PatrickJ

It's a great idea to set up a practice routine - you can waste precious time on unfocussed practice. Though finding what works best for you takes a bit of time. I try and practice every day if I can for 1-2 hours after the kids are in bed. Initially found I was trying to do too much 'study' and neglected to have fun with it, after all as a non professional musician that's what it is about for me. I've scaled back on the the things I've tried to learn and now have this structure - Quick Warm Up (~5 mins) - Focus Areas (~30 mins) this rotates depending on what I want to work on. Currently I'm working on right hand technique to build speed. -- Study Pieces (~30 mins) A few songs I'm learning that challenge and push me, this includes analysis of how the bass lines are constructed, playing technique etc. ~ Band Pieces (~30 mins) Time spent on learning new songs or cleaning up my playing on current setlists. If you can afford it consider signing up for Scott's Bass Lessons - lots of good material on there and you're encouraged to create and maintain practice logs.

I've never seen one before - what's it like to play, does it sound any good?

I love the blue Futurama!

If it was me, I'd take it to a luthier and get it checked out in the first instance. I'd inform the seller of my concerns and that I was doing this. If the luthier highlights a significant problem I'd go back to the seller then and look at returning it. If it's just a case of a setup and its relativey inexpensive I'd pay for the repair and make an appropriate comment in the feedback I leave.

I didn't know I needed one of these apps until I read this thread, now I realise I absolutely do! Thanks

Rocco!

Arrgh. I can't believe I'm going to be out of the country!!

@Osirisjust read your Genzler review and the associated thread with the amp comparisons. Firstly I'd like to say they are fantastically written and very informative! I am now uber close to just saying feck it and ordering a Magellan 800!!! I also liked your review of the Mesa Subway. I have the DI pedal; at home I can get some good tones out of it although I don't find it to be overly versatile and a bit sterile, it kind of just sounds how it sounds. I've tried using it a few times at rehearsals / gigs going into the FX return of the GK head and I've had all the problems you mention in regards to over powering bass and being lost in the mix when using the voicing control!

The VMT is the one pedal I've had over the years that I regret selling. Agreed, and I will certainly try before I buy (or at least make sure I can return something if I don't like) but I wanted to get to a short list of 2 - 3 that I could check out at a store like bass direct or the bass gallery.one morning. These are the current front runners are: Genzler Magellan 800 Aguilar AG700 Mark Bass Little Mark Tube Hand Box R-400 Despite all the positive comments about the Little Mark's they are just not for me; I'm not a fan of heavily branded signature gear. The Glockenklang's look great but the Soul's are no longer in production and the current amps are way over my budget. Thanks @Osiris - I'll read through this thread.

For some reason I never warmed to the Tone Hammer; but the AG700 looks good.

I love Joe's playing on Wait for the Moment

So I'm quite taken with these amps after fully reading your thread and watching a number of YouTube clips. It doesn't seem like they are producing them at present though - doesn't look like you can order via the website. I dropped them an email, will see what comes back

This is interesting - I'd always assumed FX loops were post Pre-amp; I thought that was the whole point ; i.e. you applied the effect after any shaping - I'm pretty sure that's how it is with my GK head. Will have to look into the Markbass approach a little more .

That's an interesting amp - have read through a lot of the thread but not had a chance to watch any of the videos yet.

I've read this a lot about the little Marcus's but I'm just not sure I can live with the design of them. I don't want a picture of some dude 😉 on my amp!!

I confess I know very little about Glockenklang's - I'll do some research on them.

I've got GAS for a new amp head - my GK MB500 has been great over the past few years but I'm yearning for a change. I've sold a number of unused pedals to fund this new desire of mine. I have a budget of approximately £850-900, pretty generous given I'm your classic weekend warrior. I'd been pretty set on a Markbass head but, over the past few days I thought I'd see what else is out there and boy there is a lot right now!! Unfortunately not many places have a broad range of heads in stock and my wife's not going to let me spend weekend after weekend going to guitar shops and playing amps so I need to draw up a bit of a short list. I'd love some thoughts and recommendations from my Basschat Brethren. I'm looking for a minimum power: 500w @ 4ohm, class D or hybrid. I'll be pairing it with a Barefaced Super Compact, 8ohm. In regards to music, my current band is your typical rock covers band where I play a mixture of finger style and pick. Personally I want to start playing more funk; my next project will definitely be in that area. I guess that means I need something quite versatile in regards to tone shaping. Amps I've been looking at: Mark Bass Little Mark III Mark Bass Little Mark Tube Aguilar AG700 Ampeg SVT-7Pro Genzler Magellan 800 Any thoughts on the above, or other suggestions for amps I should consider? Cheers PJ