Mike Brooks

Ladies & gents, It's getting to that time of year again, and it's going to be fairly odd for most people this year. Guessing pennies will be tight and I don't know about you, but I get bored writing an Xmas list each year (although doing an Amazon Wish List has taken some of the grief out of it). I've just released the following video on my YouTube channel to take some of the pain out of the process, feel free to send the link to your friends and loved ones and take some of the hassle out of the whole rigmarole! Stay safe and well dudes!

Just reviewed this stunningly presented 4P-51 over on my YouTube channel. Mike

Pleasure, no problem. Mike

Well it took a bit longer than 'a few days'.....trying to run a YouTube channel on your own is a job in itself...! Anyway, I finally got this review out there....there will be some future 'Soundbite' demos as well along the way so keep checking the channel for extra videos. I hope you enjoy this, they really are fab basses for the money.

Something for the JT fans amongst you...a fair few nuggets contained within.... enjoy! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4FdVZS1VuM/?sub_confirmation=1 Mike

Howdy folks! If anyone is considering purchasing a GB Spitfire imminently, perhaps this video review that I've just posted might sway you in the right direction.

I will be uploading a Betsy review video to my new YouTube channel in the next few days.

Yessir!

PM me with your email address. Mike

I think you might be referring to the Rikkers Precision. Mike

Lord knows we've tried to get you on board enough times...! Love your work!

Thank you and well worthy of the praise. One thing that has come to light today, courtesy of my mate Steve Rickwood, is that we've discovered the EMGs are active, not passive as stated in the review...a battery is hidden inside the cavity underneath the control plate. Without tools when conducting the review at the Bass Show, in September, it appeared that the bass was fully passive. I've even used my bass for the past few months assuming that was the case. But no, the pickups are active. Most active basses these days have passive pickups and an active circuit when described as being 'active'. But there you go, you live and learn. Doesn't make for the easiest battery change though. Nevertheless, a great bass and a steal at the price.

There you go!

Hi, Not wishing to be contentious but....would you like to add some meat on the bones of that comment? Wouldn't mind knowing if that was meant in jest or actually was meant seriously. Happy to discuss privately or on here. I can quite happily confirm that every piece of kit I've ever reviewed has been reviewed and tested by me either at home, at BGM offices in years gone by or in-store if we're conducting a review day. Having written for the mag for 13 years, every review I've written has been with the gear at my disposal. All the best one and all, Mike

[quote name='Barking Spiders' timestamp='1510133173' post='3404129'] It's not about whether people like this album or not. It was in the article as a'classic bass album', but the basslines on it are pretty functional to my ears. Functional is absolutely fine and I've no problem with that if it serves the song. I'd never plump for owt by Vic Wootten, Stanley Clark, Marcus Miller etc as a fave bass album as their music doesn't interest me. I'm more likely to choose albums where the bass is distinctive and drives the songs along not where there are flashy licks e.g. Sulk by The Associates, Lexicon of Love by ABC, Black & White by The Stranglers, No Rest for The Wicked by New Model Amy, Songs In The Key Of Life, So by Peter Gabriel, Graceland and What's Goin' On. [/quote] A few of those have been covered and few others are slated for inclusion.

[quote name='James Nada' timestamp='1510090338' post='3403984'] I can't see any problem with any of those albums being featured as a bass album. However, you've missed a behemoth of a 1987 album, certainly one that's influenced countless bassists- Guns n' Roses, Appetite for Destruction. [/quote] It's on the list...

Howdy, it was my choice to cover Hysteria for the column. I have a list of albums as long as your arm to cover but the remit from day one was cover all sorts of albums, not just the Greatest Hits Of Jaco or Stanley on a monthly basis. Where possible I/we try to pick albums that have an anniversary pending (or not, it's not cast in stone) but I proposed some months back a 3 issue run of albums, by a band or artist, that sold massively and for that artist, they never produced a bigger selling album, I chose 1987 and hence the INXS/Def Leppard/George Michael albums. On top of that, the Hysteria deluxe boxset was released a few months back and we have Rick Savage's interview in the wings too. There is no denying that in the rock arena, Hysteria changed quite a lot of things as far as rock albums go, not least the production values that Mutt Lange brought to the album. Don't despair, there are plenty of bass-centric albums lined-up, such as Marcus Miller's 'The Sun Don't Lie' in a month or two. As an ongoing column, the possibilities are almost endless so hopefully I'll cover something you do like soon. All the best, Mike

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1506425155' post='3378588'] This sounds to me like an ideal little amp to keep in your gig-bag/box as a backup. Previously the GK MB200 seemed to have that covered but this one appears to be even smaller. [/quote] Indeed, I have both.....if the only the Elf had an Aux In, it would be almost perfect. But the GKMB200 is still fab, it's never let me down and I've done some spacious gigs with it.

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1506411490' post='3378456'] The only thing I felt was lacking was that quality variously described as heft, girth, or oomph. There was no shortage of volume and we could hear every note, but there seemed little weight behind those notes. [/quote] The only point I'd raise about that (thanks for the kind words by the way ) is that bass is fitted with 40-100s as opposed to something heavier but regarding oomph, I'd counter that with what sort of tonal performance should we expect from a unit that size? It will never compete with larger valve-equipped amps and in terms of Class D comparisons, in a pub, or pubs, like that, it's more than capable to do that job, just a case of whether you want to carry something bigger/heavier to do that job. After years of thrashing my back, for gigs like this, the Elf does a very good job and I'm quite happy to use one on gigs like this. I'll use other amps for other types of gigs that need something else but punters who don't care about the gear I'm using will always notice 'loudness' compared to 'quality of tone' all day, whereas I'd love a supreme bass tone over loudness. And as much as I love the tones of my other amps, anything that facilitates one journey to and from the car is a winner for me. Also, less setting up/breaking down time too! ....maybe it's a 'getting older' thing....but I am smirking as the guitarist takes 4 journeys, carrying a hefty rack and large cab...just for starters!

[quote name='Rich' timestamp='1506346662' post='3378063'] Mike Brooks gigged his a couple of weeks ago and had nothing but praise for it. To the extent that I'm considering one. [/quote] Review will be in the next issue of the mag. Bought my own one, used on a couple of 4-piece band gigs with a very 'volume intensive' guitarist, matched with an EBS Neo 2x12 and Status Empathy...haven't had to push it past 11 o' clock yet....the band were asking me to turn down and Silvia witnessed my first gig with one...it didn't lack volume or poke in a large-ish pub with the same band. All I can say is test one for yourself.

[color=#1D2129][font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Tapping into the collective knowledge....just bought a Status Streamline for overseas gigs, have a gigbag but looking for the smallest, stripped down gigbag or 'sleeve' for carrying the bass as hand luggage. Looking at possibly having Roqsolid Covers make something but just wondered if you fine people had found something already available that does the job and takes away the extra baggage that gigbags inevitably have. A shoulder carry strap would be handy but not essential. Any thoughts?[/font][/color] [color=#1D2129][font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Mike[/font][/color]

Just dug out the old diary