scrumpymike

Not at all - we love distinctive shapes

That gets my vote!

I've also got a Magellan 800. It's a fabulous amp but has a cleaner, less warm/vintage core tone compared with the Mesa (although this can largely be off-set with the Magellan tone-shaping). Generally, I've found that the Genzler works great thru my One10s and the Mesa is equally good thru my SC. They're both close enough to the ideal tone in my head to to satisfy me but I'd say the Subway / SC pairing just edges it for me. However, if I could only keep one amp to run both the One10s and the SC (not together), I think the excellent Magellan would have to be the one. Must have another try-out of my mate's TH500 with the BF cab's - maybe I can persuade him that he 'needs' an AG700 as well (and so it goes on ).

+1 exactly

chris_b: "I was planning to compare the 12's and 10's and keep the one I preferred, but it looks like I'm going to have to keep all of them. " I've pretty much come to the same conclusion. I may add a second SC if I can find a good used one, so I'll have 2 10s and 2 12s. How does the AG700 compare with the TH500 sound-wise?

Thanks Charliebass - you're in! Good point re leads. I'll try and bring more and put a call out nearer the time for people to bring their own.

I bet there'll be some interest in that. I've added your name to the provisional list - no worries if you can't make it.

This refers to the 'bass karaoke' set-up I mentioned earlier. The idea is that people can evaluate the kit they're interested in over one of the pre-recorded backing tracks that me and my buddy gig with.

Thanks for that y5s - very helpful. Re gear demo's, my idea is that the people requesting a demo of specific equipment will be the ones playing the bass line of their chosen song. As for celeb's, I'd really discounted that on the grounds that it would be a distraction from the main aim of meeting bass buddies and evaluating gear. I do agree about getting our sponsors to give a short presentation though; that was planned last time but somehow got forgotten about on the day (I think partly because 2 of our 3 sponsors were fairly absorbed in discussing the business deal that they announced shortly afterwards).

Greetings Steve - a bass-playing neighbour no less! I've added your name to the list so you'll have to come now . Let us know in due course what (if anything) you might be bringing.

Ahh, that's great! Thanks Wilco, didn't know that.

Perfect!

Yes, like last year I've hired the whole of the hall for the day and I think that arrangement worked well.

Great idea!! But we'll have to do it like in 'The Full Monty' to keep the costs down

+1

So, HOW CAN WE IMPROVE ON LAST YEAR? Don't get me wrong, if this year's bash is no better than 2017, nobody will be going home disappointed. However, on the basis that there's always room for improvement, I've been doing some thinking. The only thing I've come up with is something I already considered before the last, inaugural BFS-WBB. For me, the main point behind the bash is to explore different permutations of bass, amp and cabs and try and translate that into how it would sound in a gig situation. If we repeat last year's set up, we know there'll be no shortage of instruments and equipment (our own and sponsors'); we'll also have a decent-sized hall with some bodies in it and a stage. The only thing we won't know is how different stuff/settings will cut through in a live mix - which for many of us is the most important thing to know. So, here's my idea: one of my gigs is a two-piece covers band, where me and my buddy play (bass and guitar) and sing live to recorded backing tracks. If we set our kit up in a small space on stage, we can provide the missing mix. Anyone could choose a number they'd like to play along to using kit selected from what's available (i.e. their own and that of willing donors). Another option (rather than a free-for-all) but be to establish from the bashers what their most popular amp/cab combinations are and just demo those. If done properly, I think this could work really well and provide us with the 'missing link'. (It might also reduce the amount random, gratuitous noodling ) The trick would be to manage it (so it doesn't get too intrusive and tiresome for those who don't gig) by restricting sessions to certain times during the 10am-4pm core period AND/OR continuing for an hour or so afterwards for those who wanted to. We also need to think carefully about how to make it informative - and even entertaining! - for the 'audience'. I (and I'm guessing Rich) would be happy to 'MC-lite' this part of the bash to keep it all under control. I'd welcome your views on this suggestion together with any others (especially from those who attended last year). Thanks, Mike

Must confess I won't be rushing out to buy a B-Social - aka B-Antisocial Apologies to edstraker123 and others affected, I know it's no joke for you guys.

" I've updated the title to better reflect the content / sentiment of this thread." Ha-ha! Thanks Al, although I wasn't trying to whitewash Ashdown - just wanted to promote a balanced view

This thread really has taken the lid off a big can of worms! As someone who spent many happy years gigging the 'proper' TE stuff, it's not surprising that I have warm feelings towards their true 'spiritual' successor, Ashdown. My recent acquisition of the (IMHO) excellent ex-Lozz RM 500 EVO together with Ashdown's unsolicited offer via this forum to replace the fan FOC has only reinforced my positive feelings. Having said that, a few of the posts on here prove that there are others who have had negative experiences. On balance, I really do believe that Ashdown are an honest bunch of people doing a decent job given all the circumstances - as outlined in their frank explanation of the pressures/challenges typically faced by a small design and manufacturing company trying to offer quality products at affordable prices in a niche market.

That's brilliant Andy - list edited accordingly.

I'll pretend I didn't see that!

OK, that's the list updated with all of the above - which is already more than enough to keep me happy.