nicsim

So the next question is - what's a better option - a 20ish year old Q4 or a newish Performer? 🤔

Looks to be bolt-on. I think it might be an NS-94 from 1994-98. I found this archive listing on the Spector website. Pickup and dot inlays match and (although it's hard to tell), it looks to have the "longer upper horn" mentioned. No idea how those are rated as a bass though and what they were priced at when new. (Edit: Scratch all that. NS-94 has a different, longer headstock). After a bit more digging, I'm leaning to it being a Q4 Pro - No idea how good they are/were and price etc.)

I'm currently looking at a Spector on ebay, but the owner isn't sure what model it is. He said it might be an "NS94". The pickups are EMG HZ's and the fret markers are all dots (unlike some models where the 12th is a Spector logo), so I'm confused as to what it is. It's definitely not a Performer. Could it be a legend? I'm leaning that way, even if I can't find a combination of those pickups and dot markers online. Any clues?

Does anyone know how well the H-B MV-4MSB's compare with a Gretsch Junior Jet? I've been tempted for a while to get a J-J, but only yesterday I saw the new H-B's were available. There's a bout a £100+ price difference between them, but reviews of the HB's seem positive - although nobody seems to have done a direct comparison yet. If anyone's had an experience of both it would be useful to know 🙂

I definitely have a budget. I think its going to be a case of "trying for size" - ideally if I can find a store that has a couple of options in. Maybe a branch of PMT.

I know - I picked it up instead of starting a new one - may be I should have 😄? Thanks for replying re: neck size. It's always a consideration for me because I'm not blessed with long fingers - Ibbie SR's make life so much easier. I like the idea of going to short-scale, but just wanted to see if anyone had comparative experience of the JJ and an SR bass.

I'm looking at the Junior Jet as an option. I've got an Ibanez Mezzo (medium scale) I might trade-in/sell, but I'm interested to know how the neck on the JJ compares with an Ibanez SR series - which of course are famously slim/fast. Can anyone offer any experience of the two? Is the shorter reach of the JJ neck traded for a slightly wider neck?

Thanks for all the input on the question I started with (and the follow up!). Going forward, it's given me something to think about, but in the meantime - that Ashdown ABM EVo II 1x15 Combo dropped just nicely earlier this week! - A tad under £130 on ebay - tested and it's absolutely fine for now. Maybe a 2x10 will be added if things get more serious.

Another "opinion/experience" question - what's the feeling on TC Electronic Combos? They look reasonable spec and weight-wise, but am I right in thinking they don't have external speaker sockets?

[quote name='CameronJ' timestamp='1506796730' post='3381228'] What's your budget? [/quote] For now - as I'm only dipping a toe - max £250. So, second hand really.

Cheers for all the comments and opinions. As luck would have it an ABM version has popped up as well. One thing that puts me off a 1x15 is the fact that if I put an extension cab into the mix (say a 2 x 10) it just looks (and possibly sounds?) odd. I've never had the luxury of a two-cab setup, but I always think it should be small speakers above big speaker. Unless anyone else has different experience?

So I have the chance to jam with a few mates after a long time apart and maybe turn it into a gig. I haven't owned an amp for years and I'm wondering - what's a decent non-nonsense Amp setup to play small pub gigs (hard rock, blues covers). I have an eye on a used Ashdown Mag 300 watt combo (1x15"). What do the folks on here think?

Just an update - I dropped on a used Tascam GB10 on ebay a couple of weeks ago. Onlly a few months old, but saved about 40 quid on new. Used it a couple of times and love it. Simple to use - still working out the best settings to use between it and the bass for best results, but it's a great way to re-learn some of the stuff I used to know. [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?&app=forums&module=extras&section=legends#"][/url]

Black Sabbath - Jan '17 @ the Manc Arena. ...and maybe UFO in Warrington - October.

Just coming back to this thread. Interesting point Mottle - about tuning B E A D . I've been reading around on a few "name" bass players' gear and tunings and a few do that - including the late Paul Gray of Slipknot and Journey's Ross Valory. Is there a market for unwanted G strings?