BassBod

I've been using my Retro 800 for a year or so, quite happy with its output, but compared to an old TE AH150 it's a bit of a joke. Those old TE's are just monsters...the numbers mean very little these days. The fan puzzles me. I've used the amp on plenty of loud gigs, into a 4ohm load and it's remained stone cold. Hard to see why it isn't thermally controlled and just for emergencies? For normal low level gigs it really doesn't seem to need it, especially as it's not exactly a "whisper" level fan.

Yes, the Barefaced and any micro head will be a better performer. More depth and I suspect a fair bit lighter to schlep about.

Acoustic basses often get used in situations where there is just too much stage volume, and players expect the same "on stage" level they can get with a solid bass. It is better to have most of the sound in the main PA and just enough stage level to hear - but that just feels uncomfortable if you haven't done it a lot. Also, the on board preamp allows a lot of tweaking, which usually just exaggerates rather than enhances the sound. Its always going to be a tricky situation, and you did well to supervise without any conflict. I did a complicated show a few weeks ago, many bands..most with electro acoustic guitars and small AER type amps (big venue). The engineer had to deal with all of them setting a sound on the amp (too bright, too bassy..to make a small amp sound big) then watch them tweak the on-board preamp to be even brighter as he tried to tame the sound for the PA. Makes you appreciate why many engineers insist on using the "pre" and not "post" DI on bass amps.

Fender...they've been doing it for years and we've hardly noticed!

I enjoyed last year, but this year gigs have stacked up, so I'll have to give it a miss. Have fun everyone...and post lots of photos of all that nice shiny new stuff...

To me, the Flea and Roadworn are almost the same bass? Keep the cheaper....for those special gigs where you don't want anything expensive in the venue!

Just saw this - currently free that day, so hopefully I'll be along....Clifton EUB anyone?

WT400 was one of the very best amps I've owned. I only sold it because it would go into protect/shut down if played loud into two 8ohm cabs. Later found out the two 8ohm cabs contained drivers labelled 4ohm by their maker..😳. Sorry Eden.

Aguilar power amp and Alembic pre......that must be something special 😎

Yes, not a problem in any normal gig setting. I just do theatre stuff sometimes...has to be proper quiet..no fans, no nothing.

I briefly owned a 550, with an early version of the switch. Lovely amp..a lot like an SWR. Mine had a hum, not silly but noticeable in very quiet settings. Had a very good local tech try the "humbuck" mod, (wire over the transformer, out of phase) but it only reduced it slightly. Other than that, it was my perfect amp 😳

Pyramid black nylon flats are close, but very quiet acoustically- you'll have to plug in.

What TheRev said - they're all a bit different, but my Clifton always sounded and felt great with Innovation Rockabilly strings. Good for the jazz gigs as it sounded more "old fashioned" then people expected. I've got Evah P's on now...very similar. I've also got them on my acoustic..but you wouldn't believe they are the same, as its much harder work - all down to set up and fingerboard profile.