Skybone

[quote name='Billy Apple' timestamp='1424033667' post='2691867']What did he tell you?[/quote] If it was Jeff, it had quite a few expletive's in it... Jeff's ace, top man, will generally fall over backwards to help you (though he will generally complain loudly and swear a lot while doing so!). In fact all the Matamp folk are superb.

Just ordered a new Rockinbetter, a black one this time. Can't wait for it to turn up now!

Got mine from Thomann for about £90, though I've had to buy a three pin UK 9v power supply (eBay £9.00). Still works out cheaper than most available (or not!) in the UK.

Make time to eat decent food at least once a day, instead of stuff that's "easy" or cheap. Find the local swimming pool & have a shower. If your on a tourbus with a chemical bog, don't do a No. 2 on the bus, especially if you want to stay friends with the rest of the band or not invoke the wrath of the driver.

Been listening to loads of old rock/punk & goth stuff recently... Budgie from Siouxsie & The Banshee's had a killer sound, as did the Captain in the early Damned singles. Craig Adams always managed to get a great sound in the Sisters/The Mission & Coloursound (Mike Peters & Billy Duffy). Tony Pettitt from The Fields of the Nephilim, superb. [url="http://youtu.be/BYYy862KFyE"]http://youtu.be/BYYy862KFyE[/url] [url="http://youtu.be/etTR0Qopbis"]http://youtu.be/etTR0Qopbis[/url] [url="http://youtu.be/eVTtFjU0T-Y"]http://youtu.be/eVTtFjU0T-Y[/url] [url="http://youtu.be/VcdxnQLKAYo"]http://youtu.be/VcdxnQLKAYo[/url]

This years goals? As far as music's concerned, I have met up with a few guys with the view to getting a band going, playing original stuff, but doing some covers initially to get up & running. All seem pretty keen, so we'll see where it goes from there. Looking forward to being "just the bass player" again.

Zoom B3. It's set up like a pedal board, so you can turn effects on and off as you need them, flicking between patches seems a bit convoluted (though I guess that will become easier with time). It sounds good and is easy to use. The downside with some mulri FX is that you can't switch effects on/off, where the B3 can. Not sure about the Line6/BOSS/etc versions, but I'm pretty sure it can be done, though the simple 2 switch units like the B1 & StompLab, you'd have to organise your patches with your set list as you can't switch effects off as you go (in my experience). I was considering a StompLab 2b for some time, but bought a B3 instead because of it's flexibility.

Just to reiterate here, I was asking the question in general to try and narrow down the choices so that I can figure out what to get when the time comes. There's a myriad of gear available these days, for both guitar & bass players, we are spoilt for choice in fact, and that makes the decision of which to go for even harder. I do not intend on buying anything "blind", it's a big wedge of money, which as we all know these days, definitely does not grow on trees. So whatever I decide upon, it has to be the right choice for me, and only I can make that decision, but I intend to do a lot of research prior to shelling out anything. My guitar amp is a very understressed 50w, I have used it regularly at full bore, and it still sounds gorgeous & LOUD now as it did when it was new. It still has the same valves in it as the day I picked it up from the factory. I might try it, I might not. As for the tonewood discussion, it definitely does make a difference on an electric guitar, as it does on an acoustic. I have predominantly played mahogany bodied guitars, which do give a fuller sound throughout the spectrum. I owned a maple through neck guitar for a while, and although it looked and played superbly, there was something missing in the sound. Playing in a three piece metal band, it snarled like nothing else, but there was little "girth" in the sound, it left plenty of room for the bass, but there was a little too much room in the overall sound of the band, where with the other mahogany bodied guitars, there was snarl AND girth, and still loads of room for the bass (even when recorded you could tell the difference between them). If you listen to an acoustic guitar of the same size body & same make, but made from different tonewoods, there is a marked difference in the sound from mahogany to maple & rosewood. Anyways, I'm liking the look of the Ashdown Rootmaster's, the Laney RB7 or 8 or the TC BG250 combo's. The next problem is finding somewhere where I can try them out with my gear. Not sure about whether I'll use the B3 before the amp yet, I'll have to wait & see if I need effects or not. As for the amp/cab or combo route, again, been there, done that. My preference would be for a combo, less to lug about and more importantly, store. OK, so they're a bit heavier than an amp & cab, but all the amps I'm thinking about all around the 25kg mark, which isn't unmanageable.

