FinnDave

[quote name='Muzz' timestamp='1498128333' post='3322645'] Do let us know what sort of gig you're playing where you need both, Dave...I'm imagining Wembley without FOH... [/quote] It's best to be prepared! I always take a spare bass, and a spare amp (and recently needed both at the same gig!) and now I can take a spare cab as well.

My Super Compact was delivered to me about ten minutes ago. Looks great, small and light. Ashdown Rootmaster 800 sits on top and doesn't look too lost there. That's my new small & light gig rig sorted, then! I can now chose, depending on the size of the gig, between the Super Compact, the Super Twin, or both...with Ashdown ABM 500, 600, or Rootmaster 800...or any two of them! I think I need a bigger car! Obligatory pic, rest of kit covered up behind. [attachment=247703:IMG_0894.jpg]

I always use d'Addario, with nickel round wounds and Chrome flats. Last for ages, great tone, easily available.

I keep changing from one to the other, each has its advantages...as advised, you need more basses, so you can have the choice without constantly changing strings!

I doubt very much that the guitar's designer has had a say in what strings are put on it, unless you're in realm of expensive custom built basses. I usually string my slim need Jazz basses lighter than the the heftier Precisions, but recently bought a Thunderbird, which has a long thin neck, and it's a through neck as well, but that comes as standard with quite heavy gauge strings.

Same for us in Witney this evening, plenty of people there but all sitting out in the garden listening, we were sweating buckets playing to an almost empty pub. Still, it went well, we enjoyed outsides, got paid and rebooked, so all OK.

I've been happy with Ashdown amps for the last 10-12 years (I think it's that long, anyway). Been gigging with an ABM 500 evo II for a few years, sometimes with a Touring 330 combo (now for sale) and have recently bought an ABM 600 evo IV, which does sound very good. I also have Rootmaster 800 head as a back up, and which I will be using as main amp for some gigs if it sounds good at gigging levels, not had a chance to try it yet, though I might use it for a set tonight.

I use 50 - 105 d'Addarios on my Precisions, either nickel round woulds or chromes (I have one strung with each). I strung my Jazz basses a gauge lighter.

I use mine stuffed into the back pocket of my jeans, with a half meter jack to socket extension cord. Never let me down at all (so far!)

Well done. Shame about the extra string, but I expect you'll learn to cope with it!

[quote name='Cosmo Valdemar' timestamp='1497613189' post='3319478'] They were, but I think rock star country piles are a bit thin on the ground in Shepherd's Bush. [/quote] I thought they were more out Acton way (I lived in Acton and worked in the Bush/White City for years)

[quote name='T-Bay' timestamp='1497635904' post='3319729'] The only negative so far is the weight, it's no lightweight by any means. I can live with that though as the sound.................... [/quote] I know just what you mean! I bought mine two weeks ago, five years old and ungigged and gigged it that evening, and the next. Great, great basses. I really ought to get a back up....

Stow on the Wold? Just down the road from me, never knew he'd lived there, thought they were all West London boys.

Mine came with the pukka Gibson case, which is about 4" longer than a Jazz bass case. The Bird is a big bass! There are several threads about cases for them on Talkbass, the consensus seems to be that some Epiphone cases fit the Gibson bass, but some don't. I am not aware of any other aftermarket cases that fit though.

[quote name='T-Bay' timestamp='1497550144' post='3319083'] Just can't wait to get a proper session in now. Blue and FinnDave - it's all your fault (in a good way) and thanks for posting your experiences. [/quote] Well done, sorry about the migraine, but the bass looks great. I've been away from home all this week, and after the 5-6 hour drive back tomorrow, the first thing I'll be doing is getting the Thunderbird out. The Fenders can wait!

[quote name='dmccombe7' timestamp='1497502165' post='3318662'] Looks like the strap button is at the neck joint on yours FinnDave. Is that the normal place on a Gibson T Bird. Maybe the bass has already been modified and explains why no serious neck dive. [/quote] There is no sign of the strap button having been moved, so I think it was on the heel of the neck from new. Not only is there 'no serious neck dive' on my Gibson, there is no neck dive at all, hands off, on a plastic backed barrow Fender strap.

[quote name='The_Rodster' timestamp='1497038986' post='3315559'] Yeah, it's definitely a massive improvement there. I do miss the bottom end of the black pickups but I like the bite of the replacements. Unfortunately I've yet to find something between the two [/quote] I need plenty of bottom from my Thunderbird, it's tuned DGCF so needs all the help it can get!

[quote name='The_Rodster' timestamp='1497038636' post='3315552'] The black plastic pickups do sound good, they have plenty of bottom end but they are muddy when compared to the originals or the replacements such as Mojo, EY, Mike Lull or Thunderbucker [/quote] Give me a few months and I might agree, right now I am enjoying the tonal improvement over th standard Jazz or Precision I've been using, especially when tuned down a couple of steps.

I've only just realised that this thread isn't actually called 'Torquay for the weak'!

I'm really enjoying the sound of the stock pick ups on my 2012 Gibson T bird, can't imagine changing them.

[quote name='Raslee' timestamp='1496908087' post='3314560'] Certainly a lot of people 'tripping' in Totnes...twinned with Narnia nonetheless [/quote] I'm sure I used to live in Narnia, my little corner of Finland was all snow covered forest with little paths though it. If I'd met a friendly lion there, it wouldn't have surprised me!

[quote name='mrtcat' timestamp='1496906087' post='3314550'] I picked up a cheap ukulele bass in a funny little shop in Totnes last October. It's at the top of the high St on the left. Sells lots of folky type stuff. [/quote] I think I went in there last month! All I bought in Totnes was a T shirt, it's seen service on a few gigs.

I'm often down there, but only during the week, can't take holidays at weekends as we are usually gigging. Totnes is a good place, I must spend more time there next trip.

I bought mine and gigged it the same day. Then I gigged it again the next day just to make sure! And I've still not had it a week yet!