Japhet

Where do they find them? Every time I watch Later (or as much of it as I can bear) they seem to have surpassed the previous level of pap by some distance.

I have a B3 which is fine at home and when I occasionally use it at gigs, but it buzzes badly at rehearsals. Can only put it down to an issue with the 240v supply there.

+1 for Tokai. However, proper Les Pauls seem to be silly cheap at the moment.

Personally I'd rate the Trace way above the Electric Blue. If you can't get the sound you want from an SMX pre amp you' definitely won't get it from the Ashdown IMO. Maybe describe what sound you're after and what you don't like about the Trace.

If you want to go really small and manageable I'd have a look at an AER Amp One. Would be fine as long as your band aren't too loud. Quite incredible little amps these.

You could try putting a compressor or limiter in front of the envelope filter.

I had a Peavey Mk 6. Couldn't afford Trace at the time. Also had a Fender BXR at some point (didn't like it though) and can't remember when. I know my Peavey had numerous pints of beer spilled into it and it never missed a beat. I know where it is now and it's still going strong and as far as I know has never had a single problem. It did feel like one end of it was full of concrete though.

I've had the Streamliner 600 and Barefaced Compact set up and it sounded pretty good. I ran all the EQ at about 12 o'clock and the sound was full and rounded. I was using a Stingray 4 and a Lakland 5 string. To be perfectly honest I think the Compact is a bit over-hyped (albeit a very capable cab) and I let mine go.

If the 'old school' Trace Elliot sound floats your boat I'd recommend the GB Streamliner. Warm, fat sound and very good value for money at the moment.

Chas is also a top class bass player. Think he used to play bass in Heads Hands and Feet.

I would definitely go second hand with a £300 budget. Anything you buy new for that amount will be worth £150 by the time you get home. You could probably pick up a decent Trace or Ashdown 300W combo in that price range and they will have probably bottomed out at £300 price-wise.

Nothing springs to mind apart from A DRUMMER WHO CAN KEEP TIME!

I played through one of these once. My heart sank when I realised this tiny little box was the bass amp and I really could not believe what it was capable of. They are expensive but are quite astonishing little amps.

Try this; [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hoG6iiwqAyQ"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hoG6iiwqAyQ[/url]

Check out Melvin Duffy with Los Pacaminos! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHU8454cSmk

Depends on your budget and how long you can wait (Barefaced). Schroeder do some really good compact cabs which are often available on here 2nd hand. I'd go for something 4ohm if I was you. Tecamp EBS and Epifani are good also. There's a lot to choose from.

Jimmy Dewar

Line 6 LD15 is a decent little amp for next to nothing. Has plenty of features and a handy mp3 (or other device) input so you can play along. Worth considering.

Fantastic little amp if you like the fat/warm sound. Love mine to bits and it has plenty of grunt too. Can't believe the price too! Paid £599 for mine I think which was still a bargain.

Markbass Super Booster does a decent job. Boost controls the volume and one of the filters cuts the mids and boosts Low and High eq.

I have a few effects pedals on my board which I run off a DC Brick. This has 9v and 18v supplies. I now have a couple of pedals which need 12v supply. Can I run them safely off the Brick and if so, 9v or 12v? Sorry for being thick - failed every Science miserably at school!

You hardly ever see them but the small Tecamp combos are meant to be very good. The AER Amp One (I think) is probably the best.

I have a friend who was in the US Airforce on helicopters for years. He has a hearing condition brought on by continual exposure to low frequencies. The main symptom is an inability to separate sounds; e.g. if he is on the phone and somebody in the room asks him a question at the same time he is unable to understand either conversation. Sound familiar? I know the description fits me to a tee.

Abba - Dancing Queen.......................seriously.....listen to it.

If you're Di'ing into the PA I'd consider lifting your cab up to improve what you can hea ras it won't affect front of house sound.