Thanks for the responses. To clear up a few things, the budget is undecided as yet, but I don't want to spend too much, maybe £400 max. The Ashdown Rootmaster C112-220 (as reviewed in BGM) looks ideal, though the C210-420 does as well. If money were no object, then I'd be heading straight for the Matamp factory (or the nearest Ampeg / Ashdown dealer) and leaving with something valve driven, completely innapropriate and huge! As for using my guitar amp, I would be inclined to try it at least. It's a big, tough, understressed, hand built, valve driven behemoth of hi-fi sonic awesomeness. I definitely wouldn't hook it up to my guitar cab as the speakers definitely do not have the capabilities of handling bass, but the amp would be more than man enough. Age & build? I'm definitely the wrong side of 40, but a way to go before hitting 50. Seeing as I've spent most of my adult life lugging bass amps & more recently, a rather big & heavy valve guitar amp & cab, I think I'll be able to lug a reasonably sized combo about (though I have got a trolley thing in the garage from the last time we got a new washing machine!). Unfortunately, the biggest draw back thus far is living in a part of the country where we only have 3 music shops in a 50 mile radius, and all with a very limited stock of bass gear, especially bass amps. One shop I spoke to only deals with Laney bass amps, another has a handfull of different amps but can order other stuff in, and the other literally only has about 4 or 5 basses and small amps (it's a small shop, with a lot crammed in!). I could travel further afield, but that takes time, I'd have to take time off work or take a day out of a weekend (not an option with a family!). Looks like more t'interweb research is required before taking time out to go shopping (and obviously, seeing how the band goes before spending serious cash).

AFAIK: I was always under the impression that the 4003 superseded the 4001 from the early 80's to the present. Though some of the earlier 4003's were more "modern" in spec & decoration than the 4001, they've slowly been reverting to the overall look of the 4001 since the late 80's. The more "modern" spec was used for the 4004's.

[quote name='blunderthumbs' timestamp='1422976264' post='2679052'] Here's my faker [attachment=182819:IMG_0419.JPG] [/quote] On the "RickenFakers" facebook group? Looks a lot like my Rockinbetter, 'cept I've put a Ric bridge surround on & replaced the control knobs.

So, I'm joining a new band, nothing too ambitious thankfully, just for a bit of fun. Anyway, I have a bass, but no amp. Not a major problem as I have just bought myself a Zoom B3, so I could plug in to a PA or bass amp for rehearsals/gigs etc. But it's got me thinking about maybe purchasing an amp of some description at some point in time, and then use the B3 as a pedal board rather than as an amp sim. I've owned bass amps before, but haven't had one for quite a number of years, and the technology has moved on since then (hopefully the sound has as well!). Last amp I had was a 100w Ampeg SVT15T combo with a 15" speaker. When the stars aligned, it sounded fabulous, a lot of the time, it sounded OK, the rest of the time, it was awful. Prior to that, I'd had my share of the bad, the ugly and the down-right dreadful amps on an incredibly limited budget. In the past, I have tended towards combo amps with a 15" speaker, great for rock & metal low end, not that great on the higher range. On my guitar amp(s), i've mainly used 12" speakers, which cover pretty much all sonic bases I was after. So, back on topic. What is the general consensus of speaker configurations does the BC crowd like and why? Seen a few Ashdown combo's with 12" speakers recently that look good, and would hopefully be "luggable". Something like a 2x10 combo would "move a bit more air" and still be manageable, but would it fit the sonic requirement? I did have a crazy idea of getting a second hand bass cab and using my valve guitar amp head, but it's more stuff to lug about. The music is rock-y/punk-y/etc, the bass is a RickenFaker, sound I'm hoping for is tight & punchy, but with a good spectrum of lows/mids/highs (though whether my playing is still tight & punchy is another matter completely! ).

