Pat2019

+1 for what Norm said. If that’s your amp then that’s the most cost effective answer to your perfectly reasonable question. It has an aux-in to connect to the music source of your choice (phone, cd player, mp3 player) and a headphone out ( might need a 1/4 in to 3.5mm adapter depending on your headphones) I wanted something similar but with a bit more portability for moving from room to room. In the end I got a Zoom B1 Four. It has aux in ( use a 3.5mm to 3.5 mm cable from the phone/mp3 player). Headphone out is via the output socket (my headphones have the 3.5mm jack so a 1/4 to 3.5mm adapter is needed). It can double as an effects pedal if you fancy trying those out. It also has a tuner and drum machine built in which are handy but not what you specified.

Recent convert from lurking and stalking threads related to amps and cabs to buying and loving. Having taken advantage of previous nad and ncd threads to help me decide how to replace my TC BG250-115mk1 I thought I’d share too. The Reidmar 502 sounds great with the Markbass 102HF. Lots of tonal variety available and plenty of spare volume headroom (that air won’t move itself..) the only downside is that the improvement in quality from my old BG250-115mk1 means I can now hear the problems with my technique very clearly. Spent a few minutes wondering what the rhythmic clicking sound was until I realised it was my fingers tapping the pickup poles as I played. Hadn’t heard that before😔. The new setup also highlights the difference between each bass guitar. The character of each bass is more apparent and range of tonal variety available just using each guitar’s controls is a bonus.

That’s where I saw it too!

Blues band- so it depends on the song. Some are riff specific so I try and stay close enough but look to add or maintain the swing/groove ( highly dependant on the drummer). Some bass lines are nothing like the original recorded version and it’s like playing an original. The great thing about playing the blues is there’s lots of freedom to either interpret or reproduce 🕺

Sam Lewis in Whelans, Dublin Great songs and funny, relaxed stage presence. Also really nice to chat to post gig. If you like John Prine then check out Sam if he’s playing near you.

+1 for the zoom b1 four. Easy enough to set up and, as Al said, there’s threads with patch ideas to help get you started ( though most of the patches are metal inclined). There’s also a software package ( Guitar Lab) that makes editing the patches and chain even easier. There are a few boxes that were all ticked for me over the other choices that I looked at: - price - tuner - drum machine - battery life - aux in There’s also the opportunity to disappear down the rabbit hole of combining a massive array of amp/speaker/effect combinations 😎 For just noodling along without accompaniment I use the Behringer P2.

Fair play to you!

We got one of these for £30 from B&Q. It distributes power across the widest stages ( well, the widest stages we play). We have added an rcd on to the main plug to provide some Extra protection. https://www.diy.com/departments/masterplug-5-socket-13a-blue-extension-lead-15m/244075_BQ.prd

I had a listen to that and then spent most of the weekend down a rabbit hole chasing links to other Steven Wilson stuff. Whole new world of stuff to catch up on! Thanks🥴

I did a lot of searching and ended up getting a Levy's Leathers M4gf-blk 3-1/2 inch Garment Leather Bass Guitar Strap on Amazon for £48. It’s been very comfortable during long rehearsals and gigs.

Cheaper, even than chips. I use the free Spire app to record rehearsals etc. on an iphone ( not included in pricing). The app allows you to set the level so you don’t overload the phone mic. You can convert the recordings to mp3 which makes a song small enough to whatsapp or email around.

Went to see Loyle Carner in Grand Social here in Dublin. Excellent show, he really grabbed the crowd and kept them going! Only two others on stage with him guy on decks and.......a bass player! Did a great job and I’ve got GAS for the Laney Nexus SLS rig he was using! Didn’t catch his name, sorry! Next up is Cedric Burnside tomorrow followed by Primal Scream/ Charlatans/ Fun Loving Criminals on Sunday with Elbow/Spiritualized on Monday after which it gets quiet for a month.

Probably worth adding that at anything below those gain volume settings it seems to lack ‘presence’ but once you push two settings over approx. 4 it’s a different beast entirely. The sound really jumps out and pushes the air around the room!! I use the volume on the bass rather than the amp to keep it down if the room needs it.

I have a TC BG250 115 mk1. I’ve used it for the past few years in small/ medium pub gigs with a blues band(2 guitars, harp, drums and bass) . Usually have the master at 5 and gain between 4/5 with bass and mid at +1 or 2 amd treble slightly higher. I use the spectracomp toneprint download at about 7. It’s never struggled to be heard. It’s about 19kg. Hope that helps 😄 GAS has me thinking of separates but funding keeping me honest for now😎 and the TC is doing the job I need it for so, there’s no rush to change. Pat