite.

1: Jerry Jemmott - For showing me the potential of blues bass
2: Andy Fraser - For teaching me that silence is as important as the notes
3: John Paul Jones - nuff said
4: Paul Jackson - tone to die for and super groovy
5: Carol Kaye - superb basslines, some beautiful, some frantic

[quote name='Jean-Luc Pickguard' post='1076827' date='Jan 3 2011, 09:43 PM']He's back with Jamiroquai?[/quote]

Aston 'Family Man' Barrett
Was listening to the Exodus album today and although his tone is totally different to mine, it's gorgeous

[quote name='Tuco' post='1073745' date='Dec 31 2010, 03:10 PM']DHA makes great valve overdrive pedals that give a VERY authentic 60s / 70s sound...[/quote]


+1 The DHA has a lovely old school tone

[quote name='TheFear' post='1074860' date='Jan 1 2011, 10:56 PM']i thought he had a rik[/quote]


I think he also has a black Rik, not sure what this one is though

I don't have an Ampeg, but on my 100w amp, I swapped my EH 6550s for some JJ KT88s and was very happy with the results