Mr.T

Ben bought a set of Flatwounds from me. Nice simple & smooth transaction. Thanks.

I don't understand all this 'wooly' Ashdown nonsense. I own an Ashdown ABM500 and a MarkBass LM2. The Ashdown amp is marginally cleaner when set flat than the LM2. It can be made to sound woolly (obviously), but then so can the LM2! Try an Ashdown through one of Alex's Barefaced BigOne cabs to hear what the amp 'really' sounds like. I can only assume that the woolly Ashdown brigade have played them through a 1x15 cab (which is NOT a standalone cab for some styles of music!), and made their mind up from there. I don't want to argue about this, but I feel there is far to much Ashdown knocking going on in this forum. From my dealings with them, they seem like a really nice helpful bunch of guys. And... Why would the people who were part of the Trace brand put out am amp that is crap? If anyone doubts how clean an ABM can sound, you are welcome to come and try mine.... through decent cabs!

I haven't ever played a Vintage, but would definately recommend a Squier VMJ. Excellent value and perfectly giggable! Some great deals to be had on this forum.

[quote name='Moos3h' post='592644' date='Sep 8 2009, 08:10 AM']I'm no expert, but I've noticed that amplifiers with class D power amps, they often seem much quieter than more 'conventional' amps. Cheers, James[/quote] MarkBass may well be the exception, but my LM2 is VERY loud.

My money says... Rob @ Status will suggest epoxy. (The nut doesn't do much anyway).

If you like the Trace sound.... Save yourself lots of hassle and just buy another Trace!

[quote name='stingrayfan' post='590420' date='Sep 5 2009, 09:49 AM']Could I give you the number of my guitarist? Been trying to explain that for the last two years![/quote] ..... and my drummer!

I think I read somewhere that the LM2 is fairly 'flat'. Although, I do find mine to be very low mid heavy.... which I quite like.

[quote name='Oscar South' post='584028' date='Aug 28 2009, 09:05 PM']You can hear our own live take of it on here if you're interrested: [url="http://www.myspace.com/oscarsouthmusic"]http://www.myspace.com/oscarsouthmusic[/url][/quote] Nice!!!!!

On a slight tangent.... I once saw a Stanley Clarke gig on TV and he had a 'proper' bass player standing next to him!

Cool.

+1 to the above. Although a difficult to play guitar could put someone off learning how to play? It might also be worth looking at the nut.

Hi Clarky, I had a similar situation and was pointed in the direction of Newtone strings.... fitted a set of light guage (9 or 10) and job done. The Newtones seems very flexy compared with regular accoustic strings, but make sure you get the 10's or lighter. If this is definately a string issue, not a set-up issue.... the Newtones will resolve it. Edit: Just checked, and they are called Newtone Master Class.

Just to add weight to two points that have already been made..... 1). EQ. The EQ on the ABM500 seems very versatile and can offer a wide variation of sounds. This means that if set-up 'badly' or inappropriately you will get a 'bad' sound. There is lots of love for old Trace gear (me included), but who ever runs a Trace flat? It is Ok to use EQ! 2). Woolly sound. I have owned quite a few (too many) amps this year, and in no way would describe my ABM as woolly. It actually sounds very similar to my MarkBass LM2... which is a highly regarded amp. The ABM does have lots of low end on tap, so could easily make a not-so-good cab sound woolly... or fart out. It is about getting the right Bass/Amp/Cab for the job... if it works, it works. Can 'we' please stop knocking things just because 'we' don't like them? (Or don't know how to use them).

[quote name='Roob' post='578190' date='Aug 23 2009, 01:58 PM']......Girlfriend was complaining her desk was shaking upstairs [/quote] Never heard it called a desk before.....

Sold Shaun some strings. Absolutely top bloke to deal with!!!

[quote name='JBassist' post='576181' date='Aug 20 2009, 10:49 PM']im thinking getting a fretless when im old enough to gig lol[/quote] My son is only 11 and is getting more gigs than me at the moment!!!!!

[quote name='Merton' post='576353' date='Aug 21 2009, 08:36 AM']...... found myself getting frustrated with the graphic EQ, much prefer the passive 3-band tone stack on the V-Types and Hartke LH series [/quote] As we all know from my ramblings, I loved the Trace 12-band EQ. (I'm hoping the 7-band of the ABM500 will be a worthy replacement).

[quote name='charic' post='576020' date='Aug 20 2009, 08:13 PM']can i claim compensation? An amp would be ample, gk 700rbII will suffice.[/quote] What are you gass-ing for? I doubt you can claim compensation from me.... All I have done is moan about my problems!