Bigwan

Where to start... Gear In this year (and still here so far): Shuker Bolt On 6 - beautiful, built for me custom that I'm not able to play comfortably yet, but I'll persist. Lakland 55-01 NTMB - arrived on Christmas Eve so haven't really got any proper use out of it yet. The neck fits me like a glove though so it's looking good so far! Aguilar GS112 - great little cab. Want to get another of these and another Ashdown ABM (head this time I think) to complete a mini rig, although I'm tempted by Alex's Compact cab... Zoom B2 - not had much time to play with this little blighter yet, but it'll probably take care of all my effects needs since I don't use them that much. Westfield cheapo P - everybody says you have to have a P. After this years exploits I don't agree, but this cost £20 (and that's about as much as I'd want to have tied up in a P at the minute!). Gear in this year (but will be leaving the building soon): Bongo 5HH - nice but It's not staying. Once over the initial honeymoon I realised it was too ACTIVE for me and the string spacing is a little too tight. Monz has first dibs... Fender CIJ 70's reissue P - nice to play, but P's are definately not for me so it's going to Clarky when he gets back (unless his plans change). Status S2000 - Been through the wars this one. Still here but it's going on the block too. Just can't get used to the overall feel of it. Sounds GREAT though. SWR workingman's 12 - had one of these before and always wanted another, but it's not enough for me to gig with and I do most of my practicing at home through headphones so it'll be going too. Gear in this year, and back out again!: Lakland BG4 - you all know the one. Black with Villex pups and passive mid tone control added. Nice bass but not for me - I thought it was the maple board so I tried the P thing again with a CIJ Fender... I now know I don't like P's or maple boards... Fender Roscoe Beck 5 - really miss this bass, but the 55-01 is looking pretty good to mend my broken heart! MM Ray4 - I'm not a 'ray guy either, but had to try it to find out. Thunderfunk TFB550 - nice amp. Went on about these for ages after trying Flanker's old one in the Gallery a while ago, but it wasn't really for me in my own playing situation. Prefer my Ashdown. Gear out this year: Aguilar AG500 - I like Aguilar cabs, but not too fussed on their amps. My Ashdown works better for me. So what's that: Overall Basses +6 (but 3 leaving soon) -0 Amps/cabs +2 (1 leaving soon) -1 Effects +1 plus a lot of 'trying' done this year. Hoping 2009 will be more settled gear-wise!

Lakland DJ4 or JO4 for that money...

I've been watching the super-thread(s) on these over on TB. Really like the look of the LG5 5 strings. They are expensive, but they would seem to be cheaper than an NYC Sadowsky.

Quick question Alex. Will you be offering the Fender grill cloth as an option on all your cabs? May be interested in a compact at some point in the near future and would like that look. Like the logo, btw. But does it look retro enough for the retro cab?

Anybody know if Rosetti are actually importing these yet?

[quote name='Stylon Pilson' post='352954' date='Dec 12 2008, 05:56 PM']Maybe my band leader has delusions of grandeur.[/quote] True of so many 'band leaders'...

[quote name='ezbass' post='346196' date='Dec 5 2008, 10:15 AM']A great sounding head to be sure, but definitely no lightweight.[/quote] I stand corrected. I thought it would have been out-weighed by the hartke LH500 - but the LH500 is 10.5 kilos, the abm is 14... the wooden case probably adds about half of the difference. Strip out all the useless tosh and it's be even lighter! I feel a wee project coming on... Anyone got a spare ABM going cheap?

I'll probably get flamed for suggesting this, but I'm using an Ashdown ABM for my simple tone machine. It's lighter weight than some of the other suggestions here. Valve drive on 12 o'clock, pre-shape on, eq off. Only gain and volume to worry about then. As far as I'm concerned Ashdown would do well to release an amp with gain, valve/clean blend and volume AND NOTHING ELSE. There are thousands of guys looking for a simple bass amp - that could be just the tool and surely more useful to them than these mythical 'little giants' we keep hearing about...

I ordered 3 sets of Elites from them a while back, but they were out of stock. It took a while for them to come in but they kept me informed via email while I was waiting.

Played this one (or its twin) in the gallery a few years back. Entirely unimpressed. The Emperor 5 was a different matter... I was about to sell Granny for that one...

A stonking night last night in our 'nemesis' venue (2 separate stages - drummer on 1, everyone else on the other!). Floor full from first not until last. Usually the place is empty, but this was our first Saturday night there and it was standing room only. And the ladies... oh the ladies... there were a few 'bum' notes, if you know what i mean :brow: Roads were awful and I wasn't crawling into my pit until nearly 4 (finished at 1), but well worth it and we've been booked for 2 nights a month in the place next year after last night.

[quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='340324' date='Nov 29 2008, 10:15 AM']I played a new Lakland JO 4-stringer the other week. Lovely bass with through body stringing, etc., but it had very narrow string spacing. Definitely not 19mm. Is this normal on Lakland jazz models?[/quote] Very strange. Mine is somewhere between 19-20mm...

[quote name='jerseytrev' post='337836' date='Nov 26 2008, 10:49 PM']hi do you rate the jo against the dj as i am going to try both[/quote] Sorry for the late reply. Unfortunately I've never played a DJ. The DJ is a slightly different vibe (70's jazz rather than 60's). I've never played a Laklnad I didn't like (some more than others though - the hollow just wasn't my thing, but i'd like to have one in the house 'cos they look so cool!). I'm thinking about moving on my Bongo5 and replacing it with a Lakland 5 string.