adriansmith247

So I have been playing for some years now and have decent amps (EA/Acoustic Image) I set the amp on an angled stand so it faces me from the floor. Rev Solo pickup sounds good. I use a 12 for louder gigs but often doesn’t seem to make much difference to using a 10 I like the pu but maybe I need to switch. Tried bass max and shadow but prefer the rev solo for sound quality Most of the time I can hear myself but I do sometimes play in some loud places with loud musicians where I can’t hear myself even when cranking up the volume. There is only so much volume before feedback with double bass so a bigger amp would not work Some places lack space so my amp is often at my feet Also I really don’t like it when keyboard players use those Bose array systems and place them at the back behind my bloody head but that is a side issue. (Thinking of getting a petition together for that one) On the drive home I have started contemplating getting an EUB or magnetic pickup, blocking the f holes or even using a slab bass (but most don’t want that for jazz) all the local bassists I see have there little 10 inch amps on the floor with no stand or much angle. They seem to cope so maybe it is my hearing any ideas I could try?

Hi everyone thanks for all your input. I think I’ll look out for a more powerful amp and sell what I have. There are a few options on sale now that I am looking at.

Some sensible advice, thanks. I spent years gigging with a 100-watt head and Marshall 15 cab, and then an 80-watt Peavey combo, that I still think 250 Watts is a lot. It does depend on the cab though as Bill points out.

Hi I am looking around for a 2x12 cab at 4 Ohm to run with my MarkBass Blackline 250 Watt amp. Any opinions and ideas are welcome. I am a cheapskate so not looking for high-end options. I have been using a GK MB115 combo (200w 4 oHm) for electric bass (functions / weddings), and find it copes pretty well up to a point, but there is not a lot of headroom. I am looking at using both the GK combo and the 2x12 cab/Markbass head, especially as this means I have a backup if one fails. Do you think I can gig without PA support using just the 2x12/ amp/cab setup? Would an 8 Ohm 2x12 be any good? (It would only get around 150w) I don't gig too much with electric bass, so I don't have much opportunity to try things out. Also, for the same reason I don't want to spend much.

A really interesting thread. I seem to have come to some conclusions Maybe basses have come down in cost when you consider the quality basses out there for between £300 - £500 I don't need another bass I still want an Ibanez Musician though, for sentimental value, but am not willing to pay the current price

Gig fees haven't increased to match the rise in costs to musicians. In fact they have gone down in real terms as they have not even kept up with inflation

some jazz gigs can get pretty wild though 😀

Who would take a £2000+ bass out on a gig? I certainly wouldn't but it is all relative as someone has already pointed out. I regularly take a £2000 value double bass out to gigs. It's the only one I have so I don't have much choice there. With DB you have to spend more usually to get a playable instrument. Fitting a new bridge, a pickup and a new set of strings can run into over £800

It is not what you play. It is what you play I have a great sounding and great playing bitsa bass that would not fetch much more than £150.

I agree that you get a decent bass for less than £500. I have a few I know there are gigable basses out there for not a lot of money but for me there is something special about an older well made bass I guess I am just annoyed that I can't justify buying an Ibanez Musician for the current prices. I should have never let my one go. I may get lucky I suppose, fingers crossed.

Yes, I remember seeing an old 70s jazz for about £300. I bought a Ricky 4001 for £200 then sold it a couple of years later for £400. I thought I had done really well. Gutted now obviously

Agreed. I took out a loan to get a second-hand Ibanez Musician for £325 back in the 90s. Even in the last 10 years the value has gone up from around 600/700 to over £1000

Certainly seems like about 20 ish

I remember looking at a second hand Wal bass for £1,500 thinking that was an insane price (late 90s) now you don’t get much change out of £15,000

agreed but have a look in the for sale section here and many are over a grand. My decent 80s jazz cost £175 now worth a lot more prices pushed up by collectors

Anyone else noticed the price of basses is going up and up? It seems you need around £1,200 for a decent bass. I saw a P Bass for £12,500 here recently I know there are amazing basses out there for less, and I have a few myself. I am just commenting as I would never spend close to two grand on a bass then take it out on gigs. Just my view. I was chatting with a friend about this and the price of good guitars. We came to the conclusion that all the people that were in their teens during the 70s 80s 90, playing in bands now have good jobs and access to a deceny amount of cash. Same thing is happening with road bikes. Some spend thousands on a bike. Vintage guitars and basses are recommended to people looking to make money as an excellent investment. Some guitars then never get played.

That does look really sturdy, thanks

that is pretty similar to the one in Lidl. Looks solid enough. Cheers

Anyone got a suggestion for good cheap folding trolley? I had one from Amazon but the wheels collapsed and would not stay put (halfway across a road, which was fun!) I am looking at the one they have in Lidl and it looks good but the wheels don't fold. Maybe I should just get that one? cheers Adrian