chris_b

My rule of thumb is that if the volume controls are always over 12 o'clock then I need a more powerful amp. But you're already running an 800 watt amp. The "controls don't mean a thing" mantra might be relevant at the cheap end of the market or at some time in the past, but it doesn't apply these days at the "professional" end. I'd like someone who repeats this mantra to come up with some actual examples, names of amps that are at full volume at 12 o'clock. Anyway, the D800 is not one of those amps. You get what it says on the front panel. If you're running your amp too hard it will overheat and switch off. I wouldn't expect you could hurt a D800 in this way. Thermal protection would step in and prevent any damage. If it hasn't done that then you're OK. I'd suggest you need less volume from the amp and more from the speakers. The D800 is an accurate 800 watts which will run at 2 ohm, so I'd add another cab.

[quote name='prowla' timestamp='1487575984' post='3240775'] The issue with these new Gibbos is that they look a bit generic; [/quote] I would imagine the first instruction to the designers was, "This can't look anything like a Fender". That's one hand tied behind their backs right there. The next was probably, "This can't look like anything we already designed". That's the other hand tied! The designers were probably pointed in the direction of "safe". This is a first step in a comeback for Gibson. The next bass will probably be a better one. I'm no Gibson fan and my instructions to the designers would have been, "Take the most popular bass we have ever made and come up with a great version 2". It's a first step, but this design makes me think that Gibson are competing with Asian made basses in the US. I would expect Americans to lap them up. That looks like a good starting point for Gibson, but what do I know. Both Fender and Gibson have been (and maybe still are) on the verge of bankruptcy so have to make big moves to stay in business. Neither seem to have been very bold or adventurous with their new models, but if these basses play well and sound good then people will accept the looks. GAK have them in stock for £844. That's not a bad price for a USA made instrument, and the deluxe version will probably make more people happy.

I don't know. Fender get slagged off for sticking with the same 4 designs and Gibson get slagged off for coming up with something different. If these basses sounded good enough I'd play one. Hanging around my neck they wouldn't look generic, boring, horrid, zzzzzzzzz or weird. I've got enough of that to spare whatever bass I'm playing.

[quote name='Defo' timestamp='1487502790' post='3240202'] What if we set the cost bar at £1200 (no secondhand) [/quote] If you say "no secondhand" you exclude many of the better basses that could fall within your budget.

I don't understand the phrase "yearly allowed"! Looking at the gear in your sig I don't think you need any more gear. Even though it's "that time of the year"!!

There are so many great songs. . . . [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8Yd0xyZHus"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8Yd0xyZHus[/url] [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxTn1om6sWE"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxTn1om6sWE[/url] Couldn't decide which Bobby Bland song. . . Dreamer, Ain't No Love In The Heart Of The City or Members Only.

[quote name='bassjim' timestamp='1487425119' post='3239705'] I think this backing band is very good. [/quote] Good. . . but no funk here.

Wonderful drummer. Very sad news.

A couple I've been listening to lately. . . . [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=habje7Yl0Ug"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=habje7Yl0Ug[/url] [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFsXZ53N7H4"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFsXZ53N7H4[/url] [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVtKU4nmgNc"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVtKU4nmgNc[/url]

Bartolini pickups and keep it passive.

I've just been given Chelsea Dagger to learn for a function in 2 weeks. I've only ever heard this on the radio as background noise, so I listened to it properly yesterday. We are not the Fratellis so I plan to use the sound of a Mike Lull bass (fingers) into a TH500 amp into Barefaced 112 cabs, ie my sound. No help at all, I know, but that's it.

You don't need to spend any money, just adjust and improve your technique. If your sound is good with the Markbass then changing the strings to suite the Blackstar might adversely affect your Markbass sound. Really the solution is in you. Lift your fretting fingers off the strings when you're moving your hand and hit the strings with less force with your plucking fingers. Raise the bridge until the buzzing/clicking noises stop. If that makes the strings too high, go back and work on your technique. Or. . . . as this "problem" mostly goes away when you play the Markbass. . . . Sell the Blackstar and use the Markbass at home, or ignore the "noises" and carry on improving your technique until the extraneous noises go away.

"Any old plank" supporter here. Define [i]crucial[/i]. Nice to have, or must have? Unless you're in a tribute band I don't believe you have to play a particular instrument. Your bass lines and how you play them are more important. I was playing in Blues and Soul bands in the 80's so what do I know, but my cover band of the last 15 years played a lot of 80's hits and I used my Mike Lull and US Lakland "planks" on every song. I'd play them in any band and any style. Look at Pino in The Who and Jerry Barnes in Chic. Both sound fantastic, but neither play or sound anything like the original bass player. I'd be [i]you[/i] on any bass [i]you[/i] own.

Cheers

Trevor, which La Bella flats did you get?

[quote name='dood' timestamp='1487259314' post='3238450'] The one at the opposite end to the port. So stood up, the top speaker is full range. [/quote] Cheers

I've don't regret selling any of the basses, because I was always upgrading to a better one.

Remind me, when it's upright. . . . which one is the full range speaker?

Hey Tony, I understand this doesn't answer your question. . . but, IMO if a bass feels too heavy it usually is. I've just sold a couple of great basses because they were too heavy for me and they were lighter than your bass. I have several good thick and wide leather straps but they also add a lot of weight, which doesn't help. Sometimes your head has to rule your heart. I hope you find a solution.

[quote name='fleabag' timestamp='1487028217' post='3236475'] She wasn't too bad in the Tom Tom Club either [/quote] I'd agree with that.

"Great" is bandied about too much (I know, I use it a lot!). John McVie was great in both Fleetwood Mac's. Jack Bruce (a great player) would have been terrible in both. John Entwistle was great in the Who but wouldn't have been any good at all in Talking Heads. Tina Weymouth was great in Talking Heads.

I guess the sharing was what both could do with an off the shelf Eminence speaker. When Alex designed his own mods to his speaker their paths diverged somewhat.

A quality act. Very sad news.

Bob Babbitt on Midnight Train To Georgia is one of my favourite bass lines and what a great tone. There are Youtubes of Andrew Gouche in the Gladys Knight band. What a stunning band.

. . . . and?