Dan Dare

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1507404668' post='3385321'] Get to a decent shop and try everything especially stuff you think might be unsuitable, something might just jump out at you. [/quote] +1. As usual, Pete is right. You simply must try before buying. Ignore reviews, etc, etc and go to a well stocked shop (not the local music shop that has a few odds and ends on the shelves, but a proper bass specialist), find what YOU like and buy it. If you're anywhere near the midlands, Bass Direct is the obvious choice. I've bought several things from them and have always been able to compare meaningfully because their stock is so extensive. I bought my current bass head (I won't say what, because I don't want to influence you with my choice) after comparing it with virtually all the alternatives. I'm in London, so it's a bit of a trek, but I've found it worth it because I don't get fed up and sell what I've bought on within a few months. Whatever you do, don't buy mail order and sight unseen. It's a sure-fire recipe for disappointment.

She's a bit good, isn't she? She does (or did) a mean version of Duffy's 'Mercy'. I always liked that song, but hated the wimpy computerised compressed backing track. Saw Lulu doing it with a proper band and giving it the beans and it was fab'.

[quote name='Twigman' timestamp='1506549879' post='3379557'] I'm now finding it works for camera lenses too. [/quote] And fishing rods.

Philc60 and Happy Jack are right. Until you have the money in your hands, it's all words. When people start asking about meeting, delivering inn person, etc, that's a turn-off for me. Apart from the inconvenience, you could arrive and find them waiting with a couple of mates, who take your kit and tell you to get lost. If I want something, I'll travel for it or pay postage and not argue about it. I expect everyone else to do likewise. Being "fair" doesn't come into it, imho.

He's been stirring paint with it

I sent the seller link to the Thomann website where they are advertising them new for about £110

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=squier%20dreadnought&rt=nc&LH_ItemCondition=4&_trksid=p2045573.m1684 God loves a trier. £450 used when they are £120ish new? You could get one of the cheaper Martins for what he's asking...

[quote name='Raslee' timestamp='1506275702' post='3377534'] There is a switch on the back of the Orange Terror Bass 500 watt amplifier that’s switches between 4 & 8 ohm. Orange claim the speaker will get 500 watts in either setting. I wonder how that works ? [/quote] Probably rated at 500w into 8 ohm and the 4ohm switch limits power to 500w to prevent overdriving the output stage. My Carvin head employs a similar trick.

A few slightly geeky questions that I've been wondering about. Does port shape make any difference - slot/rectangle, circular, triangular (at the corners of the baffle board), etc? Also location - is distance from cabinet walls/drivers relevant. Are several smaller ones better than one large one? Or is it purely down to length and area?

Like the little girl in the nursery rhyme, when it was good, it was very, very good, but when it was bad, it was horrid.

[quote name='Earbrass' timestamp='1506761548' post='3380909'] Please tell me I'm not the only one to have misread this thread title! [/quote] Deliberately or not?

Two pints of IPA. No more, no less. Enough to feel relaxed, but not enough to destroy coordination. Job done

Adjust to suit, using your ears, not your eyes. Every amp reflects its designer's preference (and many are engineered to sound good at low/showroom levels to encourage you to buy). There is no universal "flat" setting, whatever the position of the knobs says.

[quote name='Bill Fitzmaurice' timestamp='1506696630' post='3380515'] You use phantom power with mics that need it, typically condenser mics. SM58s aren't condenser mics. Most DIs aren't bothered being hooked up to phantom power anyway, since it's assumed that will be the case in many instances. The DI owners manual will say. BTW, I can't imagine using a DI on a guitar amp, and I don't recommend them for bass either. DIs don't capture the sound of the speaker. [/quote] Bill's right about DI for bass not capturing the tone of your rig. However, I find it can be handy to add a little bass to the PA via the DI. It fattens the sound out front and gives a bit more weight to the sound from your rig on the stage. In larger venues and with a bigger PA, just mic up the cab.

Aguilar AG700 plus PJB C4 is my mini rig. Add more C4s and it gets less mini.

As the first ding is the painful one, you should give your new bass to the kids to play with. They'll give it a bit of minor distressing and you won't care after that

[quote name='TimR' timestamp='1506027894' post='3376056'] It's Internet forums. Mumsnet is just as bad. [/quote] I'll take your word for it. Not being a mum, I've never looked at it. Is it really filled with "She asked for it. She was wearing a short skirt" type comments?

[quote name='dood' timestamp='1505824615' post='3374561'] Indeed. Female bassists are just queuing up to join BassChat... not. [/quote] Yeah. A lot of bassists do seem to be somewhere along the spectrum.

[quote name='bazztard' timestamp='1505659632' post='3373390'] those dancers could've worn long skirts or pants if they didn't want people ogling them, seriously. they show their ass cheeks and dance sexy, how could they possibly complain. If you're gonna show me, I'm gonna look. If you don't want me looking, don't show me. all dancers now dance like strippers. [/quote] Stone me, mate. You're up to date, aren't you?

Saw an interview with Billy Sheehan once. He just uses a large washer on each screw - bigger than the hole in the strap - to hold it in place. It means you can't take the strap off the instrument quickly, but is very secure.

[quote name='bassman7755' timestamp='1505671541' post='3373477'] The other thing is that if you design a solid state power amp with "character" your deviating from well tried and tested designs that have been refined over decades and withstood countless millions of hours of abuse. It makes much more sense in every way to have a highly linear power stage and do all the funky stuff in the preamp. [/quote] Dead right. Commercially, a manufacturer would not be wise to make a power amp too niche or "characterful". It would likely severely restrict the number of people who would buy it.

Thanks Bill.