Lfalex v1.1

I still can't find a drive/distortion that I like in a pedal. Everything pales next to the Ampeg SVP-PRO, but the footswitch controls only the mute and graphic EQ, not the drive. However, I may be tempted to buy a Boss LS2 and do it that way; Bypass (clean) Loop A (dirty, Ampeg pre) Or blend clean and dirty by just running a cable as loop B; A/B mix ---- Bypass

Headphones. In retrospect, using them for a while has taught me to deal with things like finger noise (on strings), muting, and playing consistently that aren't even that obvious through a head/cab.

Meanwhile, On Pistonheads... [/ Batman voiceover] "Why does everyone keep making comparisons between Cars and finely- tuned musical instruments?"

Wire it 180° out of phase? 🙃

Another vote for "Crime" from me, though "Crisis" and "Quietest Moments" are still very good. Check out also "Songs of the Century"; it's a compilation of Supertramp covers, performed by some interesting combinations of musicians. Crime of the Century is Rick Wakeman Tony Levin Billy Sherwood Scott Connor It's excessive (Wakeman!) but worthwhile, and there's no doubting the musicianship. Levin lands the first off-beat bass pulse (A) in the final ⅓ of the song in a far less ambiguous way than Dougie Thomson on the original...

£450 seems about right, depending upon exactly what you're asking them to do; If they're dismantling, keying the original finish, filling any imperfections, masking, spraying multiple coats, rubbing back, reapplying decals, lacquering, and reassembling/ setting up once dried.. That's a lot of labour. If you handed them a body bereft of hardware and a tuner-less neck with its truss rod slackened, I'd be tempted to negotiate a lower price. Similarly so if you're able to rebuild it post re-fin. Edit- Bongo is a great choice for "fancy" finishes. All those curves and bevels will catch the light nicely.

Thanks for that. Interesting read. I've still got 2 of those (Peavey and Ampeg) and had the Trace GP12 SMX as the front-end of a Trace head.

Even in spite of my recent iris malfunction in my left eye, no. I'm 20/20 in my right eye. And 20/15 in my left. Which is good, because I'm right- handed.

None of the above? I store them like rope. In half, in half again and tie them in a bow. Never had any cable failures, so I guess it's ok?

Some items definitely work better together. Heads and cabs (where the manufacturer makes both) are frequently voiced to sound complimentary. Similarly, I've an Ampeg preamp that definitely gives its best with Fenders and Stingrays. It's not so good with Warwicks, Ibanez etc. That may have been driven by what basses were available when it was designed/ prototyped, though.

Having recently purchased an S450, I must say I agree. Much less of a baked-in "house" sound than a Trace Elliot, for example. Partnered with a Schroeder 21012L, it's a very well- ordered sound with no obvious gremlins that need need to be EQ'd away. In fact, I'm working on trying to dirty it up a bit. Did a reasonable job via Multi FX with a compressor/ blendable drive / SVT amp sim (no cab). Reckon I'll end up digging out an external preamp or 2... I've an Ampeg SVP-PRO that'll do the job just nicely.

That the band gives a good representation of what we're capable of. That I play my part in this accordingly. Hopefully everything goes smoothly. The rest? That's out of my hands.

Thought that was TOO obvious, so was looking for something that wasn't there! 😭

How's it go? 1) Always use the correct tool for the job. 2) The correct tool for the job is ALWAYS a hammer. 3) ANY tool can be used as a hammer.

Presumably Tony Levin and Louis Johnson that Sterling's referencing there. Who's Leo, though?

50 years old. Own gear and transport, no big time ambitions. Would just like to make some (quality) noise. I'd favour originals, but if the right covers band came along... Who knows? Likes (though not necessarily influenced by) Xtc, The Smiths, Sabbath, RFTC, Danzig, Iggy Pop, Depeche Mode, The Police, Soundgarden. Anything with some energy. Not necessarily positive energy. Thanks. Alex.

* Other Musicmen, and indeed, basses, are available.

That has been on my shopping list. Maybe even with an LPF, too. Can't see any point trying to reproduce <30hz or >16khz. Might as well focus the power/headroom in the part of the audio band that the cab can get close to reproducing.

There's also an HT503 for sale on the forum, too. I went for the simpler option !

I'm inclined to agree. From my limited experience with the 21012L, it does seem that the dispersion is very even. I've dug around the 'net, but can't find much on the concept of or science behind the design.

Thanks! Sounds good, too!

G With thanks to @silverfoxnik and @TheGreek, I present a Schroeder 21012L and a Markbass S450. Plenty of clean power all day long. If there's any dirt needed, it'll have to come from elsewhere! 4 Ohm cab liberates the whole 450 (A/B) Watts from the head. I can't use a second cab, but can't see me needing one! Not exactly new-school light, but hardly old-school heavy, either. Comfortably outperforms my old Trace stack, yet considerably smaller. It's one of the least "fatiguing" combinations I've heard; there's no rough edges to the sound. The tweeter is smooth, and the note definition is very good. Downsides? Not much. Ultimately the cabinet struggles to fully reproduce the fundamentals right down to low "B". It starts to roll off by about C#. That said, there are few cabinets (at all, let alone this size) that can. At least what output remains is audible, tight and tuneful right the way down. I don't think it did my Warwick Infinty SN4 justice. That bass positively bristles with energy through most devices, but it sounded a bit restrained. The Ibanez EDC715, however, sounds great. Maybe it's just the EQ.. It's amazing what can be had for a sensible sum of money in the SH marketplace...

That's pretty much my take on it. I've sold a couple of basses in the past and taken payment by bank transfer without issue. When I'm buying, I'll always agree the payment method in advance with the vendor.

Yep! Just bought a Markbass S450 head from Mick. Its great. Lovely to meet you and Thea. Mick's a great guy. Yet another one who makes this place what it is. You can deal with Mick with the greatest of confidence. Thanks, mate.