wateroftyne

More info: Footswitchable - not possible. Rackmount - nope, but there is a flightcased version available.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1461074124' post='3031175'] I'm assuming it's European heft and not African heft..? [/quote] It's a simple question of weight ratios.

[quote name='MoonBassAlpha' timestamp='1461071806' post='3031148'] Has anyone enquired about heft yet? [/quote] Oh, it's got that :-)

By the way, his webhost are having problems - he reckons his site will be down for 8-10 days. He's contactable by Facebook in the meantime.

[quote name='gazhowe' timestamp='1461043652' post='3030827'] I like the 2nd one too. I've never been a fan of top handle straps from an aesthetic and practical point of view so would prefer this with the side handle shown on the 1st amp if possible. If not I could certainly live with it, the amp sounds very good on the demos. [/quote] I'm the opposite - I wasn't keen on the side handle at first for purely visual reasons (yeah, I'm shallow), but I now see that it makes perfect sense. It's a solid, quality handle, and the way it's accessible through the fitted soft case makes it a doddle to carry. [quote name='Matt P' timestamp='1461057152' post='3030940'] The last one for me, but with the black faceplate surround, is it possible to have a footswitch for the drive? Matt [/quote] [quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1461057244' post='3030941'] Is there a rack-mounting version? [/quote] Good questions.. dunno. I'll find out. [quote name='Bigwan' timestamp='1461057857' post='3030955'] Surprised nobody has asked this yet. How is it compared to the Walkabout WoT? [/quote] The WA is known for being inherently thick and warm, which I've always liked. The R-400 is a different beast. With the EQ flat, it's absolutely clear as a bell. Like the WA it's very responsive, and laying back or digging in is very rewarding. Engage a bit of drive, and a little bit of contour, and you can get into WA territory, but to be honest, I just had loads of fun playing it clean - it's clean in a smooth tube way, not SS. The bark on string slides is lovely. The lows are tight and responsive, which isn't what the WA is famed for. Again, two different flavours of goodness. It's a great match for the TKS cabs. I can imagine needing to roll the treble or tweeters right back a bit on full-range cab for my needs. But then... others would love it. I'm using supplied backline this weekend, but over the next few weeks I've got gigs with a number of different bands, some with more 'challenging' volume needs than others. We'll see how it goes!

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1461013875' post='3030732'] I like the second one, simple but businesslike. [/quote] I like it, too. It's very blackface Walkabout...

There's a Facebooky thing: https://www.facebook.com/HandBoxAudio/

It's http://handbox.pl/, but it seems to be down at the moment..?

Cheers, Merton. :-) Right - I've decided it's a keeper. Time to talk to him about price and put my order in. I need to decide what kind of style to go for, too - there's quite a few options of styles, cases, knobs, colours, switches and finishes...

Time to wheel out my usual 'Black Velvet' story. Back in the day, I was in a covers band with a lot of seasoned musos. Not having a 5-string, they insisted I tune down. 'OK' says I. At every gig and every rehearsal, I pretended to detune, and just played it at the octave. No-one ever noticed.

Here's why - imagine you work in Fender's marketing department, and you're presented with the following. Which do you choose? 'FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Fender, creators of classic instruments from the beginning of rock'n'roll, are delighted to announce the lauch of a white Precision bass, with a black pickguard and a maple neck.' 'FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: [color=#333333]Punk bass starts with Douglas “Dee Dee Ramone” Colvin. As the pounding heart of the Ramones, he pioneered a no-frills sound and style that left a permanent mark on rock music. On a white Fender Precision Bass slung impossibly low, he defined punk bass with simple but breakneck bass lines delivered with such pulverizing sound, speed and conviction that he singlehandedly set the template for generations of punk bassists to come..... etc.'[/color]

Incidentally, you know why the headstock is the shape it is? Ol' Leo wasn't daft when it came to saving a dollar or two....

I used it yesterday at a marathon 8-hour rehearsal, just through the little S112. Lovely & focussed. I didn't think I'd have a use for the contour knob, but I've noticed adding a little nudges it towards Walkabout territory. I used it on quite a few tunes, and the bright switch came in handy too. Any reservations I had about the seemingly limited EQ are forgotten - it's just so easy to use. Here's another vid, FWIW.. DI'd post-EQ with everything set flat, and the drive engaged. (Disclaimer - I'm not a sound engineer. I need to learn how to do this properly!). [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k824J7HTfTo[/media]

Yep, nothing compares to being there :-) I didn't think I'd have a need for the contour knob, but I'm rehearsing with it at the mo and dialling in a tiny bit rounds things up a bit of the song needs it...

Here's a short snippet from the gig: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McsfaG_ycoI

First gig with it tonight. It's early days so I'm not trying to get too excited, but... it just fantastic. I'll put some sound clips up tomorrow if they've come out OK...

OK.. I've just spend an hour or so tinkering with the R-400, and comparing it to the Walkabout. They both have very different starting points. The Walkabout defaults to that classic warm and smooth tone, but it's possible to get brighter with a bit of EQ. With a flat EQ, the R-400 is much, much brighter, clearer and glassier. Rolling the treble knob back quickly warms things up, and as you increase the gain knob, you can really hear it fatten up even more. It's a lot of fun to play though. Of course this is just plunking away at practice volume - it'll be getting a good run out on Friday and Saturday...

White fer me, and I don't normally like white pearl.

It matters to me loads.

[quote name='lastanthem88' timestamp='1460538304' post='3026523'] Thanks Paul - alot of guys tell me that TC power outputs are still very misleading? [/quote] They are, but they're loud enough so if you like the sound it doesn't matter.

I'll not due my sofa shot for another couple of weeks, and that's with a following wind. *drums fingers*

[quote name='GrammeFriday' timestamp='1460500908' post='3026389'] Speaking of which ... INCOMING! [url="http://s1333.photobucket.com/user/grammefriday/media/Elwood%205%20Fretless/IMG_1438_zpscheypigo.jpg.html"][/url] [/quote] Jesus Christ on a bike. That's a smasher.