JapanAxe

I wouldn't say I am frustrated as a bass player (or indeed as a guitarist or a singer). Then again, the idea of being able to 'express yourself' sounds like tree-hugging hippy twaddle to me. I play music because, to quote Eddie Cochran, '[font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][color=#474747][size=4]When it all comes true man, wow, that's something else!' - by which I mean, hearing the band playing great and realising you're a part of it, and (sometimes) seeing/hearing the audience acknowledging that fact by cheering, dancing etc.[/size][/color][/font]

Already playing that night, otherwise this would have been right up my street

If I can afford it from my gig earnings and can put it out of sight, all fine and dandy with Mrs Axe. The trouble starts when excess gear starts to clutter up the spare room or the conservatory (Mrs Axe's 'happy room')

ER... think I might just try some different makes and see how I get on. I've been using Elites 45-gauge, but the Sandberg comes with 40s which are a bit slicker.

Behringer stuff I use and would recommend:[list] [*]GI-100 DI box with speaker simulation - indispensable for recording guitar and bass through a real amp. [*]VD-400 analog delay pedal - Boss DM2 clone, uses same bucket brigade chips as Carbon Copy, Aqua Puss II etc - bargain to chuck in the gig bag for jams etc. [*]Ultravoice Pro mic preamp - set and forget for recording vocals. [*]Eurorack Pro rack mixer with 8 stereo channels - the heart of my studio, brilliant audio solution, another bargain. [/list] It's not all good though. A band I played with used an alleged 2x450W Behringer powered mixer, and that was well under-powered. The singer blew up 2 of them. Also I was asked to repair a little Behringer mixer that a drummer friend used for his drum mics. All I can say is that these things are not made to be fixed!

For some reason, an electric fretless bass seems to be more acceptable at an 'acoustic' jam, maybe because it is perceived as a closer relation to the ol' bull fiddle.

Looks like you caned your budget or went second-hand (or both).

TC Classic 450, mains lead, speaker leads, guitar cable, all fit in a lap-top bag (£10 from Family Bargains). That's fine for rehearsals and jams, but on a gig (bass or guitar) I always take one of those silver tool cases with all the other essentials: mics, mic leads, different length jack leads, kettle leads, 6-way mains extension lead, spare valves, fuses, capo, picks, ear plugs, circuit breaker, ring main tester, head-worn torch (for pitch dark pack-ups in marquees), multi-tool, set lists, business cards....

Bought a pedal from the Dude - despatched quickly, well packed, arrived in perfect condition. A thumbs-up from me!

[quote name='Kirky' timestamp='1362401807' post='1999131'] I made a note of this last year when I was deciding whether to get a second Compact or a Midget (I went for the Compact in the end). The price was £450 + £40 Neodym surcharge + £25 delivery + £25 for the silver cloth, totalling £540 for the silver cloth option delivered. [/quote] ^^^ what he said, £25 less if you go for black not silver. EDIT: more now though!

Look for a used Sandberg. My Cali (definitely NOT for sale!) looks like a Precision, but has a lovely slim neck at the nut.

[quote name='lowdowner' timestamp='1363208407' post='2009941'] Can't you play the 'low' tones just an octave higher (or even, gosh, something different around the same theme/feel but not so low?) I ask genuinely by the way, I don't know the answer [/quote] I've been doing that for years and no-one in either band or audience has ever come up and said 'Oi, where did those notes below low E go?'

I'm up for one when they come into stock. Although not ignorant of electronics, I don't possess the in-depth knowledge of valves needed to fly anything more demanding than Orange's offering. Plus I have lots of valves, both in and out of amps, that require a quick assessment.

Briefly met Mr K and the rest of the band backstage at a Steeleye gig in Middlesbrough. Factoid: he nearly became a Spider From Mars!