chris_b

Dunlop 65. Not very frequently!!

The only amp failure I had, which required contacting a distributor, was an all valve Mesa 400+. Westside were very good to me in sorting out that situation. Like most customers, I have never had a problem with SS or D class amps (fingers crossed). Thanks to Agedhorse for giving us some background to the technology. Seems to me the OP hasn't been dealt with badly by the other parties in this, but is unlucky to be one of the very small percentage who has suffered a failure with this technology.

Just checked. The last cover band gig I did we had 32 songs in the list. That's 16 songs a set, with not a lot of waffle in between,. Some were extras, so we probably played about 12 of them.

We used to plan for 9 songs a set in our Blues/Soul/R&B band. Having 2 guitarists and good arrangements helped. Even 30 seconds of any slow blues makes me want to leave.

Have you bought it yet? Have you?

Bother. . . Paul Herman. Of course!

Yep. Everyone's doing it!

That's a Wal Pro 2. How much does he want for it? Advice? Buy it. Now! Then send it off to Paul Herman at Wal for a service and overhaul. ps That looks like an original case. Even better. pps corrected name

I very rarely get FOH these days so I have to carry the room with my gear. I find it's easy to fill the whole room with my current cabs. If I DI then I'll prefer to use the post option from the amp which bypasses the cabs, so I guess then both sounds will be significantly different.

You don't have to be "advanced" to play a 5 string bass. If you can play anything on a 4 string bass you can play the same thing on a 5 string.

A short video about TONTO https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YX0XPdmSfXI

Location is relevant so you can decide whether to try it out or not. Weight, photos and various questions on the spec are routinely asked. So routinely that it makes me wonder why people don't learn and put this info in the ad without having to be asked!

Yeah, I was listening to that as well.

Guys like Archie Shepp tried to develop free-form music but in reality there is structure in most music. Sometimes it's just harder to workout where the verses and choruses start and end.

NYXL, steel core and nickel plated windings. I've been using them (45 -130) on my 5 string Jazz for about a year now. The first time I've used something other than DR for many years. I'd recommend them for their feel and sound. My next set of strings will be NYXL. Prices and availability are all via Google!!

No problem with that approach at all. I believe that is within the spirit and letter of the rules. The "issue" is others putting negative, irreverent or unhelpful comments in sale threads.

Mark Smith isn't bad. Is he making a living from teaching bass? I've looked at several of his videos and gained from them, but IMO he's selling you a 2 bed terrace while Scott is selling you a 3 bed semi-detached with planning permission to extend as big as you want. Really, this isn't a put down for MS, it's just that SBL seems to be designed to take you further.

All I could think of was the plaster falling off the neighbours chimney breast.

Sadly, in the UK, with success comes the negativity! We've seen it with others and now it's Scott's turn. Most of us come and go and leave no impression on bass playing. I think its a no-brainer that the bass world is a far better place for Scott Devine being in it. He isn't always to my taste but as he isn't always talking to me, I wouldn't expect everything to be relevant. SBL is a quality product that I guess is designed to reach and help the widest range of bass players who are at many levels of development and have many interests. A tough task and I don't see anyone even half as good at it as Scott.

+1 If you are recording or using in-ears the smallest details can make a difference, but on a gig, standing next to a drummer, those subtle differences will be hard to spot. Just pick the bass that sounds good to you. I've owned alder and ash basses and the differences are pretty much evened out by your amp and cabs. I'm picky about my overall sound but I wouldn't say yes or no to a bass based on the wood. The weight is a problem. I'd own one if they came in at under 9lbs.

+1 IMO if you are serious about downsizing for your comfort/health/back then a modular rig with separate amp and cabs is the way to go. I'd stick with the amp for the time being so you can put the whole budget towards the cab(s). The good news is that these days you can easily do much better than a 412. IMO a 212 by Mesa, Bergantino, Vanderkley, Genzler or Barefaced etc would easily beat your old cab for tone and volume. You have a lot of great choices these days, including light 210's and 410's. When I had to downsize I looked at powerful lightweight cabs and bought a couple of Barefaced 112's. At 21lbs each my back is thanking me on every gig. These cabs are 600 watts each and a 500 watt amp will be loud enough to fill any room and meet any gigging situation.

IMO using one finger does bring benefits. To me the notes sound more even, as does the tone and I find it's easier to play slower or mid-tempo songs with one finger. I have to switch up to two fingers as soon as I have to play the fast bits, though.

I understand, but doesn't playing the bass better also count as enjoyment?

I don't disagree with that, but if the band wants to play a song and you can't play the bass line comfortably then you should meet and overcome that challenge. You should play that line until you get it right and you are happy playing it. Once you can play it then you can start to alter things. I once vetoed Do I Do because I couldn't play it. That was the wrong decision. Now I would learn to play that thing because my attitude these days is nothing on this instrument is going to beat me. I'm currently learning Dean Town. Not because I like it but because I can't play it.