Skinnyman

Thanks guys, I'll see if the missus fancies a run out to Clapham this weekend. As background to the question... I really fancy an Ampeg SVT CL, but I'm not sure that I'll drive one hard enough to get that nice, thick creamy power amp overdriven tone at a small-pub-sensible volume. So the obvious choice seems to be a 100w V4B running into a 212 cab. My only concern there is how easy it will be to bias the tubes. It's pretty simple on the CL and VR (two LEDs and a couple of handily-placed adjustment screws) but looks a royal pain on the V4B, requiring you to get inside the amp and measure the voltages with a multimeter and test rig. So I guess I have two options. Get the V4B which on paper appears to be the perfect amp, and live with any tube issues once every 18 months or so. Or get a CL which isn't a lot more money, has a lot more power and is a lot more convenient to maintain and service - but will I get the thick Ampeg tone I'm after at a volume that won't set off car alarms in neighbouring villages and with a cab that I can carry without needing a removal van? Hence I need to try a couple for real and see. In an ideal world, the CL will give me the tone I want at a sensible volume into a 212 and that's the problem solved. Does anyone run a CL like that/ can offer any experience?

Both good options but neither are showing any stock in at the moment. All of BG's Ampeg stock as shown as "available to order" and WGC aren't listing any Ampeg gear at all.... Do any of the shops in Denmark St hold Ampeg stuff?

I've got a serious attack of GAS, looking for a tube amp to go with my '82 P bass. Can anyone point me at an Ampeg dealer in the South East (North/West London) area who holds a decent range in stock for me to try? Thanks in advance....

Just bought Dan's 1982 P bass. In immaculate condition and better than described and at a fair price. It looks, feels and plays beautifully. Dan's a great guy to deal with. Good comms, nothing was too much trouble when I came to try it out and there was even a brew on offer while I played to my heart's content. Very pleased and wouldn't hesitate to recommend. Thanks Dan, the Little blonde beauty gets her first airing on Saturday...

Rain dances by Camel

Callum just bought my Stagg EUB off me and it was an easy, pleasant and simple transaction. Comms were excellent throughout and he trogged all the way from East London to come and try/buy. A really nice chap and a pleasure to deal with. Thanks for the purchase, Callum and I hope you enjoy the Stagg

Really nice guy, just bought my Sei bass. Easy to deal with and, from what I heard when he tried it out, annoyingly talented. Top man, many thanks!

Fortunately, everyone else in the band recognises the issue. We've decided to have a "technical rehearsal" to try out some new PA gear and which we'll also record for demo purposes. During same, we'll concentrate on the songs with the worst solos and then let everyone have a copy. As a follow up, I'll then ask the guitarist if he'd like to overdub the solos and spend an afternoon working on getting them right for the demos. Some great suggestions guys, thanks

All good comments and I agree with them all. Loads of work, nice people and fun gigs - I really shouldn't complain! I like the idea of recording and letting realisation dawn.... And I also think that a few jam sessions might help. But mainly, I think I just need to be grateful for what I have!

Having moved at the start of the year, I've joined a new band. They're a great bunch of people and have a pretty full gig diary lined up. Gigs are lots of fun and we're getting really good crowd reaction, dancing, etc So far, so good, right? The only problem is that the lead guitarist is, er, a bit cr@p. Pretty much every solo is off key somewhere. To be fair, he's not been playing long, just a couple of years and he's probably okay for someone with just a couple of years experience. But the solos are excruciating. As I've typed this, I've realised there's nothing I can do. I don't want to quit the band - I'm enjoying it far too much. I can't say anything to the guy - he's doing his best. I can't sack him - not only because I'm the new boy but also because he's the person who put the band together and does a huge amount of working promoting us and getting us gigs. So, given that everyone else seems to ignore it and just have a good time anyway, all I can do is smile and nod and just play my parts as well as I can. But typing this was cathartic! Thanks for letting me get it off my chest :-)

Two comfort strapps. One with fender strap locks fitted, one with schallers. Many basses, some with fender strap locks, etc.... Mix and match as appropriate. Panic about the day that I take a fenderlock-fitted bass and a schallerlock-fitted strap to a gig