DrPAR

Well, having originally asked for advice, let me recommend the Zoom B1on to you without any hesitation whatsoever.

Thanks again, everyone, for your advice and information. This is just an update to let you know that I invested in a pair of Sennheiser HD 206 headphones and a Zoom B1on multi-effects pedal. So far, I'm a very happy chap and can't believe that I've got a lot of equipment for an outlay of only £70.

Thanks to everyone who's offered suggestions so far. Looking at all the available options, I think that the way to go may be to get a Zoom B1on or B3n. What are the main differences and, for someone like me who's relatively new to bass-playing (I've only been doing it for just over a year), is a B3n too sophisticated? Can I justify paying an extra stack of cash on the higher-end model?

[quote name='clunkie66' timestamp='1506356183' post='3378188'] Well I made it, relatively unscathed. Remembered my bass, crib sheet and to have a piss beforehand so a good start. Was nervous in the first set, made a few mistakes but nothing terrible, managed to keep playing. Got some confidence in the second set and had a blast, even though I completely forgot the intro of the last number. Didn't sh*t myself which I found surprising!... The other guys are all really experienced and thought I did well, they said I looked like I was enjoying myself. Brilliant venue, small and intimate, 50 or so audience, so perfect really. Well chuffed. [/quote] Congrats. Likewise, I've been learning to play bass for a little over a year. Not having joined a band, I admire you for jumping in there so soon. I really need to do something about that sooner rather than later.

Many thanks to you all. Please keep your recommendations and ideas coming. Sadly, it looks as though the Pandora is discontinued without (as far as I can see) a replacement model filling its place.

Thanks for that, dannybuoy. Sounds like you grabbed a bargain with that Bighead.

Thanks, Cato. Any particular model of Sennheiser headphones that you would recommend?

Any ideas as to what I should get? It needs to be portable, small and good for practising with at home. I've read great things about the Phil Jones Bass Bighead amp, but £180 is a fair wedge of cash to pay. I've also had the Korg Pandora and Zoom B1on mentioned as good cheaper alternatives. On the same subject, which headphones are recommended for use with a headphone amp for the bass? All recommendations will be gratefully received.

On the bright side, it doesn't look as though they charged you an extra fiver for the box...

The strings on the Gretsch are D'Adarrio ECB81S Chromes Bass, Light, 45-100, Short Scale.

I'll need to have someone look at it to answer any technical questions. It was bought second-hand and so was set-up to suit the previous owner.

[color=#222222]Less than two months into my life as a bassist and things are going fine. However, my tutor pointed out in this week's lesson that my fretting hand has "flying fingers" and this is preventing me from playing economically and fluently. [/color] [color=#222222]One of the exercises that I’m doing to correct my technique involves anchoring the little finger on the 12th fret of the G string and playing the 9th, 10th and 11th frets of the D string with the other fingers. However, the resistance and strain that I’m feeling in my little finger and forearm when I’m doing this has made me aware that the action of the bass may be set too high. I measured the space between the bottom of the E string and the top of the 12th fret as being 4mm (or 5mm from the bottom of the string to the fretboard) and wonder whether this is too high. It seems so to me. In order to achieve greater comfort and be more fluent in my playing, how low should the strings go?[/color] [color=#222222]By the way, I’m currently playing a Gretsch G2224 Junior Jet II (30.3” scale) but hope to add a Squier VM ‘70s Jazz to my small arsenal of guitars next week. Many thanks.[/color]

Sire Marcus Miller bass guitars must be keepers. They rarely seem to be made available second-hand and my request for a 4-string V7 in the 'Wanted' section hasn't led to a single PM.

This looks really, really good. I was thinking of getting a Squier VM 70s jazz, but the Sire V7 has definitely now caught my eye. Having had it for a few days now, fleabag, do you have any more observations to make on the instrument?