BassBod

I did ask Mark Gooday about the XLR input on these, and he said they just thought it was a better connection than a jack, it wasn’t supposed to be balanced etc. At the time, a few basses (Jaydee, Wal even some Westone versions) were including an XLR output. Alembic had always used a five pin version, but that was a more complicated arrangement involving power for the on board preamp. It was trend that didn’t take off. I did see recently that the new version of Ashdown’s 12 band amp has an XLR input, so it’s still there...but not in green.

I’m currently waiting on a delayed Hermes parcel 😬🤞🏻

That’s a very methodical way of approaching it. I’d always just assumed that they used a Fender style neck plate, as it was available and did the job...and that could be used to locate matching holes. When I visited Pete to collect my renovated Pro bass, he showed me around their corner of the old furniture factory. I remember asking him about the V neck profile, as my two Wals had noticeably different shapes. He said it was really down to who set the machine for the rough carve, and then who did the final hand shape.

One Control....not much income these days 😳

Thinking about it Rich, I think I was playing this very neck, when I first met you briefly - The Prom, Gloucester Rd many years ago. You introduced yourself as a fellow Wal player...always a good thing 😎

Done 😎

Any thoughts? It’s been on my must try list for a while 😜

Light tuners are a very good idea. One thing I can remember about that neck (on Wal ash body) was the weight of the headstock and big old Schallers. I used to play long barn dance gigs, and after four hours I could feel the strain on my shoulder 😳. These days, I’d just sit down...

I can answer that - I bought this neck as a re-furnished second from Pete the Fish in the mid 90’s when he re-fretted and renovated a ProIIE for me. I was able to swap the bass from fretted to fretless quite easily, as the necks used metal inserts. I traded the bass with both necks to a friend, and put him in touch when I saw the wanted ad on here. He hadn’t used the neck in many years, in fact I doubt if he ever did. When I used it, the fretless neck was perfectly well behaved, and always held the relief set. But, there was evidence of previous work..one or two dot markers were thin up the dusty end, where the board had been levelled...

Still got one, enjoyable listen and happy memories. Hoping Ashdown get around to doing the same one day.

I’d suggest a PM to Skinner on here..he’s tried them all 😎

I’m very happy with the PJB or Edifier H850’s. Really can’t hear any difference between them, so the Edifier wins, as they are often sold for around £38. Very comfortable. Not the toughest build, but perfectly ok..my original PJB’s must be at least 6 years old now, have travelled a fair bit and have had the ear pads replaced once for about £12. The headband is just starting to look rough..don’t see any way of replacing that. The sound is great, full, balanced and detailed. My old Sennheiser HD580’s are more refined and detailed, and the open design gives a nice feel. But they would be around £350 today, which (to me) is too much for day to day tracking/learning work. The PJB or Edifier is my choice - but I would like to try some of the current cheaper Sennheiser models.

Looks fantastic, very serious equipment. The only thing that would bug me is where that power input socket is. I know why its there, but now I've seen it I can't help but notice it in every photo.

My memory tells me that when I used to see Hot Choc on the tv, several centuries ago, the bass player was usually miming with a left handed white Rickenthanger, or a copy...never a right handed black Jazzer?? Not that it matters, at all. Maybe more than one bassist??

That’s not really explained anything, has it. A tooth, in something sold as new? I really like their ear buds, but this does nothing to enhance their reputation. Interesting to see if they pick up on the thread...

That’s horrible, and just plain weird?!! I hope they can explain/apologise in an acceptable way...not that I’m sure that’s possible in this case 😳

That’s really tricky. The combo is great, I miss mine. But it’s design is all about the cab/12” driver and how it functions with the weird tiny aluminium enclosure. I’d be tempted to keep the head unit, rehoused somehow. It’s a great little thing, especially with a DI for help. This might not work, as I think the mains transformer is mounted in the cab with the speaker? As is, I’d guess £200...but a challenge to shift in the current micro amp world.

Send me a message - we have a local tech who has restored many of these, he can assess its condition and probably find you a buyer.