Had the B3 for a week or so now, very pleased with it so far. Mainly using it as an amp sim/DI box, and very pleased with some of the sounds I'm getting out of it. So far, the SVT & Flip Top models are favourites, but the SuperBass, BassMan & Acoustic models are nice too. In fact most of the amp models are pretty darn good. Some of the effects are a bit OTT, but the good thing is that they can be tinkered with, and the factory reset is nice to know about.

If it were me, I'd add reverb, just a little bit of say a spring or a small room, just to give your sound some [b]W_I_D_T_H[/b], if you know what I mean. Nothing too cavernous or fancy. If your amp has reverb, then use it, or there's quite a few nice reverb pedals out there just now (mainly digital reditions). I had a Marshall Reflektor (IIRC) for a while, which was good & cheap, and it was used in a lot of the Marshall (guitar) valve amps.

[quote name='Highfox' timestamp='1422467902' post='2673102'] I had one of the MiK's, well made, nice sound and a joy to play. (whilst seated for me) I just couldn't get on with the strap pin positions and where that put the neck when I was in the standing position. Was sad to see it go but as I didn't want to use it live it had to go. Might be a good idea to make sure your comfortable with that.. It was one thing I had never even thought about. edit smelling [/quote] My electric guitars are the same, so quite used to that.

BBC: [url="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-31039634"]http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-31039634[/url]

I'm not "fascinated" with the indivdual measurements per se, it's just a way to "weed out" potentially unsuitable guitars. Unlike many, there are 3 guitar shops in a 50 mile radius of where I live. Those three shops are relatively small, and also carry a large number of other instruments, loads of guitars (as you'd expect), drums, keyboards, PA & traditional instruments (mandolins/accordians/bagpipes etc - as you'd expect in Scotland). Basses are, at most, an afterthought. Generally a very limited choice of instruments (Fender/Squier mainly, a small number of "trendy" name basses), generally nothing out of the ordinary or specialised. I was truly amazed when I found the Yamaha in one of the shops nearby. I know I have spent rather a large amount on gear over the many years of playing, that in the shop feels & sounds great, but when you get them home & into rehearsals they don't quite "meet the mark", be it "feel"/sound or whatever. Before the Rockinbetter I had an MIC Jazz, it was a nice bass, I've owned quite a few Jazz & Jazz inspired basses over the years, and they were great, but the MIC JB just didn't feel right after having owned a 4003 for quite a few years previously. I could waste a lot of cash buying basses that don't suit, but I can't afford to do that these days, so I am merrely trying to narrow the field, seeing as I am highly unlikely to get hold of another Rockinbetter with a nice comfy neck & 42mmm nut.

Anyone enlighten me on the neck width at the nut? Is the neck a chunky handful or slim & narrow?

I'm (still) waiting on a Zoom B3 to get delivered. I'm hoping that will be a more versatile bit of kit sound-wise.

Does anyone out in BC land own a Warwick Star Bass? I've been thinking about getting a second bass to go along with my Rockinbetter. I'm only at the research stage while I accumulate some pennies for this idea (along with a few other ideas/projects). Current contenders: Another Rockinbetter (more like Rockinhorsepoo!) Another RickenFaker from another source (a couple of different possibilities) Epiphone Thunderbird Classic (through neck, passive version) Yamaha BB424/42 4X G&L L2000 Tribute OR Save up long & hard & line Mr Hall's pockets a bit more... My preference is for a passive, and I know the G&L is active, but it can be switched to passive. Plus it has a nice wide neck at the nut (44mm). I did consider a StingRay, because of their neck profile, but I'm not a fan of actives (because of the last few actives I owned). I've owned 2 StingRays (2 EQ versions) in the past, both with seriously chunky & gorgeous necks, but I could never get a satisfactory sound from them. Whether that was me or the 'Ray is highly debateable. Anyways, this research got me wondering about the Star Bass, I know it's a medium scale (32"), passive, but I can't find any neck width info anywhere. Can anyone enlighten me? What do the MEC Motherbuckers sound like? Currently, it's between the Yam & the G&L. Cheers.

