Skybone

Another vote for the TC Electronic Polytune Clip, though TBH, sometimes it goes into polytune mode when you're trying to tune a single string, which is a tad annoying, especially on bass. However, the new(ish) TC Electronic Unitune Clip is fantastic (and cheaper). The Unitune doesn't have the. polytune mode. Both are incredibly accurate too.

I would think you'd be better changing your pre-amp first before changing the pickups on an active.

Seriously considering importing a bass from the US, even with the postage & import duty, it's still working out cheaper than buying one in the UK.

Nice find. The Yammy SG's are excellent guitars, always fancied one, but never owned one, played a few and they were great. These and the Ibanez Artist's were real Les Paul killers (owned a few Artist's over the years, want another). Doesn't that have the push/pull pots for coil tapping?

Maybe you need to spend a bit of time with your setup for tweaking. Take the EQ's to 12 o'clock etc. and take it from there. Is it a new bass or new rig? How did you dial your sound in originally? Did you just set the EQ to where you normally set it? When did you last change your strings? What sort of strings are you using? Etc. etc.

And get one of those electric, oil filled radiators in there as well, and leave it on a low/mid setting, just to get some warmth in there. The cold attracts moisture build up when there is a heat source added (i.e. you & your amp when you're practicing), but when you leave the room will cool again, causing condensation (relative dew point etc.). Keep the area warm, and it alleviates the moisture build up "issue". That is assuming that you don't have central heating in the cellar. We have one of those radiators in the conservatory, it just keeps the area warm enough for the condensation to be less of an issue.

The "No Alcohol" thing is probably more to do with Passenger "safety" than anything else. As a member of the crew, you also have a responsibility to the passengers, even when you're off duty.

Looks good, wonder if they'll do a VT500 combo? In other news, Ashdown are doing the OriginAl head in 2 different combo's as well.

For as much as I like Ric's, I won't be buying the new 5 string... no interest in 5's, so a Ric 5 is of no interest to me... If I could afford one that is! Looking at the pictures, I think they've tried to address a few issues, and "modernise" the classic design to go along with the subtle re-designed 5 string. The 4004 Schaller bridge is a given. It works. It may not give the same "vibe" as the original Ric bridge, but it'll stop folk whining about the original bridge. The pickups are reminiscent of the Les Paul Recording to me. The shape of them would be better offset with the triangle fretboard markers, they look kind of "at odds" with the curves of the bass and the dot inlays. Wonder if they're going to roll out a 4 string version with those pickups? In other news, Nordstrand are starting to make replacement Ric pickups.

Still one of my favourite Sabbath albums, but I guess that review is coming from "fresh" ears, instead of having grown up with the album. Maybe not as strong as "Master of Reality" or "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath", but still a good album.

There's that new combo out, though it doesn't seem to be available in the UK, but you can get it from Thomann, Musik Productiv & Music Store (DV247). The Hartke HD500, completion for the Fender Rumble 500 & the Ampeg BA210. Good price too.

Like alyctes, I never really liked The Fall that much, but he was one of the real characters of rock'n'roll. A lot of my friends were Fall fans, and one friends band were helped and supported by Mark E Smith. RIP

I'd disagree that amp sims aren't for bass, I'm very happy with the results I'm getting from the HD.

Basses: 3x RickenFakers (2x Rockinbetter's, 1x Bass Collection Californian) Effects: Line6 HD500x Amp: Hartke HA4000 (only used it a handful of times since I bought it) Cab: RedSub 2x10 (ditto) Other Stuff: Fender leads, Mono GS1 straps, Schaller strap locks, Fender 7350m strings The three musketeers: No.2 Rockinbetter, No.3 Bass Collection Californian, No.1 Rockinbetter

What sort of powered speaker do you use? Is that just for 'on stages monitoring? I've been through a Zoom B3, a PODxt Live, and now use a POD HD500x (the B3 & HD500 have xlr outs). The HD is my favourite so far, great sounds, but not exactly a low cost option, even second hand (bought mine second hand). You should be able to find a pretty decent Zoom B3 second hand for a reasonable price. The only downside to the HD is the 'lack' of amp & cab models. However, the ones that are on it sound pretty darn good IMO.

They sound more like audio / log pots than linear ones.

All parts UK, WD MusicUK, Guitarparts, StringsDirect, HotRox

It is a family show... Good job the wall hangers aren't up then...

We avoided places like Las Ramblas when we were there last year, and I hear it is bad around there. We went there a few years back, and you certainly had to keep your wits about you. As in many large cities, there's plenty of people on the streets trying to sell you tat. We were there around Easter, so not really a real Tourist-y time of year, and we only did a bit of a whistle stop tour of certain bits (mainly the tourist bus routes). We were with the kids, so weren't really going to many of the "big" tourist areas.

Another one lurking in the spare room & the cupboard in the spare room. Used to have them on the wall of our old house, can't do that now, because of shelves & other stuff. Having them out on show certainly made me pick them up more.

Nice

I've not seen any of these "in the flesh", but have been seriously considering either the 420 or 620. I've owned a couple of late 70's 2619's in the past (same specs), which were real LP Killers, fantastic guitars, and with the addition of the Tri-Sound switches, they add some really useful, and easily accessible sounds. The 2619's pre-dated the "AR" range (even though they were "Artist"), and the specs are slightly different, the "AR"s tend to have thicker bodies, more like those of the LP / Yamaha SG, where the 26** series had thinner bodies. Some of the previous reissues of their 70's/80's range guitars have been superb, so I wouldn't expect anything less from these.

Did you use some buttah?

Yup, Ric 4004Cii. There was an interview with him a while back in BGM (can't remember his name... Andy ?).