BassBod

Don't worry - the Orchid stuff is very good quality and not exactly expensive (£19 for an inline transformer). Send John an email describing your equipment and symptoms...he'll have some ideas.

Try using "hum frees" on the rack rails of both the pre and per amps - little plastic things that stop the two chassis from grounding. I've had success with those in rack setups. Experiment with where you put the pedal board signal - front of preamp/effects loop etc Look into hum eliminators (Ebtech?) or quality audio transformers/isolators (Orchid Electronics have a few products that may help) I'm sure its fixable...

That sounds a bit mental to me...its usually a decent passive DI at worst, at that's in a good project-type (home) studio. There must have been some decent mic pre's there that would have been just as good? I carry a Raven Labs box to most sessions, but rarely use it - there is usually something set up already that gets the job done..and there is never any time to sit around comparing DI boxes!

The Levy's canvas CM88 is great. Hardly bigger than a single bag, light and strong, with real padding - the light bit is important with two basses. Look for a bloke on ebay in the USA (Doc1Roc ??) as he seems to be the best source. Edit - ignore the prices on the Lev's site, you can get them for a lot less....

I heard the record company pays.......no idea if its true.....but wouldn't be a surprise if it was.

Think about the older EA CXL 112 - not light, more medium weight but a great cab for general stuff. Very clean and "up front" sounding but easily calmed down with eq tweaks. Very cheap these days, despite the original new price! Mine has been surpassed by a BF Midget..but only on weight really (half the EA cab). It can sound very big when needed, but also maintains the accuracy and projection aspects when pushed. For a small all-rounder its the best I've used, together with a Bag End S15 (more traditional sound, but also small and portable).

I've no complaints about the low end on my midget. For the smaller gigs I do, its plenty with either BG or EUB. As things get louder it seems the midrange "bark" gets more pronounced - makes it cut better, which is helpful... but just doesn't sound so good to me (but probably fine for the audience). Would love to use a Big Baby for the louder situations but there's usually good PA and I doubt if my EA Micro would really have the umph.

From memory the Big Baby isn't that baby - its doing a different job. The BF Midget is both pretty small and remarkable in how big a space it can cover...but would need PA support for any real rock setting.

I've had two or three Jazz and P bodies from them (a few years ago now). Very good, accurate shaping and routing etc - seemed to be old Japanese parts. Not the prettiest or lightest you'll find but perfectly good. But I guess his supplies could be from different sources these days? Worth a phone call....

Bought Shep's Clifton bass today - nice bass for a good price (if you like that sort of thing) Shep was fantastic as I sold another bass to raise some cash (takes a while these days)...waited a few weeks as we sorted out a meet-up plan etc Great communication throughout - a credit to the BC community.

Actually that was on a Martin acoustic, with the action jacked up a mile to compensate for the strings! Springy is the word. They sounded wonderful, but were just too weird an experience for me. I've got a Turner Electroline fitted with TI flats...now that works fine. (edit for crap typing)

Yes they are, and they sort of roll under your fingers...weird, not helped by the very thin diameters.

Not aware of any - but the TI flats are excellent with piezos. I found the TI acoustics are just too floppy for me to play. I'd suggest trying the Pyramid black plastic flats - not as middly as others, more of a dark plonk and a very soft feel. They look old and sound older, even when new..more dark green than black. I've had a set on a Jbass for a year or more (with bridge mutes) and it does my "acoustic" gigs when I can't be arsed to play EUB.

Manson basses are good....but the EMG/Schaller kit is a bit generic, and what's up with the pickup surounds? Looks like some bodgery to me.....

Mine was a featherweight - and I replaced the single Kent Armstrong humbucker with a Bart MM (done by Hugh Manson, or one of his boys at the shop) . Turned out nice, but the neck was so thin I got cramp in my left hand if I played it for more than half an hour.

That sounds ok - but check the weight and balance is ok for you. I haven't seen one in years but remember them being heavy...like the Kramers.

Recently sold Peter my Sadowsky Metro PJ - this involved him travelling from Sheffield down to Bristol (via London etc) all arranged very easily at convenient times. Great communication all through the travel options, and turned up exactly as arranged. Highly recommended for sensible BassChat trading.

Got a Midget (mostly used with EA Micro) - pm me if you want to hear it?

Protec Contego - not heavy, has very good strap system. There are plenty of pockets, but I'm not certain you could get an amp in there (or would want to?). Thomman had good prices last time I looked.

Look up the Kent Armstrong branded MM that WD Music sell - I've never used one, but it should be good (I've used lots of their P and J types and never been disappointed for the ££). I like the Bartolini MM, but I'm not sure its that faithful to the older MM sound...bit cleaner and brighter...and expensive new.