largo

I think I may have found one ...

Checked out the Aguilar DB750 review in the BGM and thought I'd look at the AG500SC on the Aguilar website.
Puts a tick in all 4 boxes, power, mute, DI on front and tuner send on back for my rackmount tuner.

So anyone got a review, maybe comparing the AG500SC to a LMII or Ashdown ABM 500 ?

S

Yeah, me too. I buy my DR "coated" strings from either ebay shops in the US, or Thomann are pretty cheap even with shipping.
I reckon a couple of sets from the US inc. shipping is still less than one set in the UK. And is under the customs allowance, so no extra costs.

Hi Dek

My speakon cable is plugged in permanently to the amp and just connected to the speaker at each gig.
I have a single 4ohm cab and I just coil the cable up & leave it in the back of the rack case with the amp connection left in place.

S

Hi Muppet

Thanks for all your suggestions.
Aguilar has the DI on the front too Muppet, and not sure why it's inconvenient to put the DI on the front as it makes more sense to me.
It's not as if the cable is permanent and I think it makes more sense for a rack mount amp to be totally accesible from the front, without having to try and plug cables into the back every gig. Does that make sense ?

S

P.S Thanks for the offer Derek, may take you up on that although fancy trying a LMII at some point as well

Hi Luke

One thing I would like to add is, in my experience you have to become a musical prostitute for the money !
I've played in wedding & function bands for the last 7 years, 2 nights a week every week. The band all earn good money from this, but you can't (IMHO) just get up and play what you want to play, or play your own songs. Sure you chuck in some songs you like, but Joe Public wants to hear the Brown Eyed Girl, Girls Aloud and Abba medley's especially at weddings where the bulk of the work lies.

So, choice is usually to sell your soul and earn the cash or, if you still want to make it doing originals then expect to be skint.

As 5 piece earn £800+ but play 8-12 with a 30 min break.
That's 3 1/2 playing time, and we'll have a go at covers (even first time) or back singers if the need arises. You get used to it, and again IMHO it makes you a better musician, and tighter band because of it.

S

As much as I love my Ashdown ABM 500 EVO II RC, everyone keeps talking of reliability issues so I'm looking at possible backups !
Then I got to thinking, whats the ideal rack amp features for me or anyone for that matter. So here's my thoughts, maybe people can talk me out of some things or have ideas of their own.

Mute switch on the front, with footswitch option - keep bass silent while not playing or changing basses
DI output on the front - when the amps in the rack I don't want to have to fiddle around in the back of the rack case to attach a cable each gig !
Tuner output on the rear - I use a rack tuner but ideally I'd think tuner out on both the front & rear (or in-built tuner would be nice)
Power Switch on the front - again, don't want to fumble around trying to connect or switch on power to the amp

So, that's my thoughts.
My Ashdown has 3 out of 4 if I use the send/receive for my tuner but ideally the power would be on the front.

Last thoughts are, are there any amps with all 4 options ?

Wow, that Schaeffer AG site looks good.
Maybe I can design myself a new front for my Ashdown ABM EVO II RC amp.
Get rid of the shiny chrome and go for a nice blue or red front on it instead. Guess what I'll be doing the next few days !
Do you think Ashdown would send me their layout specs ?

Yes, I've had quite a few in my time but down to 2 at the moment and selling one of those too.
Check out the FS sale section, give it a bump if you like, for a picture of two of them, the wineburst's been sold and the lighter quilt maple's up for grabs just now. Pity you don't fancy a lighter coloured Jazz. :-(

I'm having to downsize my collection since a new addition to the family means I need some cash to extend the hoose.
I'll post some more pics when I get my digital camera back from repair, here's a general one.



The www.seibass.com website always has a nice selection too.

I've had a few custom builds done and each time I've given the builder some specifics and some ideas. i.e. you want a single cut, do you want it finished in a colour, sunburst, a specific type of wood, or more vaguely just a light, brown swirly wood ? If you've got pictures of other guitars you like the look of send them pics. If you have a type of bass you really like, tell them. They can get scales sizes, pickup types etc. from all this.
Tell them what you want it to sound like ? Maybe there's other basses you like, or particular songs you like the sound of the bass.
I guess what I'm saying is tell them as much as you can.

Always wondered why being made in China is such a bad thing ?

I've never played an Ampeg, but I went through the same dilemma when buying my last amp.
Tried out the Ashdown ABM 500 EVO II RC and decided that I didn't need to try the Ampeg out, as the Ashdown was exactly the sound I was after.
Over on T***Bass there's a lot of posts saying the SVT-3 is underpowered, whereas the Ashdown sounds a lot louder than it's 575W.
The Ashdown was a good couple of hundred quid cheaper than the Ampeg too which helped, www.soundslive.co.uk at £499

I've got the 410L with an Ashdown ABM amp, absolutely top notch and as wateroftyne said [quote]It's a proper BASS cab[/quote]
All I can say is, after 15 years playing I've finally got a sound that I love. A warm, round, low-end punch that you feel as much as you hear.
Swapped my Ashdown ABM 2x10 and 1x15 for a single 4 ohm 4x10 cab and don't miss the 15" one little bit.
I play typical pub, function band stuff if that helps.

Hi acidbass

I'm still lurking around these parts.
I'm glad your still enjoying the Stage II 'twas a lovely bass. If it only had an extra string !

Anyway, it's looking in great shape and all the best.

I told Jon there was no hurry, and part of my build was I wanted a smaller Jazz style body ala Fender Jazz Deluxe.
Last I heard he was waiting for the local Sound Control to get a Jazz Deluxe in and he was going to make a template from that.

I started the build, i.e. sent a cheque at the beginning of April so that's 2 months gone.
I was told 3 month'ish build time but for some reason I don't think I'll be seeing my bass in that time frame. I'm reckoning August !

Thanks for asking Jon though.

Stephen

Hi TinMan

As regards side dot LED's I just got my new Sei bass which has "violet" LED's and they are superb.
I have owned basses with both blue and red LED's but I have to see the violet is the clearest and most visually striking of them all.
I guess they remind me of ultra-violet lighting.

Did you get a chance to ask Jon about my "sparkly" bass ?

I was going to with the red LED's but maybe i'll change that and ask if he does the "violet" option.

Cheers

Hi Tinman

Can you ask Jon about my "sparkly" bass when you're their too. He'll know the one your talking about !
No pics yet, but when I do i'll start my own build thread.

Cheers

Stephen