hamfist

A good key fact for a newbie to TE's .......... The key to getting a TE head that is liftable is to get a 2u sized one. The 3u ones are simply monstrously heavy.

[quote name='thodrik' timestamp='1500744180' post='3339944'] I used to have three Trace Elliot heads, now I only have the one, though it is the V6. The SMX head I had was really nice, the GP7 SM300 1x15 combo was used for over ten years without any problems. I ended up selling them just because the V6 was getting all of the use for bigger set ups and my Mesa Walkabout was, and still is, my main 'go to' head. Don't get me wrong, I still like Trace Elliot, I just got fed up of the 'pre shape' function as pretty forming the basis of my sound for so bloody long, it was just time for a change. [/quote] I don't know why people use them. I'm defo a pre-shape - OFF man

My advice is to use a proper (i.e.old range) TE head and then other (i.e. lighter) cab, or cabs. Any Trace AH200 or AH250 head (whatever the letters afterwards) should have ample power with a decent cab. Remember that their full wattage is into a 4 ohm load. So if you are to use an 8 ohm cab (like me) you will get less volume and will need some decent speaker surface area - I use a good 8 ohm 4x10 - to get good volume. I used to gig an AH250 head for quite a while through a 2x12, although it was 4 ohms. Both rigs have happily coped with 2 x guitar , pretty loud drummer rock bands. If you can get your hands on an AH250SMX that would be my ultimate recommendation. IMO, the SMX range are pretty much the pinnacle of bass amp design.

doh ! Hope thats problem solved !

NIce one !

All the Wounded Paw stuff is really high quality too.

[quote name='fretmeister' timestamp='1499329857' post='3330735'] Here you go. 19mm spacing at the bridge and a 43mm nut [url="http://mayones.com/page/jabba-hadrien-feraud-5"]http://mayones.com/p...adrien-feraud-5[/url] Actually the vid review says 18 mm bridge spacing and Bass Direct says 19 mm. [/quote] Congratulations sir, you have found one with the right neck specs, but at 2 and a half grand is beyond my humble means. Also still has those jazz-oriented pickups. [quote name='Musashimonkey' timestamp='1499336233' post='3330790'] There's a very nice 34" 18mm Yamaha punching well above its weight here: [url="https://www.facebook.com/groups/689090051102626/permalink/1568081053203517/?sale_post_id=1568081053203517"]https://www.facebook...568081053203517[/url] [/quote] Yes, the TRBX series are definitely on my radar, and I may well investigate this further. The only negative for me is the memories of the TRBX 504 I used to own. I absolutely adored the neck pickup on it, but the bridge pickup (and mix) left me underwhelmed at the time. My whole rig is different now of course so things may sound very different. I do need to get around to spending the time to go to a shop and play some more.

[quote name='Paul S' timestamp='1499255645' post='3330286'] Alan - if you want to have a look at mine or a noodle around on it to see if it is a good fit you are welcome to pop down the A12/A130 if you have a spare half day sometime. [/quote] THanks Paul, I will bear your offer in mind.

Sold Chris an amp. All went really smoothly. Quick payment from Chris, great comms. Top man !!

[quote name='Paul S' timestamp='1499091393' post='3329092'] Mine is 43mm. Just checked, given that I got the last measurement wrong Most likely Stingray based 5s have, but this is a Sterling. Smaller, lighter bodies, narrower necks etc. It is the reason I got it. [/quote] THanks Paul, Looks like I'd need to get a specific measurement for any specific bass I was interested in. Sterling 5's are described online as having a 44.5mm nut (the ones I've found anyway), although obviosly many manufacturers have changed their specs over the years. . [quote name='pete.young' timestamp='1499189592' post='3329845'] You should try a bbne2. That preamp is so good, you can get pretty much any sound you want out of it. [/quote] It still can't do a Precision impression with those dastardly J pickups. [quote name='Deedee' timestamp='1499191976' post='3329881'] Ibanez BTB 5's have wider string spacing, balance well, feel really comfortable and are cheap as chips. Not much love for them but they're great basses. [/quote] Nut width waaaaaay to wide for me. Although I have always felt that for most folks the BTB's offered a lot of bass for your money though (actually I guess like most Ibbys). As you say there is not much love for them (which I think is due to image and marketing not any playing factors) so your money goes a long way

[quote name='Paul S' timestamp='1498987249' post='3328327'] Sterling 5 would do it. Has a narrow neck but 18mm spacing at the bridge. [/quote] From what I can find online all Musicman 5's have a 45mm nut. Am I wrong ?

[quote name='pete.young' timestamp='1498994320' post='3328397'] A BBNE2 would fit the requirements. [/quote] Alas another requirement for me would be either a precision/soapbar/humbucker pickup somewhere near the traditional P position. Twin J pickups cannot give me the sound(s) I am looking for.

[quote name='6feet7' timestamp='1498984452' post='3328310'] I've a Cort Rithimic Jeff Berlin V. I was going to sell it (just because I thought I wanted a change) but in the end just couldn't. It's pretty perfect really. There's a couple on ebay (new) at the moment too. [/quote] I should have added that I love the Rhithimic V ergonomically but not the pickup positioning. Its not the sound for me I'm afraid.

I know the Yammy BB series fit this description perfectly, but I just don't like the shape, the bodies are too big for me .... I'm not small but I'm not big either. The only other ones I know of are the TRBX series - a potential choice and the Cort Rhithimic 5 stringer. I've always struggled with wide nut widths on fivers and yet I was amazed at how easy playing the COrt RHithimic fiver was, in a shop. SO, I'm thinking of possibly flirting with a 5 stringer again, with that narrow 43mm nut and wider string spacing. And please remember folks that the usual slew of Ibby SR recommendations will be null and void ... they have 45mm nut widths.