BassBod

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.

Pretty slow for me, but not too worried as its Jan and people don't wake up till mid Feb. But also not too optimistic - there's a lot of crap going on thats going to hit people in the pocket, so weddings and parties are going to be hit. Also the Festival world is like to be pulling back, although their willingness to pay bands has been declining for a while so that's more fun than income.

First thing - they are all good, its really just fine tuning the features you want, and the style of sound. Secondly...don't stress too much, most preamp DI's sound great and you only really need a core sound. I'd suggest getting a used Tone Hammer or Sansamp (there are a few) and having a go. Main thing is to remember that they are mainly replacing the front end/eq of your amp..so use them like that and see how it goes. Plug into the front (eq flatter than normal) or effects return of your amp to start...and later leave the amp at home, and see if you're happy. Generally, be gentle with the bass boost and amp emulation - its very easy to overdo it.

If I owned the TE name (which is all it is these days) I'd be selling a Sansamp style pedal that reproduced the eq and functions of the best TE products, including the graphic. Its the way forward...we'll all be using featherweight powered cabs any day day now.

Seems odd to say it, but one reason I went from Aguilar TH500 to the Retroglide was its stronger metal casing - feels much more gig worthy. I'm sure the internals aren't much different..but it stays where you put it.