alexa3020

The lack of blend knob really is a limitation on big muff pi. And you often are too loud if using the dry mode and switching on /off in the same song. You’ve got to keep that low end in the signal or you just get lost in the mix which means the other 2 modes (normal & bass boost) are pretty much redundant for live performance unless you have a line selector.

I find with onboard compression, you tend to lose a bit of volume. With a pedal at least you can boost your signal. I'm currently using a TC vintage comp - which is a copy of T Rex Comp Nova. I don't use it with My Stingray as that sound a bit compressed already (to my ears anyway), but I do like it with my passive basses. It would be really useful if all pedal compressors came with light indicators, so you can see what's happening. I can only think of the Cali 76 (big one) and MXR Bass compressor that has this functionality.

You get a lot of amp for your money with second hand Ashdown. I guess people just want lightweight. I see an 810 going on Facebook for silly money.

I didn't think you were suppose tilt cabs of the floor - something to do with floor coupling?? Can someone with technical knowledge enlighten me please? Edit - I can see from a bit of googling, I've got that completely the wrong way round!

Nothing wrong with Harley Benton, I’m quite interested in their bass block 800 as a backup. However, I do think if you have the money, an expensive bass 2nd hand is a better investment than a cheap bass.

There’s a big tonal difference between a ebmm stingray & us fender p bass (which happen to be the basses I play) But not a huge difference between an ebmm & sterling stingray or us fender p & squier p - I would imagine only the player & maybe a recording engineer might notice. so I don’t think “bass is bass” is correct. It’s all about tones we’ve heard and enjoyed listening to music. If we apply that to other instruments, i think I could only tell the difference between guitar tone -I.e les paul or strat. Any other instrument, I wouldn’t have a clue.

Nope evo 2 - same as my 15s

I’ve got one, only practiced with it so far, but sounds good and keeps up with the drummer. I think I’ll stick with my 2 x 15 compact cabs. Way lighter and I like 15s

Theres a pretty nice GK 410 RBH on ebay at the moment located in Brandon - Nothing to do with me, but it did catch my eye.

Sweet set up! With the amount of knobs on the Shuttlemax, I would of thought any tone is possible? Have you given up on the Markbass cab? - I was quite tempted by one myself

I suppose you can also ask can there be a foo fighters after Taylor's death. There was obviously a foo fighters without Taylor when they first started, but I couldn't imagine one without him now.

You may have a point, although a lot of decent players use them. I only use one with my passive basses. My active stingray sounds and feels bit compressed already.

I don’t think I’d use 2 different basses at the same gig. I’d just pick the one I wanted on the night. I do often switch between my mm & p bass depending on my mood. They’re completely different beasts. I like my to add a bit of compression and drive pedals to the p bass and a slightly scooped eq. The MM I generally go straight to amp with a flat-ish eq on the amp and control the eq from the bass. thankfully (for my wallet) GAS has subsided on the active jazz bass - for now

I do like a compressor. It’s not necessarily something you hear. Your bass feels better when you play with one - tighter and less dynamic range

I bought 2 x Barefaced 210 cabs, and decided to sell one, because one on its own was loud enough most of the time -Also when running 2 I had to set the cabs at 12ohms. I bought an Ashdown ABM Evo 2 15inch cab for cheap, for the rare occasion I might need an extra cab for extra volume. Surprisingly I really preferred the Ashdown over the barefaced - I really didn't expect to, but I did. So I soon sold on the other Barefaced cab and got another 15inch Evo 2 Ashdown Cab and am really happy with them. I'm not knocking Barefaced here, I think the 210 wasn't to my taste and if a super compact comes up for sale near me, then I'd be pretty tempted by it. What does surprise me is some of the hate that Ashdown gets on here. I wonder if its because they're fairly popular in rehearsal rooms and the amps are pretty battered most of the time. That said, I don't really rate the MAG series, but the ABM stuff to my ears is great.

Pat Finnerty’s a funny dude!

This one isn't doing much for me. Perhaps its a grower!

Have to admit, when I first heard it I thought the same - bland. But Im really digging it now after a few listens

Another new track - Pretty good I think

Thanks for explaining. Interestingly I’d never think to use a preamp pedal in front of an amp or cab, as I’d use the amps eq (I’d just use it to send signal to FOH). But I have no problem using an active bass and the amps eq. I guess my perception of how you should set up is a little off.

That's good to know. I did wonder as active basses just seem to have a sound that is sometimes difficult to achieve with standard EQ - to me they seem to have a bit more top & bottom end. Perhaps something to do with caps on the pots of a passive? With the John east preamps, I believe you can adjust the cap values to suit the bass.

In my everlasting quest to improve bass tone, I have recently stumbled across the John East J Tone preamp. I have to say I'm really tempted to add this to my MIM jazz bass. I am wondering if there is any significant advantage of this over a preamp pedal in terms of sound? I do have a MM stingray & really like the active EQ at my fingertips. I really like the idea of an active Jazz bass - been quite tempted by the Sire V7, but I'm wondering if its a better move to modify my existing Jazz bass. Any help is greatly appreciated. Alex

This has peaked my interest more than anything they’ve done since stadium - intrigued to see how the lp turns out. BSSM is easily their best work. Enjoyed californication & mothers milk too. Frusciante is an amazing guitarist & if one of his note bends is a little sharp, I suspect he means it. while we’re on RHCP I can’t stand ‘can’t stop’ how that bass line always gets voted on of fleas best I’ll never know.

Is it a keeper then?