Tripehound

Fender Bassman TV Ten worth a look? V. Pretty and reputedly sounds top notch. Not too big but maybe a bit heavy. 2nd hand seem to go for 450-500 squids.

I bought mine ex-demo at a seriously reduced price (in top nick it has to be said) together with the Bass Pod I'd actually set out to buy, I'm not sure how many tonal variations that actually offers up but, after spending an hour in the shop (with a pair of headphones on so I could ditch the crippling self-conciousness that grips me whenever I go guitar shopping and want to try something out) I was completely seduced by all these possibilities. At the time I was mostly engaged in recording , these days it's live stuff so priorities have shifted. Have to wonder though - flog off the Variax and it's most of the cash towards that Eastwood EEB I keep looking at - or maybe that Hofner Club - or maybe..... etc It's a curse.

It was a swap involving a fretless Vintage which was gathering dust ever since I finally admitted that I might sound good on it on my own but was stretching the patience of others when trying to use it in a band context. The Hofner has lately become my bass of choice, usurping my Jazz and the Variax.

Another late arrival at the Variax Ball. I intermittently use one in our covers band because it's nice to be able to swap basses to suit the song. In practice this usually means a Precision, a fretless jazz, an Alembic and a Gibson EB-2D. However, it all begs the question as to whether the audience perceives this attention to detail or whether it would sound just as good using a more conventional guitar. If not then the question is, do I think it's a decent instrument in its own right? Yes - terrific fun to play (ooh - look 12 string etc) but as I own a couple of basses this is meant to emulate I can say it's not a match for the real thing but then how could it be? Downsides - heavy, eats batteries and so means using extra power supply, anonymous looks. Upside - very good neck, low action, some solid sounds, great for recording.

I've acquired a lovely Hofner violin bass and am trying to establish exactly what it is.... Can't see a serial number - do they have one somewhere? It's a sunburst and the finish on it I can best describe as flat which I'm guessing rules out the Contemporary series. Can anyone offer me any clues as to how to identify which model/year etc?

I've got a US-made one I bought in (ummm) about 1983. Grover machine heads, DiMarzio pups, Badass bridge etc. Very very 'roadworn' - as in covered in scratches and nicks - but structurally sound and still plays and sounds terrific. Still use it at practice occasionally and my son did some YouTube cover vids using it which he tells me attracted several enquiries as to 'what was that bass dude?' - or however it is youngsters address each other these days. He's threatened to kill me if I sell it but I do sometime wonder if it's worth anything.

Hello from the Nottingham/Derby border folks (a little like the England/Scotland border but with a longer history of violence). First time poster here and already after free advice..... I play in a six piece band doing a right old mix of stuff - from originals to pub-pleasing Stones/Mott/T.Rex/etc - with vocals/guitar/sax/keyboards/drums and me. We started out earnestly playing mostly our own earnest prog-new wave material (think Talking Heads/Bill Nelson but not anywhere near as good) to three-parts empty 'rock' venues before we discovered the joys of seeing people singing along and occaisionally dancing to more accessible material on the local pub scene. Only took 25 years for us to realise that...... Anyway - the inevitable gear question. I have a nice collection of guitars - a Jazz Deluxe, a Line 6 Variax bass, an ancient S.D. Curlee and current favourite, a Hofner violin. So far so good. But like so many other musicians I meet, I spent next to nothing on my (current) amp - a Fender Rumble 100 bought off eBay for 60 or so squids. Half the sound gets a tenth of the overall investment. Don't get me wrong - it's a decent amp, nice sound, relatively light to shift, headphone socket etc - but a) I think it's underpowered for gigging (fine in rehearsal) and I could get a better tone. Saving, flogging unused gear and gig money has brought the kitty up to £800 and it's time to make a move for a serious piece of kit. Criteria are:- 1) Must fit in back of Fiat Punto with seats down 2) Hold it's own in a band of this size with PA support a rarity - but let's be honest we're mostly talking pubs here 3) Must be easy to shift (goodbye fond dreams of Ampeg 8 x 10) 4) Must provide top notch tone - I like warmth but also a bit of top end definition I'm very attracted by the Fender Bassman TV but wonder whether I have unrealistic expectations having only seen YouTube stuff. Other contenders seem to be the Ampeg PF fliptop and the Micro VR setups - but I'd welcome any advice or suggestions.....