Jonrh98

Awesome, thanks! It sounds like a really nice practice and portable gig solution.

That's really helpful, thanks! Interesting insight into the saturation - I assumed it was basically just a compressor, which is something I that is a bit of a need for me really. I like a relatively light compression that maintains my low end and warms up my higher notes, so it might be suitable.

Sadly, no aux in or mute switch (only a bypass switch), both important for me.

Hi all, considering the Palmer Pocket Amp Bass as my option for totally ampless gigs (rare for me as my TC rig is compact and I love the DI sound from it, but always a possibility) and at-home practice through headphones and with backing tracks. At the moment I use a Valeton GP-200, but as I no longer play electric guitar, and the bass amp models aren't my favourite, I wanted to switch to something more bass-oriented and smaller. Anyone who's used it - general opinions? Feature-wise, it's great - saturation control, simple switchable cab models, DI/headphone/aux ports, mute switch - but I've heard occasional reviews say it has a very high noise level. Anyone able to shed light on this? Alternatively, do I spend the extra 80-100 quid on a Zoom B2 Four? I love the Zoom stuff, but simplicity is king for me right now and I don't want to get anything unnecessary. Cheers!

A question for the UBass enthusiasts in this thread - is a Kala (lower-end, like the Scout, Journeyman or Rumbler) worth getting over the slightly cheaper offerings of Luna, Baton Rouge, Alvarez? I had a Harley Benton Kahuna back in the day, which was v cheap (still decent though), but there was nowhere near as many options back then as there are now.

Very true - I'm no tech myself, so as pre-made as I can get is best. Don't mind drilling screw holes, adding shims etc but beyond that is not for me. I might grab myself one of these cheaper necks and just see how it goes to be honest

Thanks so much! I was hoping someone would have had decent experiences with cheaper necks, it'd be good to free up some more money for hardware and pups.

I'm planning to mod my first bass, a cheap p copy, to make it more usable. It'll be a more classic p bass to go along with my modern, active Sandberg and my fretless. Replacement necks are totally new to me, though. I definitely need one (the neck on this bass is dire) but no idea what to go for. My instinct is to avoid far Eastern eBay options, unless anyone happens to have positive experiences? Outside of that, my choices seem to be a fender neck, an allparts neck, a WD neck or one of the slightly cheaper options from northwest guitars. Any input on any of these options is highly appreciated.

Probably something between the two if I'm honest - I look after my basses, but I'm not precious about dents and dings, and it will be used on all my recordings and gigs for sure.

The music shop near me does have a non-export aerodyne for about 990 quid - might try that out.

I'm not much of an amp-crazy guy! My Ashdown Studio 15 delivers plenty of oomph for monitoring and rehearsal purposes, and it's DIs/FOH all the way for me! However, the savings would certainly feed other forms of GAS - probably keyboard/guitar, or maybe even strings! (600=10 sets of TI jazz flats=basically a lifetime supply, right??)

Yeah, fair enough! If I did go for a used American, I'd have my eye open for something more recent, but having the S1 switch and not using it wouldn't bother me - right now I have a Sire P7 with 3 band EQ plus mid sweep and I just run it in passive!

that sounds like a decent day out to me!

Ah yeah, I'd seen Scott Devine mention an MV at some point, they look great! I might head down to BD for a day like you say, although if I'm going then I'm buying - it's about a 2 hour drive!

True - resale value doesn't massively bother me, but it could always be needed in unforeseen circumstances. Definitely tempted by the Am Performer - if I can get something I like stock, then I'm very happy and that'd be my top option.

Ahh nice, good to know! I'm going to have fun on Sandberg's website tonight for sure!

Thanks for the tips, much appreciated! I've seen a few of the S-1 basses around, but only ever heard negative things about the S1 circuits, so that throws me off a bit.

As much as I like it, it's not quite what I'd want out of an all-round bass. The pups are a little on the tame side for my liking (can be replaced of course), but preamp removal means sourcing a fresh pickguard, which has to be custom cut as nowhere makes replacements. Same issue with the tuners, which aren't ideal - there's no drop in replacement, so it's a case of filling and re-drilling, a lot of extra work when basses like the Mexi Fenders have an abundace of drop-in parts available.

I love the look of the Sandbergs, and the pups sound amazing! Can you order them direct from Sandberg to the UK? I can't find a passive model to my liking on any UK shop sites, so I wonder if you can order direct?

Very true, retention of value is a plus to the Americans. I'm considering the Am Performer now too, substantial savings over the Pro II but supposedly a decent step above the Player.

Certainly something I'm planning to consider when the time comes - there's often a Japanese Fender bass or two knocking about on ebay/facebook which is tempting.

It's not that I 'don't like' the Mexi bass, they're absolutely fine, in fact from what I've played in the Player series I really quite like the playability and feel. That's why I'd consider using it as a basis for upgrades: start with a reliable and agreeable foundation that I enjoy playing, and add elements that I particularly like, i.e. the Delano pups and a nice sturdy bridge.

Much appreciated - never played a Lakland, but heard only good things! I'm also considering the American Performer P as well - I love a PJ set up, so might be an interesting option that saves a little bit of cash.

I think that's something else troubling me - but in terms of smaller and more boutique brands, I haven't a clue - any recommendations in that area? A mate of mine has 2 Maruszczyks and swears by them, but other than that I have no clue