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[quote name='LawrenceH' timestamp='1318948712' post='1408109'] Speaker management incorporating multiband limiting can accomplish quite a lot, though...which is why as I say I've wondered whether these units use it. [/quote] It is my understanding that there is some loudness management going on to maximise available resources and that all the 200 watts are available and usable. AER say they take things right to the limit but not beyond. It may be similar to that found in the Bergantino IP cabs. I don't hear many compaining about those and the Berg IP112 is also a very compact cab. Sure, I doubt the AER combo is going to sound like a couple of 15"s but I bet there is a surprising amount of controlled bass on tap. I've pulled the trigger on one anyway and it'll arrive shortly but my needs at the moment are acoustic gigs although I use normal electric bass for those. Well, I say normal but sometimes it's a Steinberger which is apparently a bit dated unless your under 25 and then it becomes cool. I'm at the stage where I'm happy to try radical things and I plan to use the AER on a tilt stand pointing at my ears so I can hear the nuances clearly. If it sounds good - and what piqued my interest were terms like 'valve-like', 'old school', 'warm but clear', 'punchy' and 'Ampeg', then I could by an active sub to go with it as it has a dedicated sub out. I thought it would be real hi-fi but it seems not. We'll find out.

I may well have a Mesa Walkabout Scout combo for sale in 3 weeks, all depends how the AER Amp One works out. Same price as the one I paid on here a short time ago - think it was approx £800 with covers and manual. I did a podcast with it recently and the bass sounded huge. The Walkabout head is removal and capable of powering a different setup if you wish but the combo is more than good.

I've owned a Shuker JJB and if I was to order another and change the colour I would request a greenburst with rosewood neck. BBM is well cool but I've kinda overdosed on that colour combination in my time. The 1st 3 Stranglers albums, the ones with the most sharp, aggressive bass tone were recorded with the rosewood and I did find the stock JJB too aggressive for me these days with the ash and maple. Though it did sound like straight from Black And White to an extent!

[quote name='Kirky' post='1314477' date='Jul 24 2011, 09:38 AM']Mine has arrived and sounds fantastic through my compact. The only problems are the loud fan...[/quote] Yes it's a shame that the fan is fairly loud. I'm hoping there is an upgrade I can do. It's a wonderful amp though. I think I've found my settings for a fingerstyle alder P / TI flats by cutting significantly at 450hz with a slight treble cut and compressor on half (no Hi/Lo boosts engaged). The compressor adds a nice squareness to the note attack and the overall sound is not harsh at all but almost valvey. There are still plenty of mids in there. Very John McVie. I might even get another PF-115HE for it. I also need to find Ampeg PF cabinet covers but as far as I know there aren't any yet.

[quote name='gafbass02' post='1354143' date='Aug 28 2011, 10:18 AM']If they made a trace micro head with the preshapes, a graphic and some cool lighting I think I'd do all sorts of over excited dance moves and start franticly selling stuff [/quote] Wow, that would be cool, especially if it sounded right. Sadly, as much as I have a soft spot for some of the amps that I have owned (with the Trace being one of the very best), the thought of a big heavy amp nowadays seems a step backwards. It was hard but I think I'm gradually accepting lightweight as the way forward. So a Trace amp with a real Trace signature punchy tone like the old ones would be excellent.

I will agree that the F500 is 'fiddly'. I borrowed an F1 and then based on that I bought an F500 which I had for a while. It was ok but didn't compare to my more expensive preamp/Berg combination so I sold it as I didn't need 2 rigs. My situation has changed and I now want a 2nd rig again and I would take the F1 instead of the F500. This sounds delicious. [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49nnpXzPMlA"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49nnpXzPMlA[/url] I don't have any experience yet with the LM3.

Yes that green one is a 60s Fender - perhaps a 64 or 67. It is the one used on the 1st 3 Stranglers albums which is largely the tone people think of when talking about JJB. This bass just sounded unique (and yes, the torn speakers as well). Rosewood neck too. Apparently the green spray job is quite rough when you see it up close. He broke it but when glued back together it just never sounded the same.