garyt

I use 3 types mainly: Dunlop Tortex yellow and green Ernie Ball prodigy 1.5mm std

I’ve only had the one set of what looks like rust. I probably over reacted, because there were only a couple of patches. I have another set on my other bass and they’ve been fine. And never had a problem before. My son used to get loads of rust on his guitar cobalts, so probably is they’re prone to certain types of sweat/grease. You are probably less at risk with flats .

Do you have the pedal for the ABM600? If so, with that and the Alpha Omega, you should have enough options to achieve what you want. Or if you’ve really got the GAS, just add a fuzz pedal. I got the Duality just to add that extra kick now and again.

I only have 2 basses , but I tend to use different strings just to mix it up a bit, keeps things interesting.

Plus one for Hiscox. My Stingray has been in and out of the same Hiscox case for around 18 years now, and it still looks new.

It sounds like you want the headroom. I have a BF Supertwin and I don’t think I’ve ever got it out of 2nd gear, and that’s against a loud drummer and two guitars. I’ve never felt it lacking either without a tweeter. Quite small and light as a feather.

If you have that budget and want quality, you have to try a few out as personal choice is the main factor. I personally prefer open back for various reasons. I also hate phones that alter the sound too much, such as Bose, Beats, I’d definitely add Grados to that list. I think the SR325s are in your budget. For playing bass, I actually found the Phil Jones bass headphones to be really good, but they’re not so great for music.

Regarding the reliability - I had an old Trace for years. Cosmetically it was absolutely knackered due to the beating it had been through, but it still sounded perfect, and never fkd up … apart from one replacement jack socket which was caused by impact anyhow. I’m slightly ashamed by how badly I treated it, but I was young and that beast saw some action, and as far as I’m aware amps don’t have feelings. Built like a tank. I sold it for £100 in the end because it was just too heavy, but I swear after the nuclear holocaust, the cockroaches will still be able to fire up old 80s-90s Trace amps and Boss pedals.

I have been playing the new Arch Enemy and Behemoth albums for the last 2 weeks, and they are both in my top 10 albums of 2022. And seeing them in a double headliner at Brixton Academy on Sunday night.

I have to take the Little Mark out of it bag when I gig. Although the bass drowns it out, my OCD can’t deal with that zip rattling.

Mark Bass LM3 and Barefaced Supertwin. It’s a sledgehammer to crack a nut for most gigs , but super light.

If you’re going to spend £2k on a 5-string, you have to try a load out. Worth a day in a shop if you’re near to one. Stingray V is my favourite. I’ll have to edit this - I was trying out a load of basses a couple of years back, and the Stingray was still my favourite, although nothing beat the low B on the Dingwalls. If I was considering another 5, it would be a Dingwall.

I used to have the LMB-3 and it’s OK for what it is, as long as you turn the enhance circuit down, or off. I guess we’re splitting hairs between the market leader compressors, and most people don’t have the money, or patience, to try loads out. I ended up getting the Hyper Luminal for the versatility, and cannot fault it. I’m sure the Origin Effects comps will be just as good, possibly even better, but the HL is a keeper.

Nightmare. I guess I’ve been lucky, over 20 years gigging and never had a catastrophic failure, just 2 broken strings. Your get out of jail was always my back up plan when I was younger (borrow one of the other bands basses). Now, I only play pubs and clubs, so stakes aren’t that high. I’d probably nick one of guitarists spares and run it through my octave pedal if my bass ever did crap out. Fingers crossed. If I listed all the other things that have gone wrong at a gig, it would be a long list, but my bass isn’t on that list 😉

I like this. For years I had my Stingray, Trace Elliott combo and a lead. If there was decent FoH, I’d leave the Trace at home. Didn’t even carry spares, just make sure all the gear is reliable stuff, and everything is well maintained. I don’t think I would have the patience with temperamental gear, keep it simple, nothing is going to break .

https://youtu.be/yJGYqFAzsHc

Is that like every Jam pedal on one board? Go on, how much, and how long was the lead time?

Understand that, it’s all personal preference. I saw Gail Anne Dorset explain her set up, where she has the treble completely off, and she has an absolutely fantastic sound. I don’t have a tweeter in my cab, so maxing the treble doesn’t really create any hiss. I like driving the mids when playing with other guitars, as it makes the bass sit well in the mix.

I guess if you played around with the gain on your amp, it might be the same, but everything maxxed provides a great Stingray tone, and I could never quite get the same tone on the “middle” settings. I would definitely be one of those customers happy with just a volume control.

My preference on my Stingray 3-band EQ is everything maxxed. I’ve tried tweaking, but the max setting is almost like a magnet.

There’s no faulting Darkglass gear, but the one challenge is always the price. If this truly can match the sound of the B3K for £139, and take up less space, then it’s got to be a winner. Most people probably don’t alter the blend once set, and adding grunt, bite, is a personal preference, so concealing those controls may not be an issue for some, might even be a bonus for those that don’t tweak much.

WD-40. Just a little bit.

I received a response from EB, and said that I couldn’t get a refund as I’d played them. That’s understandable I guess, but I think I’ve lost confidence in these strings.

First time I played a Stingray V it was a wow moment, and still is. Every time I try out a load of basses, I end up preferring a Stingray V - neck-thru , 30th anniversary model, new version … and then my sensible brain kicks in and reminds me there’s no point spending all that money on a bass that I already own (when I could spend it on something sensible , like gas and electric for 3-4 months 😭😭).