Sounds like you need to drop Mr Giblin a line (possibly via Wunjo?), and get a sined letter from him to prove that your new Tak was in fact the one he used on the Kate Bush gigs. You never know when it might come in handy.

I have a PODxt for guitar, and I always found it to be quite good with bass too (I use the HiWatt & Plexi models with various 4x12 cab models). Bizarrely, I tried the 4x10 cabs, but the 4x12 models simply gave a sweeter tone. I briefly had a Bass V-Amp 2, and was distincly unimpressed with it, I just couldn't get it to sound right. Took it back to the shop within a week. Sometime later, I bought a Bass PODxt, and again, it was seriously unimpressive compared to the guitar version that I had been using up to then. Sold it on after a couple of months. I know this is neither useful or particularly helpful, but do I think that the way ahead with amp modellers is to play about with them until you find something that meets what you think is a good sound.

Ordered a B3 the other day thanks to this thread, waiting for it to arrive..... Had bee considering getting a dedicated bass amp modeller, and was seriously looing at the Vox StompLab 2B, but after a bit of digging around on t'interweb, I look like the B3 was the one to go for.

Musky, the neck on my Rockinbetter is incredibly similar to the neck on my old 4003, enough for me to be very happy with the bass. I know what you're saying about the older "chunky" PP bass profile, but the profile on the Yam 424 that I tried was more of a handful than the MIM P Bass I tried out in the same shop. The Yam kind of reminds me of the StingRay neck a wee bit (owned 2 StingRay's previously), but to my knowledge, there isn't a passive StingRay in either the MM range or the Sterling/SUB range, and if I could afford an MM StingRay, I would buy another 4003 instead. I know what you mean by getting down to a shop & try a few out, but therein lies the difficulty... Near where I live there are only 2 music shoppes, there's 1 near where I work (50 miles away), and a few more about 100 miles away & more much further afield. Choice is limited in the few shops that are about, and though mail order is the best way to get a good deal, it means taking a big risk in buying something unseen & untried. I've been playing long enough to be know what I like & don't like and I've wasted far too much money over the years on gear that doesn't fit what it's intended for (as I'm pretty sure everyone else on here has as well! ). Hence asking the question on here. At the moment, the Yam is looking like a pretty good prospect. Thanks for the heads up ead, but tbh, they simply don't float my boat. Does anyone have any Thunderbird / Ric experience?

Bit of a weird query, but I shall explain. Here goes... My main bass at the moment is a Rockinbetter Rickenfaker, it replaced an MIC MP Jazz which replaced a Ric 4003. Even though I've played Jazz basses & jazz style necks in the past, but after the Ric, I was finding I was just not getting on with it at all. The Rockinbetter filled the Ric shaped gap with a similarly Ric-a-like proportioned neck (without the Ric-a-like financial outlay). I now find myself with the proposition of a new band, and already I'm thinking about acquiring Bass No.2. I'd love another Faker, but they're pretty thin on the ground. Which got me to thinking, what basses out there, if any, have a Ric-a-like styled neck? I appreciate that their neck profiles are somewhat unique, and I went through a similar process when I was trying to find something to replace the Ric and the MP JB. I keep coming back to the Epi Classic Pro IV Thunderbird, and the Yammy BB424 & 424X. The Yam has a nice chunky neck, feels nice and plays well (had a shot on one at a local music instrument retailing emporium), though never tried the Epi. How do the 2 compare with the Ric neck and each other? Anyone have any other suggestions for a good bass on a limited budget?