BassBod

[attachment=150666:IMG_0635.jpg] Mine is a standard 34" scale J bass - but there is plenty of the full thickness going around the tuner posts. I've never had a problem with breakage (but have with some flats)

DR Sunbeams. Like normal strings, but nicer. TI flats are great..but a bit too floppy for me.

Superglue is fine - just use a small drop. It is easy to unstick again with a light tap, and doesn't usually take any wood with it. Don't really stick it down with anything strong (epoxy) you just want it to stay put.

Yep, my Alembic preamp has the same tone section = double mid scoop with an SWR 4x10. Gave me a shock when I first tried it, but as you say 2/10/2 gets you back to normality and you can work up a sound quite easily form there.

Go back to "flat" often…and see if you've improved the sound. And always re-set to flat in a new room. Works wonders.

Any used Eden or SWR should fine and produce plenty of volume - the main issue with these cabs is their bulk and weight. If that is not a concern, then you can get some very good deals. One thing to watch with that combination is too much mid cut. Eden and SWR (and I assume Hartke) 4x10's have a distinct hole in the middle of their frequency response - but so does the preamp in your amp. Be prepared to boost the mid range and go gentle on the lows to get definition and presence.

OLD Trace - GP11 MkIV. Painted wood or vinyl covering with odd XLR input. Or GK800RB. Or any old big power amp and preamp of your choice (look at the Gear Porn section for some good ones).

Yep..makes sense..

Why two? One para eq is enough to drive me to distraction….but two?

This sorry tale reminds me of a few times I've seen very experienced players who seem to have no "feel" for setting up amps/preamps etc. Just turn everything up, hit it hard, then maybe turn it up a bit more…same thing with some engineers - if its not hitting the red its not on,is it? My master volumes hardly ever go past half way, and I find these modern amps that just keep getting louder past the mid-point very strange…its just not natural. Not that I'm a clean freak, its just that (for me) drive should come from the front end of the amp…the back end is for necessary stage volume, not ego. Then there's the PA. I like the phrase painted on ears. Seen plenty of those. To the OP - make whatever noises you fell necessary, but don't hold your breath. Get new speakers and move on…lesson learned.

I've always liked them - warmer than real single coils, but its a sound that works very well in any situation. And I think the cream covers are nice..but that's probably just my generation.

I've recently changed a set of batteries - they were at least a year old, tested fine on my old tester..but in the bass they produced a "static" type noise and the occasional thump. New batteries fixed the problem. My thinking is the tester is looking for one thing (voltage?) but the guitar circuit also needs something else, like more amps?? Can anyone explain?

Very nice Kevin…..

I think Realist with BassMax as a backup is the way to go..but I never got around to getting the BassMax…I keep getting distracted! Currently got an old String Charger magnetic, but its not getting used much.

The old trick with the BP100 was glue it in place - Mo Clifton glued mine years ago and it sounded much stronger and darker. He was careful to make sure the bridge was properly flat, and tried a few nudges around to get the best sound. It will never come off without complete destruction..so its a one way trip. The other thing is that pickup really needs a good high impedance preamp to sound good, at all. Even then it has a lot of high end finger noise and can be scratchy without EQ.

Lovely playing there…that would have taken me a year to work out and another two to get it right! I've never got the ramp thing, I understand the theory but I'm a fairly ham-fisted player by modern standards and like a bit of space under the strings. Seems to work really well for you..but I'm glad to see you didn't screw it down.

That's the best reason to get one - not for gigging. Look for Sigma, budget versions of Martin or used ones that were pricey new. The depth of the body makes a big difference to the acoustic tone, deeper is better unless you plan to plug it in very often (then it works against you by increasing the feedback problems you get). They are often fitted with bronze round wound strings, which are loud but harsh. Flat wound or plastic covered strings sound much nicer, but are quieter. Happy hunting

There are much better cabs these days (Acme, Euphonic, Crazy 8) in terms of frequency response and clarity..but they cost and few are as small and light as the one you've got. One thing I would say - its worth thinking about your priorities for amplification. I always thought I wanted "my bass but louder" and looked for clarity and accuracy to get as faithful a sound as I could. Then I picked up an old Polytone on a whim..and found that the sound it produced was very very good in all contexts I worked in. Now I'm looking for an amplified sound that just works for me, with my bass my pickup etc. I'm feeling a bit liberated!

Yep - the trusty Sansamp (or Sadowsky or Aguilar) preamp worked a treat. I don't think my experience was helped by the slight mid honk of the Barefaced Midget cab. It sounded warmer and a lot more traditional through a Bag End 1x15. A great little amp, particularly if you need to travel light and play mostly upright.

Not used that version, but spent a year or two with the Micro. Very nice amp, pretty powerful good useful eq. The lack of an XLR DI gets universal tuts from engineers..even though a short cable is all that's needed (you have to get one). On balance, I found it neutral but dull. Its the best doubling amp I've ever seen or used, but it just wasn't very engaging to listen to.

I've just had a play on Nick's (re-wired) Marathon - fantastic sound, and very nice to play. Light and comfy - the only thing is the short body/long neck effect, but ten mins playing and I was ignoring it perfectly well. Very impressive for a bass we all thought of as a poor relation to the exotic stuff and American imports. I'm going to have to plug it into a Trace Elliot GP11 later….just for old times….