nicsim

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?

So I dropped on a used SR500 from Andertons . I figured better to spend the same money on a used bass from somewhere with a Returns policy if there was a problem, rather than an ebayer - altough I'm sure it would have been fine. The chap I emailed at Andretons said he'd had a quick play on it to check for fret buzz etc, and it was fine. Arrived via courier yesterday. Apart from a little shop dust it was perfect. I think the packaging must weigh more than the bass - so light! I haven't done a side-by-side comparison with the Aria yet - the neck feels a little different, but very playable. A great range of tones via the EQ and Pickup controls. I just wish I had a proper rig to play it through. Maybe some time. ForestPoetry - I will definitely look at the SR305's if I go down the 5-string route - they're mahogany too, although I prefer the "Iron Pewter" finish of the old series to the "Weathered Black" on the new ones. My other preference would be a Jackson Concert Series 5-er. Thanks to everyone for the advice.

Yep, that's the one. I noticed the dinks - not too worried, but it's worth checking over I think. cocco : they sound like the Mondeo's of the bass world! Best bought nearly new!

There's an SR500 on ebay for £300 ono at the minute. It's collection only, but travelable for me. Is that a reasonable deal for a used SR500? The bloke selling is more than happy for folks to test it out.

[quote name='sykilz' timestamp='1466269004' post='3074565'] Definitely this if you prefer the Ibanez, the woods and electronics get much better on the SR500 and above. [/quote] Missed out on the BB, but I spy a SR500 for £300! Interesting.

Thanks guys. I think the Yammie edges it over the Squier - pricewise definitely. Strangely, despite my Aria having Active/Passive EQ, I rarely used the Active option as the sound was so dynamic anyway. Sykilz - I'll agree on the Ibanez 5-string front. If I was to go for a '5-er' I think an SR is a no brainer as first port of call anyway.

[quote name='sykilz' timestamp='1466191977' post='3074084'] Just had a measure, the Yamaha at the nut is 40mm wide, and 20mm deep, up at the 12th fret the depth is 21mm. I have a Mex jazz, that's a bit fatter front to back surprisingly. Having re read your post, seems like you're a rocker, the Yamaha will deffo sound good playing that sort of stuff!! [/quote] Cheers sykilz. I need to measure the neck on my Aria just as a comparison I guess. You are right about musical style - I'm not in a band just yet, but in the past when I was, I played anything from Free, The Cult, Queen, Status Quo, The Beatles and ZZ Top (via Simple Minds and Pink Floyd!). And Duff McKagan's sound is one I like, in fact I'm also watching a Squier Precision Special P-J bass as well (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/262481009619?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT) - although I'm not sure how this compares quality wise with the Yammi or Ibanez.

I'm toying with either changing or just getting another bass. I currently have an Aria XRB - from the late '80's - (think Jackson Concert series), which plays well and has a nice slim neck (40mm at the nut - not sure about the depth). The P-J pickup arragement offers tremendous punch even without switching to Active EQ. From looking around at websites and this forum (and others) the SR series is well thought of and ticks all the boxes - slim, fast neck, sounds and looks great, good VFM etc. But - I've got my eye on a Yammie BB414 which I've always liked - loved the bass sound of early Dio albums and Van Halen's Michael Anthony. I know the BB wll be heavier than the SR, but it's still tempting . My one doubt is what the neck is like on the BB. I suspect it may not be the slimmest of the three - my Aria, an SR and the BB. Has anyone had experience to compare BB/SR's?

AC/DC - Etihad Stadium next week. I gave serious consideration to letting my ticket go after they announced the Brian Johnson/Axl swap - nothing against Axl, but it just didn't seem right. However, he seems to have the thumbs up from fans and press, so I guess it'll still be worth it. I do have a spare ticket.....

Thinking about the string spacing mentioned above - would a Jazz-type (either Fender or Squier) have a wider spacing (closer to a 4-string?). I know Jazz basses have slim necks, but from what I've managed to find in some specs, they have a slightly wider fretboard than the Ibanez or Jackson.

Once again some great advice here. Thanks guys. It's true there's no substitute for actually trying a bass out "in the [s]flesh[/s] wood". Rich - I forgot Yamaha - also easy to trial as most shops seem to stock some. I'll also look into the Lakland and Stingray suggestions - they could be "upgrades" in the future maybe. I've also taken on board the technique suggestions - I imagine it's a slightly different ball game- remembering the string you rest on is the B, not E etc. I'm curious to see what the difference in technique is with a pick/fingers. I've never been able to build up sufficient hard-spots on my fingers so gravitated towards a pick most of the time - especially for the hard attack that a lot of Rock requires. DBerriff - in a roundabout way I kind of know Drew. He's the neighbour of a relative that I see from time to time (not recently). I only discovered he was a bass expert on my last visit. I may have to renew his acquaintance!

OK. Next question (after my "Practise gear" one). Maybe getting slightly ahead of myself, but I'll ask anyway. I'm getting back into playing bass after many years inactive - I have a trusty Aria Pro II XRB 4-string, (think Jackson Concert lookalike) which I had serviced a few years ago by a good guitatar tech in Manchester. That'll do me nicely for now - I gigged with it years ago and it plays and sounds great still. Thing is, I've always fancied trying out a 5-string - especially as some of the stuff I listen to and would like to play seems to feature them quite a bit: rock/metal like Megadeth, Metallica, Nickelback* and such. Looking at various sites and forums, if I was to take the plunge into 5-string fun an Ibanez SR305 seems to be the out-and-out winner - slim, fast neck, good tone, good VFM) - especially as I'm not blessed with very long fingers. But I also like the Jackson Concert series 5-string and the specs seem similar to the Ibanez in terms of neck, etc - the Jackson has a compound radius as opposed to the Ibanez' flat one. I like the look of both basses and I could trial an Ibanez very easily as most music shops stock them. The Jackson would be harder to locate in a store. So the question is: what do the learned members of basschat recommend - Ibanez/Jackson or something else? * Opens can of worms. Stands back...

Thanks to everyone who's replied - much appreciated - it's why I love forums like this. I actually bought a Zoom B1 a few years ago - so that seems to be a good place to start. I'll [s]play about[/s] experiment with it and see how I get on. I also like the sound of the GB10 as well - although I looked on ebay and there's some software ("Song Surgeon") that claims to be cheaper and more feature rich. One for another day maybe....

Hello all! This is my first post on Bass chat. I've been digging around on various bass topics on the web and decided to be pro-active and actually put my hand in the air and ask a question or two. After deciding to dig out my old Aria XRB series from its [s]coffin[/s] case, and maybe get back into the habit after "a good few" years of not playing (either privately or in a band), I'm wondering what the cheapest/easiest way to setup a practise rig is these days. Bear in mind, it used to be a case of putting the stereo on quietly and playing along to tapes with my amp down low if my parents were about! , (and everything full whack when they weren't!). So 20 or so years later with most of my music collection in mp3 format and accesible via laptop. I'm wondering what's the best way to rig the bass through the laptop (and also maybe incorporate a Zoom bass effects unit) so I can play along using headphones and not disturb the mrs/kids while I try and get back in the swing of it - just for fun for now. Hopefully someone can recommend if I need some kind of USB-type thingy and/or software to adapt the bass input for the PC. Thanks in advance.