Happy Jack

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1387293464' post='2310362'] ... they are pretty esoteric and individualistic instruments and definitely not for everybody, so don't necessarily assume that a Wal would be your Holy Grail. [/quote] Fair comment, though the pre-amp is so flexible that you can make a Wal do most of the sounds you'll ever need. They're heavy mind, my Mk.II fiver weighs exactly 5Kg which is nothing to some people, but too much for me! I'd certainly back Dingus on this though, don't go placing an 18-month order for a bass if you haven't already played one fairly extensively and know that it will really suit you. This is no P-bass ...

[quote name='andydye' timestamp='1387291442' post='2310321'] I like the sound of your GT100 special, is there a thread about it somewhere (a quick search hasn't turned up anything much in amps/cabs)? Lightweight (ish), classy matamp goodness! I'm already swaying heavily towards a matamp...is this the end for me [/quote] I like the sound of my GT100 too. I run it through a Barefaced 69er and it looks & sounds [i]les coulis du chien[/i]. [url="http://s1128.photobucket.com/user/h4ppyjack/media/Equipment%20and%20stuff%20CURRENT/VisittoBarefaced8_zps67f42db9.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s1128.photobucket.com/user/h4ppyjack/media/Equipment%20and%20stuff%20CURRENT/Matamp_zps76e8c9ce.jpg.html"][/url] There's no build thread as such but a number of lucky, lucky Basschatters played through this rig at the last SouthEast BassBash. I had a lot of help sourcing this amp from Matamp, with Steve Taylor (tayste_2000) getting things moving for me. Matamp happened to have a completed GT100 chassis with no valves or casing, so we persuaded them to complete the amp with a casing built to my light-weight requirement. In the classic tradition of British craftsmanship, they adopt a measured approach to job completion (please feel free to read between the lines) but it was worth the wait, it was absolutely worth the wait.

[quote name='andydye' timestamp='1387284162' post='2310167'] ... no idea how heavy a Matamp is though (GT200 seems to ring a bell as to being [i]the[/i] valve bass amp king?) [/quote] A 1970's Matamp GT200 or Orange AD200 (they're effectively close cousins) would come in at about 27Kg. Come down to 100W and the weight drops to about 23Kg. My GT100 Special was built for me with lower weight as a priority, and it weighs just under 18Kg. Only one in captivity though. Incidentally, I have yet to take my GT100 anywhere near full volume playing pub gigs ... just saying.

One black one, one white one, and one with a bit of ... no, best abandon that thought.

[quote name='Annoying Twit' timestamp='1387272161' post='2309985'] Can you recommend an exact string gauge that might be suitable for an experiment? [/quote] Oops! To actually answer your actual question, that would be a 128.

[quote name='Annoying Twit' timestamp='1387272161' post='2309985'] Can you recommend an exact string gauge that might be suitable for an experiment? I'd like to try one flatwound string. Would a B string be a reasonable experiment, or should I go for one of E A D G? My bass is 34" scale. Or, is putting a single flatwound string on a bass otherwise strung with roundwounds a poor experiment as the string is too atypical? [/quote] First up, BRX speaks a lot of sense and I've struggled to get a decent low B out of cheaper fivers. In truth, I've never really been satisfied with the low B on any 34" bass (and that includes - yikes! - Alleva Coppolo) which is why I now play mainly 35". That said, my experiments with 34" low B led me to realise that thicker strings lead to less tone and more flobadob (IMHO of course). My start-point is here: [url="http://www.stringbusters.com/"]http://www.stringbusters.com/[/url] I use the La Bella 760 FLB where a full set of five strings costs £47 and you'll be lucky to get more than 30 years' use out of them. If you phone Stringbusters they frequently sell individual strings which aren't listed separately on their website. They also really, really know their stuff. Good people. If you're after a cheaper alternative, it's definitely worth checking out the Lakland own-brand flats, previously marketed by them as Jo Osborne signature flats. I use these on my 35" basses since Lakland fives are usually 35" scale. I still use the La Bellas on my 34" basses though.

No Serena Williams content then?

Try flats. No, really, try them. Ideally La Bella FLs. Failing which, instead of getting a heavier-gauge string, experiment with a lighter gauge. You might be surprised.

[quote name='vsmith1' timestamp='1387269333' post='2309954'] Pink Floyd's One of these Days [/quote] Just be bloody sure you get the delay setting right!

Having had three (count them, THREE) gigs cancelled out from under them for this New Year's Eve, the Dogs are delighted to announce that they will not now be sitting at home at midnight watching a Jools show (pre-recorded last August) as the celebrity guests all count down to 2014 ... instead a FOURTH gig has materialised at the last minute. We'll be at The Anglers in Teddington (handy for Teddington, Twickenham, Richmond, Kingston, Hampton, etc.). Stuff the celebrities, if you're at a loose end on NYE come and help US count down to 2014. Only we'll be doing it live.

The Tabard in Turnham Green does a Jools Night every Xmas ... three bands set up at the same time, and the music rotates between them. This year's event is on [b]Saturday 21st December[/b] and the star attractions will be the Junkyard Dogs, appearing every third song from 8pm - Midnight. Marvel at the band's handy, pocket-sized Dave Swift-a-like. Gasp at the Flying-V-ness of the lead guitar. Hoot at the the antics of the crazy drummer. Smile for the camera of the delightful Surshal Meedja. Walk the 50 yards to the nearest tube station.

[quote name='flyfisher' timestamp='1387234156' post='2309814'] Not sure about the pipe though . . . [/quote] It worked for Duck Dunn ...

Ask her to sew them together for you ...

[quote name='RandomBass' timestamp='1387208744' post='2309361'] Leading me on to the inevitable question, when will the Barefaced Rascal be available? ;-) [/quote] Presumably the smaller cab will then be the Scamp?

[url="http://kotaku.com/5948143/japans-panty-vending-machines-the-unreal-hyperbole-and-honest-truth"]http://kotaku.com/5948143/japans-panty-vending-machines-the-unreal-hyperbole-and-honest-truth[/url]

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1387194035' post='2309114'] ... this is a serious matter for anyone with injuries ... [/quote] Not sure if I should break this to you, but you don't need to be injured to have lumbar problems. They tend to come along as a freebie when you get a bit older. Also (and I'm not suggesting that you're laughing at it) but lumbar problems share one key element with sea sickness ... only funny until it happens to you. After that, you take it deadly serious.

[quote name='xilddx' timestamp='1387201973' post='2309238'] A decent guitarist can sort that little issue surely! [/quote] Well yes, anyone who can play the guitar well can probably learn to play the organ too ... given time, of course.

Good call - thanks for the tip.

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9B89YC3rmeo"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9B89YC3rmeo[/url]

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szorg5_XDPE"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szorg5_XDPE[/url]

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YzH31ZsVnY"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YzH31ZsVnY[/url]

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSJrGxH9Ni8"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSJrGxH9Ni8[/url]

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAefTj7GXwQ"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAefTj7GXwQ[/url]

[quote name='xilddx' timestamp='1387199738' post='2309205'] You have two choices in my book. Green Onions, or Dick Dale's version of Misirlou. [/quote] Green Onions? With no organ?

Parkas are better than anoraks. Well, for metal anyway ...