Norris

The Fender Rumble 500 combo could tick a lot of boxes for you. There again I'm probably biased, being very pleased with mine. It's cheap, light and powerful and even has a headphone socket

Welcome to the club Glad you like it. We have a couple of weeks off atm and I'm itching to use mine again. I must try the EUB through it. Nice review too

Gorgeous bass! I've just had my mk1 refinished. Thread coming soon...

Frankenstein by the Edgar Winter band Witch Queen by Redbone (rearranged so I play the main riff) Motorcycle Emptiness (simple line but sounds great - I like it for the song itself) And strangely enough, Maggie May, 'cos it always goes down a storm with the crowd

I've used Ernie Ball Regular Slinky strings for years (the bright yellow pack)

Just to add, I have recently started using Finger Ease (like Fast Fret but in an aerosol can). Is this likely to help or hinder?

Short of wiping them down with a clean dry cloth after use, do any of you have suggestions for prolonging the life of your strings? I find that even being meticulous I start to get signs of rust after 6 months or so

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1430046193' post='2757347'] One bass, and occasionally play with the knobs a bit. All that matters IMHO is that your bass sounds good. The few audience members who actually know what the bass should sound like for any given song won't be hearing your bass anyway - they'll be hearing the original song in their heads. [/quote] This ^^^ Twiddle to get an appropriate tone rather than trying to nail each recording sound Edit: And that's using my Ric, Tbird or whichever bass has taken my fancy that night. I only take one with me.

Get yourself a cheap second hand fretless to see how you get on. You can also then have something as a benchmark if/when you switch (save up and add to the collection! )

Beer mats under the feet

... should never be heard outside the bedroom

Obviously reliced

I bought a bass flight case from Shonks. Good communication, prompt despatch, arrived in good condition exactly as described. Thanks for a smooth transaction.

... and I was going to bring my AKG K240 headphones to the Midlands Bass Bash!

Play the "may I help you" riff? (Wayne's World quote)

I thought you were "the beat" - close

You're in demand?

[quote name='6v6' timestamp='1429517661' post='2752060'] It's kinda baffling why any designer would do that (at least without a pre/post switch), for me it's pretty much a deal-breaker - thanks for the confirmation! [/quote] It's probably cheaper to make it that way

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1429482559' post='2751903'] The main problem I have with otherwise perfect basses is colour. [/quote] I was after a jazz some years ago and the best one in the shop was chocolate brown. I couldn't bring myself to buy it - it looked horrible sh*tty brown and I wouldn't be seen in public with it round my neck

[quote name='Marvin' timestamp='1429472662' post='2751745'] I see a lot of people buying an extension cab for these. I'm just wondering, is the combo on its own capable of being used for gigs. [/quote] Yes. It depends how loud you need to go, but the combo on its own is plenty for me. On the last gig the master volume was at about 10 o'clock - plenty left in the tank. You could always add a cab later if it's not enough

[quote name='PaulWarning' timestamp='1429463817' post='2751611'] Can anybody tell me what 'ground lift' is? [/quote] You can sometimes get a hum due to an "earth loop" which switching in the ground lift will prevent. Keep it switched off unless you need it though Edit: ... when you have a DI lead plugged in. It breaks the connection to the outer metal part of the lead

[quote name='scalpy' timestamp='1429380286' post='2750994']My top tip is to leave the instrument out of its case. Kids then pick it up for five minutes here and there as well as proper practice. [/quote] Good call. If it's there to hand, someone will noodle on it

Both my lads are learning musical instruments and I have learnt to leave it to their teachers but to be there for any questions. At your daughter's age the Kala sounds a great idea and let her noodle for a bit with no pressure

[quote name='12stringbassist' timestamp='1429346027' post='2750567'] Requests for 'Paradise by the dashboard light' always make smile. [/quote] We had a request for Two Out of Three 'Aint Bad the other night From a guitar/bass/drums trio?! That would have sounded crap even if we knew it

[quote name='PaulWarning' timestamp='1429345261' post='2750559'] I hope all this love for the Rumble is well founded, I've just pulled the trigger on a nearly new one that was on Ebay, pick it up tomorrow. [/quote] You won't be sorry. It's a heck of an amp for the size/money/weight. Let us know what you think when it turns up