Steve Browning

Hmm. This'll be a test of the memory! Top 50 head + Impact 2x15 cab Marshall Lead and Bass 50 + 2 x Sound City 4x12s (I had started to build John Deacons Acoustic and Hiwatt rig - somewhat on a budget) Marshall Lead and Bass 50 + home made 1x15 Altec cab (only ever used this when I played bass at a trad jazz jam session on a Sunday lunchtime) Sound City 120 + 1 x SC 4x12 = Goodmans 18 in home made reflex cab (I remember a gig using the 2 4x12s and the 1x18 and fairly sure I used two Sound city heads) - getting there on the John Deacon front! Intermusic Bass 150 + HH 2x15 Intermusic Bass 150 + Ampeg V4 2x15 (this was when I realised that 15s were my sound) Peterson 150 + Ampeg V4 2x15 Acoustic 220 + Peavey 1810 cab (not for long the 1810 was awful - huge bottom end, clear top but I may as well have stopped playing the notes in between! Acoustic 220 or Orange 120 + Mesa Diesel 2x15 (I owned the 400 at this stage but struggled to make sense of the eq initially, so used the Oranges (I had 3 120s) - this would be about 1985, I reckon. The Mesa Boogie journey has started!! 2 X Orange 120 + 2 x Mesa Diesel 2x15 (about 3 months while I got to grips with the eq) Mesa Bass 400 + 2 x Mesa Diesel 2x15 (Mesa Walkabout bought during this rig - still have one) Mesa Bass 400 + Mesa Bass 400+ + 1 x Mesa Diesel 2x15 + Mesa Road Ready 2x18 Mesa M-Pulse 600 + Mesa Diesel 2x15 (very briefly used 2 x Barefaced Compact 1x15s) 2 x Mesa M-Pulse 600 + 2 x Mesa Subway 1x15 2 x Mesa TT800 + 2 x Mesa Subway 1x15 For complete clarity (as we're talking about gigging amps) I have done a semi acoustic ska gig with my GK MB150E but that was very much for convenience.

I am pretty sure only 25 were made. Still, gives me yet another opportunity to kick myself for selling mine (pre-internet days so I had no idea it was so rare).

There's also one via Allianz. I posted a link and will post it again.

For years I always removed anything between the cab and the floor. After getting a 2x18 that was immovable without I indeed found there was not the blindest bit of difference. Years of shifting utterly wasted. Get some decent 10cm casters with brakes and don't look back.

Left field suggestion. Have you thought of thinning the herd, as you said, but then buying a (touch sensitive) keyboard and learning the piano? Probably the best instrument to learn for overall music theory. Also gives you a new challenge and you can knock out a tune.

My folks didn't listen to a lot of music at home. When they did, it was Sergio Mendes and Brazil 66, Frank Sinatra and (my Dad was a saxophonist) Stan Getz, Coleman Hawkins and (my favourite) Ben Webster.

I remember playing one of these many years ago (in a shop near Kingston). It was pretty heavy I recall, but the build quality was something else. One of those basses that just felt 'right'.

My partner sings in a good band of 'mature' musicians. They predominantly play social clubs etc and are popular on the local circuit. They have a need for a keyboard player (BVs would be an asset, but not critical) to take over from the current guy (who is departing). They play a range of material, from R'n'R to disco. I've depped with them a couple of times and they're good folk to be around. Happy to provide additional information or answer any questions.

I have supported Wilko a couple of times in times of yore. Guitar heroes? Does playing with David Gilmour count? 😎

Let it slide.

I would expect the same laws to apply in Latvia as in other countries in the EU. To that end, I would expect you could return for a full refund, as has stated by others. As has also been said, no-one has any practical experience of the situation there, so we can only surmise.

That's your answer. I would love to have my Japanese Precisions back.

My Precision is a year younger, and I am equally happy with mine. Age means it is not in 100% condition but I am 100% satisfied with it.

I will use my Walkabout for rehearsals and small gigs but the bigger rig for larger gigs. To me it's the requirements of the gig that determine which I take, not the frequency of them.

Just checked. I have a 2m ClearTone cable you can have. Van Damme Blue Series 2x1.5mm twin axial (so it says!) cable and Neutrik NL2FC speakon plugs. If you want it, pm your address and I'll send it to you.

Yes, the insert is standard in the new cases.

I bought EA Siren cables a while back and have some spare ClearTone cables kicking around. If I have a 1 metre one it's yours. I'll check later today. Why EA? When a guy who can afford anything replaces all his cabling with it, even the wiring in his cabs, then I figure it's worth it. The Reveal cables are brilliant.

Can you not start the session with the old strings and change if you need to? It's only a 5 or 10 minute job to change them. I am assuming you give them a good stretch when you fit a new set.

Perfectly true. For me it's a way of making the sound a little less sanitised, if you get my drift. I do understand the level of compromise there. For all I know, foh might have the mic off! 🙂

As with recording, I always want DI and mic. I don't carry my own and most stages I find the cab already mic'd. A mic'd speaker is more forgiving than a DI on its own (don't anyone waste their time with any stupid 'technique' answers).

Mine came from Thomann, who state there is stock.

Well. Back from Skegness and have to report the case was wonderful. My two SVL basses were very snug and, while the whole thing is a bit of a size, it is very mobile. Whether you think it's better than individual cases is a matter of choice. It won't go in the car, but then neither does my main rig. That's what the van's for. All in all, very pleased with it, despite the hefty outlay.

And did you shine?

While riding on the coat tails of the Pretty Things earlier success, I was asked to sign a female left breast. Yes it was attached before any clever richard asks!

SVT according to the stage sheet I was sent.