Sean

What have you ordered?

No problems here. An excellent buyer. Great comms and prompt payment. Highly recommended.

The Taranis is amazing however if I was having another I’d go for 6 (300w) or 8 (400w) KT88s.

The Schecter 8 I've played has a normal (40mm nut width) C shape neck and for me was much faster to play than my Dean, which I agree has a beast of a neck. The Dean is very affordable, though but I'm yet to try anything slimmer. It would be interesting to see how I got on with a Hamer or similar.

“She scratches a letter, into a wall made of stone Maybe some day another child won’t feel so alone” That’s why they don’t resonate the same.

Cheers for the links. You'll get used to the neck size. A Hamer or Gretsch or a Chandler are a bit pricey for me. Although that Hamer 12 is a grunge icon and sounds like a beast, it's like a G&L ASAT inasmuch as the strap button makes it sit way too far forward but if like Jeff you love a Tbird I guess that's just dandy.

@Cuzzie Please could you post the link to that thread? I've got some mucking about ahead and would like to try some different options. I've got a Dean Rhapsody 12, I picked it up for <£400 about two years ago. Quality is way beyond expectation and it just doesn't go out of tune, it's very stable. It's the only bass I have that I haven't fettled in some way, the fret job is great. From my experiences of an 8-string it was trying one that was the deciding factor in me getting a 12. Jeff also uses an 8 a lot (I've seen him play one live on RVM, Go and I think State over the years). Based on my Dean I think that with the width of a 12-string board and the area that the strings cover I could around an 8-string quicker so for trickier lines where more dexterity is needed it would be more like a 4. I have to say that when I swap from the 12 to a standard 4 mid-gig it's like putting down a rocket launcher and picking up a rifle.

yes.

I’ve had a 12-string bass for a while and it’s seen a fair bit of use. I’m a huge Pearl Jam and Cheap Trick fan and love the unique sound of the 12 and also the (one or two people in the) audience reaction when it’s played. I’ve used my twelve to fill the sonic gap left by absence of keys on Don’t Stop Believing, Final Countdown, Livin’ On A Prayer, Learn to Fly and some other classics as well as in songs that actually have 12-string parts on the originals. I was wondering who else regularly uses 12- or 8- strings, what songs you use them on, what rig set up do you use, what effects etc.? Also, does anyone use both 8- and 12-strings basses? How would you say they differ in their application, pros and cons of one versus the other? After seeing Tom Petersson earlier this year and being blown away by his sound I’ve started running my 12 through a guitar amp and bass amp as a dual rig set up. Does anyone else do this and what’s your set up? I use a Boss LS-2 and run a split signal. Bass pot turned down on the guitar amp, treble turned down on the bass amp. Dirt and chorus on the effects loop of the guitar amp. Suggestions for improvement?

We’re doing it the original key but anything would be useful, thanks.

http://www.mjwamps.com/ Now back in business after a short break and relocation from High Peak to North East Scotland. MJW is a builder of custom valve amps for guitar and bass. Repairs and modifications are also undertaken. I have an MJW Taranis and it’s a beautiful beast of a thing. Like an Orange AD200 or Matamp GT200 but with 2-channels and lots of EQ options. http://www.mjwamps.com/taranis/ MJW has also serviced my 400+ and Walkabout and has provided top-notch customer service. Highly recommended. You lucky Scots have a great amp tech just moved in.

Hi all I'm struggling with this by ear and need to get it sorted for a rehearsal next week. Can anyone help out with standard notation? Many thanks Sean

The benefits of squats and deadlifts mean that you can have a proper bass sound! Having big valvies motivates me to look after myself. It's about 38kg, much heavier than my Mesa 400+ and also heavier than my MJW 200 watt (Orange/Matamp-alike). The Laney has MAHOOSIVE transformers and big response, it's a bit more of an instant attack than the 400+ and a very different beast to the 200. Get one, they're amazing bang for buck. Mine is quite beaten up and had seen a lot of pro tour work by an endorsee before I got it but it's still bomb-proof.

If you fancy a really good British bass amp with heritage try a Laney. I've tried loads of Ashdown amps and the best was a "meh" at best but saying that I've never tried the 427 big block or the CTM100 or CTM300 just the solid state stuff and I really don't like it, it's just not my thing. I have a Laney Tube 400 and that's a fabulous piece of kit. I had a solid state Laney years ago and that was very good for what I paid (peanuts probably).

[quote name='sk8' timestamp='1509549774' post='3399830'] I've had the M80 and Sansamp. DHA definitely up there with the sansamp and kills the M80 hands down [/quote] What’s interesting is how much control you get from the instrument volume knob. Much more than any of the others. I haven’t tried it with my Cog dirt boxes yet. The MXR M80 needs a rethink, it’s been surpassed by so many other products like the Mesa D, GK Plex and some others. I’m very happy with the DHA and can’t wait to get it on my pedal board and out gigging.

[quote name='sk8' timestamp='1509459020' post='3399070'] What did you get rid of out of interest? [/quote] Hartke VXL 2 x MXR M80 Sansamp I still have a Valeton Bass Dapper but that’s my rehearsal fly rig.

I have had valves from both Watford and Hot Rox. I have had two dodgy JJs in one batch from HR but never had a bad valve from Watford.