machinehead

It's 3.85kg. Frank.

I agree Stew. I have a Talman TMB100M, the maple fretboard version. It's a superb bass in every way. The matt yellow body colour definately won't be to everyone's taste, but I love it for its retro look. It plays easily and sounds fantastic with a wide range of sounds from the active preamp. The neck is quite chunky but feels good to me. And surprisingly, it's lightweight, although at the price of a tiny bit of neck-dive. I just allow the bass to sit level and it works fine. It's by far the cheapest bass I own but I enjoy it as much as my more expensive ones. Frank.

What's a "battery investor"? I might be able to help you but I'd need more information. This week I was installing a solar powered battery and inverter system to an off-grid holiday home. We just finished the job this afternoon in pissing rain. Frank.

A little expensive but works really well for me too. Adding a second one10 gives you a rig capable of most, if not all, of my pub/club/hotel/festival gigs. (Sometimes with PA help.) Frank.

I also have a small pension, but my only earned income comes from gigging, so this pandemic has been as disaster for me, and many like me. All pub/party/wedding gigs cancelled, just like everyone else. But being honest, I miss the playing and my band mates at least as much as the money. Frank.

A 2x12 is a wonderful all-rounder but I find a pair of 1x12 more flexible for the type of gigs I play, where a 2 x 12 is usually overkill. (Pubs, parties and the occasional wedding and summer festival.) Frank.

We've been back rehearsing at our drummers studio now for a few weeks. Sanctioned by Dominic Cummings. 😂 Frank.

Is it a 502 or a 750? I sold my 750, it might be a couple of years ago now, for about £400 or slightly less. It was under a year old, in perfect condition in original box. Frank.

I have the 4 string version. There is a tiny bit of neck dive but a suede strap deals with it very well. I agree on everything else too. Decent fret work, nice neck, great pickups, okay bridge, the nut was fine on mine, and yes, a very hot pre amp. I actually really rate these Talman basses very highly. They're fantastic value for money and I love how they look. You did a really excellent review. Frank.

Welcome back. I remember you. Frank.

I miss gigging like I'd miss oxygen. As soon as we get back to gigging I'll feel like I have my life back again. And no, I don't give a flying f&&k about the virus risk. Frank.

Chris put up a wanted post for a pedal. I had one I wasn't using and contacted Chris. Chris made the payment by bank transfer, which requires a little trust, and everything went perfectly smoothly. Deal with Chris in complete confidence. Frank.

I'd love to hear your Eich 112pro. I've also had a Markbass CMD121P and AER amp one (and amp two.) The AER amp two did it all really but I'm sorely tempted by the AER amp three, just because... If the Eich is as good as the AER amp three it must be quite something. Mmmmmm. Frank.

I started guitar aged about 11 and played guitar live from age 17 until about age 29 (I think?) when the bass player suddenly packed it in and the singer asked me to play bass for a few gigs until we could get a new bass player. After two gigs on bass I told the singer to get a new guitar player because I wanted to stay on bass. I've never played guitar on stage since then. I pick up an acoustic guitar at a party now and then and at a sing-song but that's it. Frank.

It doesn't look like anyone with direct experience is going to chip in so... I have the Korean built version, with German electrical bits and it's beyond excellent. It's a PJ setup. The Korean version has a cherry body and rosewood fretboard. It has a great growly tone. I would say it's the equal of the German built LX4 I owned a good few years ago, and less than half the price. The GPS won't be worse than my KPS surely? If that's correct, it'll be outstanding. Frank.

I've had an AER amp two and, for a short while, an amp one. Both those amps are amazing. A couple of years ago, I was on a campsite in Chinon, France, and heard a band sound checking. The bass was full and loud. They were playing "Sultan's of Swing". The band was outdoors and a good 500m away. When we went round to listen, the bass player was using an AER amp three, the 2x8 version. I couldn't believe the volume and depth of the sound outdoors. The AER combos are just amazing. Frank.

This is very good news indeed, although it will do nothing for people like me, who's only earnings are from pub/party/wedding gigs. It's very welcome anyway. Frank

I also have a pair of one10s, plus a BB2 and SM. I know this is a ridiculous number of cabs to own, but I like and enjoy them all. I think the most sensible thing to do would be to sell the one10s but I do enjoy them and they don't take up much space, do they? 😉 Frank.

My travel bass is a Steinberger Spirit XT-2. It's tiny, but still 34" scale and fits into my campervan very neatly. And they're not expensive. Frank.

On the question of weight, my USA Sub (in white, my favourite finish) weighs in at 10lbs. It's easily the heaviest bass I own but, I think due to the balance, doesn't feel too heavy on a gig. I can comfortably play for long gigs without shoulder pain. These USA SUBS are really great basses. I've had mine for many years and I doubt I'll ever sell it. It is rather roadworn though. Frank.

Welcome MothMan. I live in Belfast, N Ireland but lived and worked for a while in San Diego. I miss the weather there. Frank.

Peavey miniMax 500. Cheap, loud, and sound good. Lightweight and compact. I have far more expensive amps but the Peavey still gets used on lots of gigs. Can be bought new for far less than your budget. Frank.

Isn't there a Precision with a narrowed neck for sale here at the moment? I'm sure I read it this week. Worth a look in the for sale forum and ask the seller? Frank.

I've really fancied a Flea Jazz since they first came out. I tried one in a shop in Belfast a few years ago and, although I was impressed, for some reason, I didn't buy it. A few weeks ago I bought a used one locally. I like the fact that any new dings aren't going to be nearly as annoying as on a non roadworn bass. I love how the Flea feels and sounds and can't wait to gig it. That could be a long wait but band rehearsals are starting up again, so that's the next best thing. Frank.

And if you do use a deep cycle or leisure battery, don't discharge it below 50%. Doing so will significantly shorten its life span. To check this you need a cheap multimeter (£10). As a rough guide, measure the voltage when fully charged (but wait for a day after charging before measuring, to allow the voltage to settle), then don't discharge more than 0.5 volt lower than the fully charged voltage. It's not as complicated as it sounds. Frank.