Aliwobble

1.5ms of extra latency will not make any difference. It’s like standing 45cm further away from your amp.

Weights, my friend. Being bigger and musclier will help prevent this sort of thing. Also massage can help relieve it. Maybe get yourself checked over by a physiotherapist first to check that there is no underlying problem which is being brought out by the bass playing.

I've never owned a Jazz or a P. Every time I've gone bass shopping the I would start by picking up a Fender, but end up leaving with a Warwick, Schecter, or Ibanez because it felt like so much more bass for the money. I had the option of picking up a mint second-hand G&L L2000 (USA) recently, and while it was absolutely a quality instrument, I could not see it really doing anything my current basses couldn't, so it stayed on the shelf.

How about a Laney R500? Seems to tick all the boxes...

What bass are you using? My (albeit limited) experience of the tonehammer head is that it is fussy with active basses. I tried one in the shop with a high end active G&L and it sounded terrible. With a low-mid range passive Fender P bass it was pretty nice. Hope that helps.

Ok, so my quest for a decent sounding, giggable, lightweight combo has finished (for now at least) with a Tech21 VT bass 200. I tried out various fender rumbles ( I didn’t like the form factor, sound was only average), GK mb series ( very in your face sounding), Markbass cmd121p (not bad, but did not excite me. Quite a bit more money than the others), and Ibanez prometheans ( the p3110 was boxy, the p3115 actually sounded pretty good). The Tech21 beat them all with its great (and versatile) sound, light weight, good looks, and reasonable price. I played on the world’s smallest stage, with full P.A. support with it last night. Good tone, plenty loud enough (although my existing 1x10 can handle this particular stage) and a one-handed carry in and out of the gig 😃. A better test is coming next week a a local bar with good stage and acoustics but no P.A. I’m confident the little VT will get the job done. Hopefully I will get a review up after that. Here are some pics to feast your eyes on. I’ve included a shot of my Frankenstein-amp which is a cab from a Ibanez promethean p5110 combo but with a GK mb500 providing the power. The little ibby-GK am is now on permanent practice duty.

Thanks for your comments guys. Ok, so after trying out combos by GK, Fender, Markbass, and Ibanez I ended up going with a Tech21 VT bass 200. Compact, good sound, and about 12kg or so. I gave it its first outing last night (albeit on the world’s smallest stage, with pa support) and it performed admirably. More detailed report coming soon.

Time to resurrect this thread again! I’m looking at getting a good sounding combo for those gigs where I just can’t be bothered lugging in my Eden 2x10 cabinet at 30Kg. So, way down here in NZ it would seem that I have several options: Markbass cmd12, or Cmd15; Laney Nexus sls112; GK mb210 or 212. I already have an ibanez promethean 1x10 cabinet (powered by a GK mb500 after the original Ibanez head became unreliable) but it just lacks a bit of sonic weight for proper gigging. So my criteria are: sounds good ( my current setup really does sound good ), under 20 Kg, and loud enough to gig unsupported. My current 300W laney nexus into the 2x10 Eden is plenty loud enough, to give you an idea of my gig volumes. I would prefer front-ported cabs so I can stack with the Eden. Your thoughts please...

Small but tasty. I like.

Yummy! How do you rate the Nexus Cabinets? I’m looking at getting a 2x10. Because I’m sick of the weight of my Eden.

Ok, so it’s never going to be a simple fix if you’ve had a dodgy back for years, but working as a physio for 25 years has taught me a thing or two... Balance will be more important than weight. There is no excuse for neck dive in this modern age. A good strap can certainly help too. Instrument set up and playing technique can also significantly reduce your workload. Treat your body better than you treat your instrument. Maybe try some yoga, weights, or Pilates. Seriously. Even a massage now and then to get the knots out. Move around on stage, and try positioning your bass a little forward, or backward, to find a sweet spot. Take a stool, sit when you can. Physio, osteo, and chiro are very expensive. A good one will not just treat your back, but will teach you how to look after yourself, thereby freeing up money for beer and bass gear. And we all want more of those 😃. Hope this helps.

I’ve been gigging the Audio Technica system 10 stomp box for about 4-5 years now. Never misses a beat and sounds good to me. My rhythm guitarist uses the shure system which also works faultlessly. My lead guitarist’s tone is far too delicate to be defiled by a wireless system 😂

Small but perfectly formed. Very nice.

Top sports people become faster / stronger / more capable than the rest by really investing time, effort, practice, and thought into it. Making music is highly demanding, and musicians need to take the same approach. Work on improv8ng your technique. Get a bass that fits you well and get it professionally set up. Show your body some love with healthy living and the occasional massage. Purchase gear that makes your life easier (and your sound louder). Learn how it all fits together - that’s why forums like this are invaluable. I’m too old to work harder, so working smarter is all I’ve got!

How did you get on?

Is there a rush? Keep it all, try different combinations. Then, in a few months sell the gear that finds itself left on the shelf. What a lovely problem to have. 😇

Yeah, that might explain why it was not a big seller. My SR1200 is from their Indonesian “premium” line, and cost about $1800. The groove line was originally $2800. It is a step up in quality, but not a massive one.

It sits well on your knee. The pronounced lower cutout means you have options for the angle you play on.

Resurrecting a zombie thread! But totally on topic. I’ve just finished a pub gig using only an MS-3 for my effects so my setup was bass > ms-3 > amp. The little boss sounded great running as a compressor, chorus, flanger and boost. In a live setting, I really did not feel that I was missing much from my main board. I was able to run the boss off a pedal train volto without any problems. All up a good sounding super-compact pedal board.

So I’ve done my first couple of gigs with the groove line. The tone is smooth and well balanced- sits well in the mix. Comfortable to play. Sustain for miles. This is now my #1.

Yes, I think so. this one had been sitting in the shop a for a few years soI got a good deal on it.

Nice... insanely nice.

Decided it was time to treat myself to a new bass 😀, and what’s the point of that if I don’t share it with like-minded individuals. The look takes a little getting used to, but the comfort and finishing is top notch! The sound is very classy. Less agressive than my SR1200, and not as mellow as my 004. Much happiness.

Congratulations on your new Sixer! I’ve been happily giggling the 4 for the last 5 years. A very comfy bass to wear for 4 hours, and sounds great. The neck does not get sticky on a hot stage, which I guess is down to the open grain of the wood. Ibanez would be horrified to hear you call their fancy graph tech nut “plastic”. Aparrently it is especially engineered to have all the best qualities of bone or ivory, but with the consistency of synthetic. Does look like a pice of plastic, though.

Wow, gorgeous bass. I Know that Nordstrand do a jazz pickup set. Their “big singles” sound great on my Ibanez and I know the do a selection of jazz